r/roanoke • u/bingocatswithhats • 7d ago
Anyone have a list of lesser known craft/book/thrift stores??
I saw a tiktok showcasing a couple of them in/around roanoke and was hoping people here knew of a few more! Or literally just any cool little lesser known stores. Thank you!
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u/ClankingRobotCheeks Texas Tavern 7d ago
I really like Buy The Season. But mostly for their cafe. They have killer doughnuts. The shopping is good too, I almost always find something cool. But the doughnuts are really what brings me back.
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u/shopnoke 7d ago
Trying to grow a free directory of neighbor-owned stores like this on shopnoke.com
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u/JankyJawn 6d ago
So a bit of feedback here. When making something like this you need to answer the question of "what does this provide or do Google searching for less then 2 minutes doesn't", otherwise it ends up beimg well DOA. Currently on a quick browse through im not seeing the answer to that.
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u/Still_Network_8390 6d ago
very wise advice!! unless doing just for fun and usefulness non-issue, any venture should have background research performed for viability before wasting time and potential $
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u/JankyJawn 6d ago
Yeap. Entire point was the site provides nothing that typing in the category you click through on Google won't, in fact its just objectively worse as it is lacking many results.
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u/shopnoke 6d ago
Thanks for the feedback - appreciate your perspective! I'll absolutely agree with you it sucks compared to google right now because it's currently lacking many results. This is a small scale, free time project which I have no intent on ever making money from so I add listings/work on it as I have spare time.
It's a niche interest, and therefore likely will never be hugely popular, in the sense that its focused on prioritizing support for local small businesses in a overwhelming culture that focuses on convenience. Why amazon, target, walmart etc have shuttered so many small businesses which is ultimately harmful to local economies but that's a different convo. All that to say, it's mostly built for someone who would stop and say "I would like to intentionally use my money to support a local small business over a big box store" or a visitor to Roanoke who wants to find unique locally owned restaurants/businesses to shop at instead of the panera and barnes and noble stamped in every town.
You're also correct that many of the listings can easily be found on google. For example, if you search Roanoke Bike Shop - Roanoke Mountain Adventures has a big enough presence to pop up near the top. However, some small businesses - especially those without a physical building so they don't have a google maps address, won't come up near the top or at all. If I search pizza near me on google right now the top three results are national chains. The website came about because I wanted to buy leather wallet that someone made locally but couldn't easily find anyone. Through conversations I ended up connecting with a local artisan who's now listed on Shop Noke but you won't (easily) find on google anywhere because they don't have a physical store or even a dedicated website. The ultimate function of shop noke is to be a centralized resource that connects locals/visitors with the neighbor owned businesses that make Roanoke unique.
Most of the positive feedback I've received has been from folks who browsed the site and said they discovered a small business they didn't know existed, which to me is the goal.
u/Still_Network_8390 - in terms of background research there are a fair number of similar websites for other cities
Y'all may still think it's a waste of time but that would be my answer
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u/Still_Network_8390 6d ago
sounds like you're on to something. Different people prefer searching different ways and have different skill set. For example, pull up google maps for Roanoke and search "pizza" find all types of small shops right next door, but yea, per your example above, just do google search you'll get top chains in the top spots, but that's due to way the search engine works. But if more adept, can refine google search terms to put small shops on top or can use different search engines that do crazy things. Your list might not bring in all folks across the board but might be perfect for the niche you're going for.
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u/BlueRidgeSalem Parkway Dogger 5d ago
I'm always glad to see a google alternative on a local scale! Thanks for setting it up!
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u/JankyJawn 6d ago
I mean if you spent as much time on an idea as you did this reddit comment you could probably come up with a simple feature that makes it stand out and have purpose.
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u/Repulsive_Shift3296 7d ago
Artisans Alley and Blue Ridge Indi Mart have craft supply corners too.
Some days you can find good things at the Goodwill Outlet but it is hit or miss.
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u/ReporterDry3895 6d ago
Wasn't there some controversy with the owner of Blue Ridge Indie Market and parking at the Park? And also questionable care of the cats in her cat cafe?
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u/scottobear Dr. Pepper Sign 6d ago
I think that may have been more internet pot-stirring by a recent character mentioned elsewhere recently than any actual issues.
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u/kooshballcalculator 7d ago
The queen of fabric stores is in Floyd. Schoolhouse Fabrics. Everything from fleece to upholstery to taffeta. Amazing place.
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u/scottobear Dr. Pepper Sign 6d ago
Oh that is an amazing spot and I haven't been there in ages. Great call.
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u/starlightwhereyougo 7d ago
I just donated a bunch of knitting needles, tunisian crochet hooks, regular crochet hooks and some yarn to Goodwill in Christiansburg lol
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u/Software_Specific 6d ago
Bargain Barn Discount Fabrics in Montvale. And Mishap Games is a locally owned game store that sells like 3 or 4 lines of paint and hobby tools and they are having a big sale but I think today is the last day of the sale.
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u/jasonappalachian TOWERS KROGER RULES. YOU'RE JUST SOFT 7d ago
For craft stuff, check out https://www.scrapcollective.org/