"Mountain Magnolia is a charming artisan co-op and gift shop nestled at 211 W Maple Ave Fayetteville, WV. We offer a diverse range of souvenirs, artwork, non-perishable goods, and delectable baked treats. Visit us at the gateway of The New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia's only national park, and pick up some goodies and gifts to commemorate your visit," reads their website. They had a number of vendors, including Owl Mountain Farm Sanctuary. They have lots of pickled goods and sauces. There were several treats available, including gluten-free and vegan options: chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies, vegan blueberry croissants, gluten-free chocolate cookies, strawberry cream chese danishes, and more. The cookie I tried was not bad, though it's likely the stock isn't turned over often since they were not super busy. Grade: B

Owner Mallory Moholt launched Mal’s Fresh Produce in 2020, during the pandemic, beginning with a small produce stand. The response was strong enough that she expanded into a storefront at 312 Old Cheat Road, which opened in 2021.



I visited last winter, but considering all the talk about local lettuce and potential parasites lately, I thought it would be the perfect time to highlight this Morgantown shop. Here's a recent post that I thought was very helpful:

"Ever wonder where your fruits and veggies actually come from? I wanted to clear up a few questions that we have been receiving recently so please read message below and let’s be real about how it all works. When we open our produce stands in April, we start out sourcing from Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, since local WV growing season simply isn’t there yet. (And we do our best to source the highest quality produce from those areas until it becomes local.) As the season progresses, usually by the beginning of July, we transition into local produce. Right now, almost everything we carry is local, sourced from farms across West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia. This was the first week we got in our biggest local order because it’s just now becoming locally abundantly available. The only exceptions are things like avocados, oranges, and lemons, and a few other items which just don’t grow in this climate no matter the season. We bring in these items to make it CONVENIENT so you don’t have to go to another grocery store to get an avocado. One of our partner farms in Romney, WV is GAP Certified. GAP stands for Good Agricultural Practices, a certification that means the farm follows strict food safety standards covering everything from how produce is handled to how it’s grown, harvested, and stored. It’s a third party verification that gives you extra peace of mind about what’s ending up on your table. Our Ohio and Virginia farms operate using IPM, or Integrated Pest Management. This is a sustainable growing method that focuses on prevention first, using natural predators, crop rotation, and careful monitoring so farms only spray when truly necessary, and always at minimal levels. The Amish farms we partner with also follow minimal spraying practices, keeping things as close to the land as possible."



Inside the store, shoppers will find a rotating selection of fruits and vegetables, with offerings changing throughout the year based on the seasons. From summer berries and tomatoes to fall apples and winter staples, the inventory reflects what is available from local producers.



Beyond produce, Mal’s has expanded into a specialty grocery experience. The market carries items such as locally raised meats, eggs, cheeses, baked goods, jams, jellies, ciders, and other regional products.



She even has her own line of copackaged jarred goods and sauces. Salad dressings, jarred fruits, etc.



Mal’s also features treats from local bakers and artisans, including breads, pastries, and seasonal desserts. These products often rotate based on availability, giving regular shoppers something new to discover.



The market also features beverages and specialty drinks, including locally produced ciders and other regional favorites.



"At Mal’s Farm Market, we are dedicated to providing fresh, locally sourced, and high-quality farm-to-table produce. Based in North Central West Virginia, our mission is to nourish our community by connecting people with seasonal, farm-fresh foods while strengthening our local food system. We partner with nearby farms, including women and veteran-owned businesses, to ensure that every item we offer is fresh, sustainable, and supports our regional economy," the website reads.



I picked up some of this Ten Four BBQ rub that I'm excited to try.



What's your favorite find here?

The Valley Collective is a boutique retail shop located in Putnam Village at 499 Putnam Village Drive in Hurricane, West Virginia, featuring gifts, home décor, apparel, and products from local makers. There are a number of vendors, including: KM Designs, Soblit Refinished LLC, Appalachian Kind, Mountain Sisters Creations, A Little Hint of Home LLC, Taes Hidden Treasures, David Hager Photography, Missy’s Makings, Em’s Creations, Chef’s Signature, Kaitlyn’s Handmade Haven, BamBillow Co., Hylen Homemade, Blissful Creations, Y’allternative Revival, Fuzzy & MommaBear, KG Keychains, K-Bell Kreations, We B Fryin Snacks, Penny Blue Co., Her Corner Studio, Wild Wick Candle Co., Mountain Mini Bows, Morg’s Jewelry, Element 304, Most of Every Mile, Mother Fudger, Cheryl Tolley, Golden Hoop by Chaos & Co., Shamrock Custom Laser Engraving, Highland Blu, The Willy Nilly Pilla Factory, DyeDuo WV, Death’s Head Leatherworks, Two Peas in a Tee, Burnin’ Bills Engraving, Sugar Hive Cookies, Olive Branch Mercantile, Made With TLC, Jeannie’s Wreaths, Jennifer Gallagher Art and Sharon’s Original Oil Paintings. In addition, many were also food producers. Eslick Acres - freeze-dried candies Pops by Rachel - cake pops Pursenelly Yours Gifts - hard candies Sugar Hive Cookies Handmade hy Courtney Ardoin - sugar cookie Momma Bear's - Cajun Seasoning Grandma Stacey's Kitchen - seasoned salts Have you been?

Hilltop Fresh Meat Market is a family-owned fresh meat market located at Hilltop Fresh Meat Market on South Church Street in Ripley.



The market is veteran-owned and features locally sourced products, including beef from Ranson Ranch in nearby Fairplain, along with fresh meats, produce, eggs, cheeses, and pantry staples.



Inside, the market combines a traditional butcher counter with refrigerated display cases, deli selections, and shelves stocked with locally made and Amish products.



The retail space includes fresh meat displays, deli counters, coolers for cheeses and specialty foods, and aisles filled with preserves, spices, baking ingredients, and seasonal produce.



The market offers hand-cut beef, pork, poultry, deli meats, cheeses, seafood, game meats, fresh eggs, locally sourced produce, baked goods, and packaged meat bundles for customers stocking their refrigerators or freezers.



Menu selections include ribeye, prime rib, filet mignon, New York strip, pork chops, bacon, chicken, bison, elk, lamb, deli salads, Amish cheeses, homemade spreads, pickled products, jams, jellies, maple syrup, and other regional grocery items.



One of the shop’s signature offerings is its hand-cut ribeye steak, which is cut to order with generous marbling that develops a rich crust when seared while remaining tender and juicy through the center.



In addition to individual cuts, Hilltop Fresh Meats offers freezer-ready meat packages, gift cards, discounts for veterans, first responders, and EMS personnel, and a selection of locally produced fruits, vegetables, herbs, rubs and preserves.



Have you been?

Angie’s What’s Poppin’ Shoppe is a gourmet popcorn shop located at 500 South Church Street in Ripley offering a wide variety of sweet and savory popcorn flavors.



Inside, shelves are stocked with colorful bags of popcorn alongside displays of nostalgic candy, bottled sodas, and other specialty treats that give the shop the feel of a traditional candy store.



The shop features dozens of gourmet popcorn varieties ranging from classic buttery and cheesy recipes to dessert-inspired, spicy, and candy-coated flavors.



Menu selections include options such as dill pickle, garlic parmesan, cheddar, caramel, kettle corn and rotating seasonal flavors.



One of the standout flavors is Garlic Parmesan, which coats freshly popped popcorn with a savory blend of garlic seasoning and parmesan cheese that creates a crisp texture and a rich, cheesy finish.



Have you been?

Tensuke Market is the largest Japanese grocery store in Ohio. "Growing up in a tiny village in Japan, Takashi Takenaka loved fishing in nearby streams, often immersed waist-deep. As he grew older, he dreamed of sharing his knowledge and love of seafood and Japanese cuisine," reads the website. "After leaving his homeland and settling in America, he established one of Central Ohio's first Japanese restaurants in 1987, now called Akai Hana. Shortly after that, he opened a Japanese seafood and grocery store - Tensuke Market." "Over 30 years, the company has grown to include the 6 shops of Japan Marketplace, each providing a unique piece of Japanese tradition and culture. Takashi notes that when we prepare Japanese food for our customers, they experience a sense of well-being – similar to what he felt while enjoying the delicious meals from his mother growing up." "Tensuke Market is committed to offering the finest of Japanese food, products and culture to nourish our great community of Columbus. We hope that you can enjoy a taste of Japan's beautiful cuisine and renowned traditions." I picked up a teriyaki chicken & mayo onigiri. The first task is figuring out how to open it. It is designed to keep the seaweed crispy. Pull the center tab down (1), pull the right corner out (2), and pull the left corner out (3). I also got some gummy grape candy for dessert. Both were tasty. What an awesome place with so many offerings. I'd love to go back when I have a cooler in tow. Grade: A