Antiques and art and clothing. Oh my.

Not to brag, but I’ve kind of mastered the art of gift-giving –finding those perfect things that completely embody the personalities of my friends and family members. It’s something I’ve honed over many years. My friends even call me “The gift guru.”

To me, shopping is so much more than a leisure activity. It’s a sport. It’s a skill that requires the best of bargain hunting coupled with the wisdom of knowing the only the best places to go. On a recent shopping excursion, I found myself in Wilson, North Carolina. It’s just about an hour east of Raleigh. This place had the perfect small-town charm mixed with one of a kind shopping that I love.There are miles of antique stores. Tiny galleries dot the downtown. Shelves are filled with things like bracelets made of spoons and vases wrapped in tobacco leaves –the kind of items you can find just anywhere. Only in Wilson.

Here are some of the places I visited and highly recommend:

Boone’s Antiques
2014 US-301, Wilson, NC

Antique lovers, just you wait. If you haven’t been to Wilson, run. I repeat RUN. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a town so chock full of treasures from years past. On my way to Boone’s, I spotted at least five other antique stores lining the same stretch of road.

So, take it from me, there is no shortage of antique treasures in this small town.

 

But the biggest of them all would have to be Boone’s antiques. This store alone boasts one of the largest collections on the East coast. Let’s just say that this isn’t the place to come if you only have 30 minutes to spare or if you’re wearing shoes that pinch. That’s because it’s literally FOUR ACRES of inventory. To a lightweight, it could be overwhelming to see that much “gorgeousness” at one time. To a newbie, you might not know where to start, where to look, or how to get back to the car. But to true antique shoppers, it’s sheer bliss. There are more than 150,000 pieces located across five separate buildings. That could be why designers from across the country, including Martha Stewart herself, come to this store to find what can’t be found elsewhere.

Antiques always make for a great day of shopping. Especially when you’re on the hunt for a unique gift. Looking for an early 19th century French Gilt Console table? They have it. Need a Vernis Martin style grandfather clock? They have that, too. In fact, there isn’t a style or era that you won’t find on display here. As you browse every aisle, you’re transported back in time.

See what it was like to be a child in the 1700s with the assortment of antique hobby horses and toy trains. Experience the mysteries of the Orient through 18th-century Chinoiserie vases, and intricate silk embroidered screens. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s a whole other room (or should I say wing?) of lighting, planters and wall décor and collectibles from every period in time.

Boone’s is only one of several antique shops in Wilson so make sure you hydrate and save some space in the car to hit the others.

The Barnes Corner Gallery:
200 Tarboro St W, Wilson, NC

Wilson’s abundance of art galleries comes in handy when you’re looking for something to give a friend or family member with a creative soul. At the Barnes Corner Gallery, for example, you’re surrounded by creativity from local and regional artists the moment you walk through the door. I arrived to see an artist, who just so happens to also be the gallery’s owner, painting a portrait of two small children using only a photograph for reference.

Live demonstrations of art coming to life is the norm here because, in addition to the pieces on display, this gallery is also a working studio space. Opened by Pegi Barnes Sharp and her husband to enhance the already-booming art scene in town, The Barnes Gallery offers art in every medium. And since nothing is more thoughtful than a homemade gift, there are also scheduled events and classes for when the creativity bug bites. Even the building itself has a story to tell. It was once a saloon, a furniture store, and even a funeral home before it became this inspiring space that celebrates the arts.

So, what are you waiting for? Come and grab a beautiful glass sculpture that looks like it was made from a lightning strike for Aunt Ginny or commission a one-of-a-kind portrait of your best friend’s puppy. All-in-all, The Barnes Gallery is an art-lovers and gift guru’s paradise.

The Artisan Leaf
113 South Tarboro St, Wilson, NC

With Wilson once being the tobacco capital of the world, it’s no surprise that the creative minds in this area figured out how to make jaw-dropping art with it. The Artisan Leaf, located in Historic Downtown Wilson, specializes in hand-crafted tobacco leaf surfaces.

The artisans use four main varieties of leaves: Flue-cured, Burley, Cigar leaf, and Oriental leaves. They are procured directly from tobacco farmers around the world and each offers their own unique colors and characteristics.

The leaves are dried either with heat or air only and then manipulated into works of art. They are pressed into floors, mounted on wall panels, and transformed into tables. Each piece is as unique as the tobacco leaf it was created from and pays homage to Wilson’s incredible history. Whether you’re in the market for a panel or custom fabrication, Artisan Leaf can design, deliver, and install projects of all sizes locally, regionally, and nationally.

Looking for something on the smaller side? Try the Artisan Garden next door. They feature smaller Artisan pieces and work from other local artists. I scored a serving platter embossed with a Wilson license plate and the cutest tobacco-leaf pig silhouette to hang in my kitchen. I also scooped up a cutting board and a few ornaments, both in the shape of NC to give to out-of-state friends.

Everywhere you look, there are colorful whirligigs, wall décor, and collectibles that you’ll either want to give others or, if you’re like me, keep for yourself. Now if I could just find the room for all of my newfound goodies.

Shoppes at Brentwood
2801 Ward Blvd Ste, Wilson, NC

Even the most finicky of finicky fashionista can find true happiness here. From fine clothing and jewelry to the latest trend in fashion, Wilson has you covered with stores all throughout town.

My family and I were all huge fans of the Shoppes at Brentwood. I felt like I was in a trendy boutique with all the brand names and styles surrounding me. I went in just to browse and walked out with a new Trina Turk dress, a sports jacket for my husband, and some khakis and a plaid button-down shirt for my son (that even he approved of)! And my daughter? Well, let’s just say I had to practically drag her out of both Belle and Co. and Vanity boutiques after buying a peplum top, cashmere poncho, and some swoon-worthy suede booties–all to be featured in her next Insta story of course.

After doing some serious damage, we grabbed a great lunch at O’Cools sports bar and called it a day. In addition to the shops we visited, there are several others at Brentwood offering everything from clothing, shoes, jewelry, sports apparel, and even vegan sweets and treats. There’s truly something for everyone here!

Park Place Consignment
111 Park Ave W, Wilson, NC

It may be quaint looking on the outside, but inside this historic home is 6,000 sq. ft. of upscale consignment shopping. Who says an item has to be new to be cherished? I challenge that wholeheartedly because here, you’ll find high-end designer furniture, crystal, silver for starters–but without the designer price tag!

New and gently used furnishings and décor are everywhere you look, just waiting for their new home. Wilson, the resident dog, talked me into buying a strand of freshwater pearls and led me to the item that made my entire trip, a platter from my (now discontinued) china pattern! You never know what items are in-store so it’s best to visit often and indulge. Trust me, your home will thank you for it.

Something Old, Something New
406 Nash St NE, Wilson, NC

I do love a store with a straightforward name! Because there’s no question what you’ll find here. Inside this incredible historic home are tons of super fun, unique gifts — both old and new. Even gift gurus need a little inspiration from time to time and Something Old, Something New does not disappoint.

There are gifts for every personality here. I’m talking pet lovers, your friend who collects vintage silver, your daughter’s second-grade teacher, and even your hard-to-please in-laws. There are even seasonal items to make sure your home is ready for every holiday and a dog bakery on-site for your precious pups. It’s pretty much the best place to find all the things you were never looking for.

And by the looks of my car, you’d think I’d bought it all, but trust me–there’s still plenty left for you to discover and enjoy.

The shopping scene in Wilson is legit. It’s so much more than just one day’s worth of browsing. You need at least a few days, some serious stamina, and plenty of space in your bags and car to conquer it all. But boy is it worth it.