Holidays are a time for traditions. New and old. The kind you talk about over family dinners and share with friends. The ones where each year it’s never a question as to whether they will happen only when.
Located right on the edge of Downtown Fayetteville the Haymount District is a place where I can find new traditions year by year and season by season. Taking the small moments and making them into memories we will always have. It’s because of this city my Kiddies know what it is to experience live music and art, enjoy great food, say hello to fairies and gnomes or take a carriage ride with Santa in the heart of downtown.
Many of these moments are ones I learned of through my life as a Blogger working with the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Thanks to our meetups and adventures I’ve learned that we can never say there’s nothing to do here in Fayetteville.
Through each new connection made, new business owners met and new moments shared I have the opportunity to create new moments and new traditions to share with my family.
Our most recent meetup gave us the chance to explore the Haymount District of the city. We did everything from shop to eat with a bit of history and art in between.
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History for the Holidays
1897 Poe House – Museum of the Cape Fear
The day started at the 1897 Poe House. My first visit to the Poe House was in 2015 during my very first Visitors’ Bureau Blogger Tour I’ve been to the Poe House a few times before this was my first time visiting during the Holidays.
I’m a bit of a history buff so revisiting this historical landmark was just as exciting as the first time. I always feel like I walk away with a new bit of history each time. For example, did you know Museum employee, Megan Maxwell gains her inspiration for the holiday decorations at the Poe House from The Ladies Home Journal of the time period?
From the ribbon flowing over the dining room table to the silver punch bowl, the Holidays were a time for indulgence and grandeur that the family didn’t experience in their daily lives. It was a time when they took each moment and made it mean more in every way.
Broad River Hemp
Before we left, Robert Elliott owner of Broad River Hemp stopped by and dropped off a bag full of goodies from his shop for each of us. This Veteran-Owned company gives back to the community through a passion for hiring and support fellow Veterans and their families. They also source through Veteran-owned farms throughout North Carolina.
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Holiday Shopping
After our visit to the Poe House, we had the chance to check a few gifts off our holiday lists by heading off to visit a few of Haymont’s locally-owned shops.
Fleet Feet
First up was Fleet Feet located in the heart of Haymount. I have to confess I’ve walked past this small sneaker shop many times and didn’t realize how unique it actually is.
Did you know Fleet Feet offers a 3D scan of your feet to let you know exactly what type of running or walking show will not only fit best but treat your feet the best?
Of course, my eyes went directly to the pink and black beauties on the shelf. Although I’m not a runner I have a feeling I may add at least one of these to my closet sooner rather than later. I mean who can’t use a great pair of sneakers?
Berties Retro Village
Our next visit was to a gem of a shop named Bertie’s Retro Vintage. As if the name isn’t clue enough here’s a glimpse at the owner behind this unique collection of vintage clothing, accessories and fun!
After I got over how cool Bertie’s style is I wandered through the shop looking at each hat, ribbon, purse, and dress she hand-selected to show off her love of all things vintage.
Bertie plans to close her doors for the last time on December 23rd but I strongly suggest you visit before then so you can experience Bertie and her shop for yourself!
That’s right. Berties has decided to close up her shop but no worries – you’ll now be able to shop her vintage style online at BertiesNC.com!
Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming
Next, we took a walk (or sprint in my case) across the street to visit a family-owned shop that caters to the tradition of man’s best friends – Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming!
Did y’all know Woof Gang’s location on Bragg is only one of six? This family-owned pet shop has 5 other locations through North Carolina and one in Charleston SC!
I even picked up a new toy for our Harley Girl that will keep her busy without driving me crazy! How do you say? Well, this toy has a squeaker that is ultrasonic which means she can squeeze it to her little heart’s content and only she will hear it!
LeClair’s General Store
For our next visit, we headed next door to one of my favorite spots for coffee and more – LeClair’s General Store!
Once again Owner Patrick LeClair has surprised me by having the store look completely different than my last visit. I love it! During this visit, I even had the chance to explore an area I only recently learned existed – the garage!
How stinkin’ cool is this?!? I know Patrick has a love for all the lost things he finds (see what I did there? 😉 ) but in this space, he gets to gather all his finds in the way that is so Patrick those of us who know him recognize it as soon as we see it.
After a bit of looking around and a few pictures in the garage, I stopped up front to add the newest LeClair’s tumbler to my collection . . .
Can you guess which one I picked?
Lisa’s Custom Framing
Although this local shop wasn’t open during our tour owner Robin Kelly gifted us a Certificate to visit at a later time. I have several of my daugther’s art pieces I would love to have framed so I can’t wait to stop in and add Lisa’s Custom Framing to my holiday shopping list!
The Experience of it All
Under Par Golf Club
Next, we walked a few doors down to visit the new Under Par Golf Club! The renovations inside are amazing. Owner Beth Shearin-Smith has transformed the interior into a fun spot for locals to get a few swings of golf in and still enjoy her menu of amazing appetizers and main dishes.
After a bit of chatting and chewing, we had the chance to take a sip of the brand new drink crafted by Bar Manager and Mixologist Rob Clayton in honor of the Sweet Tea Shakespeare production of BEHOLD.
Made with ice from butterfly tea to give a hint of blue and a mix of gin and a few of Rob’s custom simple syrups this drink captures the essence of BEHOLD in a way I don’t think any of us expected.
Rob took in the design of the graphics as well as the story of the women in the life of Jesus and came up with a drink that tastes as lovely as it looks.
During our visit, we had a mini brainstorm session to give this drink a name it deserved and thanks to fellow Blogger Jeannene she will now be known as the Ave Maria!
Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s BEHOLD
To end our evening we made our way over to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for BEHOLD.
I had so many expectations built up for this after interviewing Artistic Director, Jeremy Fiebeg and hearing so many memories from other Fayetteville locals who have made BEHOLD part of their holiday traditions.
I’m happy to say it lived up to every single one. This musical story of the women of God who witnessed the birth of Christ is one I will never forget. Each song represented the strength, faith, and power of a woman who played an intricate role in the reason for this Holiday season.
View this post on Instagram“Oh come let us behold him Christ the Lord…” _ #HOSTED #SweetTeaShakes #910Arts #LocalArt #ArtLocal #LIVETheater #MusicalTheater #TheMrsTee
See BEHOLD for yourself – Click HERE for tickets!
I almost forgot! I asked a question over on my Instagram yesterday to see if you guys could guess how many photos I took during our day of Holiday fun.
View this post on InstagramLet’s have a bit of fun . . . How many photos do you think I took today?!? _ 50+ 100+ 200+ _ Hmmmm….? _ #CanYouGuess #PhotoShoot #FayNCBloggers #HowMany #TheMrsTee
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The answer is ‘C’ 200+ {253 to be exact!} LOL . . .
Did you guess correctly?
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Lifestyle Blogger & Media Influencer at IT's Me, Tee
I am the ‘ Tee’ behind It's Me, Tee an award-winning Lifestyle Blog where I share my love of all things Faith, Family, Fashion, Food, Fun, Tech & Travel.
“Believe in yourself, your passions, and your dreams. Your voice is unique - build on that. Embrace what is different about you and make it your greatest asset!”
“Believe in yourself, your passions, and your dreams. Your voice is unique - build on that. Embrace what is different about you and make it your greatest asset!”
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