Little Rainbow Row

The area of town known as Little Rainbow Row is a collection of shops and eateries in the heart of the Village of Flat Rock. Specifically, you'll find The Wrinkled Egg, the anchor of Little Rainbow Row, at the intersection of Hwy. 225 (Greenville Hwy.) and W. Blue Ridge Rd. The area has been garnering quite a bit of well-deserved attention. Everyone seems to love this quaint little corner and what's not to love?

With the brightly colored shops and whimsical artwork and signage, it's impossible to leave the row without a souvenir and a smile. It's also becoming increasingly difficult to leave without a full belly. Not only can you fill up on breakfast, lunch and desserts at the Flat Rock Village Bakery but you can also now settle your hankering for barbecue at Hubba Hubba Wood-fired Smokehouse. Even this vegetarian's mouth waters when the aroma of smoked meat wafts by. Just look for the giant colorful rusty rooster adorning the top of the tin roof and follow your nose to the source.

Locals and tourists alike can snuggle up together in the tightly-packed main dining area inside the bakery. This is particularly enjoyable on a rainy day with a hot cup of coffee and a large bowl of the soup of the day. It's a great way to get to know your neighbor or spend time with an old friend.

Outside, brightly colored umbrellas adorn an ample deck. Over the summer, the deck area increased substantially with the addition of an elevated, covered deck overlooking the smokehouse. The best spot, however, is under a picnic table beneath the large magnolia tree out back. A hole in the deck is just large enough to let the trunk through and the area is heavily shaded by the large branches. Many days, children can be found collecting the flowers and seeds from beneath the tree. From this location you can easily enjoy your company as well as take in some of the folk art available for sale - including several antique doors with life-sized cows painted on them.

(If you need to fill up in more ways than one, be sure to venture down the street to Dean's Market and Deli for eats, supplies and fuel. )

Come in through the Front Door

Brightly colored wicker chairs and rockers adorn the front entrance to the shops and something is almost always in bloom in the large planters on the sidewalk. You might be tempted to rest a spell (Southern-speak for plopping down in your choice of chair and watching the day pass by) but resist the urge - for now. As soon as your hand clasps the old doorknob on the paned-glass door and your foot touches the worn wood floors you'll step into a less-hectic, worry-free place and time.

The Wrinkled Egg, originally opened to appeal to all the families in town dropping off their campers for the summer, now offers an eclectic mix of local artwork, toys and games, "Life is Good" merchandise and a healthy helping of trinkets no woman can resist. Trust me! It's become a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike and it makes an especially nice stop for women out shopping as part of a girls getaway.

Housed in the same building as the Wrinkled Egg, you'll find "Chicken Little", an upscale clothing shop for kids. Of course amid the clothes there are also plenty of items for kids-at-heart to be found in the fun fruit basket displays which brim with toys, games and knick knacks. Be sure to stop in and visit with the two permanent residents of Chicken Little - Oreo and Benjamin, two adorable live bunny rabbits.

Located adjacent to the Wrinkled Egg is the periwinkle blue clapboard building housing the Hand in Hand Gallery. On occasion, you're likely to find a metal sculpture of a goat, a cow or other creature enjoying the afternoon sun on the sidewalk. Inside, you'll find handcrafted art by a local artists including the Voorhees family as well as pottery and hand-crafted jewelry.

If antiques and clever crafts are your thing, the lime-green building housing Bessie's Cottage is a great place to shop. Katherine Duvall, the owner, is constantly on the look out for items that will allow shoppers to take a little bit of that old town charm back to their own homes. A recent find of mine was an old red metal glider which provides hours of enjoyment on the front porch of our old cabin. Katherine also carries the work of local and regional artists.

Rounding out Rainbow Row is "The Cherry Cottage", a bright red building housing several businesses. The Portrait Source works with 80 portrait artists to create commissioned works for corporate, military and academic clients. Gallery B Studio, owned by Tricia Beall, sells art from Soviet Russia. Downstairs, you'll find Kimberley Adams who has taken over the space which once housed the Funky Bungalow Mosaic Company. Kimberley has a teaching studio for glass bead making so stop by and check out her place.

Little Rainbow Row offers just a sampling of the shops and attractions available in the Flat Rock and Hendersonville area. Be sure to visit other local merchants while in town.