CARTERSVILLE, GEORGIA–SEPTEMBER 2019–Small Southern cities are the place to find a satisfying shopping experience, with convenient parking and leisurely hospitality. Combine “retail therapy,” art and antiquing with a getaway to Cartersville, in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains just off I-75, about an hour north of Atlanta. With museums, outdoor pursuits, dining and great places to stay, Cartersville and its byways check off all the boxes for a relaxing, rewarding experience for shop-aholics and the shop-allergic alike.
Cartersville is consistently named one of Georgia’s best shopping destinations, including more than 50 independently owned stores offering everything from art to antiques, sporting goods and outdoor gear to edgy urban style and traditional elegance. Some surprising finds are tucked into Cartersville-Bartow County’s top attractions. The gift shops of the Booth Western Art Museum and the Tellus Science Museum, both Smithsonian-affiliated, as well as Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site and Red Top Mountain State Park are a must for anyone looking for unique, useful and special-interest finds.
For example, the Tellus Store offers natural gemstone jewelry and specimen pieces, science experiment kits and toys, along with whimsical items like planetary and archaeology socks. The Booth not only holds a gift shop, but its inspiration spills out into The Downtown Gallery featuring works by more than 100 members of the Booth Artists Guild and Booth Photography Guild. Creations include original artwork, prints, posters, books and sculpture.
From the shops surrounding the restored public square on Main Street to the architectural transformation of a former bridge into an intriguing shopping and dining nook, Cartersville’s stores are geared toward a range of ages, interests and tastes.
Here are just a handful of the stores that attract shoppers from across the Southeast:
Urban Market Warehouse is a new concept in home furnishings and decor from the inventor of one-step Farmhouse Paint. The focus is on industrial, urban, transitional, vintage, antique, upscale and upcycled furniture and home décor in a comfortable, casual but elegant atmosphere. Southern With Grace home décor and art space is only open Thursday-Saturday, but this store’s owners, Chad and Rachel Walker, have a huge following, attracting shoppers from other states on their “release” weekends and special sales. Rachel designs and creates artwork featured in the store. Look for fun Facebook Live sales every week.
Cohutta Fishing Company is paradise for fly-fishing enthusiasts, offering a wide range of rods, reels, flies, gear and apparel as well as guided trips, classes and travel opportunities. Wall to Wall Frames and Artist Boutique has expanded to a retail gift shop featuring handcrafted, one of a kind pieces from local artists, including jewelry, pottery, fiber art and more. It’s About Time Boutique is a six-time winner of the People’s Choice Awards 2013-2019 for Best Shoppe (residents and visitors). Known as the place for watches, clocks and jewelry, the store also carries many specialty gift lines and hosts trunk shows and fun events with refreshments throughout the year.
Adairsville: Architecture, Antiques and Apparel
Less than 30 minutes north of Cartersville off I-75, and halfway between Atlanta and Chattanooga, historic Adairsville is a don’t-miss destination for antiques, boutiques and art. The first Georgia town to be listed in its entirety on the National Register of Historic Places, Adairsville offers more than a dozen inviting shops, restaurants and B&Bs amid Victorian and Southern mercantile architecture.
The charming town is a snapshot in time centering and fanning out from the Adairsville Depot History Museum & Welcome Center on the historic square. There, pick up a self-guided tour brochure. The town’s fascinating story, including its exciting participation in the Civil War’s Great Locomotive Chase, are depicted on a striking mural at the front of the building. The artist, Skip McNutt, owns Part Time Artist Gallery across the street.
Once a mercantile, the 1902 Stock Exchange is another carefully-restored brick landmark adorned with ornate woodwork and pressed metal ornamentation. Inside are Maggie Mae’s Tea Room, antiques, fine reproductions, used and rare books and specialty gifts. A newcomer in Adairsville is Peacock Junction Antique Mall. Owners Cindy and Dan Wade offer affordable antiques, primitives, vintage items, home furnishings, decor, collectibles, costume jewelry and accessories. Collector car cruise-ins are held the second Sunday of each month through October.
With just-right pricing and a keen eye for the tastes of both locals and visitors, Elite Jewelry & Fashions features fine gold and silver jewelry, fashion and accessories for ladies’ and children, jewelry repair and design. Owner Gloria Dunson opened in downtown Adairsville 33 years ago and has been going strong ever since.
Adairsville has been a North Georgia shopping destination since before the 1800s, when visiting the blacksmith and feed store were an important part of the rural routine. “Today, people still travel from all over to see the change of seasons and enjoy personalized shopping in a relaxed atmosphere,” Gloria says. “We all take the time to share our town, help you accessorize, find the perfect gift or put a décor vision into reality,” she adds.
For some, adding shopping to a vacation getaway can make the trip even more relaxing. For others, the thrill of the hunt and the Eureka finds make take-home treasures even more special. Located on the “south to the beach, north to the mountains” I-75 corridor, Cartersville is a great stay-over with a beautifully restored and renovated downtown filled with antiques, galleries and boutiques, and plenty of off-the-beaten-track excursions for a three-day itinerary. For more Cartersville cultural explorations, call the information specialists at the Cartersville-Bartow Convention & Visitors Bureau 770-387-1357 or check out VisitCartersvilleGA.org where more ideas on events, dining, shopping, accommodations and quirky hidden gems can be found.
Journalists:
Full shopping directory: https://visitcartersvillega.org/connections/
For ideas on building an itinerary around active outdoor pursuits, from hiking to biking with a side of intriguing Civil War and Native American history, please go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/escape-to-cartersville-georgia.
Delightful Dining, from quirky icons to innovative chef-driven destinations: https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/cartersville-georgia-dining/
Make it a Weekend: Upcoming Events
- Great Locomotive Chase Festival–1st weekend in October, VisitAdairsville.org
- Cartersville Bluegrass & Roots Festival–October 19, 2019, CartersvilleBluegrass.com
- Heavy Metal in Motion–October 12, TellusMuseum.org
- Southeastern Cowboy Festival & Symposium–October 24-27, 2019, BoothMuseum.org
- Warhol and The West at Booth Western Art Museum–Through December 31, 2019
- The Grand Theatre Entertainment Series–November-April, TheGrandTheatre.org
- Pine Mountain Moonlight Hikes–Monthly on the full moon, VisitCartersvilleGA.org
- Christmas Village–November 1-2, 2019
- Dinner Theatre at 1902 Stock Exchange; “A Christmas Carol,”–December 13, 14, 20 and 21