Fayetteville’s historic Haymount neighborhood blends local charm with diverse retail options, offering everything from artisanal goods to pet-friendly treats.
The area is a popular destination for both residents and visitors. Whether you’re exploring the heart of Haymount or you’re a local looking for a cool shop, this guide will introduce you to five businesses there and what makes each worth visiting.
Leclair’s General Store
Leclair’s General Store is an eclectic shop with handcrafted goods, unique gifts, craft beer, wine and “cheap coffee, expensive bread and fine art,” Patrick Leclair, owner, said Tuesday.
Everything in the store, which he opened in May 2017, from the merchandise to the decorations, is for sale. Leclair said he takes pleasure in staging his store with fresh finds.
“We’re a general store, which means the ability to curate a mixture of goods that people utilize on a day-to-day basis to make their home complete, whether the comfort of your home needs candles or the ambiance of art that makes you feel good, the bread is nice to have in the home, the wine, the pasta, and things that you could use every day,” he said. “Some of them are luxuries — you don’t need 18th-century art on the walls — but some of it is affordable and it’s interesting and it shows your creative side.”
The details
Address: 1212 Fort Bragg Road
Hours and days of operation: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Phone: 910-491-1060
On the web: leclairsgeneralstore.com
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Fleet Feet
Runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts will find plenty to love at Fleet Feet, which has been serving the Haymount community since 2017. The store offers a personalized shopping experience, with staff using 3D scanning technology to assess arch height, width, weight distribution, pressure points and flexibility, Neli Manova, the owner and operator, said Tuesday.
She said the store is dedicated to providing high-quality running shoes, such as Hoka and Altra and apparel and gear. She said the team is passionate about helping customers find the perfect fit, whether it’s for marathon training or a new fitness routine.
“I know it’s famous as a running store, but we cater to medical professionals, we cater to walkers, anybody that would like to improve their active lifestyle,” Manova said. “We have everything that you would want for your fitness needs.”
The details
Address: 1221 Hay St.
Hours and days of operation: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Phone: 910-568-5509
On the web: fleetfeet.com
Betty Kelly’s Gift Shop
Betty Kelly’s Gift Shop offers an array of thoughtful gifts and charming home decorations, as well as women’s clothing, jewelry, stationary and even personalized invitations.
Betty Kelly’s Gift Shop, which started as a silver utensil business in the ’60s, has evolved through four generations, third-generation owner Fran Morketter said Tuesday. She said the family-run store first moved to downtown Fayetteville in 1982 and later relocated to Haymount in 2016, where it found better parking and expanded space.
Now, her daughters, Kathryn Parlett and Hannah Kennedy, continue the legacy. Morketter said that although she still assists in managing the store, her daughters have expanded and modernized the brand by launching an online Shopify store and offering nationwide shipping.
“We try to get to know our customers and try to meet their needs, try to bring new things into our area that they don’t see everywhere else. We want to try to have unique gifts, and we offer free gift wrapping on our products,” Morketter said. “We spend a lot of money and a lot of time going to gift shows and we spend a lot of effort putting in what we think is going to work and what our customers are going to want.”
The details
Address: 1228 Fort Bragg Road
Hours and days of operation: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; and closed Sunday
Phone: 910-484-4044
On the web: bettykellygifts.com
Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming
At Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, pets and customers alike are treated like family said Rachel Karaman, daughter of store owners and manager.
She said the shop, which opened in 2013, offers a wide range of products and services, including gourmet dog treats, premium pet food and unique accessories rarely found in larger retailers. The store also provides grooming services, from mini grooms to luxury baths, and everything in between.
“We try not to have things that the big box stores have. We try to have cutesy things and brands that are only online that people don’t see face-to-face a lot,” Karaman said Tuesday. “Being open 11 years, we’ve kind of narrowed down what sells and what doesn’t sell and the things that people want to buy and (are) always looking for new things too, new brands and treats.”
The details
Address: 1216 Fort Bragg Road
Hours and days of operation: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and closed Sunday
Phone: 910-860-1200
On the web: woofgangbakery.com
Character House
Character House, which opened its doors in 2023, is a treasure trove of vintage finds, historical artifacts and hostess gifts.
Among its unique offerings is a 1790 handcrafted table adorned with intricate flower details, a 1990 leather footstool and a centuries-old Chinese dowry box once used to present a bride’s dowry. Owner Ashley Blue said Tuesday that each piece in the shop carries a rich history, inviting visitors to connect with the stories of the past.
She said that whether you’re a seasoned collector, an avid browser or searching for unique hostess gifts, Character House offers an array of items you won’t find anywhere else, such as handmade French tea towels and hand-stitched lampshades from England.
“We were trying to describe the store because there’s so many different layers,” Blue said. “We came up with antiques and interesting things because that kind of encompasses everything that’s in here. It’s things that we feel like are interesting and things that we love to use in our home and hopefully, other people will enjoy also.”
The details
Address: 111 Oakridge Ave.
Hours and days of operation: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; and closed Sunday and Monday.
Phone: 910-801-0621
On the web: facebook.com/people/Character-house
Reporter Lizmary Evans covers growth and development for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at LEvans@gannett.com.