Fayetteville’s historic Haymount neighborhood combines local charm with diverse shopping, offering everything from arts and crafts to pet-friendly treats.
The area is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re exploring the heart of Haymount or a local looking for a cool shop, this guide will introduce you to five stores and explain why each one is worth a visit.
Leclair’s General Store
Leclair’s General Store is an eclectic shop with handmade goods, unique gifts, craft beer, wine and “cheap coffee, expensive bread and beautiful art,” owner Patrick Leclair said Tuesday.
Everything from merchandise to decor is for sale in the store, which he opened in May 2017. Leclair said he enjoys decorating his store with fresh finds.
“We’re a general store, which means we can put together a mix of goods that people use on a daily basis to make their home complete. Whether you need candles to make your home cozier or art that makes you feel good. Bread is nice to have at home, wine, pasta and things that you can use on a daily basis,” he said. “Some of these are luxury items – you don’t need 18th century art on the walls – but some are affordable and interesting and show off your creative side.”
The details
Address: 1212 Fort Bragg Road
Hours and operating days: Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 910-491-1060
Online: ,leclairsgeneralstore.com
New Haymount Store: Opening of a vintage clothing store in Haymount, Fayetteville
Nimble feet
Runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy at Fleet Feet, which has served the Haymount community since 2017. The store offers a personalized shopping experience, with employees using 3D scanning technology to measure arch height and width, weight distribution, pressure points and flexibility, Neli Manova, owner and operator, said Tuesday.
She said the store is focused on offering quality running shoes like Hoka and Altra, as well as 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 program.
“I know it’s known as a running store, but we also supply medical professionals, we supply walkers, anyone who wants to improve their active lifestyle,” Manova said. “We have everything you need for your fitness needs.”
The details
Address: 1221 Hay St.
Opening hours and operating days: Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 910-568-5509
Online: Fleetfeet.com
Betty Kelly’s Gift Shop
Betty Kelly’s Gift Shop offers a range of thoughtful gifts and charming home decor, as well as women’s clothing, jewelry, stationery and even personalized invitations.
Betty Kelly’s gift shop, which began as a silverware store in the 1960s, has evolved over four generations, third-generation owner Fran Morketter said Tuesday. She said the family-run store first moved to downtown Fayetteville in 1982 and relocated to Haymount in 2016, where it found better parking and more space.
Now her daughters, Kathryn Parlett and Hannah Kennedy, are carrying on the legacy. Morketter said that while she still helps with business operations, her daughters have expanded and modernized the brand by opening an online Shopify store and offering nationwide shipping.
“We try to get to know our customers and meet their needs. We try to bring new things to our area that they don’t see everywhere else. We want to offer unique gifts and offer free gift wrapping for our products,” Morketter said. “We spend a lot of money and time attending gift shows and put a lot of effort into what we think works and what our customers want.”
The details
Address: 1228 Fort Bragg Road
Opening hours and operating days: Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday closed
Phone: 910-484-4044
Online: www.bettykellygifts.com
Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming
At Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, pets and customers alike are treated like family, says Rachel Karaman, daughter of the shop owners and manager.
She said the store, which opened in 2013, offers a wide range of products and services, including gourmet dog treats, premium pet food and unique accessories rarely found at larger retailers. The store also offers grooming services, from mini grooming to luxury baths and everything in between.
“We try not to offer the things that the big department stores have. We try to offer cute things and brands that are only available online and that people don’t often see in person,” Karaman said Tuesday. “After 11 years in the business, we’ve kind of narrowed down what sells and what doesn’t, and what people want to buy, and we’re also always looking for new things, new brands and treats.”
The details
Address: 1216 Fort Bragg Road
Opening hours and operating days: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closed on Sundays
Phone: 910-860-1200
Online: woofgangbakery.com
Character house
Character House, which opened its doors in 2023, is a treasure trove of vintage finds, historical artifacts and party favors.
Unique offerings include a handcrafted table from 1790 adorned with intricate floral decorations, a leather stool from 1990 and a centuries-old Chinese dowry box that was once used to hold a bride’s dowry. Owner Ashley Blue said Tuesday that each piece in the store carries a rich history, inviting visitors to connect with the stories of the past.
She said that whether you’re an experienced collector, an avid rummager or looking for unique hostess gifts, Character House offers a wide range of items you can’t find anywhere else, such as handmade French tea towels and hand-stitched lampshades from England.
“We tried to describe the store because it has so many different levels,” Blue said. “We came up with antiques and interesting things because that encompasses everything that’s here. They’re things that we find interesting and that we like to use in our home and that hopefully other people will enjoy as well.”
The details
Address: 111 Oakridge Ave.
Opening hours and operating days: Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Sunday and Monday closed.
Phone: 910-801-0621
Online: facebook.com/people/Character-house
Reporter Lizmary Evans covers growth and development for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at [email protected].
