Holiday Gifts for the Person Who'd Rather to Be at Lake James
Find holiday gifts at the Lake James State Park gift shop, from handcrafted mugs and reclaimed-wood ornaments to outdoor-inspired apparel.
Below the sunlit cathedral ceilings of the Lake James State Park Visitor Center, empty hangers and bare displays contrasted this summer’s packed beach and waterways, which rankled Shelby Longgrear, retail buyer for the gift shop.
Upon receiving budgetary approval, she immediately contacted local vendors to place orders, and she is pleased to announce that stock has arrived just in time for holiday shopping.
Longgrear, who started at the state park in 2021 as an administrative specialist, brought with her retail experience ranging from a big box store to Mount Mitchell State Park’s niche shop.
Her vision for Lake James includes trend awareness and size inclusivity; she has selected products in fabrics, colors, and materials that will intrigue visitors and locals alike.
This fall’s collection, in keeping with State Parks’ mission of promoting outdoor recreation, includes apparel targeted at boaters, fishers, and mountain bikers. The lightweight fabrics work well for summer’s heat and winter’s layering, and the designs showcase the best opportunities on Lake James.
Likewise, Longgrear kept State Parks’ parallel mission to conserve resources in mind when placing orders.
For instance, one clothing vendor transforms recycled water bottles into a silky, moisture-wicking material, and other goods depict the plants, animals, and viewsheds protected within the park’s boundaries.
Not limited to souvenir T-shirts, Longgrear is introducing two new lines: keepsake ornaments and magnets assembled from reclaimed wood and handcrafted ceramic mugs and espresso cups.
She particularly likes the buck silhouette magnet.
She and repeat customers eagerly await the ballcap order from Lucky Crow, a women-owned and operated business in Marion, North Carolina.
Shelby states that she is “always open to suggestions if there are any products people would like featured in our shop.”
Folks can stop by the Visitor Center between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm any day of the week to check out the new items, and state park staff trust they will leave as “happy customers.”
