BY MAGGIE BEAMGUARD || Insider Editor
The one stoplight village of Seven Lakes is miles away from the Magnificent Mile or Fifth Avenue. It’s no shopping mecca, but it is home to something better than Bloomingdales or Saks — the opportunity to shop local.
This holiday season, grab a friend and your shopping list and check out some of the small businesses in Seven Lakes.
Not only does shopping locally help support your neighbors who own and work in small businesses, it also saves you the hassle of navigating the Pinehurst Traffic Circle or packages that go missing. Make sure you check the store for its holiday hours before you head out the door.
There are plenty of Seven Lakes businesses where you can find something for everyone on your list.
The Foodie
Seven Lakes may not boast white tablecloth dining, but there are some excellent local joints to suit everyone’s taste. A gift card to a local restaurant might be the perfect gift for someone who needs a night off from cooking.
Any working mom would love a pizza night provided by Seven Lakes Pizza Kitchen (1077 Seven Lakes Drive, (910) 673-0017). The LakeHouse Bar and Grille (200 Grant St., (910) 673-3737) is the perfect spot for the friend who loves a good burger, beer and local music. The neighbor who loves bacon and grits will be thrilled with a gift certificate to Greenebow’s (4375 NC-211, (910) 673-0112) where they serve breakfast all day. Mama Mia’s Pizza and Pasta (4243 Seven Lakes Plaza, (910) 673-6900) serves up mouthwatering tiramisu for the person with a sweet tooth. And Casa Santa Ana (4245 Seven Lakes Plaza, (910) 673-1276 would be a thoughtful treat for the fan of taco tuesday.
The Teacher
Andrews Farm Produce (115 Grant St.) has all the makings for a delicious gift basket for your favorite educator to enjoy. Choose from local honey and preserves, pickled goods, dish clothes, oranges, tangerines, nuts, candies, bowl cozies, candles and more. Add in some homemade baked goods.
Pamper your child’s teacher with a gift certificate for a little luxury. Or maybe you just want to treat yourself. There are two spots in Seven Lakes to get a mani-pedi: Elite Nails (145 W Plaza Drive C, (910) 673-1870) and Polished Nails and Facial (1075 Seven Lakes Drive, (910) 673-8090).
The Hostess
The Sandhills Winery (1057 Seven Lakes Drive, (910) 673-2949, sandhillswinery.com) is a spot where neighbors get together to have a little fun. Why not have them put together a gift basket with some vino and accoutrement such as a wine stopper and dish towel for the person hosting the Christmas party? They can help you curate something within your budget. The Winery has a wide selection of gift items from salsas and jellies, t-shirts, humorous signs, insulate wine glasses and more.
The Sports Enthusiast
There is no question that the name of the game in this area is golf. For the person who lives on the links, check out the pro shops at some of the local country clubs for equipment, golf balls, shoes, polos, hats, outerwear and more: 7 Lakes Country Club (126 E Devonshire Ave., (910) 673-1092, golf7lakes.com), Beacon Ridge Country Club (238 Longleaf Drive, (910) 673-2950, beaconridgecc.com) or FoxFire Resort and Golf (9 Foxfire Boulevard, (910) 295-5555, foxfireresortandgolf.com). If you aren’t sure what your favorite player needs, gift certificates are available.
Your aspiring Serena Williams might love tennis or pickleball lessons at The Racquet Club at Seven Lakes (116 Edgewater Drive, (910) 400-5224, racquetclubatsevenlakes.com).
A gym membership to Seven Lakes Health and Fitness Center (114 Edgewater Drive, (910) 673-1180) might be appreciated by an athlete looking to up their game.
The Decorator
Do you know some newly weds, new homeowners or someone with a great sense of style? Stop by BARRON’s Boutique (1107 Seven Lakes Drive, (910) 673-3884, barronsboutique.net) for those special finishing touches. BARRON’s carries home decor, seasonal decor, ornaments, jewelry, gourmet snacks, art and baby gifts. Ask about locally made items including charcuterie boards, bbq sauce and nifty wine bottle openers that also function as a stoppers.
If you are up for a little drive, don’t miss The Crossroads (1093 Doubs Chapel Road, (910) 528-7264) for a fun shopping experience. In the historic grocery store, Amy Smith Art sells her own work along with other local potters, painters and designers. She also offers a variety of art lessons that the creative person on your list might love. Wander around back to visit the charming sheds for an eclectic assortment of antique and contemporary collectibles from lamps to seasonal items.
The Person who has Everything
From kitsch to heirloom items, antique stores are full of treasures. You might discover that tea cup that would finish off a collection or that special vintage toy to spark nostalgia. Medleyannas (5357 NC-211, (910) 673-5865, medleyannas.com) even sells specialty paint if you are adventurous enough to upcycle some furniture.
Antiquely Chic (136 Lea Road, (910) 215-0447) has a new location and carries repurposed goods, collectibles and vintage items. It is nearly next door to The Bee’s Knees Antiques and Thrift (125 NC-73, (910) 420-8970). West End Antiques & More (119 N. Trade St., (910) 673-0762) has limited hours, but is worth a lunchtime look.
Stocking Stuffers and Toys
Seven Lakes is lucky to have not one, but two hardware stores.Burney True Value Hardware of Seven Lakes (270 N. Trade Street, (910) 944-1516) and Seven Lakes Ace Hardware (4379 NC-211, (910) 400-5613).
Obviously these are the places to go for new power tools, grills and Christmas lights. But they are also a great stop for stocking stuffers and even toys for little kids and the grown up variety. What dad wouldn’t love a new screwdriver in his stocking? What gardener wouldn’t appreciate some new garden gloves in hers?
At Ace you can find all kinds of fun small items, both useful and novelty, to tuck in stockings from kids toys to household gadgets and luxury bath products. They also have a good sized gift shop. Or maybe it’s some batteries, steak rub or a Duke Cannon brand Lump of Coal from Burneys for that special someone.
You could always pick up a chainsaw. But you’ll probably need a bigger stocking.
One of a Kind Gifts
Sometimes you want to just leave your mark. Local printer JuBilee Screen Print (314 Grant St. #F, (910) 673-4240, jubileescreenprint.com) can create custom products for you. Embroidery a hat or bag, put your grandchild’s photo on an ornament, customize a dormant with a family name or order t-shirts for your big family gathering. Just make sure to plan ahead for production time.
Last Minute Gifts
If you left everything till the last minute, don’t panic. Quality Care Pharmacy (1103 Seven Lakes Drive, (910) 673-3784, qualitycarepharmacync.com) has a large gift shop with collectibles, t-shirts, candles, and toys. Pack Ship N Moore (145 W Plaza Drive, (910) 400-5459) carries a small selection of local pottery, party supplies, cards and stuffed military bears. They can also help you out with that last minute shipping.
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
