Tucked away on the banks of the White River, Mountain View boasts an amazing combination of natural beauty and native Arkansas crafts and music. Though Stone County suffered damage in February’s tornado, Mountain View’s picturesque downtown remains a bustling center of commerce, with impromptu musical sessions popping up on Saturday nights. On the third weekend in April, the Ozark Folk Center hosts the Arkansas Folk Festival, with a parade, handmade crafts, frontier life demonstrations and more, all celebrating the opening of the spring season.
Shopping
Arkansas Craft Gallery
104 E. Main St., 870-369-3897, www.arcraftguild.org
The retail outlet of the Arkansas Craft Guild is dedicated to promoting its members’ handmade art and crafts. It’s an amazing place to discover a new artist and find a special piece of pottery, glassware or wood.
Aunt Minnie’s Little Yellow House
116 Howard Ave., 870-269-2726, www.auntminniesyellowhouse.com
Set aside plenty of time to browse the wonderful handmade pottery, wooden ornaments, jewelry and “splatter-ware” in every color. Aunt Minnie’s also offers Kathy Van Zealand handbags and purses.
The CornerStone Shoppe
101 N. Peabody St., 870-269-4800
With accessories by Brighton and Fossil and Yellow Box and Rocketdog shoes, The CornerStone Shoppe is full of stylish ladies’ wear items downstairs, with a home and kitchen department upstairs.
The Dulcimer Shop
1104 Sylamore Rd., 870-269-4313, www.mcspaddendulcimers.com
The finely crafted McSpadden dulcimers made in Mountain View are some of the best anywhere, and you can experience the crafting and playing of these traditional mountain instruments here.
Mountain View Music and Gifts
123 W. Washington, 870-269-9044, www.pickmountainviewmusic.com
New and vintage guitars, fiddles and banjos from names like Martin, Weber and Blue Ridge fill this staple on the square, where you can also pick up music books or take a lesson on your new instrument.
Olive Tree Gallery and Coffee Shop
116 W. Main St., 870-269-7717, www.theolivetreegallery.com
The work of Arkansas artists, from pottery, to bronze sculptures to painting, as well as handcrafted furniture, fills this gallery. Not only do they offer custom framing services, the coffee shop and Internet café mean you’ll want to settle in for a while.
The Ironworks
201 W. Main St., 870-269-3999, 800-380-4766, www.stoneiron.com
Hand-forged wrought-iron furnishings and accessories are the specialty at Stone County Ironworks’ Mountain View Showroom, from four-poster beds to lamps, door hardware and fireplace accessories.
A Timeless Touch
223 W. Main St., 870-269-4004
Stop in at A Timeless Touch, just west of the square, for seasonal decorations, antiques and many other gifts.
Town & Country Interiors
112 Howard Ave., 870-269-5505
Located on the square for 13 years, Town & Country is known for their amazing selection of antique furnishings, from wardrobes to complete dining room groups, as well as local crafts.
Zeke’s on the Square
101 E. Main St., 870-269-4746, www.zekesmusic.com
Visit Zeke’s for guitars, banjos and mandolins from Kentucky, Alvarex and Ome, as well as instructional books and materials.
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