A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

The decor draws you in, an authentic mix of antiques, art, and memorabilia reflecting southeastern North Carolina history, beautifully arranged, as if in a gallery, by owner Patrick Leclair. Never mind

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

The decor draws you in, an authentic mix of antiques, art, and memorabilia reflecting southeastern North Carolina history, beautifully arranged, as if in a gallery, by owner Patrick Leclair. Never mind

Leclair’s General Store in Fayetteville

The decor draws you in, an authentic mix of antiques, art, and memorabilia reflecting southeastern North Carolina history, beautifully arranged, as if in a gallery, by owner Patrick Leclair. Never mind the name; this isn’t your grandpa’s general store.

Patrick left his career overseeing the decor of a national chain of high-end clothing stores to move to Fayetteville and open Leclair’s, tucked in the heart of the Haymount neighborhood.

It’s “general” because the handmade pottery is displayed near the pastries; leafy plants fill colorful handwoven baskets; live-edge walnut charcuterie boards hang from hooks; and Pendleton blankets are folded over vintage trunks that sit beside a display of metal ammo boxes filled with locally sourced salves, soaps, and salsas.

And, like general stores of the past, Leclair’s has become a favorite place to while away the hours.

Patrons sip hot coffee and nitro cold brew as they scroll and type and turn pages at picnic tables and in repurposed pews. Later, they’ll rehang their mugs on a wall with dozens more, each belonging to a returning customer who can’t resist this mercantile for the modern age.


Leclair’s General Store
1212 Fort Bragg Road
Fayetteville, NC 28305
(910) 491-1060
leclairsgeneralstore.com

This story was published on Aug 27, 2018

Susan Stafford Kelly

Susan Stafford Kelly was raised in Rutherfordton. She attended UNC-Chapel Hill and earned a Master of Fine Arts from Warren Wilson College. She is the author of Carolina Classics, a collection of essays that have appeared in Our State, and five novels: How Close We Come, Even Now, The Last of Something, Now You Know, and By Accident. Susan has three grown children and lives in Greensboro with her husband, Sterling.