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
Across the globe from Vietnam, effects of the war reverberate through the state, where social and political perspectives are shifting quickly and dramatically.
These places are the stewards of some very special items: Doc Watson’s first recording, the desk Virginia Woolf used to redefine the novel, and Elisha Mitchell’s pocket watch are just some of the cherished pieces that teach us about our state’s history and the people who preserve it.
From burgers to comfort food to elegant entrées, the range of plant-based dining in North Carolina is growing. Restaurants on this list are exclusively vegetarian and/or vegan.
