The Best of Smith Mountain Lake Shopping: 2021 Edition

Living in Smith Mountain Lake marries the best of two worlds: friendly, cozy, close-to-nature pleasures and small town sensibilities with modern convenience, sophisticated amenities, and cosmopolitan shopping. One doesn’t need to choose between one or the other; Smith Mountain Lake offers all of these, and more.

For those who are considering taking the plunge and moving to this beautiful corner of Virginia, the Smith Mountain Lake lifestyle offers variety, diversity, and wonderful discoveries to be uncovered at every turn.

When it comes to browsing through the shops in the area, the options are plentiful for those who take their shopping seriously. From basics to essentials, specialties to souvenirs, here is a curated directory on the best shopping found in Smith Mountain Lake.

Bookmark this page so you can check the links below to confirm business hours, safety guidelines, and other updated notices before you head out.

Shopping Centers and Malls

Bridgewater Plaza
16430 Booker T. Washington Highway, Moneta, VA

Locals and visitors alike find many things to enjoy at Bridgewater Plaza. One of Smith Mountain Lake’s go-to shopping centers, Bridgewater Plaza boasts of an arcade and local favorite restaurants, including the facility’s miniature golf.

River Ridge Mall
3405 Candlers Mountain Road, Lynchburg, VA

Hosting more established retail chains, River Ridge Mall has undergone a major renovation to accommodate a more modern, expansive design focused on outdoor dining and entertainment. With the mall’s sprawling East End and Central Court having been given a sophisticated upgrade, locals and visitors can expect newer and more exciting shops with the development of its West End. Whether you want to simply check the merchandise, grab a bite, or embark on a serious shopping expedition, River Ridge Mall is a must-visit.

Tanglewood Mall
4420-A Electric Road, Roanoke, VA

“It’s all at Tanglewood.” One of Smith Mountain Lake’s most beloved shopping landmarks, Tanglewood Mall has been part of Smith Mountain Lake’s community for years. National retailers, familiar brand shops, and big box outlets can be found here.

Towers Shopping Center
658 Brandon Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA

Home of the Fresh Market in Roanoke, Towers Shopping Center is beloved by locals. It’s a community hub for shopping and hanging out with friends and family. Newer stores include a vegetarian delicatessen, bookshops, pet specialty stores, and a wellness spa and facial center.

Valley View Mall
4802 Valley View Boulevard, NW, Roanoke, VA

Trendy and high-energy Valley View Mall hosts many favorite clothing brands. The fun and youthful vibe makes this space a great place to shop, dine, and connect with friends.

Lifestyle and Specialty Shops

The Cottage Gate
84 Westlake Road #113, Hardy, VA • 540.721.5622

A shopping staple at Smith Mountain Lake, The Cottage Gate combines great service with a great selection of gift items for the casual shopper. They carry a wonderful mix of novelty items, souvenirs, and even home décor.

Diamond Hill General Store
1017 Diamond Hill Road, Moneta, VA 24121 • 540.297.9309

It doesn’t get any more local than the Diamond Hill General Store. One of the most well-loved and oldest local stores in Smith Mountain Lake, Diamond Hill General Store is a unique eight-in-one shop. It’s a general store, a gift and antique shop, a garden store, a bait and fishing supply shop, a wine shop, a delicatessen and a Citgo station.

The General Store
213 Scruggs Road Moneta, VA 24121 • 540.721.3009

Quilts, books, kitchen linens, placemats, and fabric are some of The General Store’s specialties. The best fruit jams and jellies are also sold here. Other bestselling items include Virginia peanuts, fudge and truffles, and Corinthian Bell chimes. You’ll find special items consigned by local artists like Shelley Koopman and a quilt fabric department that’s unmatched in the area.

Mama Ann Gifts and Goodies
213 Scruggs Road, Moneta, VA • 540.721.3009

Cute can only begin to describe this little gift shop. A proud, independent business, Mama Ann Gifts and Goodies specializes in personally engraved gift items, artisanal and locally produced teas, candy, and snacks.

Needful Things Antique Mall
115 N Bridge Street, Bedford, VA • 540.583.5288

Antiques get the personal touch at Needful Things Antique Mall. The knowledgeable staff provides a warm, inviting and friendly environment as shoppers browse collectibles, primitives, and revamped painted furniture.

Smith Mountain Lake Discovery Shop
400 Scruggs Road, Suite 500, Moneta, VA • 540.721.0050

All items found in the Smith Mountain Lake Discovery Shop are donated by community members who want to support the American Cancer Society, which sponsors the shop. Purchases help fund cancer research and local programs and services. Discover bargains and unique pieces for the home such as art, collectibles, furniture, home appliances, and garden accessories in this discount haven.

Southern Roots
14190 Booker T. Washington Highway, Moneta, VA • 540.814.0604

Look for local craft items, home and personal accessories, and unique gifts in this whimsical specialty shop. If you’re partial to all things pretty and dainty, Southern Roots hits the sweet spot. The shop also offers monthly arts and crafts workshops.

Too Many Books
1504 Grandin Road SW, Roanoke, VA • 540.985.6469

Books, books, and more pre-loved books. Too Many Books lives up to its name as Smith Mountain Lake’s favorite secondhand bookshop. The selection is vast and current, and categorized by genre. Two floors of book browsing heaven await readers. Nonfiction occupies the shelves of the ground floor, while fiction holds sway on the second floor. Authors who hail from Virginia are prominently featured on their own shelves. For bookworms, the hours just melt away inside this shop.

Home Improvement, Décor, and Furnishings

A Shade Brighter
Downtown Moneta, Moneta, VA • 540.297.6440

Lighting fixtures, area lamps, table lamps, and every kind of lighting you need in your home can be found in A Shade Brighter. This specialty shop’s wide variety of lighting fixtures suit every budget.

Reclaimed LLC
13080 Booker T. Washington Highway, Hardy, VA • 540.721.3453

Reclaimed specializes in upcycled, shabby chic, and pre-loved home pieces. If refurbished treasures from the past are your aesthetic, chances are you will find the perfect unique statement piece for your home in this store.

The Gilded Lion of Smith Mountain Lake
7317 Old Franklin Turnpike, Gladehill, VA • 540.589.7662

Home to unique, quirky, and custom-made home and garden pieces, The Gilded Lion of Smith Mountain Lake speaks to kindred spirits who intuitively know which piece belongs to which areas of their home. The items in the store are conversation starters and appeal to those like a bit of the eccentric.

Grand Home Furnishings
71 Parkhurst Drive, Hardy, VA • 540.776.7000

Another established brand in home furnishings and improvement, Grand Home Furnishings offers a huge array of furniture and mattresses at outlet prices.

Home Depot
4176 Franklin Road SW, Roanoke, VA •540.772.3087

An established brand in home improvement, Home Depot’s convenient location ensures that you’ll have access to the chain’s encompassing inventory.

Lowe’s Home Improvement
Locations in Bedford and Roanoke, VA • 1-800.445.6937 (Customer Care)

This is another brand synonymous with home improvement and hardware. Find it in downtown Moneta.

Smith Mountain Building Supply
14190 Booker T Washington Highway, Moneta, VA • 540.721.3453

For serious home renovating needs, Smith Mountain Building Supply has been serving the community of decades. Hardware, roofing, and home and building materials can be found in this one-stop home improvement and renovations supplies store.

Groceries

Food Lion
14807 Moneta Road, Moneta, VA • 540.297.0323

Food Lion is always stocked with a good variety of fresh produce. This Virginia supermarket chain offers a great selection of baked goods, meats, dairy products, and select international brands. The in-store delicatessen has a hot chicken bar and buffet.

Target: Roanoke
4737 Valley View Boulevard, Roanoke, VA • 540.265.6932

Shopping is made easier and safer in the Roanoke branch of this shopping byword. Food items and fresh grocery items, wine and beer, a CVS pharmacy, and last we checked, a Starbucks can be found in the Roanoke branch.

Walmart: Roanoke
5350 Clearbrook Village Lane, Roanoke VA • 540.772.3892

A good thing to note about Wal-Mart’s service is that every Tuesday, people aged 60 and older can shop ahead of business hours.

Clothing and Fashion

BitterSweet Clothing and Accessories
307 Market Street SE, Roanoke, VA • 540.344.1122

Located downtown, Bittersweet Clothing and Accessories are stocked with on-trend selections. Choose from casual wear, sporty finds, and fresh and contemporary picks – all underpinned by a classic vibe.

Comfort and Joy
16483 Moneta Road, Suite H, Moneta, VA • 540.719.0976

A clothing and jewelry boutique, Comfort and Joy is perfect for shopping with the girls. Its proprietors describe the shop as being invited into a good friend’s home and letting you select your favorite pieces to wear. Browse the racks for an outfit that’s great for a night out, or something smart for a business meeting.

Gypsy Palooza Too
208 Market Street, Roanoke, VA • 276.620.0106

For thrifting enthusiasts and those who love rummaging through granny’s clothes trunk, Gypsy Palooza Too is the type of store where one can spend hours just checking out the unique and interesting items on display. The friendly staff makes fashion hunting even more enjoyable.

La De Da
102 Church Avenue SE, Roanoke, VA • 540.345.6131

Another small, independent business where the pieces are lovingly curated, La De Da’s selections take a walk on the wild side. Loud, funky fashion and outrageous statement accessories pack in curious shoppers on a daily basis. Very trendy and yet still sophisticated, the shop draws comparisons with popular clothing brand Anthropologie.

Penelope
52 Kingston Drive, Daleville, VA • 540.966.2050

Penelope is one of Smith Mountain Lake’s favorite boutiques. It carries a variety of brands for women, with a beautiful selection of sterling silver pieces to complement every outfit.

Uptown Cheapskate
1411 Towne Square Boulevard NW, Roanoke, VA • 540.204.4750

This thrift shop is clean, organized, and carries locally made artisanal products. As the shop’s name implies, thrift shopping here is elevated, thanks to the quality of their pre-loved items. Selections are carefully curated so that the best pieces from high-street clothing brands end up in the shop. The care with which items are chosen turn them into highly desirable statement pieces for modern bohemians and the free spirited.

Urban Gypsy
1320 Grandin Road SW, Roanoke, VA • 540.400.8552

Bohemian chic is all the rage at Urban Gypsy – a little bit rustic meets a whole lot of stylish. While focused on women’s clothing, Urban Gypsy also carries gender-neutral pieces. Little luxuries like candles and fragrances are also available.

Outdoor and Sporting Apparel/Accessories

Alpaca by Jaca
13699 Booker T. Washington Highway, Moneta, VA • 866.384.7080 (Toll Free)

Alpaca By Jaca is a natural fibers boutique selling gorgeous sweaters, knitwear, and outdoor apparel. Their items are hypoallergenic and made from natural alpaca fiber. Colorful, comfortable, and high quality, the sweaters are warmer than wool and perfect for the nippier seasons at Smith Mountain Lake.

Bob’s Up The Creek Outfitters
1100 Celebration Avenue, Moneta, VA • 434.363.2813

For kayaking enthusiasts and those who are looking forward to some lake time, the family-operated Bob’s Up The Creek Outfitters offers sturdy outdoor wear and kayaking accessories. This shop is a paddler’s dream, providing life vests, fishing gear, polarized sunglasses, and more.

Bridgewater Sportswear
16430 Booker T. Washington Highway, Moneta, VA • 540.721.1040

Found at the Bridgewater Plaza, Bridgewater Sportswear offers sportswear for the whole family. The shop carries familiar outdoor apparel brands like The North Face, Life is Good, Reef, Sanuk, Salt Life, Guy Harvey, Mountain Hardwear, Fresh Produce, Southern Tide, and Fish Hippie & Hook. Bridgewater Sportswear also has a wide array of t-shirts and sweatshirts. During summer, the shop carries swimwear and flip-flops, and in winter, a decent selection of parkas and winter jackets.

Walkabout Outfitter
304 Market Streeet, Roanoke, VA • 540.777.2727

If you like hiking and camping, the basics for a great weekend in the great outdoors can be found in Walkabout Outfitter. It offers a huge selection of Teva and Crocs, gear from The North Face, and other branded items. Huge plus for those who like to bring along their furry friend on outdoor adventures: dog-hiking accessories like hiking packs.

The Smith Mountain Lake Lifestyle

My name is Jane Horne and I’d like to welcome you to Smith Mountain Lake. I’ve worked here as a real estate agent since 1986 and lived in this gorgeous community for over 20 years. Take it from me – Smith Mountain Lake is where I can slow down and savor life amidst the great outdoors.

Hiking, fishing, boating, and golf are popular year-round. Our wineries embody a taste of the natural, earthy luxury that embodies the spirit of the Smith Mountain Lake lifestyle.

Add great shopping options to this list, and who wouldn’t want to buy a second home here? Or move permanently to this scenic corner of Virginia, where the state’s second-largest freshwater lake is the centerpiece of the community?

Ease and convenience at Smith Mountain Lake

As a long-time resident, I love how the community’s unique shops, small independent businesses, reimagined mom and pop shops, and vintage aesthetic happily co-mingle with big box shopping, known brands, and established and trusted names in retail.

I love that Smith Mountain Lake has found the happy medium between laid-back, small-town shopping with the modern and sophisticated approach to selling by the chains. For residents like me, that means ease, convenience, variety, and plenty of alternatives.

Here I can enjoy wide-open spaces, majestic views of the mountains, and the best of lakeside living without sacrificing options. It’s easy to find goods and services that cater to a variety of tastes, styles, and pricing preferences.

Find your niche in Smith Mountain Lake with Jane Horne

If you’re thinking of moving up here on a seasonal or permanent basis, let a long-time resident like me help you find your niche in Smith Mountain Lake.

Over the years, my clients have been very happy with the service I’ve provided them. Nancy and Bill Aden of Blacksburg, VA said:

“Jane was a pleasure for us to work with on the recent purchase of our vacation home at Smith Mountain Lake. She was not only helpful regarding the real estate transaction, but also provided us with valuable advice regarding financing options for the property.

“During our transaction, Jane was very resourceful and easily communicated with. She is not only thorough, but also easy to work with, and always willing to take the time to discuss our concerns and respond to questions. We are confident in recommending Jane’s real estate services.”

You can read more testimonials here.

Let me support you in your next step as a Smith Mountain Lake homeowner. Allow me to share with you my local expertise and knowledge of the Virginia housing market. I look forward to talking to you soon.

Contact me, Jane Horne, at 540.493.1690 or send me a message to learn more about owning a home in Smith Mountain Lake.