For many people traveling to North Carolina’s popular Hot Springs, a stop at the Laurel River Store is almost a rite of passage located at one of the prettiest crossroads where the turn toward Hot Springs crosses the scenic Big Laurel Creek, complete with a waterfall beneath the old concrete bridge.

Immediately adjacent to the bridge is the charming Laurel River Store.
Google Local/Dane Shuckman
Visitors love this little stop only six miles east of Hot Springs.
Google Images/Kristina G
Most pull over, park, and then head into the store for some fuel in the form of caffeine (the coffee is a fan favorite, as is the espresso).
Google Images/Randy Greene
And the staff is always genuinely friendly.
Many will grab the coffee and find an inspirational view of the Big Laurel Creek from one of the benches or chairs outside the store or simply walk around and stretch their legs after a long drive. And then...
Facebook/Laurel River Store

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when they find they are amply refueled and refreshed, they head back into the store to peruse the local artisan offerings that fill the space.
Google Images/Rite Lite Signs
Handcrafted items from local artists are a staple at Laurel River Store.
Facebook/Laurel River Store
As are the freshly baked goods found here on a regular basis!
Facebook/Laurel River Store
Of particular note to those traveling in this area in 2020: Although stores all over North Carolina are slowing beginning to open, the owners of Laurel River Store told us they feel a strong responsibility to their local community to stay closed until the pandemic climate feels a bit more stable, or even steadily improving.
Google Images/bella van der muelen lagrand
We get it and hope their loyal customers that stop here year after year do as well.
Those who've traveled through here in the summer know it's a hot spot — almost a MUST, if you will — for tourists to stop at Laurel River Store. It's rare to see the parking lot when it's NOT filled with cars. But if 2020 is proving to be anything, it's that our ability to adapt to rare things is remarkably flexible.
Google Maps
The good news is that the "closed" sign on the door of Laurel River Store and the "temporarily closed" banner on the store's Google listing are just that: temporary.

The best way to learn if the store has reopened is to follow the Laurel River Store Facebook page. And don’t worry… that delicious coffee will flow again.

Expect (and look forward to) an OPEN sign there in the future. This is one charming little store you don’t want to pass on by, so be sure to plan to stop here if they’re open when you reach the crossroads of US-25 and NC-208.

We love promoting small businesses all over the Tar Heel State that have been affected by this unprecedented year of, well, distress. Know of another small business that could use a little love right now? You can nominate it here for a featured article like this one!

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5150 NE US 25/70 HWY, Marshall, NC 28753, USA