Having grown up in Fairmont, lived here for our whole lives, and enjoyed the Historic Homes Tour for many years, we thought we would use our knowledge of the area to put together an amazing itinerary for Small Business Saturday featuring both the homes on the tour and some of the best local shopping and dining Fairmont has to offer.

There are many other great things to see and do in Fairmont; we stuck to sharing locations that are either along the route or in the same neighborhood as homes on the tour to cut down on travel time between locations.

Stop #1: Downtown Fairmont

Eating in Downtown Fairmont

Most of the homes on the tour and businesses will have snacks and treats for you to enjoy.  But if you would like to start the tour with a good breakfast, stop at the Little Red Hen! Our personal favorites are the cinnamon rolls (share them with your whole family, they are giant!).  If you want a grab and go lunch later in the day, swing back around 11:30 for pepperoni rolls, hot from the oven.

Start Your Historic Homes Tour

If you don’t already have a ticket for the Historic Homes Tour, you’ll need to pick some up at the Marion County Historical Society and Museum.  If this is your first visit to the Museum, definitely take a few minutes to have a look around.  The museum is housed in the original Sheriff’s home.  It is connected to the historic jail, and you can take a peek at what jail life looked like for prisoners through most of Fairmont’s history. The museum also has a great collection or local images and history.

Also located downtown is the Joliffe House.  Walk on over and tour this home.

Small Business Shopping in Downtown Fairmont

Your first stop should be with us, the 304 Collective!  We’re right across the street from the Historical Society and will be hosting our WV Maker Pop Up Shop featuring three local artisans selling custom art, handmade bath and body products, and WV inspired apparel. Additionally, our studio features a large brick mural from the 1920’s.  Our space was originally an alley, and the brick wall of the building next door featured a large advertisement.  When the current owners began remodeling the space, they saw some colorful paint peeking through the ruined plaster, rediscovered the sign, and included it in the remodeled space.

Another stop on your shopping trip should be the Arts and Antiques Marketplace.  Lou Spatafore uses his historic building to host dozens of antique dealers and artisans from around the state, for 3 floors of shopping!

Main Street Yoga will also have an open house.  In addition to a selection of gifts and goods, you can also pick up some gifts certificates for yoga classes (I’m a big fan of gifting experiences vs. gifts, and the classes at Main Street Yoga are SO nice to receive!).

Leaving Downtown: Locust Ave

When you leave downtown Fairmont, take Locust Ave and stop at the Showalter House.  Once you’ve toured this home, continue driving up Locust to the Snodgrass One Room Schoolhouse on the campus of Fairmont State University.

Once you’ve toured these locations, make time to shop the Small Business Saturday Bazaar at the Rambling Root (and grab some lunch if you’re hungry!).

Welcome to East Fairmont

The Maddox Home is new on the historic homes tour and is the only home located on Fairmont’s East side.

Shopping and Eating in East Fairmont

While you’re on this side of town, take the opportunity to stop at Rider Pharmacy.  What used to be a small family pharmacy has grown into one of the best gift shops in the area (and still a great local pharmacy).  If the decor at the homes on the tour has you wanting to step up your decorating game, Rider Pharmacy is the place to find anything you might need.  They also have a great collection of gifts and locally sourced food and wine.  When I need to pick up a last minute gift, they are my go-to place to stop.

My other favorite shop is Savvy Consignment.  In addition to a nicely curated selection of used clothing, they also have a collection of jewelry and gifts (usually some really nice WV themed things).

If you’re feeling hungry, stop by Hermosilla’s Deli.  They have some of the best sandwiches in NCWV; you can also pick up a nice selection of deli meats and cheeses to feed your family this weekend!

Another family favorite is Woody’s Hot Dogs.  WV is famous for a varied selection of small hot dog joints, and Woody’s is one of the best.  They also have a nice BBQ sandwich and pepperoni rolls if (like me) you aren’t a huge fan of hot dogs.  They are cash only, and lunch here is like taking a step back in time from the traditional counter and booth seating to the photos on the wall sharing lots of great Fairmont history.

The Final Stop: Rivesville WV

On your way out of town, stop at the Meredith House.  The hosts of this home are super nice (bonus points if you can find the pickle ornament hidden in their tree). Then proceed down the road to Rivesville.

This final home is the only home on the tour not located within the city limits of Fairmont, but it is so worth the drive.  The George Pinkney Morgan House is our favorite on the tour, and this will be the last year this home will be featured.  (Ask us sometime about our own dark little story about this house and piece of property, it’s not on the tour). This home has a great history and has been beautifully restored from an abandoned ruin to its current cozy condition.  Jim Rote painstakingly restored this home, to be a showpiece much as is was during its heyday in the last century. Make this your final stop as this home has different hours than the rest of the tour (12-6pm).

Eating and Shopping in Rivesville

One of Marion County’s newest additions is Short Story Brewing.  We’ve only been a handful of times, but greatly enjoy the craft beers (brewed on site) the selection of food, and the thoughtful design of the space.  Short Story Brewing is also hosting a Holiday Bazaar, so here is yet another opportunity to shop some for locally made products!

One of the most unique shops in the county is Assumption Records.  This vintage vinyl shop is located inside a former church in Rivesville.  You’ll drive right past this shop on your way to the Morgan house, so pop in and check it out!