A new shopping destination blending homemade charm and small-town entrepreneurship is opening its doors in Buckhannon.
Appalachian Charm Company, located at 34 East Main Street in Buckhannon, will host a soft opening from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, followed by its official grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Owned and operated by April Bacorn and her family, Appalachian Charm Company offers a wide variety of handmade and locally crafted products, including wax melts, goat milk lotions, beef tallow soaps, handmade scented air fresheners, laundry detergent and more. The store also features custom shirts, tumblers, toys, and its owners plan to expand their inventory to include plus-size clothing and Western jewelry.
“We’ve always loved making things from scratch; freshies [handmade scented air fresheners] were the first thing we made, and it just took off,” Bacorn said. “Then we added soaps, goat milk products, candles made from beef tallow and beeswax, and even homemade laundry detergent. It’s kind of like going back to the old days, using natural ingredients for everything.”
The business is a true family affair. April’s sister and brother-in-law, owners of Little A’s Toys, have joined forces with her to create the retail space, combining toys, custom shirts, and homemade goods under one roof.
“We want to be that one-stop shop, where you can find personalized gifts, handmade goods, clothes for all sizes, and something you can’t just get anywhere else,” Bacorn said.
To celebrate their launch, Appalachian Charm Company will be giving away goodie bags to early shoppers –15 for the soft opening and 35 for the grand opening.
“The bags will have some of our best products inside, things we’ve made ourselves,” Bacorn said. “And if people like and share our Facebook page, they can also enter to win a $25 store gift card.”
Customers can expect a rotating variety of seasonal items, hand-pressed shirts, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Bacorn, a full-time nurse, and the rest of her family plan to run the store during evening hours and weekends until they finalize a regular schedule.
The grand opening promises a fun atmosphere with giveaways, balloons, and the warm, personal touch that only a family-run business can provide.
“We’ve poured so much love into this place,” Bacorn said. “Everything we make is as natural and safe as we can make it. We’re excited to share it with the community.”
Appalachian Charm Company’s hours of operation will be announced via their Facebook page. Keep an eye out for updates.
“You never know what we might add next,” Bacorn laughed. “It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do, and now it’s finally happening.”
