Nestled just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 334, Little Switzerland Books & Beans is an unexpected break for travelers of the Nation’s most popular National Park. Founded as a bookstore in 1986 by Dr. Johnson at his retirement, expanded in 2004 by Thomas Wright III, and currently owned by Rick & Teresa Gougeon, the store offers over 30,000 volumes of used, new and old books with a unique selection of gift items and a full service espresso bar.
You’ll find three floors of books, nooks and crannies filled with unexpected finds, and a maze of rooms to explore.
A respite from the digital age, you’ll find no computerized sales kiosks or inventory here, just personal service, a friendly barista and a hand-written receipt with a thank you for your purchase. We hope you’ll take the time to browse through the racks and find a treasure in a new author, title, or trinket to cherish for yourself or a friend!
Destinations & Diversions is a twentieth century throw-back, offering a range of pre-digital instruments and navigation devices. Lots of maps, nautical charts, atlases, local maps, mountain map art, etc.
Shoppers will find compasses, sextants, watches, magnifying glasses, binoculars, spy-glasses, weather instruments, globes, models of hot air balloons, art pieces, model boats, etc. collected to satisfy the person who wants to find their own way in life.
Saturday, March 1st will be our opening day for the season. 9-5!
The recommended route is the Blue Ridge Parkway from Spruce Pine to Little Switzerland!