It's no surprise that Fayetteville has the largest percentage of veteran-owned businesses of any mid-sized metro area in the United States.*    With neighboring Fort Bragg, one of the largest military installations in the world, the greater Fayetteville community sees an influx of veterans who decide to settle here.  Many become entrepreneurs. Nearly 12% of the businesses in Fayetteville are owned by veterans. 

Many of these businesses feature distinct items that can be great holiday gifts.  Here, we are featuring four businesses and the special gifts you can grab at these veteran-owned stores.  

 

Cursive 

 

Located in Downtown Fayetteville, Cursive is the only stop you need to make when you're looking for goods & gifts that let your recipient know they are seen. With jewelry, mugs, totes, notes, accessories, candles (and more!) that make you smile, make you laugh, make you shout Amen, make you take a stand, and make you think, you're sure to be a Five-Star Gift Giver. You'll feel it when you step in the store's front door or scan our online store. If you are looking for items (for yourself or others) that leave behind the uninspired, boring, dispassionate, same-old everyday things you see elsewhere, you'll enjoy shopping at Cursive. 

A sample of the special gift items found at Cursive are below.Click on the images to purchase online. 

 

 

 

Cursive
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Gift Items Available at Cursive

Metalworx
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Metal Worx, Inc.

Metal Worx is a veteran family-owned metal fabrication shop that brings craftsmanship, pride, and local flavor to every piece they produce. They are well known locally for their unique and stunning American Flags. They specialize in laser cutting, water-jet work, and welding on steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, along with custom metal artwork. They offer an array of gifts for under $30 and other larger products as well. Their high-quality, American-made goods make them a great pick for meaningful gifts that support a veteran-owned local business.  Below is a small sampling of the products Metal Worx carries.  Click on the images to purchase online. 

 

 

Gift Items Available at Metal Worx, Inc

 

Curate Essentials 

 

Located in a stately white 1914 home with a wraparound porch with twinking lights and rocking chairs, Curate essentials make an impression before you even walk in the front door.

The herbal apothecary stocks pampering and healthcare products, with nearly everything made on-site. Shoppers will find all-natural soaps, balms, hand-painted and eco-friendly scarves, salt scrubs, herbal remedies ,teas, jewelry, and decorative items. 

If you are shopping on-site, don't miss stopping at the cafe in front of the store and enjoying your selection on the porch.  The garden surrounding the front porch is home to unusual and level plants, herbs, and vegetables, some of which are used in the store's products. 

A sample of the special gift items found at Curate essentials  are below. Click on the images to purchase online. 

 

 

 

 

 

Curate Essentials
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Gift Items Available at Curate Essentials

Bath Snob 

Enter Bath Snob, and you'll leave feeling like family. The sisters and their mom, who run this veteran-owned business, take the time to talk about their products and help you sample your options. At any time, the store will carry a variety of soaps, sugar scrubs, body butter, shower steamers, hand cream, bath bombs, and candles. 

Shoppers sensitive to fragrances won't have issues with the products - every product is all-natural and handmade in-house without any harsh chemicals.  If you can't make it to the store on Main Street in Hope Mills, all products are available online. 

Below are a few of the distinct products currently available at Bath Snob.  Click on the images to purchase online. 

 

 

Bath Snob
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Gift Items Available at Bath Snob

 

 

Rude Awakening Coffee House 

Opened in 1999, Rude Awakening Coffee House heralded Fayetteville's downtown renaissance. Owners Bruce and Molly Arnold renovated the circa 1914 building, which once housed Brady's Soda Shop, to its previous splendor. 

As committed as the Arnolds were to renovating the building, today, their commitment extends to serving a great cup of coffee. They serve organic and free-trade brews in your chosen form, alongside a variety of local chocolates and desserts. Browse the shop's unique and clever gift items.

 

 

 

 

Rude Awakening
Visit Rude Awakening Coffee House

Gift Items Available at Rude Awakening

Fayetteville-opoly

Fayetteville*opoly

Book cover titled “100 Things to Do in Fayetteville, North Carolina Before You Die” by Melody Foote, featuring bold typography and images of local attractions.

Books By Local Authors

Hand-drawn Fayetteville, NC map art print created by Rude Awakening, featuring local landmarks, streets, and illustrated details.

Local Art

100% of the proceeds from sales of Rude Awakenings Community Coffee bags are donated to a local non -profit. While you enjoy a superb cup of coffee. 

Scented Wicks 

Scented Wicks was established in May 2020, when Shaylin Bell began selling hand-poured soy wax candles both online and at local Farmer's Markets. After retiring from the Army Shaylin and her husband Kirk expanded the business to include a candle bar. The candle bar walks visitors through creating an eco-friendly distinct candle made with 100% soy wax. 

While a highlight of scented wicks is the candle making experience, many of the Bell's candles and other fragrance products are sold both in the store and online. 

Below are a few of the distinct products currently available at Scented Wicks. Click on the images to purchase online. 

 

 

scented wicks
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Gift Items Available at Scented Wicks

Sol's Arcade and Taproom

Sol's Arcade, as locals call it, is a small, locally owned, veteran-run business proudly rooted in the heart of downtown Fayetteville. They're all about good vibes, great games, and an even better community.  They want everyone to feel welcome, including your four-legged besties so they are pet-friendly (NOTE: to keep things safe and fun for all, they do have a few simple requirements like up-to-date vaccines, friendly behavior, and a waiver).

Bring the family, grab your pup, and come see why Sol’s Arcade and Taproom is a community favorite. Family-friendly. Dog-welcoming. Fun guaranteed. Play, pour, and make memories with the whole gang! 
 

Below are a few of the distinct products currently available at Sol's Arcade and Taproom. Click on the images to purchase online. 

 

 

A vibrant outdoor mural featuring a happy dog with an open mouth and red harness, surrounded by bold orange, black, and white flame-like shapes painted on the exterior wall of Sol’s Arcade in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Sol's Arcade and Taproom

Gift Items Available at Sol's Arcade

These are just a few of the gift items available at veteran-owned businesses in greater Fayetteville. Book a hotel room and spend a weekend exploring the community and discovering other treasures. 
* U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Study 

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FAQ

Are the veteran-owned businesses featured in this guide available for online shopping? Yes! Most of the featured businesses, including Cursive, Metal Worx, Curate Essentials, Bath Snob, and Scented Wicks, offer online shopping. You can order gifts like handmade soaps, custom candles, metal art, and locally inspired goods directly from their websites, which are linked throughout the blog.
What makes buying from veteran-owned businesses in Fayetteville special?

Fayetteville has one of the highest percentages of veteran-owned businesses in the U.S., thanks to its proximity to Fort Bragg. Supporting these businesses means backing the local economy, honoring military service, and purchasing high-quality, often handmade or locally sourced products with powerful stories behind them.

How do I plan a weekend to visit all of the businesses?
Browse our Places to Stay for hotels with amenities like complimentary breakfast or indoor pools

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