Our Story

What is The Market on Oak?

The Market on Oak is a vibrant lifestyle destination where North Carolina craft people, farmers, musicians and authors from Western North Carolina sell and share their work. The shop speaks to the unique cultural values and way of life in the western North Carolina mountains.
Our non-profit mission is to provide the gifted, vibrant people of our region a way to make a living doing what they love and what they know best. We want to be a place where you can come in the store, shop, laugh and learn about our culture. Then we want you to take a piece of “our way of life” home with you.

The Market on Oak offers:
• North Carolina craft, pottery, quilts, furniture, glass, home décor, children’s items and more
• books from local authors (as well as signings and lecture opportunities)
• recordings and CDs including live music from local artists
• specialty food products from local farmers and food artisans
• a farmers market on special days throughout the growing season

 Who started the Market on Oak?

The Mitchell County Development Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating jobs and strengthening the educational system while promoting tourism in Mitchell County. We began the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree in 2003 when author Gloria Houston gave the rights to her book “The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree” to the town of Spruce Pine. “The Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree” shop and mail-order website were soon born and became non-profit sales outlets for North Carolina craft serving more than 120 craftspeople and artists. Many of the items were licensed from the book, and all items were made by hand in the region. Since the beginning, the project has provided annual scholarships to local high school students to further their education.

The Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree ornaments were featured on the White House Christmas Trees in 2006 after being selected by First Lady Laura Bush. The store and project jumped to the national stage receiving coverage from Family Circle, USA TODAY, HGTV and Southern Living. The handmade North Carolina craft products were chosen to be featured in A Southern Season and Mast General Store retail stores across the state.