For most of us, even those who have been in Henderson County for 50 years, I-26 has “always” been there even as the various hotels and restaurants and stores alongside it have come, gone and changed. But for nearly as long as there’s been an I-26 here (it opened in 1966), there’s also been the big red barn just off the Upward Road exit under the sign that says “Bloomfield’s.”
“I know there are people who for some reason can look at dishes all day, and if you happen to be married to one you can take them to Bloomfield’s safe in the knowledge that you’ll have plenty of other things to browse through while they do."
As generations of shoppers could tell you, Bloomfield’s of Flat Rock is a place for exploring for cool stuff for the home - narrow aisles, nooks and corners, an outdoor patio and another barn out back. What you’ll find there depends a lot on when you go - Christmas time is unmistakable, and it comes early and stays late - but there’s always a mix of decorative items, kitchen gadgets, outdoor furniture, and lots and lots of dishes and pottery among other things. I know there are people who for some reason can look at dishes all day, and if you happen to be married to one you can take them to Bloomfield’s safe in the knowledge that you’ll have plenty of other things to browse through while they do.
The family-run store, which was long known as the “Dish Barn,” is in a way a product of the
interstate that rushes tens of thousands of people past its front door every day. Founder Max Bloomfield was previously in the retail business running a Stuckey’s store in Fletcher when word the new freeway was coming got around, and he wisely bought an adjacent piece of land, put up an eye-catching building and filled it with dishes for sale. The product mix has evolved over the years, but as freeways, malls and the internet have shaped the retail business Bloomfield’s has always been a place to go for nice things for the house.
While the store is well-known for its holiday decorations and its impressive Christmas tree, there’s plenty of reason to stop by in the warmer months as well. The patio has got tons of outdoor pots and decor, and the back barn lots of high-quality patio furniture. Even if you can’t afford the fancy furniture, they also have lots of grilling gadgets and other smaller things for everyone. They’re good about announcing when they’re getting new products in on their Facebook page, so check them out there too.
How to Find It
Bloomfield's of Flat Rock is located at 196 McMurray Road in Flat Rock, about 10 minutes from downtown Hendersonville.
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/g3tBc2hzyjsNpRSo6