About
One of the special things about the Smith Mountain Lake area is the unique shopping experiences to be found. Whether you’re looking for something for yourself, gifts for those back home, a unique dining experience, or just want some new place to explore, the neighborhood market called Harvest Moon is a great choice. From gourmet edibles to wine to quality alpaca clothing to local produce, it is a one-stop shop for all things natural.
About
Harvest Moon is an agri-marketplace full of locally-sourced items and other natural products from various heritage farms in different counties or states. We made our way there one afternoon and took our time walking around, taking in all the specialty food items, artisan gifts, and clothing made from the fibers of alpacas. They also have a wine garden and an ice cream bar.
Started by the Martinelli family with the goal of creating a neighborhood market that offers high-quality, natural, specialty items in the Smith Mountain Lake area, it has quickly become more of a destination than a simple shopping venue. You can shop, eat, sip wine, and relax here, the perfect way to spend an afternoon when not out on the lake.
The marketplace is open daily between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. On Sundays, they have shorter hours, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Check their schedule also, as they often have themed events, Bluegrass Musician nights, and Farm-to-Table Gourmet dinners. We didn’t have a chance to experience these but look forward to them the next time we come back.
Location & Environment
Located in Moneta, Harvest Moon is set in the gorgeous Virginia countryside, so you can slow down and take a deep breath as you look around.
To get here, take Rt. 122, Moneta Road to the address of 14917 Moneta Road. Harvest Moon will be on the left-hand side.
Boutique
While I expected to find a few items to purchase, a stop here is more of an experience than a quick shopping trip. On one side of the boutique, you’ll find clothing products made from alpaca fiber, and on the other, a mixture of gift items and natural grocery items.
I spent time wandering through the clothing side, touching just about everything located there. The boutique offers shirts, blouses, dresses, outerwear, hats, and various accessories for men, women, and children. I picked up an alpaca scarf and knew instantly I had to have it, along with several pairs of super warm alpaca socks for all of us. Each trip back to Smith Mountain Lake will be an opportunity to add a few more pieces to my now growing all-natural alpaca collection.
According to our knowledgeable and passionate salesperson, the owners of Harvest Moon became obsessed with the health benefits and luxuriousness of alpaca clothing. With this, they created and now operate their own alpaca farm, using fibers from the alpacas to make their own designs in addition to selling that of others. One of their specialty items is the all-natural alpaca pillows, which come in a variety of sizes.
Marketplace Grocery
A walk through the marketplace grocery had us selecting items to take back with us for a delicious meal later in the day. We had to choose from locally-sourced meats, eggs, and bread to start with. We then graduated to the specialty offerings of pot pies, quiches, pierogies, pastas, and soups.
Next, after admiring the selections of specialty snacks and cheeses, spices, loose teas, gourmet doggie treats, and organic seeds, I discovered a section full of natural lotions, soaps, and candles. Prices can be slightly high but knowing the products only contain natural ingredients helps ease that a bit, and I snatch up one of each to enjoy with a hot bath later that evening.
Wine Garden
Situated under a pavilion, the wine garden is inviting. Although we didn’t have time for a wine tasting in the wine shack or to sit and sip a glass of wine, we made a note to come back again to enjoy this feature of the marketplace soon.
Local Goods
Another feature at Harvest Moon is the daily indoor Farmer’s Market. Every day there is a delivery of locally-grown produce from surrounding farms. We enjoyed watching shoppers pick out what they wanted for the day before choosing a few vegetables to add to the meal we were planning.
Ice Cream Bar
Before leaving Harvest Moon, we sidled up to the Ice Cream Bar and ordered two root beer floats and one Moon Pie Sundae. The creamery ice cream is from a local dairy and was the perfect way to end our visit.