When I first stepped through the doors of Plants, Etc., I was immediately surrounded by beauty: sunlight catching on delicate glasswork, bursts of color from original art and handmade cards, and the quiet presence of things crafted with care. From somewhere near the back, a warm voice called out, “Hi, come on in,” inviting me deeper into the space.

Past shelves of fair-trade treasures and local artwork, I found my way to a small back porch, where lush greenery spilled over in every direction. It felt like a secret garden—wild, serene, and full of life. Trees and plants in every shape and texture grew freely around me, with only one planted by human hands: a single hosta. A gong stood nearby, silent but powerful, like a symbol of the calm that defines this place.

There on the porch, the store’s co-owner, Ashly Bargman, welcomed me to sit down, and before long, I felt less like a visitor and more like I’d been invited into something timeless, a kind of quiet friendship, rooted in art, care, and community.

As Ashly and I stepped back inside, she began to guide me through the space with an energy as vibrant as the art around us. It’s more than a shop—it’s a sanctuary. A place where creativity blooms and every object tells a story. Sunlight spills across shelves of pottery and art, woodwork, calendars, journals, and glasswork, each piece quietly inviting you to slow down and take notice.

Plants, Etc. was founded in 1977 by Madelon Campbell, who also rented space to Robert Head for The Bookstore—both of which remain open today. In 1981, Heike Fay, Darlene Fife, and Amy Rosalina took over ownership of the shop. Today, Ashly, alongside Darlene Fife and collaborators Linda Vincent and Mikki Hall, continues to carry forward nearly 50 years of nurturing beauty, community, and intention. Plants, Etc. is one of Lewisburg’s two oldest continually operating stores—the Bookstore being the other. Ashly lights up when she talks about her team. “Make sure you tell ’em,” she says emphatically. “I’m so grateful for these women.”

Ashly’s joy is contagious. As she shares the stories behind the artists, it becomes clear: this store is a living gallery of Appalachian soul. You’ll find watercolors by Jeanne Brenneman and hand-turned wooden bowls by her husband, Bruce. Leatherwork by Ron Swanburg, slate art by the Greenbrier Artists Group, and soulful wood burnings by Jen Spencer and Maria Scarpa Allen (Renick) sit among the shelves like old friends.

Ashly beams as she shares more names of the artists she admires. Each is one a vital part of the creative community that brings Plants, Etc. to life:

• Jo Perez of Dark Hollow Glass (Alderson) and GlassWerks (Greenville), who crafted the stunning glass West Virginia piece in the entryway.
• Peggy Owens (Marlinton), mosaic glass; Caroline Hertko (The Vintage Press, Pocahontas County), whose letterpress cards are works of art.
• Katie Mullins (Pocahontas), feather earrings; Ann Brown (Alderson), with hand-poured beeswax candles; and Nika Keller (Renick), whose Soulfully Salvaged jewelry transforms recycled magazines into beautiful jewelry.

There’s warmth in every corner. She tells me about Lambros, a potter from Short Creek now retiring, who once wrote: “Thank you for helping me put my two daughters through college.” His remaining pieces, like so many others, hold space here with reverence.

The store also extends far beyond local. Through partnerships with SERRV and Faire, it carries handcrafted treasures from around the world: musical wind chimes from Woodstock Chimes, vibrant baskets from Africa, and secret wood boxes by Heartwood. And on a special shelf: a collection of Russian nesting dolls, lovingly imported and gleaming with magic.

Ashly smiles when asked what makes Plants, Etc. special. “It’s not really about our (the owners) names,” she says, “it’s the artists. That’s who we are.”

And the list continues, each name a thread in the fabric of the space:

• Wendy Friedman, pottery; Ruth Buhrman, with beadwork now lovingly maintained by her son Dave.
• Joe Chasnoff (Monroe County), woodworking; Stephen Day, Petrified Forest series; Frank Ceravalo, vivid photography.
• Bear Wood Company (Hurricane), reclaimed wood creations; Nana Glass (Pipestem), with whimsical, light-filled glass art.
• Sean O’Connell, ceramicist and teacher; Virgil’s Art Glass, with his beloved Friendship Balls.
• Cassie Ray, seamstress; Popular Poplar Toys (New Martinsville), hand-crafted wooden toys made to last.
• Creative favorites like the Mountain State Masterpieces coloring book, Dover Books, and knowledge cards for all ages.
• Carefully curated cards and calendars from WV DNR and Wolf Creek Gallery.
• Allegheny Treenware; Jacob Avidson (blacksmith); Mountain Melodies thumb pianos and Swedish door chimes; Elmore Mountain Farm goat’s milk soap; Shenandoah Valley wood art, glass and amber rocks, and fossils; and Oberon & Danforth pewter.
• Danica Candle Company hand dipped dripless taper candles in a large selection of colors and sizes.

Even the front windows have a story to tell. They often featuring vibrant works from Artesano, a Texas-based gallery. Sunlight plays across suncatchers and ornaments, casting dancing colors onto the sidewalk. Whether walking by or stopped in traffic, you can’t help but look up and smile.

Inside, the warmth continues. Some pottery pieces rest atop what looks like a rustic table but is actually a vintage baggage cart from the old Marlinton Train Station, wheels and all, adding a layer of history to the space.

And somehow, despite the variety, nothing feels crowded. It all fits. Because each piece belongs. There’s intention here. A connection between maker and object. Between object and place. And Ashly, with her open heart and grateful enthusiasm, is one of the special threads tying it all together.

In a world that often rushes past, Plants, Etc. invites you to linger. To listen. To feel the presence of art made by hand and stories told through craft. From its visionary founders to the joyful stewardship of Ashly, Darlene, Linda, and Mikki today, the store continues to evolve but never loses its roots.

Plants, Etc. is located at 846 Jefferson St. S in Lewisburg. You can reach them by phone at 304-645-6910 and check out their Facebook page (Plants ETC.).

It’s more than a shop. It’s a communal heartbeat, still growing—quiet, steady, and full of color.