Visit Roanoke - Mast General Store

Roanoke has always been a gathering place since its days as Big Lick, when animals would gather to partake of nutrients found in naturally occurring salt licks. Hunters would also gather near the salt licks.

The area was surveyed by Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson (Thomas Jefferson’s father) in the 1750s. Their map showing the Great Wagon Road from Philadelphia through Virginia to the Yadkin River was used by thousands of settlers in search of free or cheap land. Big Lick was a stop along the Great Wagon Road and was also where travelers could choose to follow a fork through Southwest Virginia that would come to be known as the Wilderness Road.

Travel and transportation are the catalyst for Roanoke’s growth. When the first rails bypassed Big Lick, the town moved to the rails. The early railways connected farmers to outside markets then eventually linked the mountains to larger cities, which were interested in the region’s coal deposits. In 1882, the city was renamed Roanoke, which is an Algonquin word for shell “money.” Railroads continued to grow, merge, and grow again. Norfolk and Western’s Roanoke Shops were famous for manufacturing steam locomotives. These iron horses were known industry wide for their excellence. As a result, the N & W was the last railroad to convert to diesel engines in the 1960s.

Railroads lead to huge population jumps. In fact, the city was growing so quickly that it took on the moniker “Magic City” for a time. The heart of the city is found in its center – it’s where business is done and people gather. The City Market was the foundation of Roanoke’s center. Established in 1884, farmers and makers gathered to respond to the city’s needs. In 1922, a larger more modern city market was constructed. It’s still a gathering place for local producers, artists, and restaurant goers.

The city’s second wave of growth sits on Jefferson Street. It’s where you’ll find the building that now houses the Mast General Store. Built as Thurman & Boone Furniture, its retail history is long and storied and includes businesses owned by two of the city’s most successful entrepreneurs.

Share the Warmth Throughout the Month of December

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season are upon us. As we bundle up to ward off the sting of the winter winds, we realize how truly fortunate we are to have a warm coat and hat. Some of our neighbors aren’t quite as lucky. This year is the 17th anniversary of our Share the Warmth Coat Campaign sponsored by Columbia Sportswear.

Holiday Planning Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year … and it’s the most hectic time of the year, too. Gifts to buy, boxes to wrap, meals to cook, rooms to decorate, cards to write – the list could go on and on. Outside the general lists are the special occasions and events not to miss. We’ve collected several of them in one spot to make it easier to add them to your calendars.

Fall in the Magic City

Beautiful fall colors in the mountains make it a season of magic, especially in Roanoke. Known as the Magic City in the late 1800s because of its incredible growth linked to the railroad, the city is still the star of the Blue Ridge with outdoor adventure around every turn along with dining and entertainment opportunities to fill every itinerary.

Walk, Hike, Run, and Give – Food for Kids

Did you know that one in four kids within parts of Mast Store’s region don’t have access to adequate nutrition?... Or that $1 can provide as many as ten meals for a family that struggles to feed their children on a daily basis?... Or that this year, through its annual Food for Kids campaign, Mast General Store is donating $15 for every pair of Merrells sold to a food bank in your community to feed children?