Tamarack- West Virginia's Artisan Retail Center in Beckley West Virginia

We were able to spend the first night of our recent road trip in Beckley West Virginia.  This was our first time here, though Beckley has been on our list for some time.  Though we were on the road late, and Beckley is a long drove from our home, we made it to the Tamarack Artisan Center by 6!  Luckily, they are open from 8am until 8pm!

Tamarack calls itself "West Virginia's Artisan Retail Center".  If you have been to the Artisan Center in Berea Kentucky, this place is similar.


The Tamarack center is built like a big circle.  Art is everywhere.  Giant sculptures, carvings, and paintings are everywhere.  I saw a brilliant life sized sculpture of coon dogs treeing a raccoon that reminded me of my dad in his hunting days.

The Greenbrier Hotel had a space.  They were selling their branded items and coffee.

I was very impressed with a large section of local interest books.  I found plenty of volumes on coal mining, the civil war, and other West Virginian topics.  They had several signed books, and a local author was there the day we visited!

We enjoyed a meal at the "A Taste of West Virginia" food court.  I cannot stress how pleasant this place was.  It is cafeteria style, but very upscale.  Much of the food is made while you wait.  I had an exceptional fried green tomato BLT.  We had a table by a window and chatted with some locals.  It does seem that there are people in the area who spend a lot of time at this great place.  I sure would if I lived in Beckley.


As we walked through Tamarack, we saw a nice gallery area, a theater, and some workshop areas, where visitors can watch the artists practice their craft.