Celtic Way in Asheville, NC

**Bob C** · 18th February 10, 07:04 PM

Are any of you familiar with this store? My daughter went in there to buy me a gift and was treated horribly by the woman who owns it. A Google search shows she is well-known for this sort of behavior.

I'm pretty angry about this. If I did not live hundreds of miles away, I'd go and have a chat with this woman.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 19th February 10, 04:57 AM

I've never been in there, but every year during tourist season we get people coming through the museum who had just been through Asheville, and they ask us pretty much the same thing you just asked here on the forum. So the reputation seems well earned.

**Tartan Hiker** · 19th February 10, 06:10 AM

I agree. I live here in Asheville and I tell everyone to avoid that shop. Her usual motus operandi is to grill you with questions as you enter the store. If you don't respond correctly (or if you are obviously from an ethnic extraction other than western European) you will be treated badly until you get fed up and leave. I was in there one day (before I finally learned better) and watched her meet an African American couple at the door and flat-out tell them that this was not the place for them to shop.

Unbelieveable.

I have actually developed the habit of deliberately walking past her shop whenever I'm kilted downtown. I walk past, but never go in.

I do offer an apology to you for your daughter's treatment. We are actually much nicer down here than this indicates. And don't worry about "having a chat" with her. It's been done many times, I can assure you, and to no noticable effect. She is the judge and jury of all things Highland in the southern Appalachians, in her mind, and she'll not be changed at this stage of the game. We can only hope that someone else takes over the store some day.

**Kiltboy** · 19th February 10, 08:15 AM

Oh dear. I was planning a trip through Asheville and was going to stop by. Thanks for the tip, I'll re-think my plans.

**Rex_Tremende** · 19th February 10, 10:04 AM

Yes, indeed. I had a similar experience.

Regards,
Rex.

**Santa Kona** · 19th February 10, 10:42 AM

Does this lady not know this is 2010? What a waste of effort on her part it is just so very sad.

**Spc. Scott** · 19th February 10, 11:13 AM

She (store owner) sounds like a classic case of one who cannot be "happy" unless they are unhappy. That's a shame.

I'm sorry that your daughter was treated like that Bob.

**piperdbh** · 19th February 10, 11:42 AM

I like to argue, so I've been in there a couple of times just for the fun of it.

She's way overpriced, and keeps strange hours, to boot. If possible, go to Everything Scottish in Linville, clsoe to Grandfather Mtn. instead of The Celtic Way.