Places 'Yule' Love: The Little Green Store | Arts & Culture

The day after Thanksgiving, I usually don't battle the crowds to get the deals.  I battle my attic to get out my holiday decorations.  Since buying our house, I have been adding little by little each year.  My mother, bless her, has enough collected through the years to do themes each year for the house and tree. While I am not quite to that point, I am happy to add something special to my home each year.

This year, I have discovered the cutest little shop on top of Monte Sano Mountain called The Little Green Store. I know when I think of going to go up the Mountain, not having gone several times before, I pictured windy roads that took for.ev.er. (insert the kid from the Sandlot.)  My drive from County Line Road in Madison was only 30 minutes.  From Huntsville, it was a 5 minute drive.

So what will you find once you make your way up to the store?  A store that prides itself on having recycled, handmade, Eco-friendly, American, and fair trade items.  The store is full of local artists, some that live on Monte Sano, that sell their art.

There is a little bit of everything in the store/gallery:  paintings, pottery, glass work, jewelry, beer/wine, and other unique items.

Dr. Ana Byrne owns the store along with her psychologist business next door. She started the store almost 5 years ago in July and never expect for it to get as big as it has.  The store has been expanded twice and each time she has been overwhelmed by the support of the community.

While Ana has owned the building for about 10 years, she decided that Huntsville was a progressive town that deserved a spot to have local artist show off their work.  She is also passionate about going green and keeping everything earth-friendly. She told me that because of the support that was given to her, she tries her best to keep her money local when shopping.  She says she is just giving back to the people who helped her.

She also believes as a shop owner that the artists can charge what they want for their items. But believe me, when you go in there are pieces that aren't going to break the bank to add them to your collection.

Ana loves being on the mountain and says it's a slower pace.  While it's only a short drive, you feel the difference between the hustle and bustle of shopping centers and this laid back gallery.  She loves for people just to stop by so that she can talk about the artists and different pieces.  You won't feel like you're being forced into buying anything when you stop by the store.

The Little Green Store is excited to be part of the Gallery tour that is happening December 6th.  It includes 9 different galleries that showcase the local talents of all of the wonderful artists in North Alabama.  It is from 5pm - 9pm and you can learn more about it by checking out their website and facebook page.

Ana and her team are ready to help you decorate your home, pick out that perfect gift, or just chat about the different items in the shop.  What's really lovely is they wrap the present so all you have to do is come in and pick it out.

In fact, I saw a husband who had a little card and some pictures on his phone that his wife had left him.  As a women, a little poke poke nudge nudge wink wink can never hurt when steering a gift giver in the right direction!

While you are in the area, check out Burritt on the Mountain and the walking trails!  It a great way to make a nice relaxing day for your family.