Updated May 2021. The 301 Endless Yard Sale in NC is back after a COVID hiatus. This story originally ran in 2016. The 2021 Endless Yard Sale will be held on June 18 and June 19 on a 100 mile stretch of highway.
Ashby Brame, Director of Marketing for the Johnston County Visitors Bureau, mentioned, “Historically, the 301 Endless Yard Sale attracts people from all over the country and as far away as Canada. If the sale had happened last year, then this year would mark year 10… a decade of deals, unique finds, treasures, and more!”
Whether people are looking for something particular or they’re just looking for an Americana road trip full of vintage shopping, local restaurants, and interesting attractions, the 100+ miles of the 301 Endless Yard Sale has something for everyone. Explore Halifax, Nash, Wilson, Johnston, and Harnett county; shop north to south, south to north, or start in the middle and pick a direction.
Are you a fan of Fixer Upper? Seeing one show was all it took, and I'm obsessed with the couple like the rest of the country. In one of the episodes, I saw Chip and Joanna Gaines go to a yard sale and search for unwanted treasures. What Joanna does to her unique finds is utterly amazing.
North Carolina may be too far for the Gaines to travel to find some used treasures to repurpose, but others are certainly heading our way in a couple of weeks for North Carolina's 301 Endless Yard Sale. It is held in five counties down Highway 301 for a 100-mile stretch on Friday and Saturday in June.
In some ways, this highway is like the iconic Route 66 minus the teepee hotels and instead replaced with a giant snowcone building that serves us some great snowballs.
Highway 301 used to be the main route to Florida before I-95 was built. When that busy Interstate was built, travelers could get where they wanted much quicker. Still, at the same time, travelers had to say goodbye to passing through quaint Southern towns like Roanoke Rapids, Wilson, Rocky Mount, Selma, Smithfield, Benson, and Dunn.
Four years ago, Johnston County started this sale because Selma, North Carolina, is known for its antiques, and it was a great way to get traffic back to these small, rural towns with charm and charisma.
The first-yard sale was a success and snowballed, so to speak. It now stretches across five North Carolina counties and 100 miles. Vendors across the country come out to share their finds, and people with talent like the Gaines are coming to North Carolina to repurpose these rare finds.
I find this repurposing interesting. I turned to a couple who have the blog The Navage Patch to ask them how pros go about events like this. I really wouldn't know where to begin, but they do it with a mission in mind as a couple, just like the Gaines.
Greg is a woodworker, and his wife, Handan, is a crafter and painter. They each look for different things at yard sales, flea markets, garage sales, and antique shops.
Greg says, "Since Handan is the crafter and the painter, she is interested in all things, big and small. She looks for pieces with beautiful lines and curves, and ornate embellishments. For her, material and finish are not as important as shape. A piece made from junky wood is as compelling as one made from something nicer, as she would anyway fix the imperfections and hide everything under a few coats of chalk paint. She also looks beyond a piece’s intended purpose (chair, dresser, bowl, etc.) to see new possibilities (a tiered stand made from a table leg, a jewelry carousel made from a cabinet door, etc.).
Meanwhile, Greg has his eye on different pieces when he goes to events like the 301 Endless Yard Sale, "I’m looking for pieces with interesting wood grain or exotic veneers. Whenever possible, I like to preserve the wood – clean it, stain it (or leave it alone), and finish it with polyurethane. I generally focus on furniture and larger pieces. Often a piece will have excellent wood on some part, say the top of a table, but the legs might be ho-hum. In that case, I would paint the legs but preserve the wooden top. I love to mix painted and natural wood – the effect can be striking. Occasionally I will re-imagine the piece. I am currently working on an antique maple dresser that I’m turning into a wine bar. Though it is an antique, nothing special about it – nothing to make me want to restore it. It was made from good solid maple, but it was a plain and utilitarian piece of furniture. None of the wood is interesting enough to showcase, so that whole piece will be painted, except for a mahogany bar top I made from the remains of another antique dining table."
Greg and Handan have a unique story behind their blog, and who knows,.....HGTV may come calling one day just like they did with the Gaines. After I post this story, they may put North Carolina on their list to visit next June.
Here's a Quick #OutaboutNC Guide to Help You Navigate the 301 Endless Yard Sale
Starting Point or Ending Point on Highway 301: Halifax County
Nash County (Rocky Mount, N.C.)
In Rocky Mount, N.C., you can stop at the Purple Petal and Tar Heel Flea Market. If hungry, stop at this historic staple, The Central Cafe on Church Street. I've eaten here, and it's classic grilled cheese, hamburgers, hot dogs, and cheap breakfast—a greasy spoon at its best.
Wilson County (Wilson, N.C )
Wilson is known for the large kinetic sculptures that move with the wind called "Whirligigs" - a park is being built in historic downtown Wilson which currently houses 16, and 31 will be in place by June 2017 for the completion of the park.
Like fried chicken and BBQ? You are in luck. Wilson has Parker's Barbecue on Highway 301, almost across from the County Fairgrounds, where many of the 301 Endless Yard Sale Vendors will be set up while in town.
Antique dealers are located up and down the 301 area of Wilson. Boone's Antiques, Boykin Antiques, Church Street Galleries, and Langston Antiques are a few well-known establishments. In the mood for a steak, then you'll be in for a treat at the Beefmaster Inn located on Highway 301. The place is tiny. It will be hard to get a table. It's not fancy, but you can bet it will be a steak just like my Daddy grilled. It's a Wilson staple.
Johnston County (Selma, Smithfield, and Benson)
The 301 Endless Yard Sale began in Johnston County four years ago. Selma, N.C. is in the heart of the sale and is considered the halfway point for many visitors. Johnston County will have 30 miles of pure yard sale goodness from Kenly to Benson.
North Carolina may be too far for the Gaines to travel to find some used treasures to repurpose, but others are certainly heading our way in a couple of weeks for North Carolina's 301 Endless Yard Sale. It is held in five counties down Highway 301 for a 100-mile stretch on Friday and Saturday in June.
In some ways, this highway is like the iconic Route 66 minus the teepee hotels and instead replaced with a giant snowcone building that serves us some great snowballs.
 |
| Hills of Snow is located off of Highway 301 in Smithfield. |
Highway 301 used to be the main route to Florida before I-95 was built. When that busy Interstate was built, travelers could get where they wanted much quicker. Still, at the same time, travelers had to say goodbye to passing through quaint Southern towns like Roanoke Rapids, Wilson, Rocky Mount, Selma, Smithfield, Benson, and Dunn.
Four years ago, Johnston County started this sale because Selma, North Carolina, is known for its antiques, and it was a great way to get traffic back to these small, rural towns with charm and charisma.
The first-yard sale was a success and snowballed, so to speak. It now stretches across five North Carolina counties and 100 miles. Vendors across the country come out to share their finds, and people with talent like the Gaines are coming to North Carolina to repurpose these rare finds.
I find this repurposing interesting. I turned to a couple who have the blog The Navage Patch to ask them how pros go about events like this. I really wouldn't know where to begin, but they do it with a mission in mind as a couple, just like the Gaines.
 |
| Greg and Handan of the Navage Patch |
Greg is a woodworker, and his wife, Handan, is a crafter and painter. They each look for different things at yard sales, flea markets, garage sales, and antique shops.
Greg says, "Since Handan is the crafter and the painter, she is interested in all things, big and small. She looks for pieces with beautiful lines and curves, and ornate embellishments. For her, material and finish are not as important as shape. A piece made from junky wood is as compelling as one made from something nicer, as she would anyway fix the imperfections and hide everything under a few coats of chalk paint. She also looks beyond a piece’s intended purpose (chair, dresser, bowl, etc.) to see new possibilities (a tiered stand made from a table leg, a jewelry carousel made from a cabinet door, etc.).
 |
| See how Handan took an old toolbox and turned it into a planter. |
Meanwhile, Greg has his eye on different pieces when he goes to events like the 301 Endless Yard Sale, "I’m looking for pieces with interesting wood grain or exotic veneers. Whenever possible, I like to preserve the wood – clean it, stain it (or leave it alone), and finish it with polyurethane. I generally focus on furniture and larger pieces. Often a piece will have excellent wood on some part, say the top of a table, but the legs might be ho-hum. In that case, I would paint the legs but preserve the wooden top. I love to mix painted and natural wood – the effect can be striking. Occasionally I will re-imagine the piece. I am currently working on an antique maple dresser that I’m turning into a wine bar. Though it is an antique, nothing special about it – nothing to make me want to restore it. It was made from good solid maple, but it was a plain and utilitarian piece of furniture. None of the wood is interesting enough to showcase, so that whole piece will be painted, except for a mahogany bar top I made from the remains of another antique dining table."
 |
| You will not believe what this desk looked like before Greg worked his magic as well as Handan |
Here's a Quick #OutaboutNC Guide to Help You Navigate the 301 Endless Yard Sale
Starting Point or Ending Point on Highway 301: Halifax County
Begin or end your adventure at Riverside Mill in Weldon. You will find over one-half acres of gleaming Antiques. Vendors will be set up in their parking lot and down the road on the banks of the Roanoke River at River Falls Park.
Keep heading south on 301, and you will arrive in Enfield. There you will find several vendors, and the locals recommend Jennie’s Beans & Buns as a great place to grab a cool drink or lunch.
 |
| Vintage signs are also popular finds on the 301 Endless Yard Sale. Photo from Tar Heel Flea Market. |
In Rocky Mount, N.C., you can stop at the Purple Petal and Tar Heel Flea Market. If hungry, stop at this historic staple, The Central Cafe on Church Street. I've eaten here, and it's classic grilled cheese, hamburgers, hot dogs, and cheap breakfast—a greasy spoon at its best.
Wilson County (Wilson, N.C )
 |
| A Whirligigs. A lot can be found in Wilson. |
Wilson is known for the large kinetic sculptures that move with the wind called "Whirligigs" - a park is being built in historic downtown Wilson which currently houses 16, and 31 will be in place by June 2017 for the completion of the park.
Like fried chicken and BBQ? You are in luck. Wilson has Parker's Barbecue on Highway 301, almost across from the County Fairgrounds, where many of the 301 Endless Yard Sale Vendors will be set up while in town.
 |
| The Beefmaster Inn in Wilson, N.C. |
Antique dealers are located up and down the 301 area of Wilson. Boone's Antiques, Boykin Antiques, Church Street Galleries, and Langston Antiques are a few well-known establishments. In the mood for a steak, then you'll be in for a treat at the Beefmaster Inn located on Highway 301. The place is tiny. It will be hard to get a table. It's not fancy, but you can bet it will be a steak just like my Daddy grilled. It's a Wilson staple.
Johnston County (Selma, Smithfield, and Benson)
The 301 Endless Yard Sale began in Johnston County four years ago. Selma, N.C. is in the heart of the sale and is considered the halfway point for many visitors. Johnston County will have 30 miles of pure yard sale goodness from Kenly to Benson.
I think one thing is for sure in the South, no one will go hungry. Here. As for local places with flair, Kenly has Stormin' Norman's BBQ. Hills of Snow is a must-stop to cool off. Holt's Lake is between Smithfield and Four Oaks - is another well-known BBQ restaurant in the area. Four Oaks, N.C is known for Stanfield's General Store; it's a vintage general store with glass soda bottles sold out of a cooler and snacks. They also sell local arts and crafts. In Benson, you will not want to miss Glenda's Sweet Shop, a local ice cream place, and they will be serving treats to cool off and welcoming vendors into their parking lot.
Ending Point or Starting Point: Harnett County (Dunn, N.C.)
It will take you three to four hours to go the entire route. This Endless Yard Sale shopper FAQ can answer any questions you may have about the event.
 |
| Homemade Doughnuts and Antiques A Good Combo. Sherry's Bakery in Dunn. |
Broadstreet Deli and Market and Sherry's Bakery are two local, well-recommended places to grab a bite. Sherry is known for her homemade doughnuts. She also has fried okra as a side on her lunch and dinner menu. She's a woman after my own heart. I'm taking a field trip to Dunn this summer just for the fried okra.
Visit the 301 Endless Yard Sale Website for more vendor information.
Social Icons