How to Find Kelly's Kitchen: Directions, Parking & Accessibility in Bakersville, NC
Top TLDR:
Kelly's Kitchen is located at 13753 N 226 Hwy, Bakersville, NC 28705, in the heart of Western North Carolina — and finding us is just the first step toward accessing food security programs, accessible cooking resources, and community support. Accessibility is a core value, not an afterthought: call 843-534-3199 before your visit so we can make sure you have everything you need when you arrive.
We're in Bakersville — and We Built This Place for You
Kelly's Kitchen is based in Bakersville, NC, a small mountain town in Mitchell County in the heart of Appalachia. Getting here looks different depending on where you're coming from — and we know that for many of the people we serve, the journey to find support isn't easy. That's exactly why we want to make every step as clear and stress-free as possible, from the moment you look us up to the moment you walk through the door.
Our physical address is:
Kelly's Kitchen 13753 N 226 Hwy Bakersville, NC 28705
You can also reach us by phone at 843-534-3199 or by email at kelly@kellys-kitchen.org. If you're unsure whether to visit in person, want to ask about a specific program, or need to confirm hours before making the trip, please don't hesitate to contact us first. We'd rather spend five minutes on the phone helping you plan than have you make a drive that wasn't necessary.
Getting Here: Driving Directions to Bakersville, NC
Bakersville sits along NC Highway 226, a main corridor through Mitchell County in the Blue Ridge Mountains. NC 226 connects Bakersville to Marion to the south and Spruce Pine to the west, making it the primary route for visitors arriving from most directions.
From Spruce Pine (west): Take NC-226 N toward Bakersville. Continue through town — Kelly's Kitchen is located along the highway corridor. The drive from Spruce Pine is approximately 10 miles.
From Marion (south): Take NC-226 N from Marion into Mitchell County. The road winds through the mountains before arriving in Bakersville. Plan for approximately 25–30 miles of mountain driving.
From Johnson City, TN (north): Take US-19E south through Roan Mountain and into North Carolina. Connect to NC-261 S toward Bakersville, then merge onto NC-226. Total drive is approximately 40 miles.
From Asheville (southwest): Take I-26 E to US-19E toward Burnsville, then follow NC-197 N toward Bakersville. Alternatively, take US-221 N to Spruce Pine and then NC-226 N. Expect roughly 60–75 minutes depending on route and conditions.
Important note for mountain travelers: Western North Carolina roads can be significantly affected by weather, especially in winter months. If you're visiting during or after rain, snow, or ice events, check road conditions before you leave. Hurricane Helene's impact on the region also means some secondary roads may still be in recovery — stick to NC-226 as your main corridor and call us if you're unsure about your route.
No GPS? No Problem — Landmark Navigation
In rural mountain communities, GPS doesn't always tell the whole story. Highway 226 is your anchor point. Bakersville is a small town — if you find yourself in the town center near the Mitchell County Courthouse, you're close. Kelly's Kitchen is located north of the town center on the highway. When in doubt, call us at 843-534-3199 and someone will help you navigate in real time.
Parking at Kelly's Kitchen
Parking is available on-site at our Bakersville location along NC-226. There is no metered parking or time limits. If you have a mobility device, need additional space, or have any concerns about navigating from your vehicle to the entrance, please call ahead so we can be ready to assist you when you arrive.
We know that parking lot navigation can be a real barrier for people with disabilities, and we take that seriously. Accessibility doesn't begin inside the building — it starts in the parking area.
Accessibility: What You Can Expect at Kelly's Kitchen
Accessibility is not an afterthought at Kelly's Kitchen — it is a core value. We center the needs of disabled people in everything we do, including how we design our physical spaces and how we interact with every person who comes to us for support.
Here's what that means in practical terms:
Call ahead and tell us what you need. This is the single most important step. Our team genuinely wants to know what accommodations would make your visit work for you — whether that's a specific parking arrangement, assistance entering the building, a quieter environment, or something else entirely. We will do our best to have it ready.
We do not exclude anyone. Kelly's Kitchen does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, citizenship status, or criminal record. Every program and service we offer is available to you.
Virtual access is available. If visiting in person isn't possible for you due to disability, distance, transportation barriers, or any other reason, many of our programs — including Nourishment Beyond the Plate cooking classes — can be facilitated virtually over Zoom. You don't have to be able to come to us for us to serve you.
Adaptive tools are part of how we work. Our Kitchen Tools & Equipment resource guide exists specifically because we know standard kitchen equipment doesn't work for everyone. Adaptive tools are built into our programming, not bolted on as an afterthought.
If you have questions about accessibility at our Bakersville location or want to discuss what a visit might look like for you, reach out through our contact page or call us directly.
Can't Come to Us? We Come to You
One of the most important things to understand about Kelly's Kitchen is that our work doesn't happen only at our physical address. We bring resources directly into communities across Western NC and beyond.
Pop-Up Pantries are mobile food distributions that come to neighborhoods rather than requiring residents to travel to us. Check the Pop-Up Pantries live map to find a distribution happening near you.
Little Free Pantries are small, publicly accessible food boxes placed in neighborhoods throughout the region and across the country. No travel required, no eligibility check, no paperwork. Find locations through the LFP Program page.
The Food Security Network is a searchable directory of food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, and community food resources organized by zip code — and it includes disability accessibility information for each listing. If getting to Bakersville isn't realistic for you, use the Food Security Network to find something closer to home.
Farmer Markets can be another local touchpoint for fresh food access. Kelly's Kitchen connects community members to local farmer markets in the region as part of its broader food ecosystem.
Transportation is one of the most persistent barriers to food access in rural Appalachia. We know that, and we've built our programs to work around it wherever possible.
Getting Help Before You Visit
If this is your first time connecting with Kelly's Kitchen, it can help to know what to expect. Our team is small, our approach is relational, and we want your first contact — whether by phone, email, or in person — to feel like a welcome, not a transaction.
Here's a practical checklist for planning your visit or first contact:
Know what you're looking for. Are you seeking food assistance? Interested in the Nourishment Beyond the Plate cooking program? Want to partner with us or volunteer? Knowing your goal helps us connect you with the right resource quickly.
Call or email first. Our team can help you determine whether an in-person visit makes sense or whether your needs can be met remotely. Phone: 843-534-3199. Email: kelly@kellys-kitchen.org.
Tell us about your accessibility needs. We will never make assumptions. Tell us what works for you and we'll do our best to meet you there.
Check the blog for current updates. The Kelly's Kitchen blog includes program news, resource updates, and community announcements that can help you stay current on what's available.
A Note on Western NC Road Conditions
Visitors to Bakersville and the broader Mitchell County area should be aware that mountain driving in Western North Carolina is genuinely different from driving in flatland or urban settings. Roads are narrow in places, grades are steep, and weather can change quickly. Hurricane Helene's impact on infrastructure is still being felt in parts of the region.
If you're driving from out of the area, allow extra travel time, fill your gas tank before heading into the mountains, and have our phone number saved: 843-534-3199. We are a community organization, and helping people navigate — literally and figuratively — is part of what we do.
Stay Connected
Once you've found us, we hope you'll stay in touch. Subscribe to the Kelly's Kitchen newsletter for updates on programming, pantry locations, and community resources. Follow us on social media to see real-time announcements, new blog posts, and stories from the communities we serve.
If you believe in this work and want to help sustain it, consider making a donation. Every contribution — at any level — goes directly toward programs that feed people, build skills, and advance food justice in Western North Carolina.
Phone: 843-534-3199 Email: kelly@kellys-kitchen.org Address: 13753 N 226 Hwy, Bakersville, NC 28705
Bottom TLDR:
Finding Kelly's Kitchen means locating us at 13753 N 226 Hwy, Bakersville, NC 28705 — but our reach in Western North Carolina extends well beyond that single address through pop-up pantries, virtual programming, and a nationwide Food Security Network. Call 843-534-3199 before your visit so we can confirm hours, prepare any accommodations you need, and make sure your trip is worth the drive.