Business Spotlight Archives
Business Spotlights 2008
The High Country—or any community for that matter—is defined by its local business people. Whether born and raised here or from out of town, these entrepreneurial spirits believe in the area so much that they have decided to meld, share and align their business passions with the everyday goings-on of the region.
Over time, these businesses become the community. They are the landmarks that visitors and locals could not imagine Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Seven Devils, Foscoe, Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain without.
Throughout 2008, High Country Press continued a celebration of these local businesses in the weekly Business Spotlight feature. As in the rest of the country, many businesses in the High Country were forced to retool in light of the economic downturn this past year and the Business Spotlight served as a forum for those stories, hopefully distributing the wisdom of local entrepreneurs to a wider audience.
From learning about the dreams that led to iconic restaurants to getting to know the golf car business from the inside, from learning about cooking bagels to hearing the compelling stories of local furniture retailers, from getting to know the owners of many real estate companies to unearthing the secrets that help them survive, it was a pleasure to hear their stories and hopefully was a helpful insight for our readers.
The Business Spotlight will continue in 2009, but here’s a look back at whom we visited in 2008.
Capone’s Pizza—The Best Pizza the Law Will Allow
Published January 17, 2008
Forget Domino’s Noid or Pizza Hut Pete, another pizza mascot is on the rise in Boone and he is untouchable, if you will. It’s Capone—Al Capone—and he is the mascot for Capone’s Pizza at 454-B West King Street.
In March 2008, Capone’s Pizza turned three years old. The business is thriving in a location that was unlucky at best for its previous tenants.
So how is Capone’s Pizza thriving in a location where others could not? Easy answer—they serve the best pizza in the High Country, according to co-owner Pete Shurba, and also have the cheapest beer in the state.
For more information, call 828-265-1886 or click to www.caponesboone.com.
Sew What’s Up!—Four Years of Alterations, Custom Sewing and Wacky Dressed Manikins
Published January 24, 2008
“If I can’t do it, it can’t be done around here,” said Tina Cecil, owner of Sew What’s Up!, located in the Sunrise Shopping Center in Banner Elk. “I do anything.
I tell people to bring [their clothes in], I’ll figure out how to fix it and we’ll do it.
And you can trust me to do it right because I am my own worst critic.”
Is your zipper broken on your favorite jeans? Perhaps your pockets have holes in them and you want them fixed? Maybe you received 20 pairs of pants for Christmas and all of them don’t fit? Maybe you want a custom-tailored suit?
Maybe you want to alter your mother’s wedding dress so you can wear it at your wedding? Or maybe you lost a lot of weight and want to alter your clothes?
All of these possibilities and more are just a trip away—a trip to Sew What’s Up! in Banner Elk, Cecil’s alteration and custom sewing shop that celebrated four years in business in 2008.
For more information, call 828-898-4644 or email sewwhatsup@skybest.com.
Art Mart & Academy—Making It Easy To Be An Artist in the High Country
Published January 31, 2008
“The biggest feedback we get is, ‘Thanks for the help,’” said John Bond, owner of Art Mart and Academy, 188 Boone Heights Drive. “In this day and age, the one-on-one attention is not as prevalent as it once was.”
In addition to Art Mart and Academy carrying “everything you possibly need to create art,” said Bond, Art Mart employees specialize in individual attention to each customer.
“[Customers to Art Mart and Academy] get all the time they need for us to act as a librarian in our store,” said Bond. “And we give the same attention to customers as we do to our [Art Academy] students. It’s great to forge relationships with our customers and students.”
Bond knows firsthand just how important it is to have a friend at an art store. The organization, selection and intense customer service people find at Art Mart and Academy are a direct result of the lack of organization, direction, selection and customer service that Bond encountered as an art student.
For that reason, Art Mart and Academy is filled with “the widest breadth of materials” of any art store in the region, according to Bond, and customer service is a primary focus.
For more information, call 828-264-3135.
Steve’s Auto Service—Taking Care of the Hundreds of Subarus in Boone For 25 Years
Published February 7, 2008
You can’t drive any road in the High Country without seeing a Subaru. The imported cars are everywhere because they’re reliable, sporty and great in the snow. Subarus are not, however, so good that they don’t break down occasionally or need replacement parts now and then.
Enter Steve Byerly. He’s your Subaru’s best friend because he’s been fixing the Japanese cars, as well as other imports, in the High Country for the past 25 years.
Perched on the hill above the west end of King Street at 1669 Highway 421 North, Steve’s Auto Service is a place for good conversation, mountain hospitality and, of course, car talk galore.
For more information, call 828-264-4369.
Beef’O’Brady’s—Boone’s New Family Sports Pub Is In A League Of Its Own
Published February 14, 2008
Beef’O’Brady’s has only been open for one year, but its support of local sports teams, schools, law enforcement officials and nonprofit organizations is on par with businesses that have called the High Country home for decades.
“Beef’O’Brady’s is really community oriented,” said co-owner Mark Lewis. Lewis co-owns the family sports pub with Adam Smith and Donna Fleming.
Beef’O’Brady’s, located at 276-G Watauga Village Drive in Boone, opened on November 5, 2007, and the pub already is a main sponsor of area Little League and soccer teams, Watauga County Parks and Recreation, the Junior Bobcats Basketball League, Special Olympics and the ASU basketball coaches’ weekly radio show.
Along with all this support, the food at Beef’O’Brady’s is in a league of its own.
From wings to fried mushrooms, from burgers to wraps, from Reubens to Philly cheesesteaks, from salads to seafood, from ribs to soup, Beef’O’Brady’s has the bases covered, all at a reasonable price. And then there’s the beer. Beef’O’Brady’s carries 28 different labels of beer and features 10 of them on tap as well. The restaurant also features 32 flat-screen televisions.
For more information, call 828-265-8585 or click to www.beefobradys.com.
Resort Real Estate and Rentals—Diversifying and Flourishing for 26 Years
Published February 21, 2008
You can learn from business owners who have managed to survive for more than a quarter century in the High Country, and Resort Real Estate and Rentals, located at the base of Sugar Mountain at 3990 Tynecastle Highway, is a good example.
The business has survived by diversifying and reinventing itself. The result is survival tactics that have enabled the business to maintain during the lean years and take advantage of the fat ones.
Jack and Louise Anderson, co-owners of Resort Real Estate and Rentals, started the business on July 1, 1982. Today, Resort Real Estate and Rentals manages more than 150 rental units and lists more than 20 houses for sale. Part of the business is real estate sales, but a majority of the business is handling rental properties that owners pay the Andersons to manage.
For more information, call 828-898-9746, 1-800-438-4555, email staysugar@skybest.com or click to www.staysugarmountain.com.
At Your Wits End Vacation Rentals—Working Hard So Vacationers Don’t Have To
Published February 28, 2008
Mike and Lynn Graham, co-owners of At Your Wits End Vacation Rentals, took their first day off in three years on Christmas Day 2007. Check that—they didn’t come into the office on that day, but they did clean some rental properties, so they’re calling it a vacation.
“There’s no down time in this business,” said Lynn, who, with her husband, has owned the business for four years.
But work isn’t that bad when you love what you do.
“I enjoy people,” said Mike, who added that he loves to chat and joke with all the customers. Lynn said that Mike finds common connections—mutual friends or similar experiences—with 98 percent of the people who walk through their office door.
Both Lynn and Mike worked state jobs for many years—teaching, training, prison work, alcohol and drug prevention—before they opted to change their profession.
At Your Wits End Vacation Rentals manages roughly 50 properties owned by private individuals around the High Country.
For more information, call 828-264-3535, 1-800-774-3493 or click to www.witsendrentals.com.
Outersanctum Salon—Renew, Revitalize, Rejuvenate
Published March 6, 2008
“I did all of this so I could have cool hair,” laughed Brent Horner, co-owner of Outersanctum Salon.
Horner is always laughing. She laughs with customers, jokes with her husband and co-owner Jonathan Laurer and quips with the deliveryman. It’s part of the unique atmosphere of Outersanctum Salon—Boone’s newest full-service salon located at 215 Boone Heights Drive.
But don’t let Horner fool you—she didn’t start her own salon just to cut and color her own hair. Horner started Outersanctum Salon on September 22, 2007, to bring Aveda products and services to the High Country. Before Outersanctum opened, users of the eco-friendly hair care, skin care and air care products and services had to drive to Winston-Salem or further to find what they needed.
But that’s all changed. Outersanctum Salon carries the entire line of Aveda products, using them for most, if not all, of the services and selling all of them retail. In addition, Outersanctum Salon offers haircuts, color treatments, facials, body treatments, waxing and natural manicures and pedicures.
For more information, call 828-264-8181 or click to www.outersanctumsalon.com.
Jo-Lynn Enterprises, Inc.—Taking Jobs No One Else Will Take for 33 Years
Published March 13, 2008
Work hard. Play hard.
That is the formula that Joseph “Joey” Marcoux incorporates into his business, Jo-Lynn Enterprises, Inc., and one of the reasons he believes he and his business are successful.
Since Joey’s father Joe started the business, Jo-Lynn Enterprises has demanded that its employees work hard because most of the jobs they take are ones that others feel are too hard or complicated to complete. On the flip side, Joey and his employees spend just as much time together away from work than they do at work. It’s not because they live together, but because they are all good friends and understand the importance of bonding outside of the workplace.
That formula—a good work ethic, happy customers and employees who are friends—has enabled Jo-Lynn Enterprises, Inc. to survive in the High Country for 33 years. Today, Jo-Lynn Enterprises, Inc. is comprised of 10 employees and 8 work vehicles. Joey estimated that 75 percent of the business’s work is disaster restoration—smoke, water, vandalism, fire and mold—and 25 percent is cleaning—ducts, windows, carpet, rugs and pressure washing. Jo-Lynn Enterprises, Inc. is certified, licensed and insured.
For more information, click to www.joclean.com or call 828-297-2109 or 1-800-922-2109.
Southern States Boone Service—Helping Locals Prepare for Spring for 22 Years
Published March 20, 2008
If you have a farm, home or garden, Southern States Boone Service, located at 178 Water Street in Boone, should be your first stop. With an inventory that will double when spring arrives, Southern States Boone Service offers a wide variety of farm, home, garden and pet products and provides knowledgeable employees eager to help meet customers’ needs.
Whether you need feed for your livestock; lawn and garden products; food, toys, grooming tools and health products for your pet; farm equipment; fertilizers; livestock products; or outdoor clothing, Southern States is a one-stop shop for High Country residents.
Southern States Boone Service turned 22 years old in 2008, and is owned by the Southern States Cooperative in Richmond, Va.
For more information, call 828-264-8883 or click to www.southernstates.com.
Gems by Gemini—Putting A Little Color in Our Lives For 24 Years
Published March 27, 2008
“We are not your regular jewelry store,” said Jim Burgess, co-owner of Gems by Gemini, located in the Martin House at 1098 Main Street in Blowing Rock. “When my wife and I first opened, our objective was not to do what a normal jewelry store would do,” Burgess added, pointing to a glass case filled with 170 rings of all shapes, sizes and colors. “Of those 170, there’s only one duplication.”
From the moment people walk into Gems by Gemini, they can tell something is different. Whereas traditional jewelry stores are filled with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires, that selection is only the tip of the iceberg at Gems by Gemini.
“We design and produce 14 karat and 18 karat fine gold, platinum and sterling jewelry, and we feature colored gemstones,” said co-owner Joan Wingler.
And those gemstones are the difference. Where else can you find Australian black opal, golden South Sea pearl, watermelon tourmaline, alexandrite—the most rare stone in the world—and green garnets in one place?
“We do what an average jewelry store doesn’t do,” added Wingler, who took over part ownership of Gems by Gemini two years ago. “We have some of the most unique gems in the world in here.”
For more information, click to www.gemsbygemini.com or call 828-295-7700 or 1-888-229-GEMS.
The Cornerstone Bookstore—Bringing Joy and Faith to Boone for 29 Years
Published April 3, 2008
“There’s a principle that says ‘God honors hard work,’” said John Pope, co-owner of The Cornerstone Bookstore, located at 1894 Blowing Rock Road. “I’ve always believed, if you put your hands to something God will honor it.”
A sense of thankfulness and peace is in Pope’s voice as he explains his life, his bookstore, his family and his faith. He is proud, but he is quick to give thanks where thanks are due—to God and to the community that have supported him and his business for 29 years.
Pope owns Cornerstone with his wife Patricia, a woman he met in high school and courted in college, a woman who stood by him through a tour of duty in Vietnam and who embarked on a lifelong mission to uplift their faith through owning a Christian bookstore.
“The Cornerstone Bookstore is a specialty shop,” said Pope. “It is a business dedicated to uplifting our faith in Jesus Christ in the marketplace.”
For more information, call 828-262-1226, 828-262-1296, 1-888-663-7625 or click to www.cornerstonebooksonline.com.
Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins—Your Family Away From Home for 54 Years
Published April 10, 2008
After staying at Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins, you’re not leaving without a hug.
“We become our guests’ family away from home—they get hugs goodbye,” said Deborah McDowell, who owns Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins, located at 827 Main Street in Blowing Rock, with her husband Jim. “We are here and we deal personally with every single guest. They come in as guests and they leave as friends.”
Your affection for Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins begins with its eleven rooms. McDowell shops locally for bedding and decorations that she uses to personalize all the rooms.
“Each room is unique,” said McDowell, who designed a God Bless America Room, a Lavender Room, a Red Room, an Aunt Bea’s Room and a Williamsburg Room among others. “It’s all very unique—it’s like playing HGTV.”
And then there are the cabins. The two romance cabins feature Jacuzzis, and the three family cabins feature lofts for the kids and quiet bedrooms and decks for the adults. Your affection for Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins only grows when you discover all the extras included in your stay. McDowell and her staff of four employees act as your personal concierge, arranging theater tickets, flowers, reservations and even wedding plans if you so desire.
For more information, click to www.mountainaireinn.com or call 828-295-7991.
Boone Bagelry—The Center of the Universe for 20 Years
Published April 17, 2008
Fifteen years ago, a slightly crazy gentleman from California entered Boone Bagelry and began suspiciously peering around, lifting up menus and peering at items on the counter. After a few minutes of the man acting sketchy, Tony Nicastro, who shares ownership of Boone Bagelry with his wife Donna and sister-in-law Ruth Leighton, asked him what he was doing.
“I was told by a friend in California that this was the center of the universe,” said the man with complete seriousness.
The Boone Bagelry staff chuckles to this day about that story, laughing over whether the crazy man was looking for an “X” underneath the menus, but the crazy man might have had a point.
To people who live in Boone and have witnessed the cult following that Boone Bagelry haphazardly created, the full-service breakfast and lunch restaurant may seem like the center of the universe. What would downtown Boone be like without Boone Bagelry? What if residents of the town never knew what a Bagelicious was?
Thankfully, we never have to look for those answers because, for the last 20 years, Boone Bagelry has made a home in Boone, serving bagels, sandwiches and breakfast foods to tens of thousands of people at 516 West King Street.
For more information, call 828-262-5585.
The Barking Rock—Bringing Fashion and Functionality to Our Dogs’ Lives
Published April 24, 2008
If humans want to find the latest in fashion, they go to New York City’s Fifth Avenue. If dogs want to find the latest in canine fashion and needs, they go to Main Street in Blowing Rock.
As a dog’s equivalent of Fifth Avenue, The Barking Rock carries more pet supplies than you can shake a stick at, and pet owners will find some unique toy, bed, food or leash to fetch when they visit the store located at 1179 Main Street in the South Marke Shopping Center.
“We carry everything a dog should want or need—particularly want,” said Leanne Braswell, owner of The Barking Rock, “from clothing to baked goods to toys to leashes.”
The Barking Rock carries Doggles—underwater goggles for dogs, if you didn’t guess—dog beds of all shapes and sizes, organic dog treats and food, dog home apparel, pet car carriers, dog toys, dog strollers, dog art, dog dishes, animal-themed greeting cards, collars, leads and leashes. The Barking Rock also carries clothes for dogs, from jackets to raincoats, from shirts to hats to matching outfits.
The store also offers homemade baked treats for dogs, created by a dog bakery in Charlotte.
For more information, call 828-295-8883 or click to www.thebarkingrock.com.
Murphy’s Restaurant and Pub—Boone’s Down-Home Restaurant and Pub Looks at 20
Published May 1, 2008
A lot of business owners like to think their establishments are like the bar in the hit sitcom Cheers, but few hit the mark better than Boone’s Murphy’s Restaurant and Pub. Murphy’s, located at 747 West King Street, is Cheers with a smoking section, more pool tables and a larger beer selection. Murphy’s co-owners Erik and Steve Larson and music promoter/bartender John Rush give customers all the laughs and personal service that Cheers’ Sam and Woody displayed on television screens across America in the 1980s. And don’t forget Norm and Cliff—they are there too; they just have different names.
You would be hard pressed to find a bar and restaurant frequented by more Boone locals where professionals eat lunch beside contractors, students play pool with townspeople and smiling faces serve some of the best food around.
“We have a large local clientele—an eclectic clientele,” said Erik. “It’s a mix.”
“On any day of the week, you can find carpenters, plumbers, ASU kids, professionals and the occasional lawyer,” added Steve.
And don’t forget that after you frequent the iconic pub a few times, everyone knows your name. Some might even call it a right of passage for becoming a Boone local.
In May 2008, Murphy’s turned 20—quite a milestone for a local business.
For more information, call 828-264-5117 or click to www.murphysboone.com.
Tatum Galleries and Interiors—28 Years of Mountain Furniture, Friends and Design
Published May 8, 2008
Buying a house is stressful enough; filling it should be a comfortable process.
In an ideal world, you’d be able to make one trip to a store run by friends to furnish a home from floor to ceiling. But where can you find that?
Welcome to Tatum Galleries and Interiors—a one-stop shop for all home design needs, from furniture to accessories to decorations. Operated by eight smiling employees and owners Sally and Steve Tatum, Tatum Galleries and Interiors, located at 5320 Highway 105 in Banner Elk, carries “anything you need for your house,” and features “three interior designers on staff to help with your every need,” said Sally.
The business started in 1980 selling Steve’s fine, solid wood furniture, and the business continues today with Steve’s woodworking skills as the backbone. You won’t find contemporary furniture sets at Tatum, but if you like the casual elegance of wood reproductions of period furniture or the mountain cottage motif, you’re in luck.
For more information, call 828-963-6466.
Mountaineer Sheet Metal Heating and Cooling—A Commitment to Comfort for 27 Years
Published May 15, 2008
According to a study from Texas A&M University, 90 percent of home heating and cooling systems in America are improperly sized for the home they heat and cool. Thus, 90 percent of Americans are paying more on their power bills as heat and air conditioning escape from their homes.
What’s more, a study from the North Carolina Alternative Energy Corporation found that 90 percent of heating and cooling units in North Carolina homes exhibited some sort of energy-wasting problem.
Wouldn’t it be nice to find a way to fall into the 10 percent of homes that have properly sized heating and cooling systems, saving you money on your power bill? Now, residents of Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Wilkes and Caldwell counties can rest assured that their new heating and cooling systems will be sized correctly and maintained properly thanks to Mountaineer Sheet Metal Heating and Cooling. For the past 27 years, Mountaineer Sheet Metal Heating and Cooling has worked hard to bring efficient systems to High Country homes.
“We offer installation and service of residential and light commercial heating and cooling systems—from electric pumps to gas systems to Energy Star. If it’s forced air heating and cooling, we can do anything,” said Drew Petrey, retail sales manager of Mountaineer Sheet Metal Heating and Cooling. “We, as a business, custom design each of our heating and cooling systems, following proper code with duct work installation and we don’t skimp on materials. We really emphasize the quality of our systems. We’re very passionate about what we do.”
For more information, click to www.mountaineersheetmetal.com, call 828-264-6625 or email info@mountaineersheetmetal.com.
Cha Da Thai—Spicing Up The High Country With Culture, Food and Community Support
Published May 22, 2008
With limited choices for ethnic cuisine in the High Country, Cha Da Thai, located at 173 Howard Street in downtown Boone, was a welcome addition to mountain palates when it opened 2 years ago.
Since Walsh Sisoukrath, owner of Cha Da Thai, decided to open his traditional Thai cuisine restaurant in Boone in 2006, he has not only spiced up our options for dining, but he has also adopted the High Country as his new home.
For more information, click to www.chadathai-nc.com or call 828-268-0434.
Hardin Jewelry—Susan Hardin Celebrates 30 Years of Business in Banner Elk
Published May 29, 2008
Surrounded by a shimmering glass case filled with one-of-a-kind jewelry, Susan Hardin, owner of Hardin Jewelry, polishes a silver ring while her grandchildren run around the store playing tag. Hardin is chatting with friends, ogling a new gemstone and laughing, taking breaks every so often to teach the kids a new wire-wrap jewelry method.
It’s a regular day at Hardin Jewelry, and quite similar to the days in its quaint beginnings 30 years ago in Banner Elk.
Three decades ago, Hardin’s four children—Pam, Paula, Patricia and Ted—used her store as a playground. Now their children unleash their imagination in a store filled with thousands of carats of happiness.
And Hardin couldn’t be happier. She has a store she loves, years of repeat customers, support from the local community, an outlet for her jewelry-making, an impressive list of featured jewelers and one of her daughters, Pam McKay, owns an art gallery next door.
For more information, call 828-898-GOLD (4653).
Morning Star Gallery—Doing Business With You In Mind For 23 Years
Published June 5, 2008
Handmade art from around the region and the country is waiting for you on Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock.
Morning Star Gallery, located at 257 Sunset Drive, is filled with fine art and collectibles from the High Country, as well as from across the nation.
“It’s the place to come and see handmade in America,” said Maggie Wilson, who co-owns Morning Star Gallery with her husband Bob. “We have regional art, blown-glass pieces, tapestries and paintings, and also stuff from all over the USA.”
After 23 years in business in the High Country, Morning Star Gallery now features work from more than 125 artists. Maggie said that the goal of Morning Star Gallery is to showcase art from the United States, and to show American handcrafts for what they are, from the traditional to the contemporary.
“That’s why people come to this region,” said Maggie.
For more information, call 828-295-6991.
Maple’s Leather Furniture—The High Country’s Mom and Pop Leather Specialty Shop
Published June 12, 2008
You almost get a little jealous when you enter Maple’s Leather Furniture.
Co-Owner Zoe Schmidinger not only is surrounded by beautiful leather furniture that is reasonably priced and alluringly comfortable, but she is also surrounded at all times by her 3-year-old daughter Ava, her surprisingly well-behaved sales associate. The two are inseparable—a wonderful dynamic to watch and one of the reasons Maple’s Leather Furniture exists in the first place.
“Basically, I’m a stay-at-home mom that’s working,” said Schmidinger, who opened Maple’s Leather Furniture with her husband Erich three years ago. “When people call, I am very professional at all times, but at the same time I could be coloring with my three year old.”
Schmidinger knows what she is good at and knows what she wants.
After working in the leather furniture industry for more than 10 years—selling products, visiting tanneries, speaking with manufacturers and testing furniture—she can explain every facet of the style, design and construction of dozens of lines of leather furniture. What’s more, she paints the picture of the products in layman’s terms to her customers, forgoing any industry jargon.
“It’s your typical mom and pop leather specialty shop with good pricing and quality products,” said Schmidinger.
For more information, call 828-898-6110, 1-866-561-5858, email info@maplesleather.com or click to www.maplesleather.com.
Red Onion Café—A New Look But Same Great Service, Atmosphere and Food
Published June 26, 2008
A smile creeps across Danny Mauney’s face when he remembers the day when Red Onion Café overflowed for the first time and the hostess had to make a wait list for customers.
“That was probably the most pleasing moment of my life—of course, aside from marrying my wife and when my children were born,” said Mauney, owner of Red Onion Café. “And I still love this place. It’s no easier than it was 20 years ago, but I’m a survivor. I still love doing it. I’ve never worked for anyone else in my life and I’m not so sure I could at this point.”
Thankfully, Mauney won’t have to. Red Onion Café turned 24 in 2008, and with a new façade, an ever-changing menu, a new covered patio, a dedicated wait staff and a host of regular customers, it looks like Red Onion will continue to be a cornerstone of the Boone community for at least another quarter century.
For more information, call 828-264-5470 or click to www.theredonioncafe.com.
Dragonfly Theater & Pub—A Labor of Love for the Good of the Community
Published July 3, 2008
Dragonfly Theater & Pub Owner Sheri Baker describes entrepreneurship as jumping out of an airplane and building your parachute on the way down. Even though Baker can’t take credit for the quote, it is an apt description of the last two years of her life.
Armed with a vision for an independent and mainstream movie theater that serves good food, Baker quit her job 3 years ago and secured a space for her dream 2.5 years ago. Today, after 32 months of preparation and four months in business, Dragonfly Theater & Pub is Boone’s new home for movies, food, beer and live music.
Dragonfly Theater & Pub, located at 215 Boone Heights Drive, Suite 301 in Boone, is a new concept for the High Country but represents a business idea that is booming in cities across the nation. Sometimes called a “Brew & View” or a “Cina-Diner,” Dragonfly is a movie theater with tables, couches, a bar and real food options, according to Baker.
For more information, call 828-262-3222 or click to www.dragonflytheater.com.
Neaco—Making Our Lives More Hip, Funky and Sophisticated for 13 Years
Published July 10, 2008
From the moment you walk into Neaco, located on Main Street in Blowing Rock, you know you’re in one of the most unique shops in the High Country. Jazz is playing on the CD player, and although it sounds at first like typical dinner party music, you realize it’s a remake of “Walk Like An Egyptian” from the 1980s.
Funky lamps illuminate display tables attractively set with martini and wine glasses of all shapes, sizes and colors. Hip sculptures are beside illuminated fake pussy willows, and picture frames, from lewd to sophisticated, dot the walls next to affordable art prints that would turn any drab décor into retro and metro.
If the upscale boutiques of Blowing Rock’s Main Street are the refined elders of High Country shopping, then Neaco is the funky, sophisticated and hip younger child that is popular with all age groups.
Welcome to Neaco Hip Home Décor, purveyor of contemporary and funky accessories for all occasions. Owned by Keith Neaves, Neaco turned 13 in 2008, celebrating its 10-year anniversary of operating in Blowing Rock.
For more information, call 828-295-0709, 1-877-33NEACO, email neaco@charter.net or click to www.neaco.com.
Blackberry Creek Mattress Outlet—Helping the High Country Rest Well So They Can Live Better
Published July 17, 2008
On average, a regular person spends seven to eight hours of his/her day in a bed—the longest of any other activity of the day.
“If that bed doesn’t bring you rest, your quality of life is affected,” said Dick James, owner of Blackberry Creek Mattress Outlet, located at 7929 Highway 105 in the Shops at Twin Rivers in Foscoe. “It’s a great feeling to know that when a customer walks through our door, we can change their quality of life.”
Welcome to Blackberry Creek Mattress Outlet, where mattress sales center around an all-encompassing theme—rest well, live better. With dozens of mattresses and multiple brand names to choose from, Blackberry Creek sells beds from $100 to $10,000 and its employees are all trained to match customers with their perfect fit in a mattress.
“We’ve worked hard to find mattresses that fit all price points and value points that customers expect. And it works because we’ve sold mattresses to people who own the biggest to the smallest homes in the High Country,” said James. “That’s why it’s so important to have a diversity of product. When I came here, we quadrupled the size of the showroom. It’s really important in this business to offer customers a choice; that’s why we have the largest showroom in the area.”
For more information, call 828-963-5503 or click to www.blackberrycreekmattressoutlet.com.
The Pet Place—Taking Care of Our Best Friends for 8 Years
Published July 24, 2008
Pets are prolific in the High Country. You see dogs hiking with their owners on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Greenway; cats greet you at neighbors’ doors; and birds squawk through nearby windows.
Pets become part of their families—a trend that The Pet Place Owner Madolyn Cearley said is increasing.
“So many people up here have cats and dogs—most have dogs. And now those dogs are looked at more as part of the family, so people are taking better care of them,” said Cearley. “It’s a new trend—people are taking better care of their pets.
As people are becoming more aware of nutrition for themselves, they are becoming more aware of nutrition for their pets.”
Eight years ago, health-conscious pet owners had few options when it came to quality pet supplies. Boone’s only pet store had closed at the Boone Mall and many pet owners felt a void. One of those pet owners was Cearley, and between her and her friend, they had nine dogs and not a pet store in sight. Something had to be done.
To solve the problem, Cearley and her friend opened The Pet Place at Shops at Shadowline in Boone. Established in August 2000, the store filled the niche in the pet supply market.
“We are the complete source for all your pet needs, except we don’t sell dogs or cats—we try to get people to adopt,” said Cearley, who bought out her partner in the store five years ago. “We try to have something for whatever kind of pet you may have.”
For more information, call 828-268-1510.
Eaglewood Development Corporation—Bringing Family Back Home To The Outdoors, Changing The Way We Live
Published July 31, 2008
Jay Adams spends his life outdoors. As owner of Eaglewood Landscapes, Adams has crafted lush landscaped areas for the past 21 years in the High Country and across North Carolina.
Through his intimate relationship with the outdoors, Adams has realized the importance of spending time outside with friends and family and the benefit of making your house a home—crafting your house and surrounds so you never want to leave.
From this understanding, Eaglewood Development Corporation was born three years ago in the High Country.
“The idea [for Eaglewood Development Corporation] extends from my landscaping work. What sets our [landscaping] company apart is that we create living environments for people’s homes—we make people want to come home,” explained Adams. “And I began to notice the lack of living environments in subdivisions in the High Country—areas for physical exercise, places where people can fish and swim on their own property.”
Welcome to Shikina Falls—Adams’ answer to that lack.
Shikina Falls—Shikina is a Hebrew word from the Old Testament that means “glory of God”—is a new housing development located off Camp Joy Road in Zionville. The property is 32 acres and features 10 home sites priced between $215,000 and $265,000. Twelve acres of the property are reserved for recreation, and Adams and his crew have been hard at work since March 2007 crafting the land into a functional, fun and homey space that is unique among developments in the region.
For more information, call 828-719-8187.
The Dande Lion’s Shooz & Shiraz—Shoes, Wine and The Best Fitting Pants in the World
Published August 7, 2008
As I entered The Dande Lion and Shooz & Shiraz on a Monday afternoon in August 2008, at least 25 women were bustling back and forth between the clothes racks, each trailed by an attentive staff member. Everyone was smiling and I was surprised at the sheer number of customers on a regular Monday.
Welcome to The Dande Lion and Shooz & Shiraz, where the apparel of Fifth Avenue meets the welcoming attitude of the mountains. Located at 4501 Tynecastle Highway in Banner Elk, The Dande Lion and Shooz & Shiraz are owned by Jane Deavers. Janeen Sherwood is the manager and Ashley Owens is the assistant manager.
After 11 years in business, The Dande Lion is an institution of sorts. Within the store, customers will find apparel, evening bags, handbags, gift cards, girly gifts, golf and tennis apparel, golf shoes, jewelry, shoes and spa items. Eight staff members complete the package as each is trained to be personal shoppers for customers, whether they are buying one item or dozens.
“We’re service, service, service here at The Dande Lion and Shooz & Shiraz,” said Sherwood. “We take care of each of our customers, whether they want one piece or an entire new wardrobe; we work with them from head to toe.”
In July 2008, Deavers saw a long-time dream become a reality when she opened Shooz & Shiraz in the space next door to The Dande Lion. According to Deavers, Shooz & Shiraz is a shoe and wine salon that features “after 5:00 p.m. apparel,” including handbags, jewelry, dressy clothing and dressy shoes. The business also features a wine tasting every day from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
For more information on The Dande Lion, call 828-898-3566, 1-866-222-2050 or click to www.dandelionstyles.com. For more information on Shooz & Shiraz, call 828-898-WINE (9463) or click to www.shoozandshiraz.com.
Mountaintop Golf Cars, Inc. & The Golf Car Catalog—Bringing the Future of Transportation to the High Country
Published August 14, 2008
A few years back when the green business craze was just catching on, Jack Triolo’s wife Deborah asked him what he was doing to be green. “I’ve been saving the Earth with my business for almost 30 years,” he replied, somewhat mystified at how people miss the fact that golf carts were one of the first vehicles to run on electric power.
From the very first time Triolo saw a fleet of golf cars, he knew he was staring at the future of transportation and had to get involved. Three decades later, Triolo’s two businesses, Mountaintop Golf Cars, Inc. and The Golf Car Catalog, are still chugging along, helping to usher in a new era of travel for the High Country and nation.
In 1982, at 9647 Highway 105 in Foscoe, Triolo incorporated Mountaintop Golf Cars as a business that sold new and used golf cars and accessories and offered repairs for every make and model. Thanks to some mutual friends who owned EZGO in Augusta, Ga., Triolo became a franchise for the golf car brand almost overnight in 1984.
Seeing the market growing, Triolo seized the opportunity in 1986 and published the first paper catalog for mail-order golf cars and golf car accessories. The new business, called The Golf Car Catalog, not only expanded his business to a larger market, but it also brought in money during the winter, the lean time for his business.
Today, Mountaintop Golf Cars is still an EZGO dealer, but it can handle any repair problem on any make or model of golf cars—even ones that are more than 30 years old.
For more information, click to www.golfcarcatalog.com or call 828-963-6775 or 1-800-328-1953.
Open To All—Carlton Gallery Celebrates 26 Years
Published August 21, 2008
Toni Carlton, owner of Carlton Gallery, has used a wide range of media to create her art over the years—weaving, sculptural basketry, drawing, wall hangings, mixed media, collage and photography. Yet, despite her various approaches to channel her inner expressions, there has always been a common denominator with her themes—all people are connected, there is a universal connection of all of our relations and her art is “open to all,” she said.
It’s only fitting that her gallery demonstrates that attitude as well.
Welcome to Carlton Gallery, a sanctuary for self-expression, art, community, workshops and exhibitions. The gallery is open to all who wish to learn how to create art and to those who want to see Carlton’s art, as well as work from local, national and international artists.
“Carlton Gallery is all about fine art, but it’s also a center for the community to come and experience art and fine crafts or to take workshops and learn from teachers,” said Carlton.
Carlton Gallery turned 26 in 2008 and moved to a new location, just up the road from its home of 22 years. Carlton Gallery is now located at 10360 Highway 105 South in the Grandfather Community.
For more information, call 828-963-4288 or click to www.carltonartgallery.com.
Blowing Rock Properties—A Team Of Top Producers Ready To Help
Published September 25, 2008
One of the most important decisions a person makes in his/her life is buying a first, or even second home, and that decision is made easier when people can partner with brokers who understand the inner workings of an area. The staff of Blowing Rock Properties, located at 1059 Main Street in Blowing Rock, knows Blowing Rock and the High Country from the inside out and are a cohesive team of real estate professionals that combine old-fashioned service and dedication to excellence with the latest in real estate technology and service.
“Blowing Rock Properties is a general real estate company serving the entire High Country that handles residential and commercial real estate sales, as well as land sales,” said Gail Smart, broker and owner of Blowing Rock Properties. “The strength of this company is the core group of agents that have been with me for more than 10 years. It’s a cohesive team that works together to help everybody be successful.”
Blowing Rock Properties is comprised of Smart, office manager Lisa Lambert and four brokers—Robert Novacek, Carol Knapp, Don Blair and Jan Blair. The team handles the sale and purchase of hundreds of High Country properties, and the business turned 17 years old in 2008.
For more information, click to www.blowingrockproperties.com or call 828-295-9200 or 1-800-849-0147.
Studio 153—A New Hair Affair In Blowing Rock
Published October 2, 2008
Even though the economy is in a downturn, it’s not like you’re going to forgo getting your hair done. And to help, there’s a new stylist in the High Country—David Jenkins of Studio 153, located at 153 Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock.
Jenkins has been styling hair in Cornelius for the past decade, making a name for himself in the profession based on the unique styles he produces, and in May 2008 he opened a new location in Blowing Rock.
“We’re always different. We’ve always beaten to a different drummer. We don’t check out our competition; we just do our own thing,” said Barbara Jenkins, co-owner of Studio 153 and David’s wife. Barbara operates Studio 153’s boutique, a collection of clothes, jewelry and artwork that Barbara handpicks. “It’s very eclectic,” she added.
Barbara and David are the sole employees of Studio 153—David handles the styling duties and Barbara books appointments and runs the boutique. The couple still owns their salon and boutique in Cornelius, but recently bought a home in the High Country and now stay here six days a week to tend Studio 153.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 828-295-4277.
Audio Grooves—Helping Us All Sing At The Top Of Our Lungs In Our Cars For 12 Years
Published October 9, 2008
Audio Grooves turned 12 years old in 2008 and is owned by Jon-Paul Lacy, a 15-year veteran of car and home audio installation and service. Wes Pierce, Lacy’s brother, is the sole employee of Audio Grooves and boasts a decade of car audio experience.
Audio Grooves is unique in the High Country as its selection and service are hard to find without going off the mountain to a larger retailer. Audio Grooves features two garages for car installations, as well as a showroom that features displays of the latest in car audio products and car accessories. Audio Grooves offers car video systems, amplifiers, car stereos, satellite radios, security systems, speaker systems, car audio accessories, interior and exterior Street Glo neon kits, HID light kits, rims, Bluetooth and iPod connection kits and backup camera systems for cars and trucks.
“We’re primarily a mobile electronics store and we stock more dash kits and [car stereo] harnesses than anyone within 60, 70 miles,” said Lacy.
For more information, call 828-265-4339 or click to www.audiogrooves.com.
Mountain Bagels—Made From Scratch Bagels And A ‘Hole’ Lot More
Published October 16, 2008
Working seven days per week, sometimes 15 hours per day, Elie and Joan Saade can tell you everything you want to know about their restaurant Mountain Bagels, located at 211 Boone Heights Drive in Boone, but a few key attributes stick out—the way the bagels are made, the restaurant’s sanitation score and the restaurant’s customer service.
Since opening on July 30, 2007, Mountain Bagels remains the only restaurant or bagelry in the High Country where the bagels are made from scratch every morning. What’s more, the restaurant boasts a sanitation rating of 100.5, and its customer service is always a top priority.
“We’ve gotten to a point with some customers that when we see their car parking [in our parking lot], we start their order,” said Elie, who owns Mountain Bagels with his wife Joan.
Mountain Bagels is home to 21 varieties of homemade bagels and plenty of bagel spreads, but that’s just part of their offerings. The restaurant also serves coffee, cappuccino, espresso, hot chocolate, tea, cold beverages, soup, chili, cold and hot sandwiches, salads, Mediterranean specialties, homemade chicken, tuna and egg salad, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies, croissants, scones and traditional breakfast platters that include bacon, sausage, ham and eggs. Elie, Joan and five employees—some of whom are family members—operate the 50-seat restaurant.
“We are still the only bagel bakery that cooks from scratch in the High Country, and don’t forget about our famous sweet baked goods,” added Elie.
For more information, click to www.mountainbagels.com or call 828-265-4141.
Daniel Boone Log Homes NC—Building Your Dream Home From Start to Finish
Published October 23, 2008
Building your own home is a daunting task, especially when you have to deal with multiple contractors to get all the components built to your specifications. But what if you could have all the work done by one company, and that company customized its offering based on what you want your dream house to look like?
Enter Daniel Boone Log Homes NC, a consumer’s answer to the complicated world of house building. Daniel Boone Log Homes NC, located at 112 Clubhouse Drive, Suite 2 in Foscoe, opened in June 2008, and is a dealership for Daniel Boone Log Homes, a log home package supplier with 65 years in the business. But Daniel Boone Log Homes NC isn’t just a regular dealership for the log home packages; it is a custom-design center that features an in-house construction company and project managers, so customers can deal with one person for all their construction needs and questions from start to finish.
“It’s a full turnkey operation,” said Ariel Olivera, owner of Daniel Boone Log Homes NC.
For more information, click to www.dblhnc.com, call 828-963-6700 or email ariel@dblhnc.com.
Abbey Carpet & Floor—Eight Years in Boone, 50 Years in the Nation
Published October 30, 2008
What’s beneath your feet in your home? Do you like it, or are you dreaming of a new hardwood floor or maybe a nice fluffy carpet for winter?
You are in luck because Boone’s got a one-stop shop for all your flooring and carpet needs at Abbey Carpet & Floor, located at 221 Boone Heights Drive in Boone.
“We carry anything that has to do with floors,” said Ken Cook, store manager.
Abbey Carpet & Floor of Boone opened in 2000, but the store is part of a chain that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Abbey Carpet & Floor’s showroom in Boone is fully stocked with colorful displays of the best and latest in flooring options, such as carpet, hardwood, vinyl, laminate and ceramic tile. Five employees and four subcontractors are ready to assist customers in finding their perfect flooring fit and then are available to install the flooring at homes all over the High Country.
“We can do it all,” said Cook.
For more information, call 828-265-3622 or click to www.abbeycarpet.com.
PC Medics—Twenty-Four Hour TLC For Your Computer
Published November 13, 2008
“If a person’s computer and car broke on the same day, they will probably fix their computer first,” said Tom Rooney, owner of PC Medics, located at 324 Highway 105 Extension, Suite 3.
Rooney’s comment summarizes the dependence that many people have on their computers in the 21st century, as well as the reason his business has survived for a decade in the High Country. Rooney is celebrating 10 years in business in 2008 and recently moved PC Medics to the Carriage Square Shopping Center after NCDOT’s Highway 421 widening project pushed him out of his former location on King Street.
People’s dependence on computers isn’t the only reason PC Medics is flourishing in the High Country. Rooney also offers house call computer repair service and an open pricing system.
“People need to take advantage of our 24/7 house call service,” said Rooney. “We understand that computers don’t just break between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. People don’t need to be shy about calling us after hours.”
Rooney and his two service call technicians, Jesse Tyner and Matt Meire, answer PC Medics’ computer repair emergency phone line—828-964-5247—24 hours a day, seven days a week to help in any way possible with broken computers. PC Medics also offers a 24 hours a day, seven days a week pager line at 828-265-8830.
“That means you’ll get a real person on the other end at 3:00 a.m.,” added Rooney.
For more information, click to www.nc-pcmedics.com, call 828-264-5941 or email pcmedics@bellsouth.net.
Sledgehammer Charlie’s Smokehouse & Grill—Simple Food Done Well
Published November 20, 2008
When you’re driving up to Sledgehammer Charlie’s Smokehouse & Grill, located at 8146 Valley Boulevard in Blowing Rock, the restaurant’s exterior hints at the underpinning of a franchise. Everything looks kept, the sign and architecture feature clean lines and the name hints at a theme-type atmosphere. But this is no franchise—in fact, it’s about as grassroots as it gets, according to Sledgehammer Charlie’s Owner Chase Luddeke.
“This is not a franchise; it’s family owned and operated. We take the time to do things right around here,” said Luddeke. “It’s real food and we take the extra steps to make it great. We cook on a real wood fire—no gas. And everything is homemade—sauces, seasonings, rubs. We put extra time into everything. It’s basically just good food, simple food, done well.”
Sledgehammer Charlie’s opened in November 2007. The restaurant seats 60 people and staffs 23. Sledgehammer Charlie’s features a bar with full ABC permits and flat-screen televisions, but the main focus is the homemade food.
The cornerstone of the menu is barbecue. Luddeke slow cooks the barbecue on the premises every day, taking any downtime to add ingredients to his line of barbecue sauces, rubs and seasonings. Customers can try the barbecue tastes on Sledgehammer’s pulled pork, smoked brisket, sliced brisket, baby back ribs, Ole Sledge burger, rotisserie chicken, BBQ fries or smoked wings.
For more information, click to www.sledgehammercharlies.com or call 828-295-9092.
Gladiola Girls—Urban Chicwear for Rural Residents
Published December 4, 2008
“The name Gladiola Girls celebrates the friendship of women; it’s a tribute to the gift of true friends everywhere,” said Kristen Hall, owner of Gladiola Girls, located at 549 West King Street in downtown Boone.
Gladiola Girls celebrated six years in business in 2008, and Hall’s vision is standing the test of time with a little help from her friends—the number grows daily.
Gladiola Girls is above all else a friendly place. Whether Kristen, Laura, Parisa, Merritt, Katie or Sam greets customers, the shopping experience is relaxed, positive and fashionable.
“Gladiola Girls is a friendly, downtown, neighborhood boutique,” explained Hall. “We offer a selection of wearable trends, both from well-known boutique lines and small up-and-coming designer labels. An important feature of the store is our Denim Bar, stacked with a handpicked selection of denim, with the attention towards fit and the important silhouettes of the season. We are also definitely sought out for our dresses as we always carry a selection from casual to dressy.”
Inside Gladiola Girls, customers will find designer clothing, one-of-a-kind underwear, gifts, scarves, handbags, shoes, candles and accessories galore. Everything in the store is under $200—a rarity in the high-end boutique world, according to Hall.
“Gladiola Girls is more than great clothing; it’s also fresh accessories and gift items,” said Hall.
For more information, click to www.gladiolagirls.com, call 828-264-4120 or email web@gladiolagirls.com.
The Looking Glass Gallery—All Local Art, Unique Finds, Great Gifts
Published December 18, 2008
Within the doors of The Looking Glass Gallery, located at 432 West King Street in downtown Boone, thousands of pieces of art—jewelry, paintings, glass, woodwork, photographs, ceramics—greet visitors, creating a diverse and inclusive cross-section of the High Country’s art community. At the center of it all is Danen Johnson, owner of The Looking Glass Gallery, who handpicks everything in the store and does his best to showcase the work of every new and emerging artist who arrives in the region.
“Looking Glass is basically a local art gallery and rock shop,” said Johnson. “We carry a wide array of all kinds of local art, a little bit of everything. It’s stuff that no one has on King Street. It’s very eclectic, original stuff and it’s all affordable.”
For more information, call 828-268-1191.
A-1 Vacuum Solutions—Answers for Everyone’s Vacuum Needs
Published December 25, 2008
One product that is not being affected greatly by the current economic downturn is the vacuum cleaner. Jerry Cook, owner of A-1 Vacuum Solutions and Mountain Central Vacuum, located at 244-A Shadowline Drive in Boone, is boasting a 70 percent increase in business in 2008 compared to 2007, and the customer activity is evident—people bustle in and out of his store daily, requesting parts and service and checking out new vacuums from top manufacturers.
The activity makes sense—most every home has a vacuum, and most of those vacuums are what Cook calls “throw away vacuums,” or cheap vacuums that break often and negatively affect air quality. Customers won’t find any “throw away vacuums” at A-1 Vacuum Solutions, only vacuums that have met and passed Cook’s high personal standards and are known internationally as top-quality machines that actually clean the air as they clean floors. Once customers use a top-quality vacuum, they hardly ever go back, said Cook.
“We basically have a solution for everyone’s vacuum needs,” said Cook. “We focus on high-end, high-quality products.”
For more information, call 828-264-1515.
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