Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

Libba’s of Blowing Rock—Thirty Years of High Taste and High Fashion in the High Country and Beyond

Story by Sam Calhoun

High taste. High fashion. Personable service. Relationships with customers. Constantly evolving selection of merchandise. Great staff.

Benjamin Belton, owner of Libba’s of Blowing Rock and the Libba’s and Benjamin’s stores in Morganton and Hickory, loves fashion and loves people, and he has built his 30 years of service to the customers of western North Carolina on the points listed above.

“Our primary focus in merchandising is better branding—merchandise that is somewhat difficult to find in the market area,” said Belton.

Belton’s three stores feature men’s and women’s shoes, gifts and apparel—Benjamin’s caters to men and Libba’s caters to women. The store in Blowing Rock is located at 1077 Main Street and primarily features women’s items—80 percent of the merchandise is apparel—with a few men’s items mixed in.

“This is our 30th year and the best is yet to come,” said Belton, who named the women’s portion of his business after his wife.

A native of Mount Airy, Belton attended ASU and took a job as a buyer and merchandise manager for a large clothing distributor in Chicago shortly after graduation. After five years in the Windy City, he returned to his home state and opened his first store in Morganton in 1977. He opened another store in Hickory nine years later and then did it again in Linville six years later. Seven years ago, he moved the store in Linville to Blowing Rock.

“[Being a buyer for high-end merchandise] is a God-given gift and one that I thoroughly enjoy,” said Belton. “I’m very passionate about it.”

Libba’s and Benjamin’s have evolved over time, Belton explained.

“It’s a distinctive type of store,” said Belton.

Benjamin’s began in 1977 as a men’s store and then Belton introduced women’s wear into the company’s spectrum and started using the Libba’s name. His women’s wear started with classic fashions and over time has moved toward a more contemporary look.

Then came footwear, and recently, Belton began carrying specialty and novelty gifts, such as glassware and seasonal and holiday items.

Belton is still—and has always been—the sole buyer for his three stores. He regularly travels to Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Dallas and Las Vegas on buying trips.

Belton’s success depends on the relationships that he and his staff form with their many customers. Belton takes prides in his stores, not only for their merchandise and better branding, but also for the great staff of 23 who develop lasting relationships with the clientele of the three locations.

“We have a better store because we provide the best possible service,” said Belton. “We’ve got a great team. Our store is a team of dedicated professionals.”

Belton harbors no business secrets.

“It’s no secret. We treat people the way they want to be treated and we have a high taste level for products—an eye for quality products—and we have a clientele that respects that,” said Belton. “No, it’s no secret. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication. You have to be dedicated.

“We are always raising the level of excellence,” continued Belton. “Our biggest competition is ourselves.”

Belton will not share what the future holds, but hints that expansion plans are in the works.

“Right now, we just really appreciate the support we’ve had over the years from our customers,” said Belton.

Libba’s of Blowing Rock is located at 1077 Main Street in Blowing Rock. Benjamin Belton, owner of Libba’s and Benjamin’s, also has locations in Morganton and Hickory. The store in Blowing Rock is open Monday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information on the Blowing Rock location, call 828-295-7781 or click to www.benjaminslibbas.com.