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March 20, 2008 issue

Boogie on the Backstreet Saturday

Celebrate a Grand Opening of Five New West Jefferson Businesses

Story by Celeste von Mangan

The town of West Jefferson has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past few years, and the backstreet of the downtown district is not any different. On Saturday, March 22, beginning at 11:00 a.m., five new businesses will combine their energies and efforts to hold a grand opening celebration called Boogie on the Backstreet, replete with live bands, food and small-town hospitality.

The businesses—all owned by women—opened within six months of one another. Spin A Yarn...Weave A Web, Andrea’s Country Cabin, Tonya’s Hair Salon, Backstreet Beads and West Jefferson Coffeehouse are participating in the grand opening.

Spin A Yarn...Weave A Web was located in Warrensville prior to moving to the new West Jefferson locale. The store carries homegrown and handmade products by people who live and work in the High Country. The store inventory includes dolls, candles and soap, as well as clothing and accessories made by local fiber artists. Spin A Yarn also carries meat from pasture-fed, naturally raised animals including lamb, beef, poultry and pork.

Andrea’s Country Cabin features home décor and gifts, plus artfully arranged artificial flower arrangements.

Tonya’s Hair Salon is adjacent to Andrea’s Country Cabin and offers clients a variety of salon services.

Backstreet Beads, owned and operated by Michelle Hanson, carries beads with a focus on gemstones, plus handcrafted jewelry and jewelry repair.

West Jefferson Coffeehouse features a variety of soups and sandwiches, as well as fresh-brewed coffee, cakes and other desserts.

The music lineup for Boogie on the Backstreet includes Jimmy Smith of Gatlinburg, paying tribute to Elvis; Denise Tyler from Florida, performing a mixture of jazz and blues; and Andrea Lynn, owner of Andrea’s Country Cabin, paying tribute to the “Ladies of Country.”

Nancy Hoffman, owner of Spin A Yarn...Weave A Web, is providing the fresh hamburger for the celebration, and the burger plate will include chips and a beverage for a low price.

The five new stores have been remodeled and encompass a part of Ashe County history. In a bygone era, the backstreet was a hustling hub of activity that included the railway station and stockyard within its borders. In recent years, many of the structures fell into disrepair. However, no buildings were torn down during the revitalization process—instead, they were given a much-needed facelift.

“Bring a chair and come sit and enjoy,” said Lynn. “Pickers are welcome to join the musicians. We’ll be celebrating until they tell us we can’t do it anymore. As long as there are people out there, we’re going to do things. People used to do block parties—we miss this sort of thing so much.”