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Business Spotlight: Jonathan and Bonnie of Burton Photography Capture ‘the Art of Life’

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March 25, 2016. Beautiful imagery is more than just a business for husband-and-wife duo Jonathan and Bonnie Burton. Individually, they’re talented, educated, expert photographers with remarkable technical skills. Together, as Burton Photography, they’re an impressive force of creativity that uses true artistry to explore life’s most precious moments.
By Jessica Isaacs. Photos by Burton Photography.

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Business Spotlight: Photographer Ellen Gwin Sets Her Sights on Candid Moments, Happiness

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March 16, 2016. Sometimes, laughter really is the best medicine. It can lighten our hearts, lift our spirits and cheer us up; but for local photographer Ellen Gwin, it makes the difference between a good shot and the perfect shot. This Appalachian alumna and High Country native seeks to bring out the best in the world around her, always chasing natural light and the warm, candid moments that make life’s most important occasions so special. When she’s behind the camera, something beautiful is in the works. By Jessica Isaacs.

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Business Spotlight: Food is Love at Beth Zagst’s Ugga Mugga Bakery in Downtown Blowing Rock

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March 8, 2016. Just a quick flight of stairs down from Main Street and its upstairs neighbor, TazMaRaz Boutique, Ugga Mugga is tucked quietly into the hub of the village’s popular shopping district. The open space houses her fully-equipped commercial kitchen and a welcoming retail space, which features a colorful environment, the chef’s favorite tunes in the air and an elaborate display of fresh-baked goodies. By Jessica Isaacs.

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Business Spotlight: Fine Art and Creativity Meet Matchless Service at Old World Galleries

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March 1, 2016. In today’s fast-paced world of instant gratification, some things just aren’t made with the same quality and care that they used to be. That’s why Charlie and Joy Travis have made it their mission to bring back the fine art period of jewelry making. Step into the gallery today and you’ll enter a world of creativity, quality and care, where old and new things meet in a beautiful and interesting way. By Jessica Isaacs

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Business Spotlight: Did Someone Say Party? Find the Perfect Dress, Make Friends for Life

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Feb. 24, 2016. For more than two decades now, downtown Boone has been home to one of the best formalwear shopping experiences in the Carolinas. Wedding parties, prom goers and shoppers from all walks of life have found “happily ever after” in this one-of-a-kind store. Then again, with access to exclusive designers, countless options and matchless service, how could they not? By Jessica Isaacs. Photos by Ken Ketchie.

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Business Spotlight: Here’s a Family Owned Venture You’ll Love ‘A Bushel and a Peck’

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Feb. 19, 2016. Something beautiful happens when our loved ones inspire us to follow our dreams. That’s what happened for Kelly Williams, who has turned her love for furniture, history, romance and all things vintage into a family owned and operated business — A Bushel and a Peck Vintage Rentals. The littlest crewmember may be small, but she’s mighty when it comes to encouraging, energizing and uplifting her parents. After all, she’s the reason they work as hard as they do. By Jessica Isaacs.

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Find Super Unique Gifts and Upscale Consignments at Lilian Jade

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Dec. 9, 2015. Want to find incredible gifts for the loved ones on your list this year? Do your holiday shopping at Lilian Jade: A Fine Consign in Boone to find one-of-a-kind, storied pieces that are just as special as the people in your life. The store is now celebrating the one-year anniversary of its grand opening with extended holiday hours and specials, creating for you a one-stop-shop for chic, high-quality items that are perfect for unique and thoughtful Christmas gifts. By Jessica Isaacs. Photos by Ken Ketchie.

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Business Spotlight: Local Catering Expert Opens Reid’s Cafe in Sugar Mountain

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Oct. 13, 2015. Looking for a local restaurant to call your favorite? There’s a new café in town that’s ready to take you in! After 17 years of service to the High Country, the folks behind Reid’s Catering Co. in Banner Elk bring you Reid’s Café, which boasts a beautiful new space, a great wine list and an ever-changing menu that features all of your traditional homemade favorites. By Jessica Isaacs. Photos by Ken Ketchie.

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Business Spotlight: Blind Squirrel Brewery & Toe River Lodge To Undergo Brand Revamping

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With the success of the brewery operation at the Toe River Lodge in Plumtree, the owners are consolidating the lodge, brewery and restaurant brands under the Blind Squirrel Brewery name. “The brewery really started taking off in the past year,” Shytle said. “We are excited about the growth of the Blind Squirrel brand and excited that people recognize us and enjoy our product.” By Jesse Wood

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Business Spotlight: The Best Pool Hall Around, Family Billiards, Pays the Bills in the Kitchen

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While Country Retreat Family Billiards & Grill is known far and wide as offering the highest-quality pool experience minus the booze and second-hand smoke, its grill is one of those best-kept secrets in the High Country – one that probably isn’t a secret anymore. “I’ll tell you this, he’s got the best hamburger in the High Country,” said regular Joe Van Zandt, who has been going to the pool hall to play and dine for nearly 10 years. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie

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Business Spotlight: Charleston Forge Crafting ‘Made in Boone’ Furniture for 30 Years

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In 1984, Art Barber loaded up his 1978 pickup truck in Boone with five pieces of furniture to take to High Point, which hosts the largest furnishings industry tradeshow in the world. Deep in debt at the time, Barber couldn’t afford a showroom at the High Point Market that brings 75,000 people to the Piedmont each six months to wheel-and-deal furniture. “I literally put my stuff out in the hall like a vagrant,” Barber said. By Jesse Wood • Photo by Philip Holman / Charleston Forge

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Business Spotlight: Sound Technique Mobile DJ Providing Carefree Fun in the High Country

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Keith Richardson, owner of Sound Technique Mobile DJ, interacts with karaoke singers at the Town Tavern in Blowing Rock. Photos by Ken Ketchie

March 9, 2015. In the late ‘70s, Keith Richardson was on vacation in the Bahamas just before a light bulb went off in his mind. The tiny bar he was hanging out at in Nassau was dead with about three customers enjoying their beverages and looking out into the marina. It was vacation after all, so Richardson was still having fun. Soon, though, a fellow walked in with some equipment, and almost immediately, the place was packed – and the outside patio, too. Richardson asked someone what was happening. “He said, ‘It’s karaoke.’ I said, ‘What is that?’” Richardson reflected. “I had no idea [what karaoke was at that time].” By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie

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Business Spotlight: Curves Provides a Supportive Place for Women to Get Healthy

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March 3, 2015. For many women, hitting the gym can be an intimidating experience. The typical gym is filled with brawny men throwing weights and super fit people on treadmills. But Curves is different. This gym, made specifically with women in mind, is a place where women can get a great workout in a healthy, supportive and nonthreatening environment. By Madison Fisler Lewis – Photo by Ken Ketchie

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Business Spotlight – Same Face, Different Name: Bolstered by Experience and CCIM Designation, James Milner Opens Appalachian Commercial Real Estate

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Armed with seven years of experience in real estate consultation and entrepreneurship, Appalachian State University graduate James Milner founded Appalachian Commercial Real Estate (ACRE) in late 2014. Milner has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience in the commercial real estate industry since starting Milner Research Services in 2005. He worked seven years with Sweeting Appraisal Service as a real estate consultant and analyst through Milner Research Services. He has since leveraged this background to achieve the coveted Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation.
BY JESSE WOOD
Photo by Ken Ketchie

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Business Spotlight: Where Everyone Knows Your Name; Nick’s Restaurant is the ‘Cheers’ of the High Country

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When Vicki Treyz moved to the High Country ten years ago after a lifetime spent in the Florida sun, even she wouldn’t have guessed that her move to cooler temperatures would be the start of a decade as the owner of one of the High Country’s most iconic restaurants. Known by many as the “Cheers” of the High Country, Nick’s Restaurant in Banner Elk has all the right elements of being the local hangout. By Madison Fisler Lewis – Photo by Ken Ketchie

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A Special Christmas Business Spotlight: Santa and Mrs. Claus’ Toy Shop Makes Toys for all the Good Girls, Boys

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After emptying our work expense account and liquidating our office’s petty cash drawer, my boss sent me on a Business Spotlight assignment like no other—Ken sent me to the North Pole. I guess one too many jokes at the expense of Santa Claus’ existence bought me a 24-hour flight to the coldest place on earth, but I wasn’t complaining—after all, who else gets to see Santa’s toy operation in person? I wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity.
BY SAM CALHOUN

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