Business Archives

Watauga County Economic Development Commission Opens February 2025 Business Snapshot Report

March 12, 2025 In a continued effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission has opened its reporting window for its February 2025 Business Snapshot Report. Businesses are encouraged to fill out survey data by using the link below. The survey is open from Tuesday, March 4th at 9:00AM – Monday, March 17that 4:30PM. This month’s survey also contains a short segment related to the recent Presidents holiday weekend sales and customer activity.

March 12, 2025 Switzerland Inn, an MMI Hotel Group property, announced today its official opening for the 2025 season. With an earlier start to the traditional season, the property proudly welcomes guests and the local community for an extended period following last year’s abbreviated season. Moreover, in a historic move, the hotel will remain open through the end of the year, providing visitors the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season and New Year’s festivities in the serene beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

NFIB Jobs Report: Small Business Job Creation Weakens in February

March 7, 2025 RALEIGH NFIB’s February jobs report found that 38% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in February, up three points from January and the highest reading since August 2024. A seasonally adjusted net 15% of owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, down three points from January. “Over half of Main Street firms reported hiring or trying to hire in February, but with little success,” said Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Meanwhile, consistent compensation increases continue to put pressure on small business owners as they look for qualified workers to fill their many open positions.”

March 5, 2025 Sixteen members of the High Country community have been selected as category finalists for the 9th-annual Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards. Winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony, set for Wednesday, March 26 2025, from 5:30-7:30pm, at the Appalachian Theatre in Boone. This year, 58 nominations were received across four categories: Business Owner, Education Professional, Non-Profit Professional, and Rising Star. Nominees were acknowledged for their business achievements, community and civic involvement, and other related activities.

It’s Been 5 Months, Five Things You Need to Know About How 828 is Recovering After Helene

February 27, 2025 Over five months after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, the region continues to grapple with significant recovery challenges. While progress has been made, several critical needs remain unmet: Job Loss due to Helene: Beyond the physical destruction, Hurricane Helene inflicted significant economic hardship on Western North Carolina. Widespread job losses due to business closures and damage exacerbate individuals’ and families’ challenges while striving to rebuild their homes and lives. In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Foscoe Home Team sprang into action, providing essential resources to ease the immense hardship caused by widespread unemployment. From the first few days following the storm, FHT has offered food assistance, utility aid, and housing support, helping those affected stay afloat while they searched for new employment or rebuilt their businesses.

Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Accepting Applications for Third Round of Business Resiliency Disaster Grants

February 27, 2025 After awarding grants to over 160 businesses in its previous funding rounds, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation has reopened applications for its Hope for the High Country: Hurricane Helene Business Resiliency Disaster Grants. This program is available to disaster impacted small businesses in Watauga, Ashe, and Avery Counties. Grant applications will be accepted through Friday, March 21st, at 12:00PM. Previous applicants and recipients may apply, but priority will be given to those businesses that have yet to receive funding through earlier rounds. To apply, please visit www.boonechamber.com/foundation.

February 21, 2025 In an ongoing effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission released its fourth monthly Business Snapshot Report, which highlights activity for the month of January 2025. These monthly reports provide data on the state of business in Watauga County, with a focus on current concerns, performance toward revenue expectations, and ability to meet staffing needs among its core analysis.

February 19, 2025 The High Country Real Estate Market of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties saw the number of closing sales on Residential Single Family, and Condo/ Townhouse properties down 35.5% compared to January 2024. However, the combined closing total was more in January 2025 with eighty closed sales on single-family and condo/townhouse properties for January coming in at $44.3 million. The combined closing total for January 2024 was $10.9 million. Our winter weather in January 2025 may have contributed to the lower number of closing properties. The combined median sales price for all four counties was $ 390,950 for January 2025, also down 20.5% compared to January 2025.

February 15, 2025 Despite heavy rain and extensive damage to the electric system from this week’s ice storm, Blue Ridge Energy line technicians and assisting crews are making tremendous progress: power outages are down 949 as of 4:30 pm Saturday. Ashe district stands at 417 members affected; Alleghany district: 344, Wilkes at 166, and Watauga district at 22 members without power at 4:30 pm Saturday. Outages are down from a high of around 14,000 after the ice storm hit.

February 14, 2025 After battling widespread, severe damage from Wednesday’s 20-hour period of freezing rain and ice accumulation, Blue Ridge Energy and assisting line technicians are working to restore power to the remaining 4,227 members as of 11 am Friday. Over 800 locations on the cooperative’s 8,000 miles of power line primarily in Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes and Watauga counties were damaged by the heavy icing tearing down trees and large limbs into power lines and breaking poles across the system. “Damage is widespread across four counties and what remains today is some of the worst damage we’ve seen from the storm,” said Renee Walker, director of public relations. “Due to the extent of damage, we project full restoration will take into this weekend,” she explained.

February 13, 2025 A team of 120 Blue Ridge Energy line technicians and crews from sister cooperatives across North Carolina, along with contractors and other staff continue 24/7 power restoration efforts for the remaining 7,816 members impacted by the ice storm that began Wednesday morning. Over 800 locations on the cooperative’s 8,000 miles of power line primarily in Ashe, Alleghany and Watauga counties were damaged: downed trees and large limbs falling and tearing down power lines and breaking poles. As temperatures rose today, and ice fell from trees and power lines, it caused lines to “slap together” creating additional outages.

February 10, 2025. This is the sixth in a series of articles covering the long, rich history of the Springhaven Inn, built in 1888 in Blowing Rock, NC. The post-World War II years were pivotal in the history of the Bark Inn/Springhaven Inn. Sallie Cheatham hired John Reineking (1891-1968) as manager of the Inn in 1942. Reineking had recently moved to Blowing Rock from Brooklyn NY to pursue his interest in real estate investments and had ample ambition. He advertised in many newspapers in the larger cities of the Carolinas to attract visitors to the Bark Inn. Being an adroit entrepreneur, Reineking purchased the Inn from Sallie Cheatham in 1945, reasoning that Blowing Rock stood on the cusp of another period of rapid growth. With war rationing over, automobiles were readily available again and gasoline was no longer difficult to obtain. Families were traveling again and people were coming to the mountains to enjoy the scenery along the Blue Ridge Parkway. And, these travelers needed a place to stay! By Dr. Dan Morrill and Catherine Perry `

February 7, 2025 A few weeks ago, as Blowing Rock’s 27th WinterFest event came to a snowy and successful close, the Green Park Inn closed to guests along with it. The historic, 131 year old, rambling, Grand Manor hotel ended its most recent 15-year run as Blowing Rock’s landmark lodging establishment under the ownership of New York hotel “affectionados” Steve Irace and his late brother Gene. With his Saturday night performance at the hotel, Charlie Ellis also ended his decade-and-a-half-long weekend gig entertaining hotel guests, most recently with guitarists Don Miller and Dave Braun. Besides Ellis and owner Steve Irace, the weekend wound down with general manager Lorry Mulhern in her usual spot anchoring customer service and celebrating the hotel’s popular weekend tradition of bringing Ellis to the many local fans of his classic, former local club, the Jazz Parlour. By Randy Johnson

February 6, 2025. Exciting news—Boone has been nominated for USA Today’s Best Small-Town Beer Scene! We’re up against 19 other towns across the country, and your vote can help put Boone on top! This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our amazing local breweries and the vibrant beer culture we have here. Let’s rally together and show everyone why Boone deserves the title! Cast your vote now: Vote Here!

February 5, 2025 Well, the first year of 2025 has come and gone. January brought lots of snow and ice to the High Country along with some wintry winds…is it Spring yet? January saw 98 closed single family sales in the High Country Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service. Of those 98 sales, 78 were in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties, the area we look at most closely when analyzing High Country Real Estate. Of those 78, 13 were condos or townhomes and 65 were single family detached. List prices ranged from a minimum of $126,900 to a maximum of $2,990,000 with an average List Price of $583,145 and a median List Price of $425,000. Sold prices went from a minimum of $113,750 to a maximum of $2,985,000 with an average Sold Price of $558,776 and a median Sold Price of $390,950 By Bill Caroselli, REALTOR, Blue Ridge Realty & Investments, LLC

February 5, 2025. This is the fifth in a series of articles covering the long, rich history of the Springhaven Inn, built in 1888 in Blowing Rock, NC. 1934 – 1945 Sallie Charles Cheatham acquired the Springhaven Inn property in 1934 and owned it until 1945. A resident of Raleigh, N.C. and a music teacher, Sallie was a member of the faculty of Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C. at the time she bought the property. Sallie, who was never married, was a concert pianist. She operated the property as an Inn under the name “Bark Inn” and sometimes “Springhaven Inn” and hired managers to oversee daily operations. She frequently invited friends or relatives to stay in the Inn as her guests. By Dr. Dan Morrill and Catherine Perry `

February 4, 2025 WATA, with its stations AM 1450 and FM 96.5, has been the High Country’s source for local news, weather and sports since 1950. Station leaders began a conversation during summer 2024 about bringing back a renewed focus on local programming. “We are the High Country’s heritage station,” said Erica Lackey, General Manager for Curtis Media Group. “Local programming is who we are.” The decision to transition back to more local programming was not a sudden one. By Sam Garrett `

Fourth in a Series: The History of Springhaven Inn: 1911 to 1934

January 30, 2025. This is the fourth in a series of articles covering the long, rich history of the Springhaven Inn, built in 1888 in Blowing Rock, NC. [Springhaven Inn is for sale. A group of town residents, with the Blowing Rock Historical Society, BRAHM, and Preserve Mecklenburg, Inc. (PMI), is working to save the structure. There are only a few properties left in the downtown area that are as old as Springhaven Inn. We are actively looking for a buyer or buyers for the property willing to keep the outside structure of the historic inn. Otherwise, it is in jeopardy of being torn down. If the property is demolished, this physical evidence of the history at the very core of Blowing Rock will be gone forever. We think it is worthy of being saved. If you would like to learn more about how you can be involved in the effort to save this property, contact Tommy Lee at either 704-737-5609 or tommy@appiantextiles.com.] In this article, we pick up where we left last week and cover the cottage’s history from 1911 to 1934. By Dr. Dan Morrill and Catherine Perry `

Today marks the launch of High Country Printing and Signs, an innovative printing and signage company committed to transforming the way businesses and organizations communicate through visual design. Led by Josh Moretz, a Watauga County native and industry veteran with almost three decades of experience, High Country Printing and Signs brings fresh ideas and state-of-the-art technology to the table, offering a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses of all sizes.

January 29, 2025. The Blowing Rock Planning Board met on January 16, 2025 to discuss and vote on John Winkler’s request for a conditional rezoning of the Green Park Inn property. Board members heard presentations from town staff, Winkler’s legal counsel Chelsea Garrett and John Winkler. The meeting also included time for questions and answers and public comment. The Planning Board voted to approve the conditional rezoning request. If Blowing Rock Town Council approves it, the rezoning would allow Winkler to move forward with plans to remove sections of the property that were built in the 1920s and 1950s, renovate and save the original 1890s Green Park structure, add condominiums that face the golf course and construct cottages on what is now the south parking lot. By Sam Garrett`

January 24, 2025. Watauga County Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce that their homeownership application window is open, and they are accepting applications from now until February 28, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. In order to apply to become a homeowner, please visit their website at www.wataugahabitat.org to view and download the application, or call 828-268-9545 to learn more. Watauga County Habitat for Humanity is a local nonprofit organization focused on building safe and affordable homes with local families and individuals in need. To date, Watauga Habitat has constructed 34 homes since their inception over 30 years ago.

January 24, 2025. Mustard Seed Home will offer Valentine’s floral arrangements for pickup this February! The Valentine’s Day Collection is a lush garden-style mix of seasonal blooms and foliage designed by creative director and master gardener Danielle Stewart. Under Danielle’s leadership, Mustard Seed Home has created three styles and sizes of bold and elaborate floral arrangements embellished with ribbon and enclosure cards. To order your arrangement, visit the website and select your preferred size. The Mustard Seed team will create the arrangement in one of their containers, add a ribbon and enclosure card, and then contact you to schedule pickup at the Home store on February 13th or 14th at our Green St. location.

January 23, 2025. This is the third in a series of articles covering the long, rich history of the Springhaven Inn, built in 1888 in Blowing Rock, NC. Springhaven Inn is for sale. A group of town residents, with the Blowing Rock Historical Society, BRAHM, and Preserve Mecklenburg, Inc. (PMI), is working to save the structure. There are only a few properties left in the downtown area that are as old as Springhaven Inn. We are actively looking for a buyer or buyers for the property willing to keep the outside structure of the historic inn. Otherwise, it is in jeopardy of being torn down. If the property is demolished, this physical evidence of the history at the very core of Blowing Rock will be gone forever. We think it is worthy of being saved. If you would like to learn more about how you can be involved in the effort to save this property, contact Tommy Lee at either 704-737-5609 or tommy@appiantextiles.com. By Dr. Dan Morrill and Catherine Perry `

Vannoy Construction is Seeking to Pre-Qualify Contractors to Submit Bids

January 23, 2025. NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS: Caldwell Community College Health Sciences Building. BIDDER PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUEST: Vannoy Construction has been selected as the Construction Manager at Risk by the University of North Carolina Asheville and is seeking to pre-qualify Contractors to submit bids for furnishing labor, materials, tools & equipment for the Caldwell Community College Health Sciences Building project in Hudson, North Carolina.

January 17, 2025. Since the late December closing of the Big Lots discount store at New Market Center in Boone, speculation has run rampant related to the store’s successor. Social media posts — and perhaps wishful thinking — have predicted everything from Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Sam’s Club, Target and several others as possible replacements. In recent days, the conjectures were put to rest as the banner for Ollie’s Bargain Outlet was raised at the vacant shopping center site near Lowe’s Foods. High Country Press confirmed the news with Ollie’s corporate headquarters in Harrisburg, Pa. on Thursday, at which time we learned that the Boone store is scheduled to open in late June of this year. By Sherrie Norris `

+ More Articles

Watauga County Economic Development Commission Opens February 2025 Business Snapshot Report

Switzerland Inn Reopens for its 115th Season in the Blue Ridge Mountains

NFIB Jobs Report: Small Business Job Creation Weakens in February

Finalists Announced for the 9th Annual 4 Under 40 Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, March 26

It’s Been 5 Months, Five Things You Need to Know About How 828 is Recovering After Helene

Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Accepting Applications for Third Round of Business Resiliency Disaster Grants

Watauga EDC Releases January 2025 Business Snapshot Report to Track Real-Time Conditions for Local Businesses Post Hurricane Helene

High Country Real Estate Market of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties Saw January Closing Sales Down 35.5% From Last Year

Blue Ridge Energy and Sister Co-op Crews, Contractors Make Great Progress Today: 949 Left as of 4:30 pm

Blue Ridge Energy, Assisting Crews Continue 24/7 Restoration Efforts: Full Power Restoration Expected to Last into Weekend Due to Damage

Blue Ridge Energy and Visiting Crews Continue 24/7 Outage Restoration Efforts for the Remaining 7,816 Members Without Power as of 4:00 pm Thursday

Sixth in a Series: The History of Springhaven Inn: Post-World War II to 1977

The Green Park Inn, the Grand Old Lady, and Her Favorite Musicians, Bow Out, With Hopes for Their Return

Boone Has Been Nominated for USA Today’s Best Small-Town Beer Scene – Vote Now!

Helene and January’s Heavily Wintry Weather Could Be Cause for Sharp Decline in Sales

Fifth in a Series: The History of Springhaven Inn: 1934 to 1977

WATA Returns to Its Roots with More Local Programming

Fourth in a Series: The History of Springhaven Inn: 1911 to 1934

Watauga Native Josh Moretz Launches High County Printing and Signs

Green Park Inn Rezoning is Unanimously Approved by Planning Board and Goes to Town Council

Watauga Habitat for Humanity Homeowner Application Period is Open

Mustard Seed Home To Offer Order Ahead Valentines Floral Arrangements

Third in a Series: The History of Springhaven Inn: 1906 to 1911

Vannoy Construction is Seeking to Pre-Qualify Contractors to Submit Bids

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Coming to Boone; Discount Store Expected to Open in Late June