Hannah Styles
hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com
With tourism season approaching, new businesses and plans are getting into full swing on Everett Street.
The recently opened real estate company, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Heritage, has two offices in Maggie Valley and Canton, NC, and is now expanding into Swain County.
“The opportunity to expand our business into Bryson City was a logical one for us. The growth that western North Carolina has seen in recent years has been unprecedented. As more consumers look to reside west of Asheville, Bryson City with its already vibrant tourism, quaint town, and friendly people was an easy choice for expansion,” said Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate owner Thomas Mallette.
The roots of the company go back to the late 1970s. The current owners' Tom and Christine Mallette have owned and operated the company since 2007 and under the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate brand since 2018.
“Our focus as a company is to become part of and support the communities that we are part of,” the Mallettes said.
The Bryson City office is located at 175 Everett Street and their office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Also located at 175 Everett Street, top floor, is Old North Rental Group that got its start in 2020.
The business specializes in full-service property management for property owners in the Bryson City area, including top-notch housekeeping and maintenance for 20% commission.
“We do not charge any start-up fees, in fact we start off our relationship by investing in you - with a free cleaning and professional photographs upon listing with our company,” said Old North Rental Group owner and broker-in-charge, Isaac Herrin.
“I started this business about a year ago because I saw the need for transparency in the vacation rental business. We saw an opportunity to build a company that focused on ensuring property owners were making the most out of their rental investment, while also ensuring guests were enjoying this beautiful area we call home.”
Honey Bear’s Cupcakery is coming soon to Everett Street, located in what used to be The Clothes Connection.
Owners Jeff and Kim Johner lived in Florida for almost 30 years and met four years ago.
“We met in 2017 a month before my daughter died, she was the only victim of Hurricane Irma in Cape Coral, a car accident after the storm.”
Kim’s beloved daughter, Jessica, was 18 and Kim said she loved baking. That is why the Johners are dedicating the bakery to her.
They have been visiting Bryson City since 2020, when they fell in love with the area.
“We loved it here so much we wanted to make it our home one day and started thinking of a business we could bring to Bryson City,” Kim Johner said.
Both healthcare workers, Jeff worked in nuclear medicine and Kim was a registered nurse and they previously owned two physical therapy clinics in Florida. They had an idea for a cupcake shop in town but wanted a place on Everett Street and remained patient until a spot worked out.
Honey Bear’s Cupcakery plans to open in the next couple months.
“We are super excited and ready to be a part of this wonderful community! What are we most excited for? Opening day! We hope to be open in the beginning of May. We can't wait for the community and tourists to taste our delicious cupcakes... and more, all made with quality ingredients such as Ghirardelli Cocoa, Callebaut Chocolate, and premium European butter. Yum!”
Another business coming to Everett Street is a quilting shop in the spot where Lester’s Sports and Variety used to be.
“I am planning to open a quilting shop that will have fabrics, sewing supplies, classes, and other items for sale. Longarm quilting will be a service that is offered to quilters,” Owner Kathy Dugan said.
Opening day is still up in the air as Kathy said the historic building is still being renovated.
“The building was built by the Hyatt family in the 1940s.”
The hope is as popular as quilting for hobby, homemade quilts, and barn quilt blocks are in the area, the shop is sure to be a smash hit.