The Wild Fern has found new home for its seemingly endless array of American made products at a Smoky Mountain Community Theatre storefront on Main Street, set to open mid-June.
This comes as the theatre makes continuous strides towards its grand opening, two to three years from now.
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver played over the shop’s speakers Saturday afternoon as customers flocked inside to browse Solmate Socks and other American made products, many of which were manufactured right here in Western North Carolina.
“Solmate Socks are made in Hickory from recycled fibers,” said Molly Shaw, The Wild Fern owner. “Folks see them in window and walk in. We have repeat customers because people love this quality product and its cool, mismatched patterns.”
Shaw carries artsy pottery from Flying Cat Studio.
“Susan Phillips and Velda Davis share a private studio in Maggie Valley,” she said. “Those are my local potters. Both women were born and raised in the mountains. They learned how to throw pots at Haywood Community College.”
For an added Smoky Mountain caffeine boost, Smoky Mountain Coffee Roasters in Waynesville sells its one-pound, whole bean coffee at The Wild Fern.
“These are the best beans west of Asheville and I guarantee it,” Shaw said.
She carries a Deep Creek dark French roast, Fontana medium Central American blend and more.
Then, there is the famous Ashe County Cheese made in West Jefferson.
“They have been producing cheese since the 1930s with terrific gourmet flavors like cheddar mango fire, hickory smoked mountain cheddar and buffalo Jack,” said Shaw.
Next on the refrigerator shelf was darë Vegan Cheese, made by Gwendolyn Dare Hageman in Waynesville. Customers sampled its unique creamy texture.
“This is a woman-owned company,” said Shaw. “Gwendolyn Dare was lactose intolerant. Her dad is a chef and they worked on a cheese recipe for her. Now, she makes it to sell. It has the creamiest texture. There are flavors like roasted garlic, spicy queso and lusty mustard. The ingredients are listed on the back of the label. It is all natural and ingredients you can pronounce.”
The jerky sold in-house is from Sunburst Trout Farms. Its original rainbow trout jerky and other spicey flavors sell well.
The Wild Fern also carries Lusty Monk mustard from Biltmore Lake.
“Mustard was supposed to be an aphrodisiac,” said Shaw. “Monks were not allowed to eat it. That’s why you have names like, ‘Into Temptation’ and ‘Original Sin.’”
The Wild Fern also carries golden Smoky Mountain Wildflower Honey from Killer Bees Honey in Lake Toxaway. The honey is made from the nectar of spring blooming plants, typically tulips and locust trees.
One could choose to make their own syrups with kits from Samara Mendel of Black Mountain Price called Brew Naturals.
Using whole food ingredients, Brew Naturals has elderberry, hibiscus and ginger options to enhance recipes and use as homeopathic remedies.
The Wild Fern is stocked with many other North Carolina made crafts, snacks, lotions, soaps and ornaments.
“It’s a wonderful shop,” said Saturday afternoon shopper Kathy Campbell. “It is great that it’s local and American made. The more we can do for craftsmen, the better. We are from Kentucky and we will be back to this store.”
The Wild Fern was opened approximately 25 years ago by its original owner, Debbie Mills.
“The location was a little yellow house down by the river and railroad tracks, where Uncle Bunky’s Christmas Cottage is,” said Shaw. “It moved about 10 years ago. The second owner was here and I’m the third owner. Holding true to Debbie’s vision, we are still a store that sells made in America products with a focus on North Carolina artists and businesses.”
Customers have been walking through The Wild Fern’s doors to rediscover Appalachian and American made art for 25 years. Shaw hopes they do so for years to come.
“They appreciate supporting American products,” she said.
Shaw’s new business space is estimated at one-third the size of her current space. The Smoky Mountain Community Theatre’s next plan of action is electric.
“I am moving when the electricity comes on at the theatre toward the middle of June,” Shaw said. “This is going to be great. For a long time, people used to come down to the store like a Congo line. When Debbie moved to this location, it was hard to get people to cross the (Everett Street) bridge. Stonebrook Lodge opened, making new walking pattern. People started coming down. Now, my project is getting them moved around to Main Street. I’ll join the artists that way.”