News

Business Owners: You Need Your Own Retirement Plan

As a business owner, you can’t afford to ignore your competition. You can’t afford to miss out on the trends affecting your industry. You can’t afford to alienate customers. And here’s one more item to add to the list: You can’t afford not to create a retirement plan for yourself. Of course, you might think that, one day, you’ll simply sell your business and live off the proceeds. But selling a business isn’t always simple, and there’s no guarantee you’ll receive enough to pay for a comfortable retirement

Marion's Newest Pharmacy Opens on Five Lane

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate Marion's newest pharmacy, The Prescription Pad of Marion, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, July 19th, 2019.  The event was well attended with friends and family of owners, Anthony Randolph and Andy Stoker, and their team.  Several dignitaries and ambassadors also took part in the celebration.  Anthony and Andy are very excited for the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact in Marion and all of McDowell County. The support they

Brandi Vetter State Farm Officially Opens in Marion

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate Marion's newest insurance office, Brandi Vetter State Farm, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 17th, 2019.  The event was well attended with friends and family of owner, Brandi Vetter,and her team.  Several dignitaries and ambassadors also took part in the celebration.   Brandi Vetter, a Marion native, comes from a family of entrepreneurs.  When an opportunity for Brandi to open her own State Farm location became present, Brandi

Chamber Partners with Local Business to Support Operation Backpack

When the news of McDowell County School's "Operation Backpack" reached the McDowell Chamber office, the staff quickly jumped into action to help.  The Chamber contacted member and industrial supply distributor, Robertson Packaging Supply, Inc. (RPSI), for help.  Owners Brandon & Sarah Whitson didn't hesitate to partner with the Chamber, and their team worked diligently to locate supplies difficult for the school to find.  On Friday, July 19th, RPSI delivered $1,000 in supplies to Melanie Dunham, project

EXP Realty Moves Into Marion Market

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate the Grand Opening of EXP Realty with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 11, 2019. The purpose of the occasion was to recognize business owner, Shannon Pyatt, and celebrate his new journey here in McDowell County.  The ribbon cutting event was well attended, and included Shannon’s wife, Leah, and daughter, Maleia.  Several dignitaries and Chamber board members were also in attendance.     Shannon has a dynamic personality, and is a featured

Old Fort Art Gallery to Sponsor Benefit Exhibit for Museum

OLD FORT, NC – Arrowhead Artists & Artisans League (A3L) is Bringing the Beach to the Mountains with a new exhibition that will open next month at the Arrowhead Gallery & Studios in Old Fort and be a benefit for its neighbor, the Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center.  Bringing the Beach to the Mountains will be a judged, public art show that will debut Saturday, August 3, for a one-month run at the Arrowhead Gallery & Studios, 78-C Catawba Avenue in Old Fort. An opening reception for the show will

Family Fun Recreation

July 4th Family Adventures are waiting in rural WNC!!! Thrifty Adventure’s has several trips that run daily including flat water kayaking, tubing, boat rentals and several guided whitewater trips on the Toe River. Also available every weekend is guided rock climbing or rappelling at Table Rock in Linville Gorge plus waterfall rappelling in Saluda NC. Rock climbing can also be booked during the week.  Advanced reservations highly recommended! Guests can easily book online and view all trip details via

Business Leaders to Gov. Cooper: A Healthier Workforce Means a Stronger Economy

Local Chambers of Commerce Urge Lawmakers to Close Health Coverage Gap to Strengthen NC Workforce and Recruit New Jobs   In a roundtable discussion with Governor Cooper and Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen, business leaders made the economic case for closing the health care coverage gap in North Carolina. They shared how high uninsured rates for people in their communities was hampering entrepreneurship, innovation and business productivity. “Companies looking to come here want to know

Mountain Gateway Museum Expands 4th of July Ice Cream Social

OLD FORT, NC – The Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center in Old Fort is expanding its usual Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social this 4th of July to include family games with prizes, a cakewalk, and longer hours, in addition to the free ice cream, watermelon slices, and live bluegrass music usually offered. The MGM Farmers’ Market also will be open on July 4th with local farmers selling their goods from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. on the museum’s grounds at the intersection of Catawba Avenue and Water Street in Old

Peoples Home Equity Opens In Downtown

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate the Grand Opening of Peoples Home Equity with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, June 14, 2019. The purpose of the occasion was to recognize new business owner, Brian Wilson, and celebrate his new journey.  The ribbon cutting event was well attended, and included Brian’s wife, Sidney, and children, Andrew and Savannah.  Several dignitaries and Chamber board members were also in attendance.     Brian Wilson is a recent graduate of the Growing

Closing the Coverage Gap to Boost Business Bottom Lines

There are 5,000 people McDowell County who can’t get health coverage. They’re in a “coverage gap”—they earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to afford health insurance, There are over 400,000 people like them across our state. This summer, the North Carolina General Assembly has a chance to close this gap and get NC residents covered. Our representatives know that this is a human issue, but they need to understand that it’s a business issue as well.As Executive Director of the McDowell

Emerald Village Joins Trip Advisor Hall of Fame

Employee Becomes Owner at Gibbs Hardware

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of Gibb’s True Value Hardware with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 16, 2019. The purpose of the occasion was to recognize new business owners, Mike and Suzie McClure, and celebrate their new adventure.  Gibb’s Hardware has been a cornerstone in downtown Old Fort since 1963, when Butch Gibb’s father originally opened the business.  In 1969 the business moved to its current location on Main Street.  For 55 years former

Meade - What's all the Buzz About?

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate the Grand Opening of Keeper’s Cut Meadery with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 23, 2019. The purpose of the occasion was to recognize new business owners, Charlie Meyers, Kathryn Curran and Kurt Meyers, and celebrate their new business.   What started with a dream of a tasting room has turned into a two and a half year journey building one of Marion’s newest destination tasting rooms and event spaces. Keeper’s Cut Meadery, located in the

Thrifty Adventures Provides Outdoor Fun

Thrifty Adventures is opened year-round with 21 adventures to choose from: white-water and flat-water kayaking or rafting trips start in April with river tubing and waterfall rappelling starting in May. We have wetsuits and youth boats. Rock Climbing takes place year round, in winter we offer Mountaineering Courses and Ice Climbing. We also offer youth and Veteran programs. We have discounts for First Responders, Teachers, Veterans and Healthcare Professionals. An additional tidbit...Thrifty Adventures has

Samir's Celebrates 30 Years of Business

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce humbly celebrated a milestone achievement of 30 years of business with local business owner, Anwer Gillani of Samir Enterprises, LLC (Samir's). On Thursday, April 11, 2019, friends, family, and local dignitaries gathered at Samir's newest location to support their emotional friend, Anwer, who spoke of his humble beginings and the love he shares for his family, employees, and community.  "My employees are my family, and I can't make it without them... and Marion is my

Catawba Valley Staffing Celebrates 20 Years

It was a great day for a celebration at the Catawba Valley Staffing this week as Chamber Board Chair Walt Bagwell and city officials Freddie Killough and Ann Harkey honored the crew on its milestone of 20 years of service to McDowell County!  Hope Lowman (pictured here) Owner and President, and her daughter, Wendy Lowman Ward, CEO founded Catawba Valley Staffing Inc. in 1999 with the primary goal of taking what they learned in the previous decade and creating an exceptional staffing service centered around

5 Ways to Separate Your Personal and Business Finances

By Marco Carbajo, Guest BloggerPublished: February 22, 2019 As a business owner, establishing a distinct separation between your personal finances and your business finances is pivotal for protecting your own assets and credit. This above all things should be a top priority for managing money the right way. An incorporated business is treated as a separate legal entitiy and it must be treated as such. For starters, separation between personal and business finances should be on the top of the list. 

Marion Goes Vintage

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate Marion’s newest retail space, Vintage Market, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, February 8, 2019. The purpose of the occasion was to recognize the new business and welcome owners Anthony Collins and Rick Letterman to the Marion business community.   Vintage Market is part of an antique craze where everything is trending back to the older style, and people want stuff that has been restored or repurposed. Located upstairs in the old Belk

Bracelets, Baubles, & Bling

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate Marion’s newest jewelry store, Bracelets, Baubles, & Bling, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, February 7, 2019. The purpose of the occasion was to recognize the new business and welcome owner Kevin Tucker to the Marion business community.  Bracelets, Baubles, & Bling is one of those unique places where old meets new and the aroma of fresh coffee fills the air. Located upstairs next to Crooked Door Coffee House, Bracelets, Baubles, & Bling

Movies in the Mountains

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate Marion’s newest movie theater, Mountain Marquee Cinema with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, December 6, 2018. The chamber staff and local dignitaries gathered to welcome co-owners Aaron Shirley & Cody Andrews to the Marion business family.    Mountain Marquee is a small, locally-owned cinema that shows second-run, independent, and classic films in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere that includes a great selection of food as well as beer

Marion Gets Crafty With DIY Studio

The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate Marion’s newest DIY studio, The Makery, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, December 14, 2018. The purpose of the occasion was to recognize the new business and welcome owner Heidi Barrier to the Marion business community.   The Makery is a Do-It-Yourself craft studio where you can choose from a wide variety of DIY projects that best compliment your home decor. From painting parties with the girlfriends to full blown corporate outings, The

New Audit Program Helps Employers Stay Compliant

Attention Employers! Have you discovered possible overtime violations within your company? The US Department of Labor’s  Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has a new nationwide program called the Payroll Audit Independent Determination program or PAID.  It facilitates the resolution of potential overtime and minimum wage violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.  The program’s primary objectives are to resolve such claims expeditiously and without litigation, to improve employers’ compliance with overtime

Chamber Announces Entrepreneurship Award Winners!

The holiday cheer was in full swing at Tom Johnson's Camping World where the McDowell Chamber of Commerce presented four area businesses with the coveted Tom Johnson Entrepreneurship Award at its Holiday After Hours Thursday, December 13, 2018. JC Property Professionals was a first-time winner this year while three of the businesses took home their second or third win. Ben Patton Land Surveying, Morris-Herron Heating & Cooling, and Right Way Pest Management represent our seasoned business owners that have

New Salon Brings High Fashion To Downtown Marion

High fashion, including trending hair and makeup styles, is now available at the new Studio K Salon owned by 21-year-old Katelyn Edwards. The Chamber of Commerce, county and city officials, friends and family came out to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Studio K on Wednesday, December 5 at 11 a.m.    Katelyn, the county's youngest business owner to date, graduated from McDowell Technical Community College's Cosmetology School and has furthered her education through industry seminars and specialty

From Rentals to Home Sales, GreyBeard Realty Has You Covered

The cozy office overflowed with people and energy as the McDowell Chamber, the Old Fort Chamber, and local officials gathered inside the new Old Fort office of GreyBeard Realty at their official Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, November 29, 2018.  GreyBeard Realty opened in 1999 as a rental management company but quickly shifted to include sales to accommodate the growing number of those relocating to the area. Owner Chip Craig expressed his excitement and gratitude at the ribbon cutting for the opportunity to

Old Fashioned Candy Shop Brings Sweets and Encouragement to Marion

Do you remember the excitement you felt rushing home from school, money in your pocket, headed to the local candy shop as quickly as you could? We all had our favorites from Dum Dum Pops and Good & Plenty to Chiclets and Snickers.  Now candy-loving residents can experience that same joy with the opening of Moldz Candy Shop located at the corner of US 70 West and Hwy. 80 (where the old Little Siena was located). Along with owners Mindy Anderson and Dewey Lawson, the Chamber staff, city and county officials,

McDowell County Businesses Featured on The Matt Mittan Show

Several local, independently owned businesses in McDowell County were featured guests on Asheville BizRadio'sMatt Mittan Show this week to promote Small Business Saturday coming up Saturday, November 24 and to highlight the innovative work happening across all sectors; business, government, education, and nonprofit organizations.  The Chamber membership voted on the businesses that are represented, which included a great variety and showed the diversity of our offerings and our community. From legacy

New Shop Features Appalachian Art of Wildcrafting

The art of wildcrafting (the practice of gathering native plants and botanicals for health and medicinal purposes) is a treasured tradition in the Appalachia. Nikki Chester, who recently opened her shop, Nourished By Nature on Henderson Street in downtown, fondly recalls learning the craft from her great-grandmother who grew up in nearby Yancey County. "It was what we did," she recalls. "When anyone was sick, we would call her and she would tell you what you needed."  Nikki quickly took to wildcrafting and