#GirlBoss
Mary Murkin: Brightside Gallery
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by Jordan Willis
o you love artisanal teas, local handmade art, and lively conversations? If so, you are going to adore Mary Murkin! Mary is an Asheboro-based tea wizard, lover of the arts, storyteller, and this month’s #girlboss. When she was five years old, Mary knew she wanted to own a business one day. In 2013, she finally realized her dream: Mary has owned and operated Brightside Gallery for eight years now, wherein she features and sells artwork created by local artists and crafters. A year later, she expanded her horizons and began Carriage House Tea, which she operates from the same charming, historic homestead.
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“After raising and homeschooling my two children, I found I still had the longing inside me to own a business of my own. At that point I had decided: ‘Now it’s my turn.’” Brightside Gallery and Carriage House Tea have continued to flourish over the last eight years. Carriage House Tea’s wonderful blends have been the feature beverage not only of local weddings, state events, and cozy kitchens – since Mary opened a wholesale account for her teas, thousands have been able to enjoy her artisanal blends all around the United States. She has also broadened the possibilities of tea business by contracting with locals to provide fresh, brewed tea to their events. Anyone who wants to have beautiful teas at their events with little hassle need only call Mary: she can provide air pots of warm drinks anywhere in the local area. For sunny summer celebrations, her Sex on the Beach blend (modeled after the famous mixed drink of the same name, though minus the alcohol) is sure to liven any party with its perfect blend of peach, orange, and cranberry herbal teas! If you need a smaller portion, you can enjoy a hot cup of tea onsite at Brightside Gallery for $2.50 per cup, or you can purchase tins of Carriage House Tea blends in the Gallery’s designated tea room. Brightside Gallery is also the perfect location for intimate gatherings: with a wraparound porch that hosts 25 and a parlor that seats 12, folks can reach out to Mary for a cozy environment for their private events. If you or a fellow lovebird you know is interested in tying the knot soon, Mary has also hosted and officiated weddings within the Gallery before. In every way imaginable, love is truly in
