Madison’s on Main

A dream come true.

By Tracy McCoy

Ilove a great story. One of humble beginnings that includes hard work and ultimate success. You know the kind with a strong family who works hard and has a can-do attitude even in the face of adversity. It’s one thing to watch it on the big screen, but entirely different to sit down to an interview and hear it for yourself. In this issue I will share the story of Janene (Pooh) Lancaster, her husband Todd, and ultimately their beautiful and bright daughter Madison.

Born in Hickory, North Carolina, Pooh’s father moved his wife and five children back to his hometown of Cherokee, North Carolina, on the Reservation, in 1973. Mr. Cooper and his wife took a leap of faith soon after and built the first commercial hotel, a Holiday Inn, in the family’s cow pasture. “I grew up in the hospitality industry right there in Cherokee,” she says, “not just hospitality, southern hospitality!” The hotel had a gift shop and Pooh says she always wanted to be a shopkeeper, so she would gather things from the gift shop and set up a table in the conference room, selling to hotel employees.

Fast forward a couple decades and she meets and marries a handsome fellow who shares her dream of entrepreneurship. Add to the story three incredible children: Nicholas, Madison and Andrew. The Lancasters purchased the Native American Craft Store in Cherokee. “I was proud of my heritage and loved being able to display the art and crafts made by locals,” Pooh says about the shop she still owns today. The couple bought not one business in Cherokee, but two. Todd became the owner of Smoky Mountain Tubing. The business offers what is now the number one tube trip in Western North Carolina. With over 250 rafts there is no waiting in line to enjoy tubing in the smokies. Owning both businesses and raising three children kept the couple beyond busy, but that’s how they like it.

Now, you may be wondering how this story involves Rabun County… hold tight I am getting there. When Pooh sees a need in her community it has been her goal to fill it.

Living near Bryson City, North Carolina she knew there was nowhere for women to find clothing and accessories without traveling to Asheville. Pooh decided to open a clothing store called Madison’s on Main, offering an option for women to find the things they needed closer to home. Madison, twelve years old at the time, worked right alongside her mom in the business. It only made sense to utilize the upstairs space over Madison’s on Main in

Bryson City, so they created two suites for guests to stay. The Suites by Madison can be found on VRBO and offer a great option for a night away but close to home. If you’ve met Pooh or Madison you know they are smart, confident and beautiful, both inside and out. The pair is unstoppable, even when faced with life altering circumstances.

In 2010, Pooh got very sick; the diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma put her down. It was summer in Cherokee. On July 4th weekend with her mom in the bed, her future

uncertain, Madison ran the store by herself at only thirteen years old. Multiple Myeloma is cancer, the word none of us want to hear. Myeloma begins with one abnormal plasma cell in your bone marrow — the soft, blood-producing tissue that fills in the center of most of your bones. The abnormal cell multiplies rapidly. This young mother who pulls no punches, headed straight to Emory University in Atlanta, where she began treatment for this disease. Her battle continues; she is still a patient at Emory. All four of their businesses are still in operation and then a global pandemic happens.

2020 was a year when business was scary enough, Pooh Lancaster and daughter Madison Hall, now married and living in Alpharetta, Georgia were working diligently to keep it all going. “I have always loved Rabun County and dreamed of owning a store here. My youngest son Andrew was going to start at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School and I needed to be a little closer to my doctors at Emory, so we just did it, we opened a second location of Madison’s on Main in late summer 2020.” The store has been an outstanding addition to downtown Clayton and was recently voted Best Retail Shop by Clayton Tribune readers and for good reason!

Opening the door to this boutique clothing store is a treat to the senses. From their signature scent, Sweet Grace, to the beautiful things that fill the racks and shelves, a woman can find just what she is looking for. The Madison’s style is modest, classy and comfortable. Their selection of gifts range from candles to inspirational books, signs and body care. Every woman must accessorize and it’s easy to do here. Handbags, scarves, jewelry and shoes that will entice you to take them home. Yes, that’s first hand experience talking. I am a fan of M.O.M (an appropriate acronym) a fan of the store and the ladies behind the counter. The best part is that Pooh and Madison strive to keep their quality merchandise affordable. Sizes range from XS – 3XL in ladies clothing and they have infants clothing from birth to 12 months and have a baby registry for mothers-to-be. You can look forward to their annual September birthday sale Labor Day weekend. They also offer you 20% off shopping during your birthday month.

“I believe in shopping local with small business owners. I was a customer of Reeves years before I moved here and today I support the businesses around me in Cherokee, Bryson City and Clayton. I think it is how we stay strong, by supporting each other.” Pooh is very active in building strong communities. From supporting local football teams to giving back through volunteerism, she says, “I am here and I am not afraid of hard work. I want to do everything I can to be part of Rabun County. I now have a part time home here and my dream of owning a store in Clayton has been everything I thought it would be.”

Her battle with Multiple Myeloma is not over, but she says if her health stays good she has plans that could include a third location for Madison’s on Main. How she does it all I am not sure but she does, and she and Madison do it well!

If you have not visited the store on Main Street in Clayton, I encourage you to do so. You will love it just as much as I do! Shopping online and on Facebook are two additional options. The website is www.ShopMadisonsOnMain.com and their tagline is appropriately “All Things Pretty”. Additional information is available by calling 706-782-1989.