Sole Place

Clayton’s Western Wear Store has New Owners!

Many of the people I have talked with who move to the mountains have a history here. Some visited family, some came to camps, many vacationed here as children and some just drove through and were captivated by the charm and tranquility of the area and its people. Pete and Deana Carson both natives of Athens, Georgia never met growing up, yet both have history in the mountains. Pete came to Rabun County with his father. Family friends had a home in Dillard and the Carson guys would come up and spend their time on the rivers and streams across the county. Later Pete visited with friends to camp, fish, ride their Jeeps through the woods and just get away from it all. Deana’s family visited Hiawassee, Georgia staying in the family cabin close to Lake Chatuge. She knew in her heart that the mountains were where she wanted to be and planned to find a home here someday.

Pete Carson’s father started Carson’s Plumbing in Athens, Georgia. Pete joined him in the business for a time before moving out to Wyoming and working a few years on a ranch out there. He came home and rejoined Carson’s Plumbing. When his dad was ready to retire in 2008, Pete bought him out and became the owner of the company.

Deana’s dad was also a plumber and she had grown up in that industry. When finishing her education, Deana got involved in Real Estate and worked as a Real Estate appraiser for a while. Later, she went to work for Hughes Plumbing Supply in Athens which was a natural fit since she knew that industry. Pete told me that when he and his guys went to Hughes to get supplies he let them pick out what they needed while he talked to the cute blonde in the showroom. Deana worked outside sales for the company for 15 years before retiring in 2022.

The mountain home she dreamed of? She began looking for it before she met and married Pete. She would come up on the weekends looking for her cabin and explored Towns County but just couldn’t find exactly what she was looking for. One particular weekend she was feeling disappointed and ready to table her search when a friend from Athens told her about a rustic mountain cabin in Clayton. The home had belonged to a couple her friend knew and they were ready to sell it. She had been to Rabun a couple of times but had not considered buying here. As an afterthought she drove over and looked at the house. She said she knew as soon as she drove up that this was what she had been longing for. A rustic mountain cabin nestled in the forest. An iron gate opens to a small bridge that crosses a trickling stream straight to the front door. Inside it is cozy with natural woods and is just perfect for a nature lover like Deana. Since purchasing the cabin she has added a large screened in porch that is surrounded by trees and nature. The home has no Wifi and no TV and abundant hiking trails nearby… it couldn’t be better!

When Pete and Deana started dating they would come to the mountain cabin on the weekends to ride horses, explore the trails and unwind from their long week. Deana said she would stop in Andy’s Market and get meats, hoop cheese and a few essentials and they stayed in the woods, rarely going into town. When they discovered how amazing downtown Clayton is, their first stop was Trish Stockton’s Sole Place. They made a lifelong friend that day! They imade U-Joint and Sole Place a regular part of their visits adding in a Rusty Bike breakfast, visit to Outdoor 76 and Wander. One day in passing Pete told Trish if she ever decided to sell the Sole Place building he’d be interested. A couple years passed and Trish, who never sent texts, sent a text to Pete’s phone saying she was thinking about selling. Deana had a dream of owning a boutique and so purchas ing the store and keeping it a staple in Rabun County ap pealed to her. Conversations between the friends ensued and a deal was made. In October of 2022 Pete and Deana Carson became the proud new owners of Sole Place Western Wear Store. They are so honored to continue what Trish had built. Deana says Pete made her dream come true.

The Carsons are so excited to take care of Trish’s customers while building relationships and welcoming new customers in their door. Keeping the western brands that everyone has come to love is part of their plan but adding small family owned manufacturers is also on the agenda. Pete and Deana hope to support other small businesses, local and regional artisans and become part of the community. They tell me they have been welcomed with open arms and have enjoyed an abundance of local support which means the world to them. It was very important that they recognize the family and friends who have been by their sides for the past year. Pete and Deana wanted to thank Myron, Starla and Larry for helping them get the store where it is today. These are the faces that many people see and they have been Dea na’s backbone. They say they are blessed to have Johnnie who started as a customer but now is part of their Sole Place family.

The Carsons have added some new items to the store and having just come back from market there will be new inven tory arriving. Trish could not have chosen better when she put the business she built from the ground up into new hands. A website is coming along with more social media posts to keep you informed of new items, sales and such. Be sure to look for them on Facebook and follow their page.

November 1st they will celebrate their first anniversary and we wish them all the best as they continue to be “our western store!”

Pete and Deana still have a home in Athens that they share with Longhorn cattle, two horses, a donkey and three dogs. The dogs, Little, Zoe and ---- are equally content to be laying on the porch at their mountain cabin. When in Clayton stop in and welcome them, wish them happy anniversary and check out all that they have done inside the store. Deana says they have plans to work on the storefront next, once she catches her breath!

Sole Place Western Wear is located at 61 North Main Street in Clayton, Georgia. For information or to wish the Carsons well please call 706-782-4975