Cashiers Chamber of Commerce

Promoting Sustainable Tourism

Nick Breedlove

The development of the Secret Season ensures a more stable economic calendar for the Plateau.

Leisure travel to Jackson County increased at an impressive rate before the Pandemic. Tourism surged as consumer preferences shifted toward destinations that offered mountains and beaches instead of crowded cities. North Carolina is now the fifth most-visited state in the country, and its popularity continues to grow as people move here from all over to immerse themselves in this beautiful place we call Home. While visitation is good for our small businesses, it presents new challenges. When I started my career managing tourism, it was mostly about marketing the destination. Now, my role with the Tourism Development Authority includes aiming to solve many destination challenges, from workforce housing and litter to infrastructure and overcrowding. To combat the stress that excess visitation puts on our natural resources, we’ve shifted our entire approach from promoting leaf peeping in the fall to marketing January through March, what we call our Secret Season. We create a more sustainable tourism economy by focusing on a timeframe when we need visitors and business. Our Secret Season campaign has grown overnight visitation during that period by almost 10 percent in recent years. We are also very purposeful in our marketing. For example, we encourage travelers to visit mid-week in October for the best fall foliage experience because we know the destination is already at capacity on the weekends. Furthermore, the Jackson County TDA has recently funded projects in Panthertown Valley in Cashiers and Pinnacle Park in Sylva to understand trail maintenance needs and overall visitation trends to those beautiful areas. We also sponsor Cleaning Up the Mountains, the Tuck River Cleanup, Trout Unlimited’s local chapter, trail maintenance needs, the Great Smoky Mountains Association, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, and more. Next year, we are partnering with Leave No Trace on a youth education strategy to preserve this beautiful place for generations. The JCTDA works closely with the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce in Sylva, which operate our visitor centers, as strategic partners. I’m proud that we have an entire committee of community stakeholders dedicated to the sustainability and stewardship of Jackson County. As a lifelong resident, I’m sensitive to who and how many people we bring to this special place. By prioritizing the high-value visitor who contributes more to the economy and environment, we can share our corner of North Carolina with others while maintaining its natural charm and beautiful, litterfree vistas. Sustainable tourism is the future, encompassing our community’s needs and visitors’ experience – it’s a win-win.

by Nick Breedlove, Executive Director of the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority

Giving Thanks to Those Who Love Highlands

A deep dive into the data offers plenty of reasons for gratitude underlying Life in Highlands.

As we begin the season of reflection, joy and gratefulness, we at the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/ Visit Highlands, NC find ourselves doing a lot of counting. Not only are we counting the ways in which we are thankful to live and share the wonder and beauty of Highlands, but – more tangibly – how residents and visitors support our local economy. Sometimes it’s easy to forget, especially in those moments we’re trying to park on Main Street or make a dining reservation, that the popularity and attractiveness of our town and all that it offers positively impacts our quality of life. Let us explain. If you took the tourism industry away from Highlands, it would cost each household an additional $30,485 in taxes each year to keep government services at the same level. In fact, visitor spending returned $18,200,000 to local taxes during the last fiscal year, according to a study prepared by Tourism Economics for Visit North Carolina. Visitor spending also provided almost $40,000,000 in tourism labor income, keeping our neighbors employed. Visitor spending not only supports government services but also local, non-profit organizations. Last fiscal year, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC granted more than $256,000 in occupancy tax funding to 15 non-profit organizations that provide educational and cultural experiences to residents and visitors alike.

So, who are these visitors? Let us paint a picture. According to the most recent demographic data from Young Strategies, our visitors’ average age is 55. They are mostly female, retired and hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. They stay an average of five nights, most likely in a hotel, inn or resort. They turn to friends and family to help plan their visit. As we love to say, a great place to live is a great place to visit. (And, as we often add, a great place to do business.) Our quality of life in Highlands is bolstered in large part by those who visit and enjoy – for a short duration – the unique lifestyle that some of us are fortunate to enjoy all year long. Indeed, we have much for which to be grateful. Enjoy the season ahead!

For more information about the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC: highlandschamber.org or (828) 526-5841.

by Kara Addy Communications Manager, Highlands Chamber of Commerce photo by Brian O’Shea

5 BR / 5.5 BA — Desirable location just a few minutes from Cashiers, inside the gated community of Cedar Hill, stunning views including beautiful sunsets, and newly built in 2020: your beautiful mountain getaway is here! The main level features the desirable open living concept with vaulted ceilings throughout the great room and the oversized kitchen island inviting all to gather around. The great room’s stone and wood-burning fireplace creates the perfect mountain ambiance, and effortlessly flow onto the screened Carolina porch with a second fireplace and additional decks for plenty of room to take in the gorgeous mountain views. Living accommodations include two primary suites on the main level and one guest en-suite, two more bedrooms and a second bath on the lower level. Also on the lower level, a large family room with its own gas fireplace, provides plenty of overflow room within the home. The upstairs loft features a cozy office library and a full bath and the home’s elevator can help take you to all three floors. MLS 100304

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ C 828.342.3194 | LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

4 BR / 4.5 BA — This vintage mountain home, on 1.57 acres, has a “slight ranch-contemporary” character due to its low profile, earth hugging nature, and a great number of windows offering an abundance of natural light. Enter the property from a long sweeping private driveway which opens to a gentle yard with ample parking. A babbling water feature greets all at the front door. The focal point of the view is the pride of south Cashiers—ancient Rock Mountain, with Chimneytop Mountain right next to it. Enjoy the close up dramatic face of Rock Mountain from the major rooms of the home, the screened porch and the covered deck with wood-burning fireplace. Inside, the vaulted great room has its own “rock mountain” — a giant fireplace anchoring this space and greeting guests at the foyer. This spacious home has excellent bones and generously sized rooms, and there is a bonus room on the far side of the attached carport that will work well for a home office, kids play space or home gym. Its proximity to the Inn, the Club and the Fazio reimagined golf course is enhanced by a community walking trail at the edge of the lot. This property offers great potential to be a generational home for those who embrace both the old and new High Hampton. MLS 100512

JUST REDUCED

BETH TOWNSEND, GUILD™ C 828.421.6193 | BETH@CASHIERS.COM

4 BR / 4 BA — This beautiful 63-acre farm in the Cashiers/Glenville area beside the Snowbird Community is full of charm. It features gorgeous views, rolling land, a main house, a guest house, an art studio, a large functioning barn, gardens, a chicken coop, fruit trees, fenced pasture land, fresh water ponds, springs and creeks throughout! Contact Liz today for a tour of this beautiful mountain farm. MLS 97011

619 HWY 107 S | CASHIERS, NC 28717 | 828.743.3411

CONSISTENTLY A TOP-RANKED BROKER ON THE PLATEAU

“Liz Harris is on top of the Cashiers real estate market. She is proactive and creative and someone you want working for you. We’ve worked with her on several transactions and enjoy her personally as well as professionally.” – RENEE H.

LizHarrisBroker.com

Strawberry Hill

2 BR / 2 BA — This cute cottage in the Lake Glenville neighborhood of Strawberry Hill has just undergone a full remodel and is now ready to be enjoyed! The home features one level living with two bedrooms, two baths, a bonus room, and lovely kitchen and dining area. The oversized, wrap-around deck is perfect for enjoying the gorgeous mountain summer days and evenings. Just a short distance from Lake Glenville including a deeded access point to the lake within the community, a quick drive to Happ’s Place, or an easy drive into Cashiers for more shops and restaurants, this cottage will make the perfect little summer getaway with great rental potential. MLS 100451 OFFERED FOR $599,000

LIZ HARRIS, GUILD™ C 828.342.3194 | LIZ@CASHIERS.COM

2 BR / 2 BA — Snowbird is the most unique community in our area, focusing on these most desired prime attributes: large private estate parcels (all over 20 acres), beautiful long range views, frolicking streams and noisy waterfalls and a patchwork of rolling open fields connected by common hiking and horseback riding trails. This Modern Craftsman style home is oriented on a knoll facing southeast, was built to offer passive solar advantage and is Energy Star certified. At over 4000’ elevation, there is an additional, higher site on this tract that could accommodate a guest house or private pavilion. Inside the layout is simple- primary bedroom and bath on the main level with kitchen, living/den and view porch. There is a covered breezeway leading to the large two-car garage. Downstairs is another bedroom, bath, laundry and a large common area, recently used as a craft/hobby room. This property would be an awesome retreat for artists, writers and anyone seeking peace and quiet, within the comfort of a gated neighborhood. New exterior paint in 2022!

JUST REDUCED

MLS 99164

TYPICAL SCENES AT SNOWBIRD

Glenville

$875,000

49 ACRES — Sarvis Ridge... Rolling meadow, dense woods, table flat building site at the top, over 4,020’ elevation. Small dipping pond in the meadow. The property can be divided into four parcels (5 acre minimums). The Webb Lake 1930’s cabin, common area lake and trails and caretaker home are directly across the road from this prime tract. Southern to eastern views are into the 600 acre Webb conservation easement. This heritage property has unlimited potential! MLS 98418

Norton Area

$849,000

22.96 ACRES — This unrestricted property offers mountain views in multiple directions. Accessed by a well constructed, long, private driveway, the original 1970s summer cabin recently burned to the ground. The primary homesite sits at 3,930’ elevation amongst large deciduous trees and a rolling mossy yard. Plenty of options for additional homesites. Location, view, topography and an existing driveway make this a prime property for an estate or light development. MLS 97957

619 HWY 107 S | CASHIERS, NC 28717 | 828.743.3411

1.53 ACRES — It is rare to find a resale lot in High Hampton, and this one is prime! The property is located on the “original/Inn” side of the neighborhood, which means no highway crossing is needed to walk to the great amenities. Grand potential view of famed Rock Mountain with approved clearing, this lot also fronts the Cherokee Campgrounds’ greenspace with direct access to the trail system. East to southeast views to the mountain provide sunsets “on the rock.” MLS 97439

JUST REDUCED

4.09 ACRES — Jack Knife... This tract offers a wonderful location in Sassafras along a gentle ridge creating easy access onto the property. Gravel driveway is in, house site with framed mountain view and view overlooking Sassafras’ signature meadow. MLS 98133

High Hemlock

$159,000

3.76 ACRES — An absolutely beautiful homesite that is a hidden mountain gem! This lot has a mountain view of Double Knob mountain and offers a great deal of privacy. The lush wooded landscape of large hardwoods and mountain laurel is the perfect backdrop for someone to build their dream mountain home. This lot also shares a small pond with adjacent property owner. Paved access directly to the lot makes easy ingress and egress. MLS 98115

Bear Wallow Springs $100,000

4.44 ACRES — Private wooded lot with plenty of building potential adjacent to the Fazio Learning Center at Lake Toxaway Country Club. Bear Wallow Springs borders Lake Toxaway which is the largest private lake in NC with 640 acres and approximately 14 miles of shoreline. This small golf-centric community offers access to the greater amenities of Lake Toxaway which includes the Lake Toxaway Country Club. MLS 98257

BETH TOWNSEND, GUILD™ C 828.421.6193 | BETH@CASHIERS.COM

4118 Kitchen and Bar 4118kitchen-bar.com A Jones Company A-List Antiques Acorns ACP Home Interiors acphomeinteriors.com Aery Chiropractic aerychiropractic.com

Africa Awaits

africasawaits.com Allen Tate/Pat Allen Realty Group patallenrealtygroup.com Allison Diane P 109 P 149 P 148 P 45 P 142 P 141 P 132 P 9 P 40

Ann Lea Fine Art Gallery Annawear annawearnc.com P 72 P 60

Appalachian Animal Rescue

P 140 Appalachian Golf Cars appalachiangolfcars.om P 168 Around Back at Rocky’s Place aroundbackatrockysplace.com P 77 Atelier Maison ateliermaisonco.com P 135 Balistreri Realty laketoxawayliving.com P 162 The Bascom thebascom.org P 90 Barbara Jamison Paintings barbarajamisonpaintings.com P 79 Bazaar Barn P 65 Bear Tracks Travel Center beartrackstravelcenter.com P 168 Bella Cotn bellacotn.com P 122 Bella’s Junction Cafe P 98 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices meadowsmountainrealty.com P 68 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - Mary S. Abranyi realestatemaryabranyi.com P 175 Betsy Paul Art Benefit P 164 Betsy Paul Properties betsypaulproperties.com P 195 Bijou Jewelry bijoujeweler.com P 54 Bird Barn & Garden P 63 Black Rock Design Build blackrockdesignbuild-highlands.com P 86, 160 The Blue Elephant P 152 Blue Ridge Bedding blueridgebedding.com P 114 Blue Ridge Music blueridgemusicacademy.com P 89 Bombshell Hair Boutique P 194 Bounds Cave’s Rug Gallery boundscaverugs.com P 37 Brookings Fly Shop brookingsonline.com P 57 Bungalow Boutique bungalow828.com P 64 C Orrico corrico.com P 174 Calders Coffee Cafe calderscoffeecafe.com P 98 Caliber Fine Properties caliberfineproperties.com P 92, 93 Carolina Rustic Furniture carolinarusticfurniture.com P 114 Cashiers Chamber of Commerce cashiersareachamber.com P 153 Cashiers Candy Shoppe P 174 Cashiers Kitchen Company P 63 Cashiers Valley Community Chorus P 75 Center for Plastic Surgery Robert T. Buchanan, MD plasticsurgerytoday.com P 167 Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals highlandsiscalling.com P 151, 160 Charles Johnson Fine Art Photography charlesjohnsonfineart.com P 89 Chocolate Heaven/Cake Bar P 194 Christine’s Home Decor christineshomedecor.com P 161 The Christmas Tree P 75 Classic Lighting & Design, Inc. classiclightinganddesign.com P 167 Colonel Mustard’s Specialty Foods colonelmustardshighlands.com P 60 Country Club Properties ccphighlandsnc.com P 2 Creative Concepts P 160 The Dancing Bear at the High Dive P 100 Dauntless Printing dauntlessprinting.com P 161, 176 The Designer’s Market thedesignersmarket-nc.com P 55 Diane McPhail, Artist P 88 The Dry Sink thedrysink.com P 41 Dutchmans dutchmansdesigns.com P 173 Edgewood Antiques & Fine Furnishings P 61 Edward Jones Investments edwardjones.com P 153 Elena’s Women’s Golf and Activewear elenagolf.com P 151 The Exchange P 59, 140 Fire + Water firemt.com P 15 Fire Mountain Inn & Cabins firemt.com P 15 Four Seasons Landscape fsl-wnc.com P 24 Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar four65.com P 104 Dr. Edward D. Frederickson MD FACP P 149 Fressers Courtyard Cafe wecaterhighlands.com P 99 Fusion Yoga & Wellness fusionyogaandwellness.com P 149 Gracewear Boutique gracewearcollection.com P 36 Grand Olde Station grandoldestation.com P 111 The Greystone Inn thegreystoneinn.com P 4 Green Mountain Builders greenmountainbuilders.com P 141 Head Innovations P 160 High Camp HighCampNC.com P 4 The High Dive P 100 Highland Hiker highlandhiker.com P 157 Highlands Aerial Park highlandsaerialpark.com P 50 Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation hchealthfnd.org P 155 Highlands Chamber of Commerce highlandschamber.org P 81 Highlands Dermatology highlandsdermatology.com P 149 Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry Wine Shop highlandsfineart.com P 22, 23 Highlands Food & Wine Festival P 12 Highlands Lawn & Garden P 61 Highlands Outpost highlandsoutpost.com P 50 Highlands Pharmacy P 148 Highlands Rock Yard highlandsrockyard.com P 166 Highlands Smokehouse highlandssmokehouse.com P 109 Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Jody Lovell sothebysrealty.com P 158, 159 Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Andrea Gabbard sothebysrealty.com P 112, 113 Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Tommy Jenkins sothebysrealty.com P 169

Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty - Sheryl Wilson highlandssir.com Highlands Transportation Company Hummingbird Lounge oldedwardsinn.com Jack’s Upholstery Jannie Bean Custom Jewelry janniebeandesigns.com Jeanie Edwards Fine Art jedwardsfineart.com Jennings Builders Supply jbwnc.com Josephine’s Emporium John Cleaveland Realty jcrealty.com Joyce Smith Mortgages joycesmithmortgages King Background Screening kingbackgroundscreening

P 161 P 166 P 45 P 161 P 165 P 74 P 170 P 148, 161 P 28 P 27 P 160

The Kitchen CarryAway and Catering thekitchenofhighlands.com P 109 Lake Toxaway Company laketoxaway.com P 80 Lakeside Restaurant P 107 Landmark Realty Group landmarkrg.com P 10 Landmark Realty Group - Pam Nellis landmarkrg.com P 161 Laura Moser Art lauramoserart.com P 5 Las Margaritas P 106 Lehotsky & Sons lehotskyandsons.com P 59. 160 Lenz Gifts & Luxury Linens P 178 Leslie Jeffery, Artist lesliejeffery.art P 74 The Look Boutique P 21 Lupoli Construction lupoliconstruction.com P 35 Main Street Gifts P 169 Main Street Nursery P 179 Marlene & Co P 133 Martha Anne’s P 64 Martin Lispcomb Performing Arts Center highlandsperformingarts.com P 73, 91 McCulley’s P 3 McKee Properties mckeeproperties.com P 33, 42, 43,182-191 McKee Properties - Liz Harris mckeeproperties.com P 186, 188 189 McKee Properties - Beth Townsend mckeeproperties.com P 33, 187, 190, 191 Mirror Lake Antiques mirrorlakeantiques.com P 25 Morales Painting P 65 Mountain Spring Spas and Pools mountainhotspring.com P 17 Mountain Theatre Company mountaintheatre.com P 83 Mountainworks Custom Home Design, Ltd. mtnworks.com P 53 Nancy’s Fancys P 59, 140 Nearly New nearlynewnc.com P 58 Nora & Co P 19 Oak Steakhouse oaksteakhousehighlands.com P 94 Old Edwards Inn & Spa oldedwardsinn.com P 45, 160 On the Verandah ontheverandah.com P 105 Pat Calderone calderonegallery.com P 88 Peggy Marra peggymarra.com P 79 Peak Experience peakexp.com P 39 Preferred Properties of Highlands - Ann Scott ppoh.com P 161 ProServicess

P 161 Rabun Flooring rabunflooring.com P 132 Reach of Macon County reachofmaconcounty.org P 148 Rebecka’s Home Cleaning Service P 160 Rent In Highlands-CCP rentinhighlands.com P 143 Ristorante Paoletti paolettis.com P 99 Rosewood Market rosewoodgourmet.com P 103 Rusticks rusticks.com P 11, 156 Sapphire Valley Real Estate sapphirevalleyrealestate.com P 62 Sashay Around P 19 Scaly Mountain Crafters scalymtncrafters.com P 85 Shakespeare and Company shakespeareandcompanyhighlands.com P 133 Shiraz shirazruggalleries.com P 177 Silver Creek Real Estate Group ncliving.com P 46-49 Skyline Lodge skyline-lodge.com P 94 Slanted Window Tasting Room P 67 Smitten P 85 S’more Kids Klothes P 74 Southern Way P 27 The Spa Boutique at Old Edwards Inn oldedwardsinn.com P 45 Spoiled Rotten spoiledrotten2.com P 39 Stork’s Wrap, Pack & Ship P 15 The Summer House by Reeves summerhousehighlands.com P 32 Tarah’s Beauty Bar P 160 Terry Warren Fine Art terrywarren.com P 77 TJ Bailey’s for Men tjbmens.com P 123 Town and Country General Store tandcgeneralstore.com P 134 The Toy Store P 67 The Ugly Dog Pub - Highlands theuglydogpub.com P 101 Vic’s for Men victoriasclosetnc.com P 58 Victoria’s Closet victoriasclosetnc.com P 58 Victoria’s Sportswear victoriasclosetnc.com P 58 The Village Green villagegreencashiersnc.com P 128 Village Hound P 29 The Vineyard at 37 High Holly thevineyardathighholly.com P 152 Vivianne Metzger Antiques vmantiques.com P 34 Wanderview Hospitality wanderviewhost.com P 107 Warth Construction warthconstruction.com P 196 The Watershed Shoppe P 87 WHLC FM 104.5 whlc.com P 17 Wilbanks Smile Center - Dr. Joe Wilbanks wilbankssmilecenter.com P 136 Willow Valley willowvalleyrv.com P 172 Wit’s End P 171 Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro wolfgangs.net P 5 Woofgang Bakery & Grooming P 175 Zoller Hardware zollerhardware.com P 63, 161 The Zookeeper Bistro thezookeeperbistro.com P 106