Plateau Picks

SUCH A GOOD BOY

This English Copper Spaniel from the 1800s a perfect addition to any family. Bronze Statue | $1200 The Village Hound | Cashiers

FOR THE HORSE LOVER

This beautiful one-of-a-kind bronze sculpture exudes the power and grace of horses and is sure to delight the equine enthusiast. “The Red Canyon” Bronze Sculpture | $5800 Whiteside Art Gallery | Cashiers

SCOPING OUT THE SITUATION

A versatile spotting scope with an 85 mm objective lens and angled view is perfect for comfortable observing for hours and ensures you are excellently prepared for any situation.

Swarovski Optik ATX Interior Spotting Scope | $5543 Highland Hiker | Highlands

Picks Plateau

a few of our favorite finds

THE CLEVER FOX

This vintage oil painting by Danish Artist Carl Høyrup depicts the oh too clever red fox. The beautiful earth tones are a perfect complement to your home. Original Oil Painting | $6750 Edgewood Antiques | Cashiers

HOOKED ON HAPPINESS

Bring the joy of autumn indoors with these hand-hooked pillows. Autumn Glory $5995 | Pumpkin Bouquet $6995 Main Street Gifts | Highlands

FIND YOUR FEATHER FIND YOUR MEANING

Individually hand crafted from pure copper by Timber Lane Studio artists - each feather is one of a kind, just like you. Find the feather that calls to you. Wood and Bronze Wall Art | $64 Peak Experience | Highlands

SWEET AND SPICY

Spice up your life with hand-crafted popcorn. Made with natural ingredients, this sweet and savory combo is packed with deliciousness in every handful! Available in a variety of flavors. Cashiers Candy Shoppe

The Look

The Look offers the Elements of Style in fashions as unique as, well, you.

Find your unique fashion look at The Look Boutique found at 137 Highway 107 N in Cashiers. This boutique is housed in a storybook-perfect white cottage surrounded by a white picket fence and colorful, lush landscaping, setting the stage for the delights within. In business for over a decade, Owner Wendy King says their motto is “be beautiful every day” and her customers have embraced that idea. Wendy and her staff believe that exceptional customer service is key to customer satisfaction, and they go above and beyond to exceed customers’ expectations. They believe your shopping experience should be stress-free. Whether you’re looking for a key piece or two to freshen up your wardrobe; or to create an entire capsule collection, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. Choose pieces from their many designer brands, add a splash of color with accessories,

scarves, handbags, and jewelry and you’ll put your best foot forward every day. From casual to dress they carry an extensive selection of jackets, pants, shirts, sweaters, and more. If it’s everyday basics you need, they always have a lovely selection of tees, tunics, Wendy King and tanks. For your next special occasion look, run, don’t walk to see their collection of beautiful event pieces. The Look is famous for its concierge level of service to its clientele, and Wendy truly delights in sharing her aesthetic sensibilities and divining those of her customers. That level of attention has earned this charming little cottage an outsized reputation, one that extends far beyond the limits of the Plateau. With all of this service and personal service, this is one of those boutiques that’s best experienced with a careful browse.

The Brier Patch

The endlessly beguiling The Brier Patch, 4186 Cashiers Road in Highlands, is a perfect reflection of owner Catherine Peay.

Shopping on the Plateau often has a fairytale-like quality – intimate uncrowded spaces, colorful displays, and business owners and employees who excel in helping you find just what you’re looking for. One such irresistible shop is the The Brier Patch. It’s truly a local institution, having been open for 72 years. Owner Catherine Peay’s family has owned The Brier Patch for over 40 years and Catherine has been at the helm for 30 years. The charming gray cottage’s storefront is often adorned with stunning silk flowers beckoning you to explore the treasures within.

They feature a multitude of lamps for your every need; an array of beautiful pillows (dog lovers will especially love their breed-specific pillows); hostess gifts of every imaginable kind; décor items; vases; silk flowers, plants and containers; and charming teak stools hand painted and carved in Thailand but designed by an American artist in Summerville, South Carolina. They also feature fine furniture pieces. Don’t miss the original artwork by Jo Ann Williams Walker, whose paintings adorn the walls, and whose bright colors enhance the light and brightness of this charming business. Take a few minutes to relax on the serene covered back porch with the stunning view of Shortoff Mountain and enjoy the relaxing sounds of their selection of tabletop water fountains.

Catherine Peay

Highlands Fine Art and Estate Jewelry

Exquisite designs and a pool of knowledge are the hallmarks of Highlands Fine Art.

Joe and Claudia Lazow, proprietors of Highlands Fine Art and Estate Jewelry, are excited to be reaching their quarter century mark in Highlands. They are the original Highlands Estate Jewelers on Main Street. Their spectacular display window invites you in, with a hint at the many exquisite pieces to be found inside.

They offer an extensive collection of beautiful estate pieces as well as modern jewelry and watches including a large selection of preowned Rolexes.

And there is more! Unique and elegant American art glass, from famous artisans such as Scott Hartley, GartnerBlade and North Carolina artist Kenny Pieper. Beautiful pieces that will be the center of attention in any room. And last but not least, their boutique wine shop featuring fine wines from all over the world. Call (828) 526-2669 for scheduled wine tastings. They are known for the quality of their merchandise and their exceptional customer service with customer satisfaction being their number one priority. Joe is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and a practiced jewelry professional with appraisals available. Claudia’s talent is instinctively knowing one’s taste, helping you choose the perfect piece for that anniversary, birthday or Christmas gift. And we can’t forget the board of directors, Sylvester and Vincent, who may greet you when you come in, if not napping under the desk.

Stop in and peruse all they have to offer at 388 Main Street. Hours are 10:00 - 5:00 Monday - Saturday, and 12:00 - 4:00 P.M. on Sunday. Visit Highlandsfineart.com for more information.

Board of directors, Sylvester and Vincent

Narcissus

Narcissus at the Cashiers Crossroads beckons with an unmistakably Continental cachet.

Narcissus, at 71 Highway 107 S in Cashiers is located in a captivating peach cottage near the Crossroads which beckons you in with its Southern charm but rest assured that while the interior is every bit as welcoming, the clothes within have a distinctly international feel and sophistication. Owner Giuliana Kaufman, originally from Florence, Italy, has worked with top designers and has an extensive fashion background and the creativity to help each customer choose her best look. You’ll find styles and labels that you wouldn’t typically imagine finding in a small-town boutique. Couple that with exceptional personal service and you’ll leave looking your best. It’s all about quality and style here and Giuliana knows that often less is more when it comes to pulling that perfect look together. These are not one-season clothes but an investment in your lifestyle, clothes you will return to season after season. In addition to their beautiful clothes, you will find beautiful Italian scarves and one-of-a-kind jewelry to compliment your look. Never again look in your closet and think that you have nothing to wear. An outfit from Narcissus is always right. For those of you who are planning to travel Giuliana and her staff are happy to help you choose pieces that travel well, mix and match, and look at home anywhere throughout the world. The world is indeed your oyster when you shop at Narcissus.

Giuliana Kaufman

Just What You’re Looking For

Though their Nancy’s Fancys and The Exchange For Men has opened at a new location, Nancy and Bob Mills have made sure that their flagship emporium is still stocked with exclusive fashions and fun choices.

Bob and Nancy Mills

They’re back and better than ever – Nancy’s Fancys and The Exchange For Men, that is. When Bob and Nancy Mills sold their Main Street location two years ago, their customers worried that their go-to men’s and women’s store was gone for good. It’s hard to give up a 40-year habit, and thankfully they didn’t have to. Bob and Nancy knew they weren’t cut out for retirement and couldn’t imagine not seeing their favorite customers, so plans were quickly developed for their new shop at 2060 Dillard Road in Highlands. These two have been a team for so long and know their customer base so well that planning the new, welcoming location was a breeze – close to town but away from the crowds; one-level shopping; a welcoming front porch with rockers; lush landscaping; and of course, their extensive selection of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, including exclusive brands such as Hickey Freeman, Samuelsohn, St. Croix and many others. To understand their uncanny ability to stock their store with just what you’re looking for you need to travel back in time to 43 years ago when Nancy recognized a need for a store where women could find foundation and undergarments as well as sleep and loungewear. At that time the only local source was People’s Department Store which offered a limited selection and no customized fittings. Nancy sprang into action and Nancy’s Fancys was opened, to the delight of women all over town who no longer had to drive off the mountain to shop. Soon, Nancy began expanding her inventory to include carefully curated clothes for women. From there the shop has grown to include a large selection of clothes and accessories from casual to dressy, as well as continuing to offer the basics that started her business.

Bob joined the business in 1993 shortly after their marriage and The Exchange For Men became a customer favorite. For those looking for dressier attire their selection of sport coats, suits and dress shirts is expansive, and they offer fully customizable selections and alteration services to ensure that your new clothes fit like a glove and look like a million bucks. Of course, they also have great casual looks to choose from – golf attire, sport shirts, slacks and jeans. Don’t forget to make them your go-to for belts and socks as well. Stop by them today and make time to visit a while on the cool front porch. Shopping has seldom been such a relaxing experience.

by Mary Jane McCall

Trunk Shows at Acorns

Acorns will host a pair of dazzling trunk shows this month. See for yourself at 212 South 4th Street in Highlands.

It’s well known around the Plateau that the most exciting fine arts, jewelry, craft and décor is to be found at Acorns, Old Edwards store. In September the works of two talented artisans are featured – jewelry from Erin Gray and glass trees from Simon Pearce.

From September 2 through 4, a representative of jewelry designer, Erin Gray, will be in store to welcome customers and showcase new styles. Fifteen years into a corporate marketing career, Erin Gray’s mother and stepmother were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer within a year of each other. The pain inspired her to make a change in her life and make a difference in the lives of others. After hitting the drawing board, and researching the fashion industry, Erin Gray Design was born — a line of nature-inspired neutrals and stylish pieces that are finished but not fussy, with a unique boho/free spirit feel. From leather chokers to gemstone stack bracelets, her high-quality pieces are sustainably and ethically produced. You’ll find yourself wanting everything! The company dedicates monthly contributions to childhood cancer patients through the Atlanta charity, Cure. On display the week of September 9 through 16 are the glass trees of Simon Pearce.

He’s America’s most prominent glass blower and has produced and sold his wares in Vermont since 1981. Pearce was running a workshop in Ireland when escalating power costs encouraged him to leave, in search of his own hydroelectric power. He found it at his flagship location in Quechee and began producing the glass for which he is so well known — clear, strong, and proudly hand-blown, with no two pieces exactly alike. He believes in glass that has character, and designs that bring pleasure, and that, “simplicity, quality, and artisanship are tenets of a better way of life.” His works have been given as gifts to foreign dignitaries and to presenters at the Academy Awards. Highly coveted among the glassblower’s iconic pieces are his signature glass trees. The trees, brilliantly clear or dusted with snow, wrapped, dappled or silvered, come in many forms and are a joy to collect, to give and to use. They are also a fulfillment of Pearce’s promise that, “If you buy something and live with it, and in 20 years enjoy it as much as the day you bought it, that is the sign of something that really works.” Visit acornshighlandsnc.com to learn more about these and future happenings.

by Marlene Osteen

WEST END 1. On The Verandah Restaurant 2. Highlands Smokehouse 5. The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts 6. The Bascom Shop 7. The Dave Drake Ceramic Barn at The Bascom

Visit Our Advertisers ON THE HILL 302. Wish & Shoes 303. Mirror Lake Antiques 305. Jeanie Edwards Fine Art 306. Acorn’s 310. McCulley’s WRIGHT SQUARE on MAIN (Factoid: Named after Whiteside hero) 117. Country Club Properties, Wright Square Office 119. Highlands Pharmacy 311. Martha Anne’s on the Hill 312. The Ugly Dog Public House 313. Old Edwards Inn 318. Peggy Crosby Center: - The Kitchen Carry Away & Catering 319. Lakeside Restaurant

SOUTH END

25. 4118 Kitchen & Bar 27. Dauntless Printing 38. Lupoli Construction 39. Allen Tate/Pat Allen Realty Group 46. M & Co 47. ACP Home Interiors 48. Nancy’s Fancys/

The Exchange 50. The Summer House 57. Blue Elephant Consignment Studio 58. Head Innovations 59. Cake Bar & Chocolate Heaven

MAIN STREET

100. Main Street Nursery 101. Rosewood Market 103. Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center 124. Landmark Realty 126. Shiraz Oriental Rug Gallery 132. Elevation: High Fashion for Women 134. The Southern Way 136. Dutchmans 140. The Toy Store/The Book Nook 141. Bags on Main 142. Main Street Gifts 146. Wit’s End Shoppe 147. Calders Coffee Cafe 148. Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry + Wine Shop 152. Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty 153. Allison Diane Clothing 159. Colonel Mustards 160. TJ Bailey for Men 163. Spoiled Rotten 166. Annawear 167. The Christmas Tree 169. Country Club Properties 174. Elena’s Women’s Golf and Activewear 178. McCulley’s II 185. Ristorante Paoletti 187. The Dry Sink 189B. Smitten 190. Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro 191. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Meadows Mountain Realty 194. Old Edwards Inn 195. Madison’s Restaurant 196. The Wine Garden 197. Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar 202. Country Club Properties 205. Silver Creek Real Estate Group 207. Creative Concepts Salon 208. Highland Hiker Shoes 210. Highland Hiker

SPRING VILLAGE

406. Brookings

OAK STREET

601. Highlands Playhouse

VILLAGE PARK

613. Cleaveland Realty 615. Shakespeare & Co. 617. Fressers Courtyard Cafe CAROLINA VILLAGE

709. High Dive 709. Truckin’ at the High Dive 711. Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals

NORTH END

801. Green Mountain Builders 814. Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center 814. Highland-Cashiers Players OUT NC 106

➡ Aery Chiropractic ➡ Peak Experience ➡ Futral Construction ➡ Highlands Outpost ➡ Scaly Mountain Crafters ➡ Highlands Aerial Park ➡ 37 Vineyard at High Holly ➡ Fire + Water ➡ Pat Calderone Gallery

OUT 64 EAST

➡ Black Rock Design Build ➡ Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services Meadows Mountain Realty ➡ WHLC ➡ Highlands Lawn & Garden ➡ Skyline Lodge/ Oak Steakhouse ➡ Highlands Rock Yard ➡ Futral Construction ➡ Center for Plastic Surgery ➡ Highlands-Cashiers Hospital ➡ The Brier Patch ➡ Allen Tate/ Pat Allen Realty Group ➡ Highlands Dermatology

For a complete listing please visit our website, thelaurelmagazine.com. Being added to our listing is easy! Simply advertise with The Laurel.

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SLABTOWN

2. Zookeeper Bistro 13. Crossroads Custard

NORTH 107

16. Stork’s - Wrap. Pack. Ship 19. The Look Boutique 20. Mountain Mermaid 21. Sashay Around Ladies Boutique

THE SHOPS AT CASHIERS COMMONS

25. Bella Cotn. 27. Bird Barn & Garden 28. Cashiers Kitchen Co. 30. Bombshell Hair Boutique 31. The Watershed Shoppe 33. Zoller Hardware

AT THE CROSSROADS

37. Landmark Realty Group 39. Cashiers Farmers Market 40. On the Side BBQ 41. Highland Hiker

CHESTNUT SQUARE

43. A Jones Company 47. Lehotsky & Sons, Builders 55. Fusion Yoga & Wellness 55. The Bungalow Boutique

EAST 64

64. Alexander Gardens: - Victoria’s Closet - Victoria’s Closet Shoes & Purses - Vic’s for Men 75. Carolina Rustic Furniture 76. Blue Ridge Bedding 77. The Designers Market 78. Ann Lea Fine Art Gallery 81. Jennings Builders Supply

VILLAGE WALK

80. A-List Antiques 80. Josephine’s Emporium 80. Laura Moser Art 82. The Village Hound 86. Nora & Co. 89. Nearly New

Furniture Consignment 90. Gracewear Boutique

SOUTH 107

101. Narcissus 102. TJ Bailey’s for Men 103. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming 104. Brookings Fly Shop & Cashiers Village Outfitters 105. Atelier Maison 106. Edgewood Antiques & Fine Art 107. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Meadows Mountain Realty 108. Landmark Realty Group 109. Ugly Dog Public House 110. McCulley’s 111. Rusticks 112. Vivianne Metzger Antiques 121. Robin’s Nest 123. Caliber Fine Properties 128. Mountainworks Custom Home Design LTD. 136. McKee Properties 137. Bounds Cave Rug Gallery 138. The Orchard Restaurant, Events Barn & Guest Cottage

THE VILLAGE GREEN

142. Village Green Commons 143. The Village Green 147. Bazaar Barn

WEST 64

155. Cashiers Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center 156. Creekside: - Silver Creek Real Estate Group 172. Whiteside Art Gallery 173. Betsy Paul Properties 176. Lenz Gifts

DOWN 107 SOUTH

➡ Silver Run Reserve

VISIT CULLOWHEE

➡ Four Seasons Landscape

VISIT GLENVILLE

➡ Silver Creek Real Estate Group

VISIT LAKE TOXAWAY

➡ Appalachian Construction ➡ Balistreri Realty ➡ Bear Tracks Travel Center ➡ Earthshine Lodge ➡ Grand Olde Station ➡ The Greystone Inn ➡ Headwaters Outfitters ➡ Historic Toxaway Foundation ➡ Historic Toxaway Market ➡ Killer Bees Honey ➡ Mountain Cafe ➡ Lake Toxaway Company ➡ Panthertown Cafe ➡ Petit Properties ➡ Root 64 ➡ Southern Highlands Reserve ➡ Whistlin’ Dixie VISIT NORTON:

➡ Town and Country General Store

VISIT SAPPHIRE:

➡ Appalachian Golf Cars ➡ Sapphire Valley Real Estate ➡ The Fix

Cashiers, North Carolina

For a complete listing please visit our website, thelaurelmagazine.com.

Being added to our listing is easy! Simply advertise with The Laurel.

New Southern Cuisine

Local celebrity chef Sean Ruddy brings his all his culinary skills and creative instincts to his new Panthertown Café, 16614 Rosman Highway in Lake Toxaway. For more information, visit panthertowncafe.com.

Sean Ruddy

Over the past couple years Lake Toxaway’s restaurant scene has been undergoing a gradual metamorphosis. A relatively recent arrival is the Panthertown Cafe, an inviting breakfast and lunch spot on Highway 64, handily located just one mile west of the Falls, close to the Panthertown wilderness area and Gorges State Park. With its log siding and welcoming front and side porches the quintessential mountain structure settles seamlessly into its surroundings. Formerly known as The Grill at the Barn, the popular daytime eatery, had closed at the outset of the Pandemic in March 2020. Shortly thereafter the idea of buying the spot took root with long time Lake Toxaway resident Chef Sean Ruddy. It was, as it turned out, the perfect spot for Ruddy to “do his own thing.” Ruddy got his start in the restaurant business in Florida at age 15 working front of the house jobs at restaurants close to home. With aspirations to ascend to management, he decided to learn “back of the house” skills and fell in love with the art of cooking. After graduation from culinary school, he worked his way through some of the better-known high-end kitchens, and fine dining restaurants in Florida and the Cayman Islands before landing on the Plateau in 1997. Lured here by a summer job at a local country club, he initially worked on the Plateau only seasonally, returning winters to Florida. A few years later, as he explained, “I decided to plant my roots here, I loved the area and the people, it was a good fit.” In the years since he’s held Executive Chef positions at the Library Club, twice at The Greystone Inn, at High Hampton from 2011-2016 and again from 2017 till they closed for renovations in 2020.

Now at Panthertown Café, Ruddy is cooking up the “new Southern cuisine” that is his passion. Justifiably famous is his fried chicken – the preparation of which is so exacting that its only cooked in the brief period between lunch and dinner when the restaurant closes. At lunch locals, hikers on a break and visitors all flock to the café for Southern specialties – collard greens, special catfish preparations, homemade soups, and barbecue pulled pork doused in Ruddy’s signature sauce (available for sale). In the mornings hungry diners dig into house made biscuits with country gravy and scrumptious French Toast and Eggs Benedict and so much more. Panthertown Café is open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Saturday. Visit panthertowncafe.com.

by Donna Rhodes