TOWNSEND, Tenn. – The iconic Apple Valley Country Stores & Cafe have officially changed hands with Mark and Sharon Oldham, the owners of the adjacent Dancing Bear estate, purchasing the iconic retail complex as part of their ambitious multi-million dollar investment in the Townsend community.
The Apple Valley Country Stores & Cafe is a popular stop for many travelers as they visit the Great Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Shoppers find a variety of country-inspired products like homemade fudge, quilts, braided rugs, jelly products, jewelry, candles, handbags, premium gourmet coffees, and more.
Although the purchase was alluded to at the January 9th groundbreaking of Dancing Bear, the deal officially closed on February 5th. Mark Oldham praised long-time entrepreneurs Pete and Jennifer Maples, who opened the store in 1993.
“Jennifer Maples is a true business lady, and it has been a joy to work with her and Pete on their flagship property,” Oldham said. “Make no mistake about it, I don’t think anyone here really realizes how successful this store really is and how well the business and property operates. It’s long been part of the Maples’ endeavors. Jennifer and Pete have been nothing but professional and sincere during this process, and we are excited to once again marry Dancing Bear with the Apple Valley retail area.”
Oldham said the acquisition represents “a true changing of the guard as far as Townsend is concerned, and I just want everyone to know that we will keep the successes of the past and build an even greater business for the future. We only want the best for Townsend as a whole.”
Pete Maples said he and his wife can enjoy a fresh start knowing that Apple Valley Country Store is being left in good hands. “Mark is a fine man with a great vision for Townsend, even if he is the new guy on the block. We have loved being owners and operators of Apple Valley for the past 22 years. When the opportunity came along to sell to Mark and Sharon, we felt it was the right time and the right people! We now look forward to being involved with our sons, Kevin and Tyson, in their new ventures in Wear’s Valley, TN.”
The Oldham’s want to slowly but surely upgrade the Apple Valley Country Store’s Café, build a deck out in front of Highway 321, add bike racks and welcome the growing bicycle community to Townsend. Eventually, they want to add a new store façade and possibly add a distillery or brew pub, and sell enhanced food products to those traveling into Cade’s Cove, while expanding the bakery options as well. Apple Valley’s online storefront at applevalleycountrystore.com will get an upgrade as well. At the same time, the new owners want to preserve what existing shoppers love about the store.
A sales office will open immediately for both Dancing Bear and Apple Valley inside the complex in an effort to book weddings, events, dinners, and cabin rentals for both properties. Work is underway to improve Dancing Bear with the addition of a new restaurant, a new Event Center, an Event Lawn, plus two new cabins representing four new guest rooms. Dancing Bear continues to book reservations at http://bit.ly/smokymtncabin for the 16 open cabins while the work progresses on the 32-acre property. Oldham said he hopes to conclude the first phase of the project at Dancing Bear by fall 2015. A second phase to rebuild the Lodge, which burned on Nov. 14, 2013, should take approximately five years to complete. The changes are expected to ultimately generate 15-20 new jobs in Townsend.