The public has shown their support over the years, and now one local business Watauga is looking to return the favor this weekend.
Terry and Jeanne Barker, owners of the Barn Shoppe, recently told the Elizabethton Star the business will hold a special event Saturday, Oct. 21, to give back to a community that has done so much for the ‘Barn over the years.
“We wanted to have this event as a way to give some appreciation to our customers,” Terry said Wednesday. “We’ve owned the store since January 2014, and we wanted to say thanks to everyone that has given support to this business over the years.”
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, the public is invited to stop by the business, located on 450 Watauga Rd., for different types of refreshments, concessions, and drawings for various prizes, including the opportunity for free gas.
The Barn Shoppe offers a unique, and useful, resource when it comes to gasoline, with it being ethanol free. While a few cents more compared to other gas stations, Terry added patrons able to utilize the gas for better vehicle mileage.
Jeanne added the different vendors have donated items that will be available throughout the event.
A sense of community pride is apparent when pulling into the parking lot of the Barn Shoppe. Over the years, the business has continued a tradition of being a business along with serving as an outlet for fellowship for the community.
The Barkers took over sole proprietorship of the business during September of this year, but Terry was quick to remember the days of when the market was owned by Lon Davis in the 1980s.
“I was good friends with one of his sons,” he said. “It was great to stop by and visit. It was a big part of the community.”
What serves as the store used to be a barn. Mary Hilton was on site at the business Wednesday and shared stories of the history of the company, ranging from her time playing in the barn as a child to working under Davis for 22 years.
Hilton recently returned to the area and added she was happy to see the barn still serving the community.
“It was like home to me when I came back,” she said. “It’s such a big part of Watauga. Everyone always stops by; you know everyone’s name.”
The Barn Shoppe is open all week to the public. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more questions about Saturday’s event, call (423) 543-5756.