I imagine the notion of owning a small business in the quietude of Western North Carolina in the Great Smoky Mountains began for us one morning while parked on my way to work in sunny South Florida. Did I say "parked?"

Yes! Each work day I traveled what well may be the country's narrowest and longest parking lot - Interstate 95. I literally spent hours each week watching cars zip by me in the HOV commuter lane.

All it took for them to succeed was a little help from a friend - in the form of another passenger to make riding the HOV lane possible. Well, my help came from a friend too. We put on our thinking caps for a while, and what came of that, as they say, is (11 years of) history.

The charming little town of Dillsboro didn't need another gift shop. Nor another food business. What it did need was a place to bring people and nature together. We shop the leading gift and accessory markets in person and online around the country. We meet with local artisans and evaluate their products to see if they meet our needs. And, we listen to the wishes of our customers! From these efforts we'd like to believe we have gathered a most unique array of merchandise for the home, the garden and patio, the mind and the body.

Experience our dream of bringing you and nature a little bit closer.

Jim & Bill