Episode 7: Two Stores, One Mission: Stories of Support in Western North Carolina
04/21/25 • 21 min
When disaster strikes, it doesn’t just damage buildings — it upends lives, disrupts communities, and tests the resilience of independent retailers. In this heartfelt episode of Main Street Matters, host Patrick Keiser travels to Western North Carolina to share the powerful stories of two retailers — J. Gabriel in Asheville and Willow Creek in Chimney Rock — who lost everything to natural disasters but found strength in their communities and support from the Heart on Main Street network.
You'll hear firsthand accounts of loss, rebuilding, and hope from the store owners themselves, as well as the inspiring generosity of Beth Lewis (Olde Thyme Marketplace) and Brad Rosenkampff (The Link Companies), whose efforts helped make these donations possible.
💬 In this episode:
- The emotional impact of losing a store to disaster
- Rebuilding with limited resources and support
- The role of community and donation-based recovery
- Behind-the-scenes of Heart on Main Street’s disaster relief work
- How you can help independent retailers recover and thrive
Whether you’re a small business owner, a retail advocate, or someone who believes in the power of local communities, this episode will remind you why Main Street matters — and how we all can make a difference.
🔗 Learn more and support the mission at heartonmainstreet.org
📲 Follow us on Instagram @heartonmainstreet
Keywords: disaster recovery, small business, main street, local retail, natural disaster relief, retail resilience, store owner stories, community giving, nonprofit support, podcast for retailers, Heart on Main Street, rebuilding after disaster
When disaster strikes, it doesn’t just damage buildings — it upends lives, disrupts communities, and tests the resilience of independent retailers. In this heartfelt episode of Main Street Matters, host Patrick Keiser travels to Western North Carolina to share the powerful stories of two retailers — J. Gabriel in Asheville and Willow Creek in Chimney Rock — who lost everything to natural disasters but found strength in their communities and support from the Heart on Main Street network.
You'll hear firsthand accounts of loss, rebuilding, and hope from the store owners themselves, as well as the inspiring generosity of Beth Lewis (Olde Thyme Marketplace) and Brad Rosenkampff (The Link Companies), whose efforts helped make these donations possible.
💬 In this episode:
- The emotional impact of losing a store to disaster
- Rebuilding with limited resources and support
- The role of community and donation-based recovery
- Behind-the-scenes of Heart on Main Street’s disaster relief work
- How you can help independent retailers recover and thrive
Whether you’re a small business owner, a retail advocate, or someone who believes in the power of local communities, this episode will remind you why Main Street matters — and how we all can make a difference.
🔗 Learn more and support the mission at heartonmainstreet.org
📲 Follow us on Instagram @heartonmainstreet
Keywords: disaster recovery, small business, main street, local retail, natural disaster relief, retail resilience, store owner stories, community giving, nonprofit support, podcast for retailers, Heart on Main Street, rebuilding after disaster
Previous Episode
Episode 6: The Revival is Local- 7 Trends Shaping Main Street Retail in 2025
What’s driving the future of independent retail in 2025? In this fast-paced episode, Patrick Keiser breaks down 7 emerging trends transforming Main Street shopping districts across the country. From hyperlocal merchandise and immersive in-store experiences to TikTok-ready storefronts and community-driven collaborations, this episode is packed with insights for retailers, showrooms, and anyone who believes in the power of small businesses.
Whether you're a retail store owner, sales rep, or just love supporting your local downtown, this episode will inspire you to rethink how Main Street can thrive in a digital age.
Highlights:
✔️ Hyperlocal pride and why customers crave connection
✔️ Why retail is becoming the new third place
✔️ How to turn your store into a social media magnet
✔️ The rise of men’s retail and what’s behind the shift
✔️ Retail collaborations that are changing the game
✔️ Storytelling strategies that build loyalty
✔️ Navigating 2025 with cautious optimism
Keywords:
Main Street retail, independent retailers, retail trends 2025, small business, retail marketing, store design, shop local, experiential retail, downtown shopping, retail podcast, Heart on Main Street, Patrick Keiser, visual merchandising, small business podcast
📲 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and follow @heartonmainstreet on Instagram for more retail insights and stories from the road!
Next Episode
Episode 8: Picture Perfect: In-Store Photography Tips with Janzen Tew
Length: 58:38
Hosted by: Patrick Keiser, Heart on Main Street
Guest: Janzen Tew, Photographer & Founder of Denim + Velvet
📸 Episode Description:
Want to take better photos of your store but don’t know where to start? In this actionable episode of Main Street Matters, we’re joined by retail photography expert Janzen Tew, founder of Denim + Velvet, for a crash course in creating beautiful, high-impact photos right from your sales floor — even with just your phone.
Whether you're capturing product shots, window displays, or the vibe of your Main Street shop, this episode is packed with tips to help you level up your brand and stop the scroll on social media.
🎯 You’ll learn:
- How to use natural light to your advantage
- The secret to composing compelling product shots
- Simple tricks for getting better photos on your phone
- How to create consistency in your store’s visual branding
- Why good photos can drive more traffic — online and in person
If you’ve ever said, “I’m not good at taking pictures,” this episode is for you.
Keywords: retail photography, small business marketing, in-store photography tips, phone photography, product photography, visual merchandising, Janzen Tew, Retail Vibes, retail branding, shop local, Main Street Matters, Heart on Main Street, independent retailer marketing
📲 Follow us @heartonmainstreet on Instagram for more retail tips and inspiration.
🖼️ Learn more at heartonmainstreet.org
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/main-street-matters-by-heart-on-main-street-315074/episode-7-two-stores-one-mission-stories-of-support-in-western-north-c-89780941"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to episode 7: two stores, one mission: stories of support in western north carolina on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy