* Conclusion of a series
Robbinsville – Mountain Memories is a unique boutique, one with origins as a Christian bookstore.
Owner Lavetta Roper opened the shop 14 years ago as a way to earn extra income for her family of five, but even with 66 churches in the area, Roper soon realized that the shop “couldn’t sell enough Bibles to stay in business, so we had to explore other avenues.”
The shop inventory now includes items one would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in Graham County, including essential oils and diffusers, high-end brands of clothing and a gallery of Black Knight merchandise that ranges from jewelry to socks to ponchos.
Roper and store manager Cynthia Garren consider the shop to be “not only a job, but a ministry.”
“A lot of times we feel as if God has allowed people to come in here not just for them, but for us, too,” said Garren.
“Sometimes people walk in the door and we can just see that they’re hurting,” said Roper. “We can go in the back room and pray or pray right here at the counter.”
“A lot of times, people just need a kind word,” Garren added.
In addition to kind words, the women offer customers comic relief.
“We’ll give you a good laugh,” said Roper. “We do like to have a good time.”
Those good times include the “Heifer Club,” a herd of dedicated local shoppers who have frequented Mountain Meadows for years.
“The Heifer Club started a long time back,” said Roper. “Now we even have Heifer Club dishtowels made up for our members.”
The holiday season is particularly festive at the shop, which offers not only gifts, but a variety of seasonal decor.
The season will really rev up from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 5 with the annual Pajama Party and customer appreciation day.
“What happens at the pajama party stays at the pajama party,” said Roper. “You never know who’s going to show up. One year it was Ralphie from A Christmas Story; another time it was the Grinch.”
The party includes drawings for door prizes, but to be eligible, a customer must be wearing PJs.
“If people visit us once,” said Roper, “they always come back.”
Mountain Meadows is located at 430 Rodney Orr Bypass in Robbinsville. Hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
For details, call 479-7414.