LOOKING AT A VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY
Sponsored Content
Fannin Co. Development Authority
When Mitzi Thomasson is searching for items to offer at her namesake business, it is as much a treasure hunt as it is a search for standard retail items.
“I am always looking for quality and prices that are fair,” said the owner of Mitzi’s on Main in downtown Blue Ridge, who operates the business along with her daughter, Haley. “I want things that are going to last and that people will want to keep in the family. I’m always looking for solid-wood pieces, and classic antiques to paint and make them current.”
Thomasson’s search for one-of-a-kind items often takes her and Haley through the back roads and hills of North Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and surrounding areas. It is a far cry from the long distance travel she used to make to Europe and Asia as vice president of merchandising and design at Macy’s and later at Progressive Lighting. In practical terms, it marks the difference between searching out a country estate sale or traveling to a major city’s merchandise mart.
After decades of corporate experience, Thomasson went into business for herself, opening Mitzi’s on Main in 2013. Her original location was a smaller shop in Blue Ridge, which also contained kiosks from outside vendors. Her current location, in a gleaming new building at 416 East Main Street in Blue Ridge, is 3,500-square feet, and all Mitzi.
“I really enjoy the buying part, the selection of products and unique home décor,” Thomasson said, who has a background in both interior design and fashion design. But what she enjoys most of all is finding unique items, such as a classic hutch or buffet, which she will sometimes repaint, bleach, or distress to enhance its original charm.
“We are farmhouse oriented,” she said. “It is my favorite style. It can be rustic or contemporary. Through the years we have developed a very loyal customer base that visits regularly.”
Beginning in October, most of the regular inventory is cleared out to make room for a wide assortment of Christmas items, large and small, from wall hangings and figurines to garland, ornaments and numerous accessories. The shelves are packed with specialty items, such as oversized snow globes, nativity figurines, candle holders, wooden church models, and miniature Christmas trees.
“Christmas is everybody’s favorite time of year and we take advantage of it,” Thomasson said. “It makes everyone feel good just walking through and seeing everything we have.”
Mitzi’s on Main is open seven days a week; 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday.