The Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge

06/14/2026

Meet four of the artists behind the Hidden in Plain Sight: Green Salamander Art Trail.

The trail runs through August 2026 at 33+ locations across Lake Lure, Chimney Rock Village, and the Hickory Nut Gorge. Find the full map and artist gallery at arttrail.hickorynutchamber.org

Funded in part by the Rutherford County TDA.

06/12/2026

A few great reasons to get out this weekend!

Lip Sync Battle Fundraiser
Tonight, June 12 · 6:30pm · Fae Nectar
Perform for $10 a song or watch for $5. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Mountains Branch Library. Ages 18+.

Naturalist Niche: Geology of the Gorge
Sat, June 13 · Chimney Rock State Park
A guided hike through the geologic history of the Rock with local experts.

National Get Outdoors Day
Sat, June 13 · Chimney Rock State Park
Stop at discovery stations along the trails and learn from naturalists throughout the day.

Local Author Fair
Sat, June 13 · 11am–3pm · Rutherford County Library
145 College Ave, Suite D, Rutherfordton

Meet local authors and browse their work. Sponsored by Rutherford County Library.

Tag a friend you'd bring along.

👉 More events at hickorynutchamber.org

Chamber members, want your event in next week's post? Log into the member portal and add it to the calendar!

06/06/2026

The Hickory Nut Gorge is open, thriving, and ready to welcome you back!

If you've been thinking about planning a mountain getaway, family reunion, girls' weekend, romantic retreat, or simply a day of adventure, now is the perfect time to visit. Our businesses have worked tirelessly in the months since Hurricane Helene, and the Gorge is reopening stronger, more beautiful, and more welcoming than ever.
From hiking, shopping, dining, and sightseeing to relaxing mountain escapes, there are countless opportunities to create memories with the people you love while supporting the local businesses that make our community so special.

Looking for the perfect place to stay? Be sure to check out Chamber member The Shaded Crest! Nestled in the beauty of the Gorge, their stunning cabins offer a peaceful mountain retreat for couples, families, and groups. And here's a hidden gem many people don't know about—their beautiful pool and deck area offers day passes, and can be reserved for private parties, family gatherings, celebrations, reunions, and special events. It's the perfect setting to gather, relax, and enjoy everything that makes the mountains magical.

This summer, make plans to explore, reconnect, and discover all that the Hickory Nut Gorge has to offer. Our businesses are open. Our community is ready. And we can't wait to welcome you.

Come visit. Stay awhile. Make memories. ❤️
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It's pool season at The Shaded Crest. Adult Only (21+)

$25
Sunday - Thursday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Online Reservations Required: theshadedcrest.com

06/02/2026

There's something for everyone this week in the Gorge!

Cookbook Book Club | Tue, June 2 · 1pm · Mountains Branch Library
Registration required. Call to sign up and get your cookbook in time to prepare a dish.

Chair Yoga | Wed, June 3 · 1:30pm · Mountains Branch Library
Free, no registration needed. Adults 18+.

Taste the World with Ginny: Malaysia | Fri, June 5 · 1pm · Mountains Branch Library
Cooking demo plus samples. Come hungry.

National Trails Day | Sat, June 6 · Chimney Rock State Park
Join naturalists throughout the day to explore the park's history, wildlife, and plants.

Tag the friend you're bringing along on an adventure this week!

👉 More events at hickorynutchamber.org

🗓️ Chamber members, want your event in next week's post? Just log into the member portal and add it to the calendar!

05/31/2026

✨ Step into a fairytale right here in the Hickory Nut Gorge! ✨

One of our valued Chamber members, Fae Nectar, is opening the gates today and inviting the community to experience one of the region's most unique wedding venues during their Wedding Open House.

Nestled in Lake Lure, this enchanting setting transforms as the sun sets, with candlelight, lanterns, and mountain views creating an unforgettable atmosphere for couples seeking a truly magical wedding experience.

Whether you're planning your own special day, helping a loved one find the perfect venue, or simply curious to see this remarkable local business, we encourage you to stop by and explore all that Fae Nectar has to offer.

🏰 Wedding Open House�📍 Lake Lure, NC�📅 Today, May 31�⏰ 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Meet the team, tour the legendary great hall, and discover why Fae Nectar is known for creating unforgettable experiences rather than simply hosting events.

We are proud to spotlight the amazing businesses that make the Hickory Nut Gorge such a special place to live, work, and celebrate.
Special thanks to Tegan & Tom for helping showcase the magic! ✨

As the sun sets over Lake Lure, magic comes alive at Fae Nectar. ✨ Candle light flickers across garlanded arches, lanterns glow against the mountain dark, and the stars gather low to witness vows unlike any other. Not just a wedding venue, ours is a realm where epic fairytale weddings come to life and myth becomes memory. Today, the gates stand open. Join us for our Wedding Open House, behold our legendary great hall, meet our team, and imagine your own happily ever after taking shape in a setting that exists nowhere else in these mountains. Other venues host weddings. We craft legendary experiences. 🕯️

📍 Lake Lure, NC
🏰 Open House Today 1–6 pm May 31
🔗 Wedding website link in our bio

Special thanks to Tegan & Tom!

05/27/2026

Great news from one of our chamber’s nonprofit members, Lil's Thrift Shop - Supporting Animal Care.

🐾 BIG NEWS, LIL’S FAMILY! 🐾

After months of uncertainty, many conversations, and a whole lot of hope, we are THRILLED to share that Lil’s Thrift Shop will NOT be moving right now! We have officially secured a ONE-YEAR LEASE at our current location, with the option to renew for a SECOND YEAR!

While our landlord still hopes to eventually sell the property, this incredible gift of time means the world to us. It allows us to continue serving our community, supporting the animals we love so dearly, and thoughtfully planning for whatever comes next instead of rushing into a move before we are ready.

And speaking of gratitude, we simply cannot say enough about the kindness and generosity our landlord, Tommy Hartzog, has shown Lil’s since the very beginning of our journey. From day one, he has supported our mission in ways both big and small, and we are deeply thankful for the compassion and patience he has extended to us over the years. Please join us in sending heartfelt appreciation his way.

Now for the next exciting chapter:

As many of you know, we are BURSTING at the seams! With our limited square footage, every inch matters, and donations continue pouring in thanks to this amazing community. So we are actively exploring the possibility of acquiring a LARGE STORAGE SHED to place beside the shop where the geodome once stood.

This additional space would be a game changer for us — allowing us to better organize donations, rotate inventory, store seasonal items, use as an auxiliary shop space, and continue maximizing every dollar raised for the animals. Plus, it will be an asset we can take with us if and when we do move.

We are currently hoping to either secure a donated shed or find community partners willing to help make this dream possible. And if there is one thing we know about the Lil’s family, it’s this: YOU ALWAYS SHOW UP.

If you have ideas, connections, know of a shed that may be available, or would like to help in any way, please reach out. Every share, suggestion, conversation, and act of kindness helps more than you know.

Thank you all for believing in this little shop with a very big heart. The future may still hold changes, but today we celebrate stability, gratitude, community, and the blessing of more time together.

And for now, Lil’s stays right where it belongs. 🐾

Lil’s Thrift Shop
305 Buffalo Creek Road
Lake Lure, NC 28746
Hours: Wed-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Shop: 828-532-8096
[email protected]
https://lilsthriftshop.org

Our mission is to transform secondhand treasures into first rate care for vulnerable animals. We raise funds and awareness for local animal focused nonprofits through our vibrant community of generous donors, thrilled shoppers, and dedicated volunteers.

05/26/2026

While this Memorial Day weekend brought plenty of rain to the mountains, we are deeply grateful that the Hickory Nut Gorge community weathered the storm with minimal damage overall. Some outdoor festivities may have had to pivot, but the spirit of our mountain towns remains strong, resilient, and welcoming.

Today, Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, and communities throughout Hickory Nut Gorge are open and welcoming visitors. Our restaurants are serving, our shops are open, and the beauty of these mountains is as breathtaking as ever.

As the Town of Lake Lure shared so beautifully, this is “The Calm After the Storm.” Town officials continue to assess conditions, and lake levels are being maintained at full pond, preserving the peaceful beauty that so many have missed and longed to return to enjoy.

At the same time, we hold our neighbors in Bat Cave and Gerton especially close in our hearts as those communities experienced more significant impacts from the heavy rains. We know firsthand the strength, compassion, and perseverance that define these mountain communities, and we encourage everyone to continue supporting them in the days ahead.

Now more than ever, your visits matter. Many local businesses are still fighting their way back after Hurricane Helene, and every meal purchased, every overnight stay booked, every shop visited, and every kind word shared helps our small businesses continue their recovery journey.

So come spend a day — or a weekend — with us. Breathe the mountain air. Enjoy the lake views. Explore the charming towns and friendly faces that make Hickory Nut Gorge so special.

If you are traveling by car, please be sure to check current road conditions and plan your best route before heading this way, as some roads across the region may still have temporary impacts from the recent weather.

Thank you for continuing to love, support, and believe in these beautiful mountain communities. We cannot wait to welcome you back to Hickory Nut Gorge.

05/26/2026

We are so proud to have The Shaded Crest as a member of The Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge! 🌲

Established in 2022, The Shaded Crest has spent the last four years being thoughtfully renovated and updated — shaped by Jody's own travels and a deep belief that guests deserve a space where they can truly come as they are. The result is a calm, unhurried retreat in the heart of the Gorge, complete with a saltwater pool and hot tub.

And the pace? Jody put it perfectly: "Days are relaxed and quiet. We move at the pace of the day." That says everything.
Members like Jody are exactly what the Chamber is all about — people who care about this place and the experience it offers to everyone who visits. We are honored to champion their work.

👉 Visit theshadedcrest.com to learn more or plan your stay. And give them a follow at !

Want to get your business in front of our community? Learn more about Chamber membership at hickorynutchamber.org.

05/22/2026

We've made headlines! Now, more people can discover the magic of Lake Lure's Green Salamander Art Trail, where nature and art converge to support local businesses.

Have you started exploring the trail yet? If not, what's holding you back? Come experience it for yourself and discover the joy of a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a longer stay that will leave you feeling inspired and refreshed.

The brand-new "Hidden in Plain Sight" Green Salamander Art Trail is happening just in time for Lake Lure Beach’s grand reopening.

05/22/2026

Adventure is kind of our thing out here. Zip lines, paddleboards, escape rooms, fairways, waterfalls — the Gorge has a full weekend waiting! And while you're out, keep an eye out for the Green Salamander Art Trail. 30+ local artists hidden across the Gorge all season long.

Stop in for adventure this weekend... you never know what may be hidden in plain sight!

Canopy Ridge Farm-Zip Lining - soar through the trees!
Lake Lure Outdoor - hit the trails in style!
Lake Lure Station - crack the code!
Apple Valley Golf Course - play with a view!
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park - take in the Gorge!

Find the map at arttrail.hickorynutchamber.org.