With just a slight turn of the steering wheel, a trip down U.S. 221 Business transitions into Marion’s South Main Street. The outline of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the city’s welcome sign matches the slope of green in the rearview mirror.

On the right, the Blanton House Restaurant & Venue — a Greek Revival home turned fine-dining restaurant— is an eye-catching landmark that greets visitors, some coming from Lake James State Park about 25 minutes away. On the left, the painted windows of Ingenious Coffee Roasters, which sometimes features images like Bigfoot and a snowman drinking cups of joe, provide an entertaining greeting.

The core of Marion’s Main Street is the McDowell Arts Council Association building. Here, resident tabby Biscuit can sometimes be seen sleeping in the cat tree by the window. Next to Biscuit’s alcove, shelves display works by about 100 local artists. Colorful pottery, paintings, jewelry, fiber, and other creations fill the space with an artistry that is rooted in the North Carolina Foothills.

Anna Branam, the assistant director and Biscuit’s owner, started working for the nonprofit around 2017. “It’s crazy the things you start doing for free that you end up getting paid for,” she says. Branam and Executive Director Susan Pyatt-Baker have a hand in supporting many of McDowell County’s arts initiatives. The artists’ storefront is just the tip of the iceberg. They also help bring music and arts education into public schools, run a children’s theater program, and host events like art workshops and summer camps.

Branam and Pyatt-Baker say that they’re grateful to advocate for the arts in a place where community members work toward making downtown Marion a thriving place.

After a downtown excursion, spend the day paddling at Lake James State Park. photograph by Eifel Kreutz/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Across the street, one of those individuals is Doug Watson, co-owner of Flavors on Main. A Marion native, Watson opened the business as a small gourmet food store in 2018. After working in corporate finance for 25 years, he moved back home, reconnected with Debbie Hall — the curly blonde-haired girl he had a crush on at McDowell High School — and married her. Leaning on memories of seeing Belk and Roses discount store on Main Street as a kid, Watson thought Marion needed an anchor general store.

He told Debbie in 2020, “Let’s take a leap of faith and do it ourselves.” They transitioned the shop into a general store in a 6,500-square-foot space outfitted with some of the original hardwood floors and light fixtures.

Flavors on Main is true to its name, selling infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars, teas, and spice mixes, and the Watsons also pride themselves on offering big-brand names that locals would usually have to drive far for, including Big Green Egg, Orvis, and Osprey.

At the end of the block, the familiar dome that formerly housed Fifth Third Bank rises into the sky. At its base, folks meander through the day: sipping a pint from Refinery 13, slipping into Marion Wines to choose a bottle, and ultimately explore all that downtown has to offer.