Published
3 years agoon
By
Kim HuntOriginally from the Memphis, TN area, J.K. Lanier’s General Store owners Jon and Katherine have an interesting story on how they became owners of their general store located in Pigeon Forge, TN.
Upon relocating to the Smokies, Jon found work as a horseback riding guide at Cades Cove Riding Stables, while Katherine worked as a hostess at Pancake Pantry. Jon also worked with Big Rock Dude Ranch as a a trail guide. This led Katherine to working at the ranch as a photographer.
The pair eventually ending up taking over the operations of the photo booth at Big Rock Dude Ranch and also had plans for a cafe. When Covid struck, it closed the ranch down for a few months. When things began to reopen, customers at the ranch were spending their money on horseback riding and were not buying their photos. Jon and Katherine had planned to use the money from photo sales to get the cafe up and running, but the money wasn’t coming in. The couple ended up parting ways with Big Rock Dude Ranch.
One day they were driving down the road and noticed an empty building located across the street from Goats on the Roof . . . and the rest is history! The general store officially opened in July 2020 in the middle of a pandemic. How amazing is that?
When you hear the words ‘General Store’, you think of old fashioned candy, moon pies, and bottled drinks.
J.K. Lanier’s General store has these general store staples and so much more! It’s truly a shopper’s paradise.
If you’re looking for hiking supples, they’ve got you covered.
Or if you’re looking for locally sourced goods, they’ve got those, too!
Or maybe you’re in the market for unique decorations, keepsakes, and souvenirs.
They even support first responders!
J.K. Lanier’s General Store specializes in locally made old fashioned toys, wood crafts, furniture, jams, jellies, soaps, decor, antiques, novelty candy, bottled sodas and local artisan goods. You are sure to find something for everyone!
One local business, Country Roads Axe Company, generously donated their unused General Store sign to their shop. Katherine makes sure to let people know about their restaurant as they shop. What a great way to support the local community. Make sure to stop by and support them as well!
Katherine takes pride in making sure her customers have a wonderful experience when shopping the store. She loves getting to know her customers and is always happy to make recommendations while they shop. She even helps support other local businesses by recommending them based on customer’s questions. I witnessed this personally during my time in the shop. It was a wonderful thing to see. If you stop in and have a great experience, don’t forget to leave them a review on Google and Trip Advisor. Word of mouth is so important for this type of business and I know they’ll appreciate it.
They have just partnered with woodcarver Billy Mccurry. He will be doing live demonstrations at the store. His wooden bears, gnomes, Santa Claus’s and multiple other items will be available at the store when he’s not there. Video courtesy of Katherine from J.K. Lanier’s General Store.
Take a look around the store with Rock and Sandi from Adventures that Rock.
If you are going to be in the area on May 29th, stop by the craft fair and be sure to tell them The Smoky Mountain Life sent you!
The store is located at Lanier’s General Store, 1382 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. Store hours are Monday-Saturday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sundays from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.
In addition to the general store, Jon runs Lanier Family Farms where he does cabin and farm maintenance. If you need cabin or farm maintenance, you can reach Jon at 865-366-2229 (office) or 865-348-4141 (mobile).
The owner and founder of The Smoky Mountain Life, Kim Hunt, is a lifelong resident of southeast Tennessee and lover of all things Smoky Mountains.