Hidden Outside Of The Smokies, This Old-School General Store Makes The Best Fudge In Tennessee
By Chris Dodge|Published August 13, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
In the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, there are longstanding traditions that run deeper than the mountain streams coming from our national park. You might vacation in places like the eye-catching Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg areas, but several sections around the park still look much like they did decades ago. Mountain Brothers in Wears Valley, TN, is a general store that holds on to some of these traditions and in many ways, it’s like stepping back in time.
The section that many consider the “peaceful side of the Smokies” is where you will find Wears Valley.
Rolling hills and fields are some of the only things standing between the main road traveling through town and the epic mountains of our national park. What you get in this little town is sweeping views of the towering Smoky Mountains. This is where you will find people who hold to Appalachian traditions. Just looking at this building you can almost hear the twang of a banjo and the melody of a fiddle. These are just a few things you will think of when you experience Mountain Brothers.
General stores aren't just a novelty in this part of the world, but a way of life.
You get up early and roast the coffee and start a fire as you watch the fog rolling off the mountain peaks. Once the sign is flipped and the doors unlock, you can walk into the alluring aroma of fresh coffee. This roasting coffee draws you in, passing over the creaking floorboards until you obtain a cup yourself. Pull up a chair and just stay for a while because this is all about the whole experience -- not just a store to visit. Savor every sip of this locally roasted coffee and soak up a tradition that is decades old.
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Mountain Brothers also makes their very own fudge and it is some of the best around. Rich thick pieces are on display behind the glass and it may be hard to decide what to pick. They are happy to allow you to sample some before you buy, and once you get some you should expect to not make it home without eating it all.
They have a variety of flavors and everyone will have their own favorites but don’t be surprised if you find yourself loving a flavor you may not have ever liked before! Go wild and try something new.
Every time I drive by, this general store catches my eye; it has some solid curb appeal with the mountains as a backdrop. What you find inside, however, is even better. Old Appalachian relics fit nicely among modern goods. The whole place gives you the feeling that you have stepped back in time.
In the store, you can find homemade goods like BBQ sauce, jams, and candles.
Grab a book and stay awhile or just enjoy immersing yourself in the deep culture of the Appalachian people. Visiting Mountain Brothers isn't like going to "just" another store; it's an experience you won't soon forget... especially once you've tried the fudge!
When you want to experience the Smoky Mountains like it was in the good old days then a trip to Mountain Brothers in Wears Valley, TN, is exactly what you need. Allow the smell of the fresh coffee to lure you in, hear the familiar sounds of creaky floorboards, sit awhile with the locals, and eat some fudge. This is one of the best ways to experience life the way it was meant to be in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. For more information please visit the Mountain Brothers General Store website.
Extend your adventure in the Smokies and stay in this incredible glamping tent right down the road from Mountain Brothers then spend the next day exploring the Foothills Parkway.
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