Greenhouse Crafts is located in Glendale Springs, 10 miles south of Jefferson between the historic Glendale Springs Inn and Holy Trinity Church. Greenhouse Crafts Receives Small Business Of The Year Award By Katie Fennell Nestled in the heart of Glendale Springs in the old Glendale Springs School building is Greenhouse Crafts, a one-of-a-kind shop that features items that would satisfy the interest of any person. Owned and operated by Michael and Joanie Bell for 24 years, Greenhouse Crafts has just recently been awarded the Small Business of the Year Award by the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, an honor that has been graciously received by the Bell’s. “We are very honored to have received this award,” the Bell’s said. “To have recognition from the community is wonderful.” Having been awarded the Governors Business Award in the Arts and Humanities in 1992, the Small Business of the Year Award is something that has the Bell’s really excited. “We had no idea that we were getting this award,” they explained. “We are members of the Chamber and attended the dinner, after which they presented us with the award. It was the last thing they did that night and it was a total surprise. We are so happy to be recognized and are truly honored.” Chamber of Commerce director Sarah Tugman said of the Bell’s, who have been members of the Chamber since 1985, that it “is very pleased that these members of long standing have received this award and it is very happy of the Bell’s representation of the business community.” Representatives of the Chamber said that “20 years is a big milestone and the award was well deserved.” Greenhouse Crafts opened in 1982 in the original 1st and 2nd grade classrooms of the former Glendale Springs Elementary School building, eventually moving into the entire section of classrooms over the years. Initially procured by Joanie’s parents, Ed and Betty Stiles, the building was purchased a few years later by the Bell’s, who had been renting the facility for the craft store. “Joanie always wanted a craft store,” Michael Bell said, “and so we rented this space from her parents and made it into what she wanted, adding on each year and eventually buying the building from them. Her artistic eye has really made the shop what it is.” But Greenhouse Crafts does not offer the typical items that many mountain craft stores in the area do. “We have a wonderful variety of cards,” Joanie Bell said, “which I select myself. We also have stationery items, journals, jewelry, garden ornaments, local and international baskets and hand-carved boxes, rugs, folk instruments, hammer dulcimers, lap harps, traditional acoustic music CD’s, classic children’s books, toys for children, and so much more.” Greenhouse Crafts really is a store for everyone, catering to the young and the old, the local and the international. It has a “depth of selection” and is a “treasure trove of stuff; more than you can imagine,” said Joanie Bell. The store is filled to the brim with a large amount of unusual, distinctive gifts, and the atmosphere is heightened with the occasional playing of the dulcimer by Michael Bell, an act that gives the store quite a different, yet singular feel. “We get varying intervals of folks showing up,” Michael Bell said, “those who are repeat customers, those who bring company, and those from out of town and out of the country. We are really appreciative of these people.” But it’s not only the atmosphere of the shop that has customers coming back. According to Michael Bell, the location of the store is one of its benefits. “We have one of the prettiest, nicest spots to be in and to work,” he said. “On warm days, we can leave the door open and it’s just beautiful. We love those ‘open door’ days.” Aside from the location, Greenhouse Crafts prides itself in its flower gardens. Originally herb gardens maintained by Joanie’s mother, Betty Stiles, the plots have been kept and added on to as the years have passed and are now flourishing with various perennials. “Many customers enjoy our gardens out front,” said Joanie Bell, adding that they, along with a beautiful setting in the mountains, help to give Greenhouse Crafts a distinctive, friendly feel. Overall, though, one of the main things that makes Greenhouse Crafts what it is, is the love that the Bell’s have for their creation. “I love talking to all of the interesting, nice people who come in here,” said Joanie, “and I love buying for the store.” Michael, on the other hand, revels in sharing what he loves with those who come into the shop. “Aside from having the best partner to work with, my wife, I love being able to share the music I love with those who come in. Whenever I get blue, I can just play a tune on the dulcimer. I love sharing my love of this music with customers,” he noted. The Bell’s are very involved in the community, being volunteers for the Arts Council, on the board of the Ashe Civics Center, as well as long-time members of the Chamber of Commerce. Currently they are working with the Ashe County Little Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music,” with Michael directing the music and Joanie, who is quite involved with the arts, having painted the backdrop for the play. Just recently Joanie and Lenore Du Pree opened “Originals Only” gallery in downtown West Jefferson, displaying their original oil paintings and their studios. Greenhouse Crafts is located in Glendale Springs, 10 miles south of Jefferson between the historic Glendale Springs Inn and Holy Trinity Church, which houses the famous Frescoe of the Last Supper, and is in the old Glendale Springs School building along with a bakery and sandwich shop, Blue Ridge Bakery Cafe. Greenhouse Crafts is open seven days a week from 9:30-5 p.m. For more information, call 336-982-2618.