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Mountain Maven Ann Hollingsworth honors her heritage and welcomes the world with her appalachian charm

While you may not believe it to look at our picture—haha—Ann Hollingsworth has been in my life for more than 40 years. I grew up in Brevard, North Carolina, and I don’t remember a time when I didn’t pass her on the street or see her in the store and have her pause to ask how my precious and precocious grandmother was making out or how my mountain man daddie was cutting a path through his week. She’s always been one of those people who cares about her town and the folks who keep Brevard going.

During my lifetime, I have watched my hometown move from a mill economy to a tourist town. I have watched opportunities for locals come and go, and I have watched horizons for women continue to open up and to expand, largely in part of the work done by this Clever Chica. It’s usually my way to tell you why a Chica has been selected, but as Miss Ann is always a bit older (just a bit) and a lot wiser than me, I’ll let her speak for herself:

I opened the doors of my shop in 1987 with the idea of providing interesting gifts and classic, thoughtful items to locals and visitors to this area. For over 30 years, my staff and I have curated the products we stock based on the best of what’s out there and what our customers want. I’m always interested in both quality and price point, so people can find something special and affordable in every category. Enjoy exploring our site and Welcome to Main Street. ~ Ann Hollingsworth

Located just a few blocks from the courthouse, her store, Main Street Limited, offers sundries and surprises for all ages, tastes, and prices ranges. If you have a child going to summer camp in Brevard, Ann and her team can make the care package. If you need a ‘little happy,’ as I call the fun little presents I often pick up at Ann’s place, or if you just need good company and a smile, Main Street Limited will abide.

A Clever Chica since before Brevard was a fancy tourist town, Ann Hollingsworth is the same person now that she was when I was a girl, and that authenticity—that commitment to her values and her ways—welcomes old and new to our Appalachian culture. Chicas like Anne make me proud to go home and proud to stop by and shop and shoot the breeze with Ann and her team.

Thank you, Ann Hollingsworth, for showing all the little girls in Brevard that we can live our life on our own terms, just as you continue to do as you lead by this example.