VALLE CRUCIS, NC – June 6 is a red-letter day in Valle Crucis, North Carolina. That’s the day in 1980 when the Mast General Store re-opened its doors to the community. This year, the Original Mast Store and its family of stores across four states celebrate the legacy of the Cooper family.
“We knew someone should save it; we just didn’t know it would be us,” is a quote Faye Cooper, Mast Store’s secretary/treasurer emerita uses quite often when she looks back on nearly a half century of work.
On April 30, 1980, the young family pulled up in front of the Original Mast Store, which had been closed for two and a half years. Faye shared memories from that day saying that they opened the doors and walked in, and she said to John, “What have we done?” And then burst into tears.
That was certainly a question that Lisa Cooper, then an 11-year-old girl and now the president of the Mast General Store, asked many times along the way as she and her brother were adapting to life in the mountains.
It was a daunting project, but after the initial shock, the hard work began – cleaning out coolers that were just turned off that fall evening in 1977, sweeping up dust and cobwebs, and meeting the neighbors.
They had no idea that what started out as a business to support one family would grow into a multi-state business supporting more than 500 employees, many of whom are now employee-owners, across four states.
With a goal of providing a traditional general store experience complete with friendly customer service and products of yore that remain useful today, the Cooper family rolled up their sleeves in their local community, too, giving their time, talent, and when they could, their funds to support conservation, human needs, and organizations that moved the area forward.
Each Mast Store location is found along a main street in a historic structure and is proudly proclaimed by its local hometown as “My Mast Store” because it is an ambassador, a touchpoint, and an active part of its community just like those small country stores that popped up along roadsides in rural America in the late 19th century.
John and Faye Cooper remain active members of their High Country community, and their daughter Lisa has stepped into the role as president of the growing organization.
“We are continuing to build on the traditions my parents started and those of a general store,” said Lisa. “It’s hard to believe how fast 45 years have passed. I get to come to work every day with some of my favorite people and look forward to what the future holds.”
The Original Mast Store and Mast Store Annex in Valle Crucis are open daily. To learn more about the history of the store and its locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, visit the website at www.MastGeneralStore.com.
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ABOUT MAST GENERAL STORE
With its Original Store located in the rural historic district of Valle Crucis, North Carolina, Mast General Store has grown its family to 11 locations in 10 towns across four states - North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Historic locations, a focus on customer service, and an eclectic product selection - everything from old-fashioned candies to technical outdoor gear - make every store a destination. The Mast Store is family- and employee-owned and is passionate about its local communities. Visit mastgeneralstore.com for more information.