Founded in 1810 by Colonel Robert Love, a Revolutionary War soldier, Waynesville is named for General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, who was Love’s commander. He must have made quite an impression on Col. Love with his daring military exploits and fiery demeanor. The town of Waynesville is just the opposite. Quiet and unassuming, it is home to many artists, who draw inspiration from the high peaks of the mountains that ripple off in the distance.
Since the middle 1880s, travelers have made their way to this broad valley surrounded on all sides by mountains approaching 6,000 feet. You might recognize one of those – Cold Mountain – made famous by the Civil War-era novel by Charles Frazier. Ironically enough, the last shots of the Civil War east of the Mississippi were fired right here.
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was dedicated in 1940, Waynesville touted itself as the Gateway to the Smokies. By then, the building that is now the Mast Store, then known as The Toggery, was serving residents and visitors to town with quality clothing at reasonable prices. We hope you’ll find the same service and an even wider selection of goods today.
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Halloween Happenings
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They say that Halloween is the spookiest time of the year. Legend warns it’s when the veil between our world and the afterworld is thin and spirits can easily pass from one side to another. We don’t know about that, but we do know it’s one of the “funnest” times of the year. Check out these family-friendly events in our local communities. -
Walk, Hike, Run, and Give – Food for Kids
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Did you know that one in four kids within parts of Mast Store’s region don’t have access to adequate nutrition?... Or that $1 can provide as many as ten meals for a family that struggles to feed their children on a daily basis?... Or that this year, through its annual Food for Kids campaign, Mast General Store is donating $15 for every pair of Merrells sold to a food bank in your community to feed children? -
Wonderful Waynesville
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The seat of Haywood County, Waynesville, sits at the Gateway to the Smokies. It is surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest and skirted by the Blue Ridge Parkway. Needless to say, if you are up for adventure, this small town is close to it all, even if your definition of adventure means exploring art galleries, enjoying tasty cuisine, or sampling local brews. -
Friends Day is September 11 in all Locations
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Mast Store’s Friends Day returns on September 11 with new partners and old friends alike. This day of giving recognizes organizations that work in each of our hometowns to activate volunteers around beautiful community assets which contribute to residents’ quality of life and the economic viability of the region. Mast will donate 10% of the day's sales to our partners.
As downtowns begin their revitalization journey, one of the first routes they must travel is finding an anchor, usually a retail store, for their Main Street. Waynesville was the first town to come knocking on our door. The building they showed us used to be The Toggery, and it was perfect.
*Photo courtesy of the Haywood County Public Library History Collection.
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