It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Rural Heritage Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Mars Hill, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here,”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the”
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer my caregivers to and know that they will receive the service they need to assist with the care of their loved ones with dementia,”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial call inquiring about services, to meeting the owner Jim Smeaton to discuss our unique family needs, to the caring compassionate and understanding caregivers we are thoroughly impressed. Its such a relief knowing our loved ones are receiving the care they deserve.”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones that they care for.”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They are reliable, and the caregivers are sweet and attentive.”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are always able to be reached and are willing to work with you.”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in knowing my husband is safe with excellent care. The office listens, really hears and is helpful to support and meet needs. Our caregiver, Chip, has become family. He was very personable, attentive to needs, brings extra in music, stories, making sure to pay attention to the patient and give accordingly. He is always kind and gracious. We are blessed to have them.”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and helpful anytime I call or come in, and my clients are wonderful! It’s more like helping a friend all day instead of working like clockwork!”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy just being in there in their organization .. my google is under Stephanie young but my last name is now Duarte . Young was my married name , I’m divorced now”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice and welcoming. I’m excited to join the team and see the great things they have in store.”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack thereof. It is regarding his cooperation regarding the service. He tends to not wake the caregiver for assistance during the night time. I would give specific names of individuals in this organization that I would request over others.”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the care of ABC Senior Services. I have had the privilege of enjoying the care of Lois C. She is the best advertisement for your agency. When I am asked, which happens frequently, about my experience with ABC, I refer to Lois as being your prime example of the type of care they can expect from you. She goes beyond just basic care and does all she can to help remedy any problem we have. I love that I can trust her and feel safe having her share my home with me. She is very professional yet very "down home", a rare combination. You should be very thankful she is on your "team"! Because of her, I have no problem recommending your company to all who ask.”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I have had a couple of very good people, one of which I have now. When I was getting going with them, I had a couple of people I would never like to have again, but that has all been ironed out.”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great. But they could be more proactive. They need to be better at communicating.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never worked for a company that was so dedicated to clients and caregivers. Everyone is always happy, clients and staff. I am blessed to work here.”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my health, so it's been a blessing to have them taking care of him for me. I appreciate that the caregivers are friendly.”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do. They've helped the most just by being here.”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here, and doing what they're supposed to. They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do.”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the Always Best Care team. I have watched the staff there change lives for the better, not only for clients but each other as well. It is a pleasure to be a part of this team, nothing compares to it!!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Mars Hill Recreation Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Star Diner or visit Vance Birthplace, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Mars Hill, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Mars Hill, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Mars Hill, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
MARS HILL - The town of Mars Hill's 34 cents per $100 valuation tax rate will remain unchanged for 2025-26.The Mars Hill Town Board unanimously approved its budget, which was presented to the board by Town Manager Nathan Bennett in the board's June 2 meeting and public hearing.The 2025-26 budget anticipates more than $3.4 million in revenue, a nearly 9% increase from the previous year.The anticipated expenditures for each department, listed from highest to lowest are:According to Bennett's budget message, at the 3...
MARS HILL - The town of Mars Hill's 34 cents per $100 valuation tax rate will remain unchanged for 2025-26.
The Mars Hill Town Board unanimously approved its budget, which was presented to the board by Town Manager Nathan Bennett in the board's June 2 meeting and public hearing.
The 2025-26 budget anticipates more than $3.4 million in revenue, a nearly 9% increase from the previous year.
The anticipated expenditures for each department, listed from highest to lowest are:
According to Bennett's budget message, at the 34 cents per $100 valuation, the fiscal year 2026 amount of property tax expected for appropriation in the budget with a collection rate of 96% is $950,250.
The town of Mars Hill operates 12 departments.
Bennett said the fire department, police department, water and sewer system and employee compensation were the biggest drivers for the nearly 9% budget increase.
The budget allocates for a $2,500 yearly increase for full-time employees and $1,500 yearly increase for part-time staff employees. Additionally, the budget allocates for increases made to the N.C. Local Government Retirement System, as the state's rate for the town contributions for all general employees and law enforcement officers required a significant increase, from 1.11% to 15.04% and from 0.74% to 14.38%, respectively, according to the town manager.
The town has allocated $1.4 million in revenues for its Water and Sewer Fund, including expenditures of:
The Water and Sewer Fund will see an 8% overall increase from the previous year.
As with last year's policy, the 2025-26 water and sewer usage rate increase will remain the same at 2.5%.
An additional capital construction project is the N.C. 213 waterline and 300,000-gallon water storage tank project. This $4.4 million project is funded by a direct appropriation from the N.C. General Assembly to Madison County.
The county is the contracting entity, however, upon completion of the project the assets will be transferred to the town of Mars Hill ownership as part of the town water system, and as such, the town of Mars Hill will gain important assets to manage and operate.
Additional capital improvements to the water and sewer system were also factored into the budget.
The town was recently awarded two Asset Inventory and Assessment grants from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality for $150,000 each for the water and wastewater systems. These grants will provide for thorough assessments of these vital systems, develop capital improvement plans, and identify needed improvements. The budget anticipates providing the matching funds for these grants in the amount of $60,000, but these projects likely will not begin until the second half of the fiscal year with completion of those projects not expected until well into FY 2027.
In addition, this document for several budget cycles has noted that the town expects to begin construction on the $700,000 grant-funded project to install new sewer lines at I-26 Exit 11 southward along Calvin Edney Road. This project has been delayed several years due to unexpected circumstances, first due to COVID-19, and then, delays in processing the project at the N.C. Department of Commerce.
In his budget message, Bennett outlined the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene on the upcoming 2025-26 budget.
According to Bennett, one of the major factors in the 2025-26 budget is the town's potable water distribution to nearby towns, including Weaverville.
The town manager said for the first time since its construction, the water system interconnection between the Town of Mars Hill and Town of Weaverville was activated to allow the transfer of approximately 500,000 gallons of potable water from the Mars Hill system to the Weaverville system as the Weaverville municipal water plant on the Ivy River incurred significant damage from flood water and deposited debris.
"This transfer of water allowed Weaverville to repair their water plant and restore their own water treatment capacity in a manner of days instead of weeks," Bennett said.
The town manager added that Mars Hill provided an additional 300,000 gallons of water by tanker truck delivery to many other neighboring communities including Burnsville, Spruce Pine, Asheville, Swannanoa and others.
Mars Hill Public Works employees also dedicated more than 160 hours in Helene relief response in Hot Springs and Marshall.
Bennett said the town expects to be reimbursed $84,861 from FEMA for these storm-related activities.
Johnny Casey is the Madison County communities reporter for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or [email protected].
MARS HILL - One of the region's most popular ice cream shops has a new home.Mars Hill's Meadowsweet Creamery owners Andrea and Michael Clem opened the new shop just up the road in Mars Hill, along Carl Eller Road/N.C. 213 across from CVS Pharmacy.The new location affords the owners some more kitchen space, as the shop's previous locat...
MARS HILL - One of the region's most popular ice cream shops has a new home.
Mars Hill's Meadowsweet Creamery owners Andrea and Michael Clem opened the new shop just up the road in Mars Hill, along Carl Eller Road/N.C. 213 across from CVS Pharmacy.
The new location affords the owners some more kitchen space, as the shop's previous location was shared with Mars Landing Galleries.
Not only had Meadowsweet Creamery outgrown the small space, they had to be mindful of gallery visitors when doing their prep.
"The machines are loud and they were hot. So we quickly realized that we needed more room," Andrea Clem said.
The owners opened the new location, the former Zink Outdoor Power Equipment spot, on March 19. Part of the move-in process required redoing the electrical and plumbing to host the kitchen space.
"We got new sinks, a new exhaust fan, all sorts of stuff that we had to redo. We had to paint and polish the floor," Michael Clem said.
The new site offers roughly four times the space as the previous location, according to Andrea Clem.
Another advantage of the new spot is its visibility, as it is just a short trip down the hill from Main Street.
"I think it was great where we were initially, as we were able to grow. We started out so small and were able to grow at a good pace," Andrea Clem said. "It's great because we're busy enough where we can just focus on the shop. Unfortunately, we've had to cut some of our wholesale stuff and some events, just because we need more time here."
The News-Record visited Meadowsweet on a rainy Wednesday in the middle of the day, but the shop was full.
The Clems said busy has been the norm since the new location's opening in mid-March.
"We can't keep up with how much ice cream we're going through," Andrea Clem said of the couple's decision to cut back on wholesale and events. "It's actually for us because of the travel, and delivering ice cream can be tricky."
According to Michael Clem, the new location sees a lot more college students paying a visit to the shop.
After opening the new shop, the owners realized they needed to bring an additional employee on board to keep up with the growing demand.
In 2024, the Clems said their original plan was to rent a place in the River Arts District, but the couple, who live in Jupiter, chose to keep their business in Madison County.
"It just feels really exciting to stay in Mars Hill and be local, to stay close to home," Andrea Clem said. "The community of people who would walk down to the gallery to get ice cream and then tell their friends about us, and that's how we stay in business."
The Clems got Meadowsweet Creamery off the ground by visiting farmers markets, including the Weaverville Tailgate Market, where the couple got their start, and the West Asheville and North Asheville Tailgate Markets.
"It's like an incubator for small businesses, because you get exposure and you don't have to rent or own a building; you start with a commissary kitchen," Andrea Clem said. "So it really allows small businesses to start from the ground up."
The Clems said they were grateful for the support and business they've received from both local Mars Hill and Madison County residents, as well as visitors making the trek from out of the county.
According to the Meadowsweet owners, the local ice cream community in general has wrapped their arms around the Clems, including throughout the very trying post-Helene process.
Ashley and Greg Garrison, owners of The Hop Ice Cream, as well as Ultimate Ice Cream owners Kevin and Lucia Barnes, have been especially helpful to the Clems, they said.
"Kevin and Lucia have had our backs for a couple years, and helped us and gave us advice," Andrea Clem said. The Barnes' sold off their shops in 2024 and the new owners renamed the company The Mad Dipper: The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience.
"The Hop reached right back out to us after we reached out to them, because we needed help getting supplies after Helene. They helped us then and are still helping. It's just a great community. At all the ice cream shops, they're just great people."
Similar to places like The Hop, the Meadowsweet Creamery owners have employed a "simple but weird" approach —offering flavors like strawberry ricotta and fig and goat cheese.
Both the number of visitors and the reviews, including a top finish in the Mountain Xpress Best of 2024 Madison County sweets and treats division, suggest Meadowsweet is quite popular.
The owners have always been intentional about bringing natural, homemade ingredients to their flavors, including homegrown mint and basil used in their mint chocolate chip and strawberry basil flavors.
"We don't use artificial colors or dyes in our ice cream," Andrea Clem said. "We try to use only natural ingredients and make all our mix-ins from scratch in house, like hot fudge, caramel, meringues, streusel, Oreos, among other things. I think most people assume we buy premade things and just throw them in our ice cream."
The "simple but weird approach," as well as using homegrown ingredients is a recipe that's working well for Meadowsweet Creamery.
According to the Clems, the building landlord said there are plans to provide additional parking and mulch the back lot for children to play and families to sit and eat.
The Clems welcomed their first child last year. They're excited about heading into their first summer in the family-run business at the new Carl Eller Road location.
"We're forever grateful to everyone in this community for giving us such a great jumpstart," Andrea Clem said. "Now, they're still coming here and they're bringing people."
Meadowsweet Creamery is located at 180 Carl Eller Road in Mars Hall. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 1-7 p.m.
Johnny Casey is the Madison County communities reporter for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or [email protected].
828-676-2939
