After being nominated by a customer unknowingly, Town and Country General Store owner Valerie Walker will be listed in the Marquis Who’s Who.
Marquis Who’s Who was established in 1898 and began publishing biographical data in 1899. More than 120 years ago, founder, Albert Nelson Marquis, established a standard of excellence with the first publication of Who’s Who in America. In 2000, the Millennium edition of Who’s Who was added to the National Millennium Time Capsule placed underneath the White House.
The Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners selection process is a comprehensive and detailed attempt to produce a list of professionals that have demonstrated achievement in the field of business ownership and entrepreneurship.
In 2019, Walker opened Town and Country General Store between Highlands and Cashiers.
The structure and land that the Town and Country General Store is built on was previously owned by the grandson of the Raggedy Ann and Andy Doll inventor. The grandson operated a store in the original structure, where he sold the dolls his grandfather invented. After the Raggedy Ann and Andy Doll store closed, Walker bought the land and established the Town and Country General Store. While developing the store, Walker wanted to preserve some of the original details of the doll store, most notably the grand fireplace that sits in the middle of the store. Valerie’s vision allowed her to build a beautiful store for Cashiers while preserving the history of the Raggedy Ann Doll store.
After receiving a letter notifying Walker of the nomination, she began the process which included a one-hour interview. She said she was worried about filling out the application because it required for the person to put what degree they earned," Walker said. “I emailed the person and told her that there had to be a mistake, because I don’t have a degree. I just assumed for this award, you needed to have a college education. She said that I did not have to have a degree.”
Walker said she feels flattered to receive the award and wants to make sure that her customers know that they are appreciated.
“I am very flattered that a customer took the time to do this,” Walker said. “I don’t know who it was at all. I would like to make sure that the customer that did nominate me knows that it did stick. The lady didn’t tell me what exactly was written, but she did tell me that it was an extremely flattering letter. Just for a customer to do that out of the blue, is very flattering.”
Originally from Miami, Walker came to Cashiers after her father passed away. She attended Blue Ridge Early College, which she said is very close to her heart.
“My brother raised me,” Walker said. “I remember being a senior at Blue Ridge and they go around and ask you about college, and I remember thinking, ‘I don’t have time for college. I have to get to work.’ The Blue Ridge cafeteria women, they really kept me fed. Blue Ridge is sacred to my heart because I went to school there.”
Walker said being able to inspire kids that are still in school is what this award really means to her.
“For the kids in high school that think nothing is possible, I want them to know that things are possible,” Walker said. “I was always the kid that parents didn’t want their kids hanging out with. I want the high school kids to never give up and that anything is possible. I was the kid at Blue Ridge that knew she wasn’t going to college and to think that somebody would nominate me for this award is flattering. It’s not so much the award, it’s that somebody took the time. This award to me is all about encouragement. I want to take the time to express my gratitude and encourage anyone that feels like they won’t make it.”
Looking forward, Walker said she is excited to share this award with her family.
“The Marquis Who’s Who is basically a network of all of these entrepreneurs and professionals,” Walker said. “My grandkids will be able to login and network with other professionals. I hope one day one of my four grandsons will login and make connections with somebody in this group.”
For more information about Town and Country General Store, visit tandcgeneralstore.com. The store is located at 14 Raggedy Lane in Cashiers.
- By Christopher Lugo