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S1, E14: From Ohio to Gatlinburg

With Kelly Haas

Kelly Haas, originally from Dayton, Ohio, shares her journey of falling in love with Gatlinburg and eventually making it her home in this heartwarming episode of "For the Love of Gatlinburg" podcast. Her story begins with her twin sister's wedding in 1994, which sparked annual visits and a deep connection to the town's beauty and vibrancy. The devastating fires of 2016 became a turning point, prompting Kelly to purchase property and build a cabin, ultimately leading to her employment at Mountain Laurel Chalets. As a resident, Kelly embraces Gatlinburg's outdoor lifestyle, enjoying activities like hiking, cooking on the deck, and having bonfires. She highlights October and July as her favorite months, perfect for various outdoor adventures. Her transition from a frequent guest to an employee at Mountain Laurel Chalet allows her to share her passion and knowledge with visitors, helping them create positive experiences and educating them about local wildlife. Kelly reflects on the changes she's witnessed in Gatlinburg over 30 years, noting new attractions like Anakeesta and the Sky Bridge, while also acknowledging the loss of some beloved establishments. She emphasizes how the national park acts as a protective barrier, maintaining a balance between tourism-driven growth and preserving local heritage. For those considering a move to Gatlinburg, Kelly offers valuable advice on connecting with the community through local organizations and social media groups. She also discusses the challenges of relocating, such as finding long-term services and navigating the differences between residential and tourist areas. Despite these hurdles, Kelly's story exemplifies the deep connection and commitment that residents can develop with Gatlinburg, highlighting the town's unique blend of tourism and local life.

A -- TOM (0:00): Welcome to for the Love of Gatlinburg, the podcast where we celebrate the charm, the history and the vibrant community of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I'm your host, Tom Goodwin, and I hope you'll join me each week as I bring you stories that connect the past with the present as we explore the people that make Gatlinburg a beloved destination and where every story is a piece of our mountain heritage. On today's episode, I'm excited to introduce you to Kelly Haas, who is a recent transfer from Ohio to live in Gatlinburg. And she's going to share about her story of how she fell in love with Gatlinburg and now is a resident. So join with me as we dive into the heart of Gatlinburg together. Well, we have a treat today. We have another employee Spotlight employee at Mountain Laurel Chalet. It's one of our newest employees who is a long time guest of Mount Laurel Chalet's who decided to move here. So many of you that are listening might be thinking, oh, I would love to move to Gatlinburg. Well, Kelly Haas did that very thing. She and her husband picked up from Ohio and moved here to Gatlinburg. And she's here to tell you a little bit more about that. Welcome, Kelly. We're so glad to have you today. B -- KELLY (1:19): Welcome, Tom. Thank you for having me. I love being here. A (1:22): Great. Well, let's start kind of at the beginning. Not at the very beginning, but when you first discovered Gatlinburg, when was that? It was a special event that you came to Gatlinburg and then it all began from there. B (1:37): It was a special event. My twin sister got married down here in 1994. I was her maid of honor. And Matt and I had never been to Gatlinburg before. And when we came here, we fell in love. It was beautiful. And I couldn't believe that we had never been here before. And we started coming here every year since, brought our kids down here and raised them down here every fall, and one of them actually followed us down here. A (2:06): So where are you originally from? B (2:07): Dayton, Ohio. A (2:09): Great. There's a lot of people from Ohio that come to Gatlinburg. Why is that? Why is there such a high concentration? B (2:15): I think it's because it's a short distance. It's only five and a half hours. And so that makes it easy to travel versus flying or overnight. And it's family friendly. Lots to do here, lots to see here. Definitely more than in Ohio. Sorry, Ohio people. And it seems like there's always something new going on all the time. A (2:42): Great. So when did your sister get married? B (2:45): 1994. A (2:47): 1994. So that's 30. 30 years ago. B (2:50): Yes. A (2:51): Time flies. B (2:52): It does. A (2:52): And how many times then did you come back to visit Gatlinburg? Do you have an idea of how many visits or how often you would come? B (2:58): We came every year. Once a year and sometimes twice a year when the kids were born. Usually in the fall. A couple times we came, like, in the summertime when the girls were out of school. A (3:14): So what was it about Gatlinburg that drew you back? Coming for a wedding. A special event. Someone else planned that. A destination wedding. And then you came back? B (3:22): Yes, because I felt like the first visit, we were in awe. And there was so much to see and do that we couldn't fit in in the short time we were here. And I'm like, we have to come back. We gotta go do this, we gotta do this, we gotta do this. And then we just started coming back year after year. A (3:41): That is. That is awesome. What are some of the things that you enjoy doing with your kids? Because you had them at all ages. B (3:47): Yes. A (3:47): So you have grown daughters now? B (3:49): Yes. A (3:49): One graduated, one's in college. B (3:51): Yes. A (3:52): And what were some of the things that you did as a family? B (3:56): Well, the girls like to go shopping, of course, but horseback riding was a must. We did that every time we came. We also went to Cades Cove every time we came. Went over to Cherokee hiking. Laurel Falls was one of our favorite hikes to do. Of course. Clingman's Dome is another good one to do. What else did we do here? Restaurants, they love to go out to eat, of course. The Peddler Steakhouse is a must. That's where my sister had her wedding reception dinner. A (4:29): Great. B (4:29): And we. Every time we came, we had to go there. That was a staple on our trip. A (4:35): It's amazing when you celebrate such milestones in someone's life or in your family's life, that those places become an anchor. Guess in a sense of. Of those memories and then creating future memories as well. And the peddler definitely is one of those establishments. B (4:50): Definitely is. Log Cabin Pancake House is another one. A (4:53): Great. Some epic, epic favorites, for sure. That you. B (4:59): Absolutely. A (5:00): And it's interesting. You said you. You go to Kate's Cove every time you go on a hike. Every time you. Of course, the girls will go shopping, you know, every time. But every time you go, it's a different experience. It is as well. So that's. That is exciting. So you really embody the. The dreams of so many people that might be listening to this podcast. But you actually followed through. B (5:20): Yes. A (5:20): And you and Matt decided. We're. We're moving. B (5:24): Yeah. A (5:24): What. How did that decision come. It was. Was it a year and a half ago? B (5:29): So it's actually about four years ago that you decided. Yeah. A (5:35): Okay. B (5:35): Well, we had always planned on retiring here. After coming here just a few times, we said, oh, this is it. We're going to come here. We're going to retire. Because we just loved it so much. And it's so relaxing, so calming. It's like its own oasis. Escape from reality, if you will. Well, now it's my reality. So we stayed at Above Laurelwood in Thanksgiving week of 2016, and that's with. A (6:05): Mountain Laurel Chalet, one of our homes still on the program. B (6:08): Yes. And we left on Saturday, as, you know, the fires hit town. And we came back in February of 2017 to see what was going on and see how the town was. I mean, we were devastated when we saw the videos because we couldn't believe. Is this really happening? A (6:27): Wow. B (6:30): And when we came here, we drove around in Chile Village and we found a lot for sale, so we bought it. And my husband's like, well, we're not going to build right now. We've got time to think about it. Well, something happened with his work where they moved to California, and he had the option of moving to California, which was a definite no for us, or taking a buyout. So he took a buyout. And so it was like his early retirement. Yes. And so we built our first cabin and we sold it after. We only stayed there a few times and we sold it. One of the reasons we sold it was because there's so many other cabins being built in the area. And they took my view away, but it's still beautiful. And it's still. It's on the rental program with. That's another story. Anyway, so we sold it and we found a lot in a residential area that we bought another fire lot, and we built it there. And when it was finished, I said, I don't want to come, you know, on the weekends. It's. I'm ready to move. So I came and visited Mount L Chalet and brought my resume in, and I didn't think anything of it. And Corey's like, well, wait a minute, don't leave. And the rest is history. A (7:55): That. That is exciting. So how. How did the fires impact you as a repeat guest, as someone who considered Gatlinburg their second home? You developed a love for this community, and you'd mentioned it was devastating for you. Though you didn't experience loss of a home or a lot, there was still a loss that you experienced. And thank you for coming back in February right after that. And so many people came back in January, February, and March, and we're able to still keep our businesses going and the livelihood for people that live here in the local economy. And most of those people came out of concern and a desire for Gatlinburg to come back. So when you learned about the fires, what was your and Matt's experience and what was the feelings that you had around that? B (8:48): So we actually hiked the Chimney Drops Trail the Wednesday that the fire started. And I remember hiking because I wanted to go all the way to the top. And Matt said, it's too smoky up here. I can't breathe. And I'm sitting here teasing him and saying, oh, you wimp. Come on, let's do it. And he's like, no, I'm serious. I can't breathe. So we turned around and came down. And when we left on Saturday, people were messaging us and saying, are you guys okay? There's fires going on. Where are you? And I said, what do you mean, fires? And that's when I turned the news on and went on Facebook and saw people's live videos and everything. And actually in Ohio on the news, they said, anybody that was in the Gatlinburg area on these dates and has any pictures on this trail, wow. Send them to this email address. And so I'm like, I have pictures. I take pictures of everything. I have pictures of the trail. I have pictures of the parking lot. And that's what they were focusing on, the parking lot. And so I contacted them, thinking nothing of it. They called me and said, we have an investigation going on. Send us every picture you have. A (10:01): Wow. B (10:02): So I sent all the pictures, and that made me even feel more attached. I mean, just because it was such an emotional experience. And that's when Matt and I talked and said, let's go back down there. Let's go in February. Let's see what's going on. Let's see what everything we loved and everything we visited and see what it looks like. A (10:27): Yes, yes. And going back to hiking the chimney, Chimney tops. That's where the fire originated on that Friday or Saturday of Thanksgiving week. And it's known that two miners started the fire. Thought it would be fun to light some leaves. And I remember passing through a newfound gap and going from Cherokee to Gatlinburg on Sunday, the day after you left, and there was a pretty significant fire. The park was still open. And I remember saying to my daughter, they better get that under control. You know, just think a controlled burn or, you know, let's, let's make sure that's, that's going to be controlled. But we never thought it would result in the fire going, you know, 87 mile an hour winds and bringing it all the way to Gatlinburg and then power lines going down in Gatlinburg and then the subsequent devastation of what we experienced with the wildfires. But so there was a investigation going on to find out who those people were and photos. So it's amazing with people having history makers in their pockets with their phones and videos and so you were a part of aiding them, you know, with that. But I imagine that is really, I mean, hearing that for the first time from you, it makes me feel a little. Oh, that's close to home. Yeah, really close to home. Because that Saturday the entire town was completely packed. B (11:53): Oh, yeah. A (11:54): Full occupancy in all of our hundred homes. And then the fires did not reach. Make their way to Gatlinburg until Monday, when most of, you know, 90% of our guests had already left and most of the community was, was empty for, for the most part. So, yeah, that's a very unique perspective that you have and loving this community then coming back. So what did you find when you came back to Gallenberg? What was your experience and your feel of the community? B (12:24): It. Well, it brought tears to our eyes when we saw it when we drove around. The Alamo Steakhouse is another favorite restaurant that was burned to the ground. Just seeing burnt vehicles, businesses, the cabins, the destruction, it was devastating to see. A (12:47): And in that devastation and the tragedy, you know, you were led to purchase a lot. The opportunity became available. B (12:56): Yes. A (12:57): To you and to many others. And as we look eight years back. That was eight years ago. B (13:02): I can't believe it. A (13:03): It's a totally different community. B (13:04): It is. A (13:05): It really is resilient. It's kickback. And guests like you who demonstrated just incredible loyalty to the community and to our business have only made us stronger. And now you're an employee. B (13:20): Yes, I am. A (13:20): Wow. And I, I remember interviewing you and getting your resume and thinking, wow, this is a really great candidate and she wants to come work for us. And what, what drew you to Mountain Laurel? Because you were a repeat guest. You had stayed with the company several times. B (13:34): Yes, we stayed with you guys for, well, US for 11 years. I do property management in Ohio for 32 years, long term rentals. It was challenging, stressful at times and I wanted to do something fun. I wanted to coming on vacation is exciting. It's fun. And I wanted to give that fun to people as I was graded when I came here. A (14:09): That's exciting. That is great. B (14:11): I wanted to turn it around, pay it forward. A (14:13): Yes. You are continuing that. As people greeted you, I remember you said the first time you came or one of the first times you came. Corey Hawks, who's our chief operating officer now. B (14:23): Yes. A (14:24): Greeted you at the front desk, checked you in and probably some of the same cleaners cleaned your house. And we have a lot of longevity, you know, with our staff. K. King has been with us for 35 years, Corey, 20 years. So there's a lot of longevity. So we're looking forward to having you for many, many years. As long as you consider work fun, we might as well just keep working. Yes. What are some of those examples of why work is fun for you? B (14:54): Well, it's a very positive experience. People here on vacation, they're here to have fun. I my one of the most enjoyable parts of this job is for people that have never been here before. A (15:06): First timers. B (15:06): Yes. When they come in the door and I'll, you know, some people tell you where they're from right away. And some people you where you from? Have to ask them where they're from. And when someone says, I've never been here before, I'm like, oh my gosh, there's so much to see. And Dewey, here, let me sit down with you. I can pick. A (15:24): Don't worry, it's going to be all right. B (15:25): Hang on. Lots to talk about. And I like it when they come back in because I'll say, let me know what you thought of that restaurant. Let me know what you thought of that trail that you hiked on. And people bring in pictures, the bears, of course. That's my favorite thing. How excited the guests get when they get to see a live bear. A (15:41): Yes. There's a lot of bears. B (15:43): Yes. A (15:44): Great, great stories. And we help guests know how to interact with the bears or not interact with the bears and to engage them and to respect their territory and so forth. So which is very important. B (15:56): Very important. A (15:56): Probably number one thing is lock your car doors. And then those first timers say they can't open doors, can they? B (16:02): Oh, yes, they can. And no food in the vehicles. A (16:05): Yes. This episode of for the Love of Gatlinburg is sponsored by Mountain Laurel Chalets, the family owned company of Choice for your cabin rentals in the smoky Mountains. Since 1972, Mountain Laurel Chalets has served thousands of visitors to the Smokies with excellent accommodations. They love treating you like family and they look forward to hosting your next trip to Gatlinburg. So on some of your favorite days in Gatlinburg, what are some of the activities and the things that you do now as a resident? You know, you said. I love how you said come here to escape from reality. But now this is my reality. So how, when this is now your new reality, how do you make it fresh? How do you still enjoy this community? B (16:53): I love going on hikes. I love trying new trails. We live up in the mountains. So even walking my dog around the neighborhood is enjoyable and fun for me. Sitting outside, cooking out on the deck, bonfires outside, those are fun things for me. A (17:16): Do you have a favorite month or time of year? B (17:20): I would have to say October. A (17:22): Okay, that's the number one. What would be number two? B (17:26): I love summertime, so I would probably have to say July. Perfect time of the year to go hiking. Perfect idea to go whitewater rafting, horseback riding. All the things I love to do when we came here on vacation, I still love to do today. A (17:44): Great. And you are a dog family? B (17:46): We are a dog family. A (17:47): And what, what kind of dog do you have? A very big dog. B (17:50): I have a Great Dane. Yes. A (17:52): And what's his name? B (17:53): LaRusso. A (17:54): LaRusso. So what do you do with LaRusso in Gatlinburg? A lot of people want to bring their pets. They're part of their family. B (17:59): Yes. A (18:00): And they want to come. And we do have some pet friendly homes and we're increasing those on an annual basis. But what are some of the things people can do with their pets while they're here? B (18:08): Well, there are a couple trails that you can hike on. One of them is right around the corner from Mount Laurel Chalet's office that you can hike on with your dog. It's paved. Make sure you bring your doggy bags with you. And there's a lot of restaurants that you can take your dog to. Howard's Pub is one that you can. There's an outside seating area. You can bring your dog to. A lot of the stores. Welcome pets too, which is nice. I mean, walking through downtown Gatlinburg, you. A (18:34): See a lot of dogs with families. B (18:37): I see little dogs in strollers, dogs on leashes. That's my favorite, the dogs and strollers. A (18:42): What you see the dog with the stroller and then the dad carrying the dog. B (18:46): Yes. A (18:46): It's like, wait, you have a stroller here? Why are you Exactly. The dog. Yeah. These dogs have it made. B (18:53): Yes, they do. A (18:53): Yeah. And they probably love Gatlinburg as much as we do as well, which is great when you think about the. The spirit of Gatlinburg and being new to the community. And, you know, a lot of our guests on here have go back 7, 10, 13 generations, that this is all they've ever known. You're kind of a, you know, an outsider coming in to be a part and to respect the history and the traditions and the heritage. But now you are a part of that. You are a part of the community. B (19:25): Yes. A (19:25): How would you advise someone that is thinking, has a pipe dream, we want to move to Gatlinburg? How would you help set some expectations for them? B (19:35): Oh, gosh, that's such a huge question. Well, obviously, talking to locals who have a bevy of knowledge, probably reaching out to. If you don't have any friends that you know here. Connections here, definitely checking with, like, the Chamber of Commerce, the Gatlinburg welcome center, they have a lot of information. Facebook. Get on Facebook. A (20:00): There's a lot of Facebook groups for locals and tourists. B (20:04): Yes, definitely come stay with Mountain Louis Chalets, that's for sure. A (20:08): Because you can meet a lot of people that way. A lot of local. So we have a lot of local employees that were born and raised here. B (20:15): Yes. A (20:15): And enjoy the area and can give you all the ins and outs of what to do and what not to do. And as a repeat guest, you have a unique vantage point of welcoming those guests as well, which is. Which is exciting. So as you. How has gatlinburg changed? So 30 years you've been coming here. How have you seen it change and evolve over those 30 years? B (20:38): Oh, gosh, talk about some attractions. The Anakeesta was not here. The aquarium was not here. I mean, the only chair left in town was the skylift, which years ago, all it was was a chair that went up. You got your picture taken. You could buy your picture and you went back down. A (21:02): Oh, you could look through the binoculars. B (21:03): That's true. A (21:03): Pay a quarter and look through the binoculars. Yeah. B (21:06): But now you've got the sky bridge up there, which is phenomenal. There's all kinds of stuff up there. Shopping, restaurants. I mean, you could spend all day at the Anaker or the sky bridge now. And those are very popular attractions. Gosh, let me think. What else? There's so many different places. A (21:23): Well, we were. We were talking earlier. Your sister got Married? B (21:28): Yes. A (21:29): Tell us about where she got married. And now it's. It's not a chapel anymore. B (21:32): But it's not. She got married. It was called the Little Log Cabin, and I love that chapel. It was off 321, which is down by the arts and crafts Community. Community. And now that chapel is part of Santa's closet. They have it decorated kind of like a gingerbread house. For years when, after my twin sister got married down here, we'd always stop by the chapel every year and I'd have to take pictures and send them to her just so she could see how it's changed over the years. And now it's part of Santa's closet. A (22:03): So we were also discussing earlier, before we started our conversation here, that there are these trends. B (22:11): Yes. A (22:11): So in the 90s, there were a lot of wedding chapels, and there were a lot of. I got married in 92 here in Gatlinburg, but at a church, at the First Methodist Church where my wife grew up. And people would say, oh, you got married in Gatlinburg? And they felt like we eloped or, you know, we went. It was. There wasn't. There weren't that many destination weddings. But Gatlinburg was a hotbed for weddings. B (22:32): Oh, yeah. A (22:33): And then there were the old time photo stores. You get one, wow, this is going really good. Then you see 20 of them. B (22:40): Oh, yeah. A (22:40): And so there were a lot of wedding chapels. And there's a phase, a fad, you know, and there aren't as many now. And now it's the Santa's closet. And some of the other ones are a rental house or, you know, they've changed into a different industry. Then I remember, you know, in the 90s, there was the cabin boom. You know, that's when really cabins were really being built in incredible numbers, and they still keep getting built. That's a phase that hasn't ended. A recent phase in the last 10 years is moonshine. And you get one moonshine, and then, oh, wow, they're doing really well. So let's start about 10 others. But there are some things that haven't changed in 30 years, in 50 years and 70 years. So what are some of those things when you first came to Gatlinburg that you still can experience today that haven't changed? The kind of time set still, when. B (23:32): You think of coming back over mountain, that's was here and that's still here. And there's a lot of things about it that are still the same. There's probably some of the Same tour guides that take you up the mountain and down with their. A (23:49): On the tram. B (23:50): Yes, yes. I'm sure some of those employees still are there. That's still a staple. You know when you were talking about things that had changed, Tom, I was going to go back to Moonshine Holler. I remember when that was the Midtown Lodge. A (24:04): Okay. B (24:05): The restaurants and shopping and everything that were there. I remember that place. And then also down River Road, the parking lot area used to be where the Burning Bush restaurant used to be. One of my favorite restaurants to go to. A (24:20): Yes. B (24:21): Love that place. A (24:21): That was right at Stoplight 10. B (24:23): Yeah. A (24:23): And now it's a parking lot. There used to be the happy hiker there. And I remember having breakfast at the Burning Bush. It was an incredible breakfast. We were sitting at the windows looking right into the national park and two deer came by. We don't see deer that often here. And I will never forget that memory. And the breakfast was amazing. B (24:43): It was. I love the eggs Benedict. I did too. Did you? A (24:46): Yes, I did. B (24:47): I love that breakfast. A (24:48): And I started coming in 92, so not too much. 91, so not around the same time. Yeah, we do miss the, the Burning Bush. So we need parking. But that was a really great local establishment. B (25:01): That was. A (25:01): Yeah, there are still a few of those left. And family owned and operated, second and third generation candy shops, pancake shops, restaurants, hotels, motels, cabin companies. But there's a lot of new growth, a lot of new exciting things. But I think something I appreciate is that the, the, the park kind of hems us in. B (25:22): Yes. A (25:22): And it protects us from extravagant growth or overgrowth. And it kind of. We're nestled in right into the national park and it protects us. Kay King, who works with us, also described it as the park hugs us. And I thought, wow, that is really an amazing way to describe it. And it does feel like a big hug, you know, when you're here. So your daughter moved here as well. So what drew her here to come to Gatlinburg? And what is she doing? B (25:58): She followed us down here. We're very close. And she knew that eventually we were going to move down here. And so she's like, well, I'm coming if you're coming. And I said, yeah, we're coming. She moved to Sevierville, although she'd like to buy a place near us. She rents a townhome. She works with autistic children. She got her bachelor's degree in Ohio in psychology, focusing on autistic children. She is now halfway through her master's degree Program, behavioral sciences. But she's focusing again on autistic children. She travels all over the area and goes to their houses and takes care of children there and plans on doing that when she graduates this summer. A (26:52): That's, that's outstanding to contribute to the community in that way. And as I've mentioned many times on this podcast, most people don't realize that there are people that live here. This is where their community is. This is where they go to the doctor, this is where they are educated, they go to church. So there's a vibrant local community above the tunnel and below the tunnel, and you're right there at the cusp of above and below and where your house is located. But it's a great community. And I think maybe one other piece of advice I'd love to get from you is how can people, people what, what's been challenging in moving here as you know, formally, coming here as a tourist, as a vacationer, now you live here. What is maybe a reality? It's like, oh, this isn't as easy as I thought it would be. And it's not as, you know, Pollyannish or, you know, wonderful and great because there are challenges. Wherever you would live, is there. Have you found you and Matt having any challenges? B (27:57): Yes, yes. Some of the bigger ones that you wouldn't think about when you relocate and move out of state. Finding a new hairdresser. I went to the same hairdresser for 25 years, finding a new hairdresser, but luckily through word of mouth from Scott. A (28:13): Another employee, local boy. B (28:15): Yep. He referred me to someone that his mother and grandmother, generations of hairdressers, used to work with. And, and we've been going to her medicine and I have been going to her for the last year. Finding a vet, Veterinarian in Ohio I went to almost 30 years. I could text him at any day or night if I had any issues and he was there. For me to find a vet here has been challenging. I got referral from Chris who works. A (28:48): With me, also another transplant who moved from Ohio. B (28:52): And so that's how I heard about. But yes, word about to find doctors and vets and hairdressers, that was the biggest challenge for me. A (29:01): I do think that's a realistic challenge because this community is so driven by tourism and the industry relates to people that don't have long term needs. Like a guest staying here isn't necessarily going to need a vet or a hairdresser. They're, they're doing that back at home. But for those people that are living Here full time, there's a very, a smaller concentrated network of those services. And you know, with traffic, you've got to plan going to Home Depot or TJ Maxx or the New Target. You know, you, you got to strategically plan when you're going to go to some of those places. I'm grateful that they're accessible and they're nearby, but it's not like living in the suburbs where everything is five or 10 minutes away. But some of the benefits of that is you have a lot of seclusion and privacy. B (29:50): Yes. A (29:50): Where you live. I also wanted to touch on. You said you live in a residential area and people think, well, of course you live in a residential area. You had originally bought a lot in a tourist area. It's permitted for vacation homes, which is vastly different than living in a residential area in this community. Kind of explain the difference to our listeners about that because they probably would have never thought of that. B (30:12): Okay, so the lot we bought originally was in Chile Village, which is where a lot of our cabins are at. And it's basically all short term rentals, you know, one week, two weeks vacation area. The area that we move to is permanent homes. So the people that live there, they own, they don't rent out. A (30:40): And there's restrictions, the neighborhood restrictions that you're not allowed to have overnight rentals in your community. And I think that's, that's necessary because the needs of a long term resident are very different than the needs of a tourist. And so Gatlinburg is really unique. There was a lot of forethought in creating these res. These residential areas and tourist areas, vacation rental permitted areas to protect those long term residents. And sometimes when people move here, they buy where the views are or in the, in the commercial rental area and they're like, oh, we don't have permanent neighbors. And there's something to be said about knowing the people that live next to you that care for the houses differently. And that's why it's so important for us as a management company to take care of these homes to protect the asset because you have people that are renting them. And I often think of, you know, like when you rent a car, you never take it to the car wash. So none of our guests are really, you know, obviously you don't take your house to a car wash, but you're renting it in the same way. So we have to make sure there's some stability to the home. We're protecting the home. We're ensuring that the guest has a great Experience. Experience. But a rental community is vastly different than a residential long term community. B (31:56): That is true. A (31:57): And I think one thing that's great about this area, there are, there are pockets where it is strictly residential which allows for protection for those long term guests. And so you're not having parties or transient people come next door. So you live in one of those communities, which might be. We could advise our guests that are listening, that want to move here, but it's difficult to find those homes. B (32:20): It is. A (32:21): They're few and far between. B (32:24): It's even hard for talking about transitioning from Ohio to Tennessee too, and the lack of permanent housing. It took a while for my daughter to find, you know, a long term apartment because most of the rental here are short term. It's hard. A (32:39): Yes. And that is a common topic at city meetings and with the city council and even with the chamber. How do we house our employees? How do we house them when there's not long term housing available? So it is a challenge. B (32:57): It is. A (32:58): And it's one that we need to address. But we're so glad that you found a place for your family and your very large dog to enjoy and that you have made Gatlinburg your permanent home. B (33:10): Yes, we have. A (33:11): You've made your escape to reality your new reality. Do you have any regrets? B (33:16): No. A (33:16): None whatsoever. So you see yourself staying here for the long haul? B (33:19): Yes. A (33:20): Oh, great. Well, we love having you as the one who first greets our guests, who answers the phone, who ensures that they have a great hospitable experience, because you know the value of that, having been a former guest. So thanks so much for spending time with us today to share your story. Thank you for your love for Gatlinburg and we do appreciate all that you contribute to our company and this community. B (33:42): Thank you.

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Kelly Haas's journey to Gatlinburg began with her sister's 1994 wedding, leading to annual visits and a growing affection for the town. The 2016 fires prompted her to purchase property, eventually move to Gatlinburg as a full-time resident, and ultimately join the team at Mountain Laurel Chalets. Kelly highlights her favorite aspects of Gatlinburg life, including outdoor activities and evolving attractions. She offers insights on relocation challenges and rewards, emphasizing community involvement and balancing tourism with local life. Kelly's experiences showcase Gatlinburg's unique charm and the deep connection residents can form with this mountain town.

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