Mtn. Mommas is Closed

imported
#1

From a post by Laurie Pottieger, the ATC Information Services Manager:

Mountain Mama’s Kuntry Store and Hostel, located near Davenport Gap at the North end of the Smokies, has closed indefinitely. The hostel is no longer accepting packages. Hikers who have already sent packages here can call the Newport, TN Post Office (423) 623-6136 (about 20 miles away) or the Hartford, TN Post Office (423) 487-2180 (about 5 miles away) for information on forwarding, retreiving, or arranging pick-up of their maildrops.

Just thought I’d pass the info along.

Feefall

#2

Durn - we stayed there a couple of years ago and were quite happy with the place to sleep, the food and the resupply. The Thigpins are good folks:(

stumps

#3

Standing Bear Farm is just up the trail from Davenport Gap. I stayed there last year and and it was great. Curtis has some resupply for sale and can get you to a couple of convenience stores as well. He’s been doing what he can to get the mail drop (ones sent to Mtn Momma’s) situation coordinated w/ the PO.

Freefall

#4

I was reading one of the class of 2007 journals (Ant, Slick Shoes, & Whateva) about their encounter with Mr. Thigpin on March 4th. Apparently he took them in his van to another place for a burger after having had to turn them away from Mnt. Momma’s. That sounds like some kind of trouble for the Thigpins. Can anyone fine out what’s happened and if the trail community here could be any help?

Strategic

#5

Mr. Thigpen had a heart attack several years ago. Plus their family is mostly in Florida. He had been talking a couple of years ago about closing up and moving to Florida. It probably was just a matter of time. He also seemed reluctant to update his “cottages”, did not want to install internet, etc. Standing Bear put that pressure on him and more hikers were staying at SB or going into a nearby town to stay at a Holiday Inn Select.

Dill Pickle

#6

Ah hear them PigPens done gone into raisin up some yunguns and got into the moonshine bizniss. More money thar, yknow.

Straw