Find familiar spaces with new stories in Rutherford and Forest City, NC
Visitors to the Blue Ridge foothills often spend time in Rutherford County on their way to vacation mainstays like Lake Lure and Asheville. Forest City and Rutherfordton, however, have become destinations in their own right. These Western North Carolina towns are not defined by predictable revitalization projects. They’ve grown with confidence—no need to cosplay the past or chase trends. There is an enviable culture, one of preservation and progress without pretense.
Forest City travel guide
The Firehouse Inn
The facade of this 1925 building reveals its original use as a town hall and firehouse. The engine bay is now an event space, a sleek industrial setting juxtaposed with guest quarters that lean toward European Country.
The structure hasn’t been used by first responders since the 1970s, but glimpses of the firehouse remain. Room three, where the chief’s family once resided, features a soaring ceiling and a sturdy ladder leading to a loft space with twin beds.
The inn’s primary owner, Andy Mackin, and Rutherfordton native Leniece Lane also operate a coworking space across the street and are committed to creative rehabilitation of historic properties. “Bed and breakfasts or inns are typically historic homes. This is something completely unexpected and deliberately designed. The decor is period appropriate but eclectic—not just old for the sake of being old,” Lane says.
One of the inn’s star attractions is its food. Donna Goossens prepares only one meal per day, the most important one. Breakfast begins promptly at 8:30a.m. and is served on fine china handed to each guest by the chef herself, who will soon publish a cookbook.
Goossens’ fare appears decadent but is never too filling. Her expertise lies in the perfect level of richness in blueberry French toast, blueberry syrup, and “million-dollar” brown sugar bacon.
“Almost every review mentions ‘breakfast with Donna,’” Lane says.
134 N. Washington St., Rutherfordton, NC, thefirehouseinn.com
Parcel 191
Within walking distance of the inn is an establishment many call their new favorite restaurant. By day, the name is more literal—the building’s front corner, known as the Parcel Exchange, is devoted to mailboxes and shipping via UPS and FedEx.
Jon and Alexis Hoffis saw an opportunity to offer notary services and more while Jon continued his mortgage business from 191 Main Street. Their vision of people working at the bar with their laptops grew into a full-fledged restaurant.
The menu is Southern at heart, but Alexis says everything “has a twist.” Partner and chef Kris Pickering hails from New Orleans and trained in Switzerland. From roasted beets to bananas foster cheesecake, each of his dishes is elegant comfort food.
“I have a background in hospitality, and both of us have a passion for taking care of people,” Alexis says. That people-first approach extends to collaborations with neighboring businesses like Blue Ridge Distilling Co. and Main Street Coffee & Ice Cream.
191 N. Main St., Rutherfordton, NC, parcel191.com
Go Retro
Step back a few decades to the time of Pac-Man or pinball at Carolina Arcade Museum, a showplace of pop culture where gamers play all day for a modest fee.
145 E. Main St., Forest City, NC
Next door, you can take a seat at the counter of The Fountain at Smith’s Drugs where the waitresses know everyone’s name and favorite milkshake flavor. What started as City Cut Rate Drug in 1939 is a modern pharmacy and gift shop with vintage diner appeal.
139 E. Main St., Forest City, NC, smithsdrugsfc.com
For a little nostalgia and big bargains, try Rescued Treasures Thrift Store and Rescued Treasures and More, the two locations of the Rescued Treasures thrift business that funds Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue.
110 E. Main St., and 960 S. Broadway St., Forest City, NC, rescuedtreasuressc.org
Reel Revival
When the lights came back up at Cinema IV in Forest City, they illuminated more than a newly renovated space—they reflected the new owner’s belief that independent theaters still matter. For more than 20 years, Andy Reynolds, proprietor of the Camelot in Greenville, South Carolina, has operated on that premise.
Opened in 1972 beside Tri-City Mall, the Forest City theater expanded to four screens in the 1980s and later became Retro Cinema 4, a longtime favorite. After closing for remodeling in 2023, Cinema IV premiered with upgraded projection and sound systems, plush seating, new curtains and carpet, fully renovated bathrooms, and a revamped concessions area.
Co-owner Annie Smith, who worked for Reynolds during her college years, will help maintain a strong local presence. “We focus on the customer experience,” Reynolds says. “With independent theaters, customers have access to owners who know and appreciate the community.”
135–151 Allendale Dr, Forest City, NC, forestcitycinemas.com.v2.yourcinema.co
