Wears Valley — For the stores and services that run off tourist traffic Memorial Day is the official start of the busiest time of year, and in Wears Valley, this year is poised to be the most notable yet.
The section of the Foothills Parkway spanning the mountains from Walland to Wears Valley is set to open this fall after decades of lying dormant. In addition to providing an alternative way to access Wears Valley, the road is expected to draw tourists for its spectacular views.
Kevin Maples' family opened Mountain Brothers General Store and National Park Market at the intersection of Wears Valley Road and Line Springs Road three years ago.
"We sold all of our stuff in Townsend and we came here and one of the reason that we did come here was because of the Foothills Parkway," Maples said.
Maples previously added outdoor sitting areas to the market and is currently working to finish an expanded covered porch before the holiday weekend.
"It's not so much the people that are eating here, it's the people that are coming in here from the national park that are getting ice cream, that are getting kettle corn, that are getting pork rinds and just sitting here and enjoying the view," Maples said. "Either heading out of or into the park, getting ready for dinner or getting ready for a show in Pigeon Forge."
The entrance into Great Smoky Mountains National Park via Line Springs Road in Wears Valley is usually less congested and can be quicker than entering the park through Gatlinburg or Townsend, depending on the destination.
"With Pigeon Forge and Townsend both within about six or seven miles either way we go, this is the corner property and we've been more than happy with this location," Maples said.
A mile toward Townsend on Wears Valley Road, Harper Brothers General Merchandise Store is gearing up for its first busy tourist season.
Since the store's soft opening last December, the store has been selling trinkets by local artisans, apparel and serving Starbucks coffee, but the store also has plans for expanding.
A sky lift that will take visitors up the mountain is already installed and needs a few more finishing touches before its grand opening. The store also plans to add guided horseback rides.
It also anticipates the parkway opening and bringing new customers to the area.
"It gets us out of people having to come through Townsend and getting out of the traffic in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg," said Faith Thompkins with Harper Brothers. "It gives you a part of the Smokies that isn't just all about tourism and crowded streets of Gatlinburg and the traffic of Pigeon Forge and getting people out into what people actually came for, which is the Smoky Mountains and seeing the beauty of that."
The National Park Service says the unfinished section of the Foothills Parkway will open this fall, though an exact date has not been set.