In February of 1974 a group of artists from the

Celo Community in Burnsville, North Carolina had a dream; to build an art gallery that would help support the growing artist community in the area.

The group worked up sketches of the proposed building along with a business plan based on the crafts people providing the labor and the Celo

Community providing a loan for materials. Estimated costs for the 1200 sq ft building were $18 per sq. ft. The plan was approved and construction began.

Toe River Crafts opening day, 1974. On August 4, 1974 the shop opened for business and the Little Shop That Could was on its way…