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National Park Service close to finding best fit for Northwest Trading Post
by Jesse Campbell

After months of uncertainty surrounding the future of the Northwest Trading Post and its continued impact on Ashe County’s economy, the National Park Service confirmed Wednesday they are close to find a concessionaire for the property.


NPS officials said the owners of Sally Mae’s Emporium have come forward as a prospective concessionaire for the NWTP.


“We are close, but it’s not a done deal,” said NPS Administrative Officer Kathy Tustanowski. “Without a contract, it is just conversation at this time.”


She also said a legal document making the announcement official is under review by a legal team representing the NPS.


The NWTP is a seasonal vendor that ceased operations last fall when the board of directors opted not to renew a contract with the NPS.


Tustanowski said that if a contract is reached with Sally Mae’s, the NWTP would likely resume operations as early as June 1.


The contract with Sally Mae’s would likely be for 10 years, said the NPS.


Sally Mae’s Emporium previously operated on Jefferson Avenue.


The Florence Thomas Art School announced last month its intent to relocate into that former location.


Without a home, Sally Mae’s soon turned its interest to the NWTP, which is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Glendale Springs.


Karen Radcliff, who could not be reached for comment by press time, operates the emporium.


“I’m very glad to hear that the Northwest Trading Post is going to be opening and equally glad it is someone we are very familiar with,” said Ashe Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cabot Hamilton. “Together (the emporium and NWTP) they are almost a perfect match.”


After operating for the past 54 years, the NWTP Board of Directors faced reportedly restrictive provisions in the NPS 2013 contract that might have left the board with little desire to run the business.


In a letter dated Oct. 11, the Ashe Chamber of Commerce requested the support of Rep. Virginia Foxx to help the Northwest Trading Post to open for the 2013.


Hamilton has said the failure of the retailer to open next season would result in “a significant impact on tourism in Ashe County and the region if the NWTP were to be closed for a season.”


“As a result of the economic downturn, the NWTP Board of Directors decided to not renew their contract with the U.S. National Park Service in 2013,” read the letter.


“The NWTP has been a unique and integral part of the Parkway and Ashe County for 54 years. ... Of major concern, impacting the NWTP's Board's decision, are the substantial financial considerations that the Park Service has demanded in the new contract making it extremely difficult to continue operations.”