By the time Oldham was looking for a foothold in the hospitality industry, Dancing Bear’s owners were looking for a buyer. While no one was seriously injured, the four-story building was a total loss, leaving a set of rental cabins to sustain the business. In November 2013, a fire had destroyed Townsend’s Dancing Bear Lodge and Restaurant. “We loved the mountains and wanted to be in hospitality, but we had no idea that anything would be available in Townsend of all places, a town we loved as students,” Oldham said.īut in 2014, during their career crossroads, Mark and Sharon got a chance to resurrect their Townsend memories – and help one of the town’s beloved getaway spots rise from the ashes – when tragedy gave way to opportunity.
Their love of the Peaceful Side of the Smokies stemmed from excursions they had taken there during their college days. Many times throughout their marriage they had visited Townsend, where the Smoky Mountains briefly part to reveal a tranquil morsel of Americana. To solve the quandary, the Oldhams took stock of their passions, one of which was Blount County’s mountain oasis. “We felt too young to retire, but we were too old to launch a startup.” “When we sold the business in Nashville, we could have retired,” Oldham said. Now, he was hunting for a fresh career venture. He had sold his business and traveled the world for six months with his wife, Sharon.
Mark Oldham faced a dream disguised as a dilemma.
0 kommentar(er)
