by Kirk Gollwitzer

Community support is a valued component when opening a business; however, sales revenues drive success.

In a single week two businesses in Tryon have opened their doors next to each other with equal fanfare.

Melanie Archer, owner of The Ruby Slipper, a dining establishment serving fresh food, fine wines and gelato, held her grand opening Thursday, Sept. 12. On Sunday, Sept. 8, Terra on Trade celebrated their move into the newly renovated St. Luke’s Plaza, with their outdoor lifestyle shop.

The allure of the historic building, built in 1935, fits the community theme with its central location and locally-weathered wooden plank flooring, still showing the oil stains of the past. According to Brady/Trakas Architects, there was a time when the historic building was one of six gas stations that serviced the Town of Tryon. One station in particular, which sat close to the railroad tracks, sported a peaked roof style. Designers included that architectural style in reference to the past.

With the addition of another new restaurant, Lavender Bistro, opening soon, Tryon appears to be pulsing with a potentially renewed energy and activity.

“Tryon ranks seventh in the state for total private/public investment this year alone,” said Crys Armbrust, Tryon’s economic development director.

Armbrust says the numbers prove the town is on an upswing.

The unique differences between the businesses housed in the building personify the challenge of entrepreneurism as each strive to maximize their investment.

John Winchester and Brooke Walton, co-owners of Terra on Trade, have different backgrounds but when combined focus on “everything outdoors.” Both owners show a true interest in standup paddleboards, surfboards and bicycles. Winchester, who has a background in landscaping, shares his love of outdoor sports with Walton who comes from an equestrian background.

Terra on Trade already shows the signs of potential success along with its sister store in Sunset, S.C., in the form of expansion.

“We moved from 400 to 800 square feet and we have our own dressing room now,” said Walton, proudly.

Both Winchester and Walton now have the room to breathe after moving up the street from the small shop they opened in December 2011.

Archer has completely different challenges, but shares the same goal as Terra on Trade. After moving to Tryon from Oldwick, N.J. two and a half years ago, Archer originally thought of opening a small gift shop that offered distinctive coffees, teas, chocolate and spices.

This is when a bright red shoe from her favorite movie entered her thoughts and blended with an entrepreneurial spirit.

“I have always loved the Wizard of Oz and the sense of community within the theme. I just want the restaurant to be a fun place for people to come and feel a sense of community. I wanted people to feel as if they were attending an event rather than a restaurant,” said Archer.

Archer surrounded herself with experienced people familiar with the restaurant industry. Enter good friends, Angelo and Alan Keith, brothers armed with more than 35 years of restaurant experience.

“We came down here to look after our friend Melanie,” said Angelo, a gifted carpenter who provided all of the glass, wood and metal workmanship to the restaurant’s interior. “What we first thought was going to be a small project turned out to be a life-changing event.”

Alan Keith, a successful chef, said he received a call from his brother a few months ago asking if he would be interested in a project down in North Carolina.

“I said yes before he even told me what the project was,” said Alan.

Both businesses say while they appreciate the optimistic visits of town dignitaries and the genuine interest of building owner Bob Lane; they know it will be up to them to provide the quality services and products necessary to drive revenue and be sustainable, contributing members of the Tryon business community.