Smoky Mountain Co-op opens renovated showroom

In front of the community that has supported it for over 80 years, Smoky Mountain Farmers Co-op cut the ribbon on its new 8,000 square-foot showroom at 101 Depot Street. The ceremony took place on a chilly Saturday morning on March 28. Smoky Mountain Farmers Co-op has eight locations across Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. "We are proud to support businesses like this that reflect the values of our community, sustainability and innovation," Johnson County Chamber of Commerce President Gina Meade said. "Their presence will no doubt contribute to the continued growth and vitality of our area." Co-op Board Members Cody Stout and Brian Taylor, who represent Johnson County, spoke about the building's history. Taylor explained to the crowd that the business started as Tri-State Growers Incorporated in 1944 with Keith Pleasant as manager. At the time, Johnson County was the bean capital of the world. "The market moved more beans than any other place in the world," Taylor said. Tri-State, after becoming a co-op in 1945, shifted from green beans to potatoes and green peppers. After a fire, the co-op moved to the old Chevrolet dealership, where the water department is now. In the 1960s and 70s, tobacco became the leading agricultural crop in Johnson County, and the co-op got into the fuel business. S.D. Jordan, Mountain City Mayor Jerry Jordan's father, delivered fuel for the co-op. Later, Jordan said his father worked there for 51 years. The co-op later started selling fertilizer to meet corn, hay and tobacco demands. Later tires for farmers became a hot commodity in the 1980s and 90s Smoky Mountain Farmers Co-op was formed in 2019 after a consolidation of Farmers Co-op and Sevier Farmers Co-op. Now, the co-op services more than 2,250 farmers throughout the region. "A co-op is more than just a store, it is owned by its members, the very farmers and families and neighbors it serves," Taylor said. "It is local people investing in local success, and that is something worth protecting and celebrating." Twenty days after Smoky Mountain Farmers Co-op merged with Tri-State Grower Co-op, Helene struck, closing the Mountain City location. Smoky Mountain CEO Chris Cox said there were two to three feet of water and tons of mud. In the 18 months since, the store has been operating out of its "lower warehouse" with limited services and products. "We are proud to say that Smoky Mountain Farmers Co-op will continue to serve not only Johnson County, but the entire tri-state area," Taylor said. "It will remain a cornerstone of the local economy and a symbol of what we can achieve when people come together with a shared purpose." Cox said that after Helene, multiple co-ops from all across Tennessee and Mississippi came to help. "Very thankful for that," Cox said. "Thankful to the employees that stuck it out, worked long, hard, nasty hours to get everything kind of up and going." Cox also recognized the Johnson County FFA and 4-H, who were on hand for the festivities, along with other local dignitaries, to celebrate the milestone. Heath Elsea, manager of the Mountain City location, said the staff endured some cold days in the lower building with no heat, but "they didn't complain a bit." "One thing I want to reiterate, we are a farmer owned co-op but we're a community co-op as well," Elsea said. "We service any and every customer that comes through the door from bird seed to feed to fertilize. We're here to service everybody and we really appreciate it and we're really overwhelmed by the outpouring we've seen from y'all this morning." County Commissioner Kody Norris said he grew up 100 yards away and was in the building all the time as a kid. "Everybody that comes through the door, they want to take care of you and I see that each and every day," Norris said.