Current Episode

*Please note that the time stamps are off by about 50 seconds on this transcript. [0:03] Speaker A (Tom Goodwin): Well, on today's episode, we are excited to have Corey Wagner, who is formerly a tourist and now is a resident and an employee in the Gatlinburg community. He has an exciting story and you might not know him, but you probably have been influenced by him if you are a part of the Facebook group called Gatlinburg now, 159,000 people are members of his page. And we're going to hear the story and the journey of Corey Wagner. So, Corey, thanks so much for joining us today. [0:32] Speaker B (Corey Wagner): Thank you for having me. It's a pleasure being here. [0:34] Speaker A: Now, you just came from work? I just got off work. Where do you work? [0:38] Speaker B: I work at Anakeesta at the retail shop by the lifts. It's called Great Outdoors Trading Company. So when people go up the mountain to Anakeesta, they come. When they come down on the lift, they come right through our store. So we see a lot of people every day. [0:52] Speaker A: So I've imagined thousands and thousands of people. [0:55] Speaker B: Yes, yes. On our busy days we will get about six or seven thousand people at our mountaintop adventure park. Yep. [1:03] Speaker A: That's amazing. [1:04] Speaker B: Yes. [1:04] Speaker A: And what an incredible contribution Anakeesta has been to Gatlinburg. A great addition of an attraction. [1:10] Speaker B: Yes. [1:11] Speaker A: And I love it that they have great employees like you. [1:13] Speaker B: Well, thank you. [1:14] Speaker A: Now, we always ask our guests, when did they fall in love with Gatlinburg? So when did it all begin for you? [1:21] Speaker B: Well, it probably goes back to my very first visit here back in 2011. So it's been what, 13 years now. We were looking for a place to go to. We hadn't really done a vacation in a while, so we were looking to go somewhere out of state. [1:40] Speaker A: And where were you from at that time? [1:43] Speaker B: So I'm from Ohio. A rural northwest Ohio town is where I grew up. But I spent most of my adult life in Lima, Ohio. [1:50] Speaker A: Okay. [1:51] Speaker B: So yeah, so yeah, it's about a seven hour drive. And yeah, we, we discovered this place going to our local AAA office, looking for potential places to go out of state. And yeah, we had heard about the Smoky Mountains. Didn't really know a whole lot about the area, to be honest. And yeah, we just decided this would have been the better decision for us to go to based on our other choices that we were going with. [2:24] Speaker A: And was that you and your wife? [2:26] Speaker B: Yes. [2:27] Speaker A: Was she your wife at that point? [2:28] Speaker B: Yes, she was 25 years now we've been married. So I've been. [2:32] Speaker A: If you're watching on video, I'm shocked that you have been married 25 years. [2:36] Speaker B: Yes. Yeah. [2:37] Speaker A: Your youthful appearance is of great benefit, trust me. [2:40] Speaker B: Thank you. Thank you. Yep. [2:42] Speaker A: So your first visit to Gatlinburg. I think it is always good to remember the lens by which you saw this community. [2:48] Speaker B: Yes. [2:49] Speaker A: The very first time. And I'll never forget my first visit to Gatlinburg as well. [2:53] Speaker B: Right. [2:53] Speaker A: But let's talk about yours in 2011 and who came and what did you do? What was the plan for that trip? [3:00] Speaker B: So it was just going to be my wife and I. So we had my parents watch our son, who at the time was. Let's see, how old was he? Not quite eight years old. So we kind of. We were going to do, you know, just a couples trip. So, yeah, we drove down here. We stayed at Zoders. That was our first hotel that we ever stayed in based on a recommendation that she, my wife, had gotten from a coworker. [3:27] Speaker A: A pretty historic hotel. [3:29] Speaker B: Yes, absolutely. We loved it. Like I said, it was, you know, we only stayed four nights on our first trip, actually, we had three nights. But we found that we were having so much fun. You extended one night, extended our stay, and thankfully they were able to do that for us. So, yeah, we stayed four nights. We were able to do as many things as we possibly could do. What time of year was it? It was June. That was kind of where we. That was our sweet spot because it was when we could go, you know, basically because our son was in school and we just. If we were going to kind of run off and do a little vacation, that was going to be the best time we could do. It was during summer vacation. So, yeah, we went and just fell in love with it. We tried to do as many things as we could. And then when we came back home, we decided, let's try to do this again next year because there were so many things that we weren't able to do. And like I said, you can't get everything done here in one trip or even two or even three. So, yeah, we started planning, I think, as soon as we got home for our next year's trip, and it just became a yearly thing. And, yeah, we just. We were fortunate to be able to do it. So. Yeah. [4:49] Speaker A: To have parents to watch your son. Did you ever bring your son with you as well? [4:53] Speaker B: We did. [4:54] Speaker A: So he got to get in on the action, which is fun. [4:57] Speaker B: Yeah. He was eventually going to come with us, and he did for the first time in 2013. Two years later, we took him just after he turned 10. So we decided to take him with us and kind of show him just how magical this place was. And yeah, he did the same. He fell in love with it too. And yeah, and I guess the rest is history. [5:21] Speaker A: That is amazing and quite a history that you've created here and sharing your common story. So your story really represents thousands of other people who come not only once a year, but multiple times a year. And they choose this destination above others. And you know, a lot of people like to travel and go to different places. But you really hit a note with me when you said there was so much more to do. We wanted to come back. And that's what's so wonderful about this community is that, you know, Most trips are 3.4 days long Average stay. [5:58] Speaker B: Right. [5:59] Speaker A: Sometimes during COVID it was a little bit longer. Cause people had more money and more time. [6:02] Speaker B: Yep, they sure did. [6:03] Speaker A: But you were in the sweet spot. You moved it over to four days on your first visit. And did you continue to go to Zoeders or did you change your. [6:11] Speaker B: So yeah, we went to Zoeders. Let's see, our first year, second year, and then I think our third year is when we started kind of venturing out. That was the first time we stayed in a cabin was in 2013. That was our first visit because 2013 was actually. Our son went with us on our second trip that summer, so. [6:34] Speaker A: So you're becoming a twofer. You go twice in the summer. [6:38] Speaker B: And I don't think we ever came just once since then. I think maybe there was only one year, might have been the next year. We only came here once. But yeah, 2013, we took him in August because we went in June and we stayed our typical three, four days and we spent it in a cabin. That was amazing. So, yeah, we decided, you know, since we had a little extra money saved up because my wife is a big garage sale person. Well, she was. But now that we're apartment. Got apartment life now, so we don't have that. Yep. So we don't do that so much anymore. But yeah, she. Yeah, it's, you know, she was. She was the driving force basically behind our vacation. She always, you know, did a heck of a job organizing garage sales and just doing well with them. So we saved up all that money basically. You know, every year we would rely on that money basically to go on vacation here. So yeah, it just became a yearly thing. And we were coming here twice a year, you know, within a few years after our first visit. So. Yeah. [7:48] Speaker A: Well, I tell you, I love market research, I love data. And you are painting a picture of a Persona that continues to come to Gatlinburg and is really the bread and butter of this community. But if you're listening to this, you don't see Corey's face. He has such a genuine spirit of excitement. Even remembering back to 2011 and remembering bringing your son for the first visit or the first few times that you were able to get away alone with your wife. And, and I also really appreciate you saying we saved and we pinched pennies and we made some extra money so that we could come and as a person in hospitality here and we provide vacations for people. And now, you know, on the receiving end, working at Anakeesta, people are spending their hard earned money to come here. And that's something that is a responsibility for those of us here to steward and to really ensure that you get the most value out of your money and that you have a great experience. So I think in general, it appears as though Gatlinburg did that for you. [8:58] Speaker B: Yeah, it sure did. I, you know, you hear people's stories about, you know, how, you know, the mountains just, you know, it just, it just gets you, you know, it's like you don't know until you come here. And some people, you know, some people are one and dones, but for a lot of us, if you're from where I'm from in Ohio, we don't have anything close to this there. So it was just seeing those mountains for the first time just really took. [9:26] Speaker A: Hold and it takes your breath away. [9:28] Speaker B: It does. It does, yeah. You're coming into the main tourist areas and when you first see them. Yeah, it was incredible. I mean, I still remember that feeling. It still gives me chills thinking about it. So, yeah, it's just amazing. [9:42] Speaker A: So fast forward a few Years later, in 2016 or 2015, you started a Facebook page I did called Gatlinburg now, which was really documenting your travel experience here in Gatlinburg. [9:56] Speaker B: Yes. [9:57] Speaker A: As a visitor, as a tourist. Tell me what gave you the inspiration or the idea to create that page? [10:06] Speaker B: I guess something, like I said, just my creative juices just started flowing and I wanted to do something different, something that I hadn't done in a while. I used. I mean, I love reading. I don't read as much as what I used to, but I always kind of like to write too. And I'm like, well, let's just see how this goes, you know? So I started a WordPress blog. Nothing fancy. I just wanted a place where I could just do my writing. I figured I'd been here, I hadn't been Here as long as a lot of people had been, obviously. But I felt like I had done enough or I'd stayed here long enough to maybe start giving people ideas for their own, to come here and enjoy it like I had. Which had been probably over the course of. By that time, it was probably six or seven visits. So, yeah, I just. I felt like, well, I'm going to start writing about the places I like to eat at, the things we like to do, places to stay, just everything you could possibly think. Gatlinburg related. I felt like I had a lot of content that I could kind of create just based on our experiences. So, yeah, that's kind of how it got going. I mean, just being in Gatlinburg was just. I mean, it was just an escape. And it was just incredible being here in Tennessee and just being around the mountains and stuff. And it just kind of got me thinking, you know, it's like I'm gonna start doing something that's, you know, I had no intention of making, of necessarily growing it. But it was just. I don't know, it was just an idea that I had hatched about writing and just kind of helping people, you know, kind of like. Cause I was, you know, just five years before, I didn't really know much about this place. [12:05] Speaker A: Well, five years before you were going to the AAA office and asking what a state destination should my wife and I go to. And that's pretty much a Russian roulette, you know, what are you going to choose? And you landed, thankfully, on Gatlinburg tile. You know, the marble landed on Gatlinburg, Tennessee. You've never gone back. You really haven't gone back. You have moved here to Gatlinburg. And when did that happen? [12:32] Speaker B: That happened last August. It was, you know, from the thought that hatched in our minds, or at least in my mind per se. It was nine years. Didn't know or didn't really think that we could possibly do it. It was just something that we'll just kind of like research, research, research and see if we can make it happen one day. You know, whether that was, you know, when I. When we retired or maybe we could do it sooner. But yeah, it was. Yeah, it's crazy to think about now, but yeah, it was just. Yeah, it's just been a whole whirlwind. [13:14] Speaker A: So was that August of 2023 or 2024? [13:17] Speaker B: So, yeah, 2023. Yep. [13:19] Speaker A: So a little over a year ago. [13:21] Speaker B: Yeah. So, yeah, we moved here then. Like I said, we. So if I may, I'LL kind of, I'll try to keep, I'll try to keep it short. So a couple years ago, my son graduated high school. So we tried to move, not here in Gatlinburg, but we tried to move to Knoxville and it didn't work out. So we were, it was, it was tough, you know, we were selling our house and we were trying to find a place and nothing was working out. So. So we ended up selling our house. I came back to Lima because I was staying in Knoxville for about six weeks where I got a job and. But I had to tell them, I'm sorry, you know, we're not going to be able to find a place here. So tucked my tail between my legs and we went back home, or I went back home to Ohio. And I think when I got home, I should say, I started thinking, well, if Knoxville ain't going to work, then I think we should just go for Gatlinburg. Let's just go for broke. Let's just go for broke and see what happens. If it doesn't work out, then we'll know it wasn't meant to be. So, yeah, we were thinking, okay, so we had found a rental in Lima, Ohio. And so we decided, well, in January we will kind of put our name, we will apply and put our name on the list at the apartments we now live in. And we got on the waiting list and yeah, here we are. It happened. And we were kind of always thinking the worst, like, this is something's gonna go wrong. We had that kind of mentality because we had tried several times kind of, kind of half, half hearted efforts, you know, to move here. But, you know, like I said, we, we decided after my son graduated that would have been the best, the best plan of action. And when that didn't work out, it was like, okay, you know, let's, let's do Gatlinburg here. Let's, let's, let's do it. And. [15:34] Speaker A: Well, amazingly, you would think it'd be easier to find housing in Knoxville than it is in Gatlinburg. [15:38] Speaker B: You would? Yeah. You would think so. [15:39] Speaker A: We have a unique challenge in that we have 4,000 permanent residents and not a lot of correct single family rental units because of the demand for vacationers. [15:51] Speaker B: Yes. [15:52] Speaker A: So there's a, our guests might not realize this, but so many of the employees drive 20, 30, 40 miles to come to work because there is not the availability of housing here in Gatlinburg. Affordable housing as well. And so they're having to live further out because of the Opportunity for people to stay in cabins and homes and apartments are being built, or, I mean, hotels or condos are being built as opposed to apartments. [16:19] Speaker B: Correct. [16:20] Speaker A: So it definitely is a challenge, and it has not been solved. But I'm so glad that you're able to live really within walking distance to work. [16:28] Speaker B: Yes. Yeah. [16:29] Speaker A: And not walking distance to where we are now up on Ski Mountain. [16:33] Speaker B: Unfortunately not, but. [16:34] Speaker A: Yeah, but. So you. Do you walk to work or do you drive to work? [16:38] Speaker B: I do. He walks to work. [16:40] Speaker A: Everyone is now saying he is the luckiest guy in the world. Not only does he live in the place that I want to move to, but it really happened. And this guy walks to work. [16:49] Speaker B: Yes. [16:50] Speaker A: That's amazing. [16:51] Speaker B: Yeah. I still have to pinch myself every time I wake up in the morning thinking I don't have to warm up my vehicle and drive in the bitter cold, which here is not so bad compared to where I used to live. So it's. It's a little seasonable winter, I should say. [17:10] Speaker A: Now, I imagine there are a lot of our listeners from Ohio. Ohio, that is for our business, Mountain Laurel Chalets. Our number one market is the Cincinnati, Ohio, and Columbus and Cleveland, all different parts of Ohio. It's an incredible state. I think the draw of Ohioans to Gatlinburg, it's drivable. [17:33] Speaker B: Yeah. [17:33] Speaker A: And it's far enough to be in a completely different environment. [17:37] Speaker B: Yeah. [17:38] Speaker A: So this is not Ohio, Right? [17:40] Speaker B: Correct. Yeah. At all. You will not mistake east Tennessee for Ohio in the least. [17:44] Speaker A: And you come and you experience Southern hospitality, the topography of the land, the seasonal changes, the culture which is so preeminent within the music and the food and the hospitality and the people that you feel like I'm really going far away from home. But it's still realistic to drive. Now, seven hours. That's a haul. [18:05] Speaker B: Yeah. [18:06] Speaker A: That's a commitment. [18:07] Speaker B: And it doesn't get easier as you get older, too, so. [18:10] Speaker A: So you decided, now I'm going to walk. I'm going to live here, and I'm going to walk. [18:14] Speaker B: Absolutely. Yep. Yep. [18:15] Speaker A: Well, I would love to dive into knowing a little bit more about your. Your experience as the page owner of Gatlinburg. Now there are 159,000 people that follow you and follow the page. And the thing that's amazing about the content of your page is just simple information, and people are looking for a reliable local news source. And in some strange ways, you provide that for people. [18:44] Speaker B: Thank you. Thank you. [18:45] Speaker A: And most recently, after the hurricane Helene came through, and we're still getting the question Every day. Did Gatlinburg make it? Did Gatlinburg do okay? I think the day afterwards you did live shots of downtown. [18:58] Speaker B: I did. [18:59] Speaker A: Saying it's, there's not many people here, but there's nothing wrong with the town. It's open and it's available. It's a great time to come. [19:07] Speaker B: Yeah. [19:07] Speaker A: And you have 159,000 people that see that and I imagine that number will just increase incrementally. So not only you are a local news source, but you're taking your passions and really communicating the story of Gatlinburg. [19:22] Speaker B: Yeah. [19:23] Speaker A: So what are your. Some of your favorite posts or your favorite postings that you did on. Now you're doing substack. You changed from the blog post to. From WordPress to Substack. Correct. You can subscribe to your substack to get kind of your in depth reports of news and information. Almost the day in the life of Corey Wagner. [19:41] Speaker B: Right, right. [19:42] Speaker A: And. But I love it because it's simple and it's plain and it's, it's really approachable and accessible for people. So what are your favorite. Some of your favorite posts? [19:52] Speaker B: So I like, I actually, I have a lot of fun. It's. It's a little more work. But I really like compiling the lists of like my favorite things to do, basically. Favorite things to do and favorite restaurants. I mean, I have a question about that. [20:11] Speaker A: You did pancakes. You did, yes. They had the burger week here, Gatlinburger Week and the reviews of all of that. But like, so you're doing this on your own and you're always kind of skeptical when you see other lists. You're like, okay, well who's paying to play? Who's paying Corey to give all these promotions? Are there sponsors that you have that pay or. This is your real. This is my take. [20:33] Speaker B: This is. Yeah, this is me. [20:35] Speaker A: You're a seller, shopper, extraordinary. [20:37] Speaker B: I kind of am, yeah. Well, I. Some of the places I visit often, they know me and they know who I am and what I am. [20:45] Speaker A: Oh, here comes Cory. Put some extra coleslaw on his plate. [20:49] Speaker B: But no, I don't get any special treatment. Well, I mean, I don't get my food for free. I don't get anything for free. And a lot of these places, they don't really know me. Some of these other restaurants that I'll just stop in and I haven't been paid for or nothing. It's just, it's just me. And that's kind of how I want to keep it. I Want this all to be my true experience. I don't want to necessarily have to do something just because somebody's given me special treatment or something. And if that does happen, I will be upfront with my audience, say this was like a complimentary visit or whatever. But I don't really get many of those. I welcome them but you know, it's not something I want to have all of my content be. I want, I want it to be my honest opinions. I want to give everything the most truthful opinions possible basically. But I don't want to disparage businesses. [21:58] Speaker A: You're a kind person in your posts and if you say oh, it could have been better here, but it comes from a heart of kindness. [22:04] Speaker B: Yeah. [22:05] Speaker A: Which you know, you don't want to be vindictive. You don't. You want people to win and. But I often leave reviews for people because I know you own this business. You want to be better and some things are out of your control or I just want you to be aware this happened to me and it shouldn't happen. I'm not going to go lamb blast you across. And you have the opportunity to do that and you don't. And that says so much about you. And it also increases the credibility of your site, of your page. [22:30] Speaker B: Yeah. [22:31] Speaker A: And there's a lot of integrity that goes behind that. I noticed that. I'm sure a lot of people that are following your page notice that as well. It's not flashy, it's not glamorous. It's a day in the life of. And this is what it is. And I love. I didn't know if you had sponsors or if people were paying you to eat their pancakes to tell about their cheese blintzes or you know, or whatever. [22:54] Speaker B: It's just me stopping in, saying hi to familiar faces and it's like I will have my usual or whatever. [23:01] Speaker A: I love that. [23:02] Speaker B: Yep. [23:03] Speaker A: That is so great. So you can divulge here then what would a perfect now you have done Gatlinburg. You live in Gatlinburg and you still kind of live or experience Gatlinburg through tourists eyes. [23:16] Speaker B: Yes. [23:16] Speaker A: And you interpret that for so many others even though you're a local. I think you have an incredibly unique perspective. It's fascinating to me. [23:24] Speaker B: Well, thank you. [23:25] Speaker A: And I love how you've been given that platform and that opportunity and meeting you even confirms my appreciation for what you're doing. If you were to pick a perfect day in Gatlinburg, waking up to the end of the day, what would be four or five things that you'd make sure you've got to do this. Let's say it's someone coming to Gatlinburg for the first time. Think back to your 2011 self with all that, you know. Now, with 13 years of experience, what do you wish you would have told that 2011 couple? Coming here, going to the AAA office to find a place to vacation. What would you tell them? [24:02] Speaker B: I would tell them, oh, gosh, yeah. Just research. I mean, it was just a lot of research, what we did. [24:11] Speaker A: But you've done all the research already, so. [24:13] Speaker B: Yeah, I've done quite a bit. [24:15] Speaker A: So paint a picture for what someone would do in their day, what you would say. [24:19] Speaker B: So basically what I would tell them is to get up early. I know a lot of people want to sleep in on their vacation, and there's nothing wrong with that. But if they really want to truly experience Gatlinburg in the Smoky Mountains, I suggest people get up early. And I tell a lot of people this on occasion just from my page. Get up early, go to breakfast. I don't care where you eat breakfast, but it's, you know, I prefer it to be a local place like Pancake Pantry or a Little House of Pancakes. Little House of Pancakes. Did I just say that? Okay, Log Cabin, Pancake House. I'm sorry, that's the one. The other one downtown. But yeah, just go eat breakfast. After you eat breakfast, get in your vehicle, take a drive into the Smoky Mountains, spend a day, take, you know, bring your kids, take a hike. And I can give people suggestions on. [25:17] Speaker A: Where would you hike. [25:19] Speaker B: So if we're going early, we just. A good, nice hike that's not too easy, but not too strenuous for us is Laurel Falls. It's very popular. So that's another reason why I tell people, if you're going to do these waterfalls, just get up early, start your day early, eat breakfast and head out there. You'll get the most out of it. You can have the falls to yourself, especially if it's not a busy time of the year. Right now it is, obviously, but during the week, you can get up there, you know, 8, 8:30, whatever, and just go. And you don't have to even, you know, you don't have as many people around you. But yeah, I would do that. We're not big hikers, so we haven't done like a lot of the more strenuous ones. [26:13] Speaker A: So we try to keep Mr. Alum cave. [26:15] Speaker B: Haven't done it yet. I want to do it, though. I Want to do it? It's well worth it, my son. Yes, it will be done one day. Me and my son are going to do it. So. But, yeah, just. And those are some of the harder ones. But yeah, then Cataract Falls at the, at the Sugarlands Visitor center is a good one. That one's even shorter and flatter. It's got a, you know, decent falls. I forget how high it is. I want to say it's 40, but it may not even be that high, but I don't. [26:46] Speaker A: It's about 40ft. [26:47] Speaker B: Yeah. [26:47] Speaker A: So just a little over two miles from downtown Gatlinburg if you take the Gatlinburg Trail. [26:51] Speaker B: And the Gatlinburg Trail, too. Yeah, yeah, that's. I, I'm glad you mentioned that because that's a nice, easy one that if you're staying here in, in town in Gatlinburg, you can access that right down at the end of the, at the end of town at Light river road on stoplight 10. Yep, exactly. And it's a. I mean, it's at parts. It's actually quiet and peaceful. You got the. You got the river next to you and. [27:19] Speaker A: Yeah, there's some benches along the way. [27:20] Speaker B: There are some benches, big rocks you. [27:22] Speaker A: Can sit on and enjoy. [27:23] Speaker B: Absolutely. Yeah. It's. Yeah, just. And any one of those would be a great kind of morning. And you can spend as much time in the park as you can, and I welcome that. A lot of people will spend a whole day in the park. We usually spend, you know, if we're going to be doing something, if we're trying to make a whole day of it, usually we'll just spend like maybe four or five hours in the park and then come back. I don't know if we'll be hungry for lunch or not. But you come back and just, maybe walk, Walk the town. Just dive into some of the shops and stuff and just kind of take it all in. Like I said, I love everything about this area. So it's so hard for me to kind of say, like, okay, so you should do this or you should do that, because there is literally something for everybody here. So it's. I always try to, you know, when I tell people what they should be doing or I try to give them advice, I should say on what they should or they might want to do, I tell them, okay, so what do you like to do? Are you hikers? Are you here for the food? Are you here for a little bit of everything? You know, it's like kids, because. Yeah, I can go on and on and talk to people who have questions and stuff. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time in my day to just give detailed answers to everyone's questions because I do get a lot of my page. But, yeah, there's just so much to do here for everyone. So. There is no one size fits all. [29:00] Speaker A: What has surprised you since moving here that you didn't know about Gatlinburg that you discovered? [29:07] Speaker B: I would say my biggest surprise is actually being able to navigate the traffic. And I think that comes along with knowing when it gets busy here and when it doesn't, so. And knowing the shortcuts and stuff, too, and the ways. [29:25] Speaker A: Don't give them all away. [29:26] Speaker B: Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no. You can find that out for yourselves. But, no, it's. I mean, yeah, it's. Yeah, it's. I mean, it's. It's. Yeah, it's. It's just. It's great, you know. [29:41] Speaker A: Now, where does your son live now? [29:43] Speaker B: Our son lives with us currently. [29:45] Speaker A: He does. [29:45] Speaker B: He is currently on a waiting list to get his own apartment here. So. So. [29:49] Speaker A: So he's also fallen in love with Gatlinburg. [29:52] Speaker B: He does. Yeah, he. Yeah, I just. It just fits. It just fits what we've all kind of wanted and dreamed of. So it's. [29:59] Speaker A: Yeah, that's a family affair. [30:02] Speaker B: Yes, it is. He wants to be here, too. He has a good job. He loves his job. And. Yeah, I mean, it's. It's been. Yeah. Like I said, it's. It's hard to believe that I'm sitting in this chair talking to you, giving you my perspective as a resident instead of a tourist, because I wasn't sure it was ever going to happen, so. Yeah. [30:24] Speaker A: Well, you are a ambassador for Gatlinburg in so many ways, and not only through this podcast, but through your page and through your substack, through your content. And it's. It's exciting to hear how God has orchestrated your path and your journey and you've landed here. For someone that's coming to Gatlinburg for the very first time, you know, there's a plethora of things that they can do, but what do you hope that they would leave knowing about Gatlinburg that makes it a special place? [30:58] Speaker B: Well, I mean, it's. You know, it's. It's a place that you can easily fall in love with. Like I said, there's. There's. There's so many things to do, and you can. You can just go out and explore, you know, find things there's so many different, just lovely things to just do and explore, and it's just a wonderful place. And I just tell people, like, look, just go outside your comfort zone maybe a little bit and do things you don't normally do, because you might like it. Yeah, it's just. I mean, the people have been very, very welcoming. It's, you know, like I said, you mentioned hospitality, and it's been everything that we had hoped it would be, all the things that we had expected it would be. It has. [31:58] Speaker A: Tell me about some of those people who have you met. Are they also trans people that are new to the community or people that have lived here long? [32:06] Speaker B: So the people we've kind of gotten close to a little bit have been. Are actually transplants themselves. And I feel like the hospitality that I feel like they've received, it just. They just. It just rubs off on everyone. So, I mean, I feel it from the people that live here that weren't from here originally. I would actually get, you know, would like to get to know more people that actually have lived here their whole lives to get their perspective on things. It seems like there's a lot of transplants, but yet there's still a lot of people that we have yet to kind of meet here to get the full experience. So I'm looking forward to that, to be honest. You know, like I said, we've only been here a short year and two months. So, yeah, I'm just looking forward to basically just our journey and all the people that we haven't met that we will probably hopefully meet one day. [33:06] Speaker A: Well, it's interesting because of all the people we've been interviewing, most of them have lived here for a long time, and some of them, their family and their ancestors settled in the 1700s. [33:18] Speaker B: Yeah. [33:18] Speaker A: So there is a long legacy of repeat generations, not only repeat people visiting Gatlinburg, but the people that live here have lived here for a very long time. And you are our first guest on the podcast. That's kind of a new transplant. And most people have been here over 10 years, and 10 years is a short amount of time in comparison to other generations and so forth. But I hope maybe from this podcast you can meet some of those people. I'd love to be able to introduce you for them to get to know you. And it's a. And oftentimes the people that live here long term or have businesses for a long time, there's sometimes a division between tourists and locals and residents. And I think as more tourists become residents, we have two Employees, both from Ohio that have moved to Gatlinburg because they were repeat guests of ours. [34:18] Speaker B: That's awesome. [34:19] Speaker A: And they now work in our guest services division. And they're fantastic because they are. They know what it's like to be in the shoes of visiting guests. So I imagine Anakeesta is thrilled to have you as an employee because you are so close to the people that are their consumers, their clients, their guests. And you get to ensure that they have a great experience. [34:40] Speaker B: Yeah. [34:40] Speaker A: So tell me about what you do at Anakeester. You're in the shop at the bottom of the chairlift. So when you come off the chairlift, you, as is with many attractions, like at the aquarium, you've got to go through the gift shop to go to your exit or any of the shows. You gotta buy your merch and so forth. So that's where you are. [34:59] Speaker B: Yes, correct. [34:59] Speaker A: And tell me about some of the. What you do there. And then I want to hear about maybe some of the tourist stories and funny things that happened there. [35:05] Speaker B: So yeah, it's, you know, like I said, it's. It's just so great to be able to basically be that. That point of contact for people that are visiting Anakeesta. Anakeesta is a wonderful attraction. It was our favorite before we moved here. And like I said, I help guests basically. You know, we get a lot of questions every day from people who are first time visitors either to Gatlinburg, Anakeesta or both even. And yeah, they want to know more about it. So they come in, they ask questions and I'm more than happy to help them. [35:43] Speaker A: You are well qualified to answer those questions. [35:46] Speaker B: I'd like to think that I am, yes. I know a thing or two about Anakeesta and I can I offer them suggestions on places to go. We, we get all sorts of questions about, you know, places to eat, things to do and I can answer. I feel like I do a pretty good job of answering most of them to a certain point. If I, if I have problems, I usually try to point them in the right direction. Whether it be to like going to the visitor center in the, in the national park to get more information or just. Or just whatever. But yeah, I basically, I work in retail in the store and like I said, I greet people, I take care of their Anakeesta gifts and stuff and whatnot. [36:36] Speaker A: And you mentioned that there's a lot of first time guests to Anakeesta and those are also first time visitors to Gatlinburg. [36:43] Speaker B: Yes, I see. [36:44] Speaker A: Are you noticing any trends of where are those people from? How did they hear about Gatlinburg? Did they go to the local AAA office? [36:52] Speaker B: I haven't asked them yet that, but. Yet. But yeah, they come from all over the place. Yeah, it's incredible. We've met people from Australia that come through there and Great Britain. But as far as who's visiting the most from, I would say out of state, we get a lot of Ohioans, people from Kentucky, Georgia, Florida. Those are, those are a big portion of our, of our, of our tourism, you know. [37:27] Speaker A: Yeah. We are definitely a drive to market, like you said, within seven miles. And I think it's staggering how much of the US population lives within 10 and a 10 hour drive from Gatlinburg. [37:40] Speaker B: It's incredible. [37:41] Speaker A: It's north of a majority of the US population lives within 10 hours of Gatlinburg. [37:46] Speaker B: Yep. [37:47] Speaker A: And the airport in Knoxville is improving on their opportunities of people to fly in. We hope that only increases. But it is fascinating over the last five or 10 years, the amount of international travelers that have found out about Gatlinburg. [38:02] Speaker B: Yeah. [38:03] Speaker A: And it's on their stops. When they come to the U.S. they decide this is an affordable destination. It's a beautiful destination. The outside opportunities and it's a cultural immersion for them. [38:15] Speaker B: Yeah. [38:15] Speaker A: Not only coming to the United States, but coming to Gatlinburg. [38:18] Speaker B: Yeah. [38:18] Speaker A: From Australia or Great Britain or China or Africa. We've seen them from all over, which is exciting. [38:25] Speaker B: And that's. And like I said, I, you know, where I grew up, it, you know, we're very kind of homogenous. And when you come here and you see all the different people and stuff and it's just, it's, it's so cool to see because, man, I, it's like some of them, you don't get a chance to ask them. They're coming through. But you're just like, man, I kind of would like to know where they're from, some of them, but I don't get a chance to ask everyone. So. So, yeah, it's just, it's just, it's just amazing. It's just how many people have heard about Gatlinburg just, I would say even just in the past five to 10 years that are coming here and it's, Yeah, I, I don't know what's, I don't know what's caused all the, all the different groups of people that have been coming here. I'm sure there's, there's just more, there's more stuff out there really, for people to kind of look at. For tourism and where to go. And I feel like you've got your. [39:25] Speaker A: Facebook page, you've got everything that Gatlinburg.com is doing and the Visit Gatlinburg page and the 12 to 14 million people that visit the national park. And when you. It's synonymous to say to go to the Great Smoky Mountains, also to go to Gatlinbur. [39:38] Speaker B: Yeah. [39:39] Speaker A: Which is, which is remarkable. Now, as you think of living here, you know, you don't think of moving. This is home. You're wearing a T shirt right now that has the state of Tennessee. It says home Old Smoky Whiskey Moonshine. And. But the bigger picture of that, this is home for you now. [39:57] Speaker B: It is. [39:57] Speaker A: And before it used to be your second home. [39:59] Speaker B: Yeah. [40:00] Speaker A: Really. Because you're coming two to three or four times a year and now it is your home. So you have fulfilled a dream that many of our listeners have. And maybe today they're thinking, maybe that could be me. Yeah, maybe that could be me. And I hope that would be true. People coming. [40:16] Speaker B: Yeah. [40:17] Speaker A: But it is. It is different living here. [40:19] Speaker B: It is. [40:19] Speaker A: Than it is visiting. [40:21] Speaker B: Correct. [40:22] Speaker A: And different working here. It's a challenging work environment. You mentioned traffic. That's. You've got to begin to figure out how to navigate that. And also the transient nature of tourists is finding people that are your people. [40:36] Speaker B: Yes. [40:36] Speaker A: And that you can live in community with and live day in and day out. So there are some we don't want to romanticize. Move to Gatlinburg and my life will be completely fine. [40:46] Speaker B: Right, right. [40:47] Speaker A: So what have been maybe some of your challenges since moving here? [40:52] Speaker B: So it is, you know, at times I say we've been able to manage the traffic fairly well. But it can be, you know, you have to think, you have to really kind of think about that when you're doing things, when you're getting groceries and stuff. [41:08] Speaker A: Oh, I gotta go to Home Depot. Do I have four hours to go there and back? So you really gotta plan. I'm glad Home depot opens at 6am because you can get up early. Like to go on a hike to Laurel Falls. [41:19] Speaker B: You can. [41:20] Speaker A: You've got to think the same thing when you're going to the Home Depot. [41:23] Speaker B: Yep, yep. And now that the Target's open in Sevierville now, and I think they open at 8, so they could be, it could be a little earlier. But yeah, we won't, we, we won't go there. But. [41:32] Speaker A: But hey, there's a Target. [41:34] Speaker B: There is a Target. [41:34] Speaker A: People here locally are very Excited that there's a Target. [41:37] Speaker B: Yeah. Because we used to have to go to Knoxville, and we didn't mind going to Knoxville, but it's just nice, you know, being a little bit closer. So. [41:45] Speaker A: Well, my wife was born here and almost born on the way to the hospital because they had to drive to Knoxville. [41:52] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. [41:53] Speaker A: And so as far as medical opportunities, it's vastly improved. There's a lot more resources here in Gatlinburg. Grocery stores, convenience stores, the Target, TJ Maxx. My wife was really excited when TJ Maxx opened in Sevierville. So, so exciting. When I think about. When you think about. And I'm. I'll think about with you the future of Gatlinburg now, some things that you hope that you might do. I was just thinking, wow, Corey, you could be the man on the street and you can go interview yourself from years past. And, you know, it might be a little strange to stop people and ask them some questions, but you have that interaction and that accessibility to tourists because they're joining your page. [42:36] Speaker B: Yes. [42:36] Speaker A: And I wonder do some of those. You're really kind of anonymous behind the scenes. It's not really the Corey Wagner show. [42:46] Speaker B: Mostly. Yes, I'm anonymous. Yes. [42:47] Speaker A: You keep it as, you know, Gatlinburg now, for that information is accessible. It's approachable for other people. But have you had anyone that is on the page that's a rabid follower and a commenter, a fan, a super fan, actually. Have you ever met any of them when they come to visit? [43:05] Speaker B: Yes. [43:05] Speaker A: And what is that like? [43:06] Speaker B: It's. It's kind of weird. I mean, it's. It's cool, though. You're. [43:10] Speaker A: You're an influencer, and you're like this social influencer magnet. And then you're these people. Like, you're Corey Wagner. [43:17] Speaker B: Yeah. It's like I. I just try not to be entirely awkward whenever someone comes up to me because that's my biggest fear. I'm like, how am I going to come across to these people? And I appreciate them so much. So I'm just like, oh, yeah, hi. I always thank them. And, yeah, it happens from time to time. Not every day, but it's maybe a couple times a month I'll have someone and someone will maybe kind of tee it up for me. They'll be like, hey, I'll be. I'll be coming in. I'll be visiting here for the week. I hope to stop in and see you or whatever. I'm like, oh, okay. You know, it's like, I'm looking forward to it. It's like, it's like I, you know, it's like, no, at least I can prepare myself for it a little bit. [44:01] Speaker A: But I do have a job. [44:03] Speaker B: Yeah. [44:03] Speaker A: This is my side gig. [44:04] Speaker B: Yeah. [44:05] Speaker A: You know, and so forth. So I think of some of the iconic posts. You know, people love bears. If there's ever a bear downtown, that always causes a lot of commotion and excitement. But the other one, that's. If you follow this, and I'm not even sure if it's on your. On your page. The BMW by Parton Deli. [44:24] Speaker B: Right. [44:25] Speaker A: What is the. The story. But because it's. My wife said it's been for years, decades that's been. It's been parked there. So do you know the story behind the story? [44:35] Speaker B: And people have kind of, kind of, you know, whenever I post about it, people will kind of say that have been coming here for years. Say it used to be white or this used to be a white car or whatever. And yeah, it actually, gosh, now I'm probably, I'm going to blank out here. But it belongs to the guy lives upstairs, I believe. I believe his name is Dennis. I'm not 100% sure. I haven't met him yet. [45:06] Speaker A: We'll protect his identity. [45:07] Speaker B: Yes. But, yeah, he lives upstairs. When we first came to Gatlinburg, I think we had the same feeling that a lot of people did when they came into town and they saw that car parked there. It's like it just made its own parking spot. And I think my wife noticed it before I did. I'm like, oh, there it is again. You know, didn't think that it would become anything, you know, later on, you know, people would really kind of latch onto it and kind of make it like a social media phenomenon that it is now. [45:42] Speaker A: It's iconic. [45:44] Speaker B: So, yeah, yeah. Parton's Deli. Yeah, they've been there, been there for years. And I have yet to eat there yet. So. [45:53] Speaker A: But I know a lot of sandwiches are delicious. [45:55] Speaker B: Yes. [45:56] Speaker A: And they have been there over 50 years, I believe. [46:00] Speaker B: So they have to be doing something right to be in business that long. And like I said, a lot of people love them. They'll chime in on my page, make sure you stop in at the deli. And gosh, one of these days I'll get over there and get myself one. So I'm. [46:17] Speaker A: I'd love to treat you to a Reuben. So. [46:20] Speaker B: Okay. [46:20] Speaker A: For doing our podcast, I'll give you a freebie. Full disclosure, Tom and Corey are going to go out and have a Reuben. Sounds good. [46:27] Speaker B: Sounds great. [46:28] Speaker A: Deli, which we can document it even on the Gatlinburg now page, which is awesome. Well, what a treat this has been. And for me personally to meet you for the first time. And it makes these conversations really rich and meaningful. And I so appreciate your contribution to this community. And it's really selfless and it's from a heart of love and care for this community. And the podcast is called for the Love of Gatlinburg, and I would say you embody that well. [46:58] Speaker B: Thank you. [46:58] Speaker A: And you're. You're welcome. And thank you for doing that and for contributing so much to our community. And to the guests who call Gatlinburg their second home. It's been great to have you, Corey. [47:10] Speaker B: It's been great being here. So happy to be here talking to you and doing this. It's been a pleasure and thank you. [47:19] Speaker A: You're welcome. We'll see you around town. [47:20] Speaker B: All right.