You Just Never Know Who You Might See At Bush's Beans

Last Thursday, my husband and I headed up to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for a few days. I have written in an earlier post about all the great things to be checked out and the nice people at the home of Bush's Beans in Danbridge, Tennessee. You can check out that post here.

As I told you before, we try to allow time on our trip up to the Great Smoky Mountains to make a pit stop at Bush's Beans. We also somehow arrive there at just the right time(when we are hungry)! We absolutely love the food served in Bush's Family Cafe.

I did not take any pictures of our food this time, but my husband always seems to order the same thing, the fried chicken tenders, which are simply fabulous. I posted a picture of the tenders in the post I referred to above. I had the chicken salad plate this time, as I like to try the different offerings on the menu. It was delicious! Almost everything on the menu is prepared on site. Their wonderful cook makes the chicken salad and, also, tuna salad daily. She also bakes some fabulous pies and lots of people purchase entire pies to take out with them.

They do not advertise much, except for the Bush's Beans commercials which, of course, feature Duke, and the secret family recipe. The cafe, general store and museum have been low key in advertising and,  quite honestly, we found out about it as we were passing by that way on one of our trips up to visit Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN. I am not being compensated for posting about them now. It is just a really nice place to make a stop and spend some quality time, eating in The Bush Family Cafe, shopping in their Old-Fashioned General Store, or visiting The Bush's Story-a free museum. We usually do all three!

After we cleaned our plates, we walked on around to the general store to see what was new. I didn't take many pictures inside the store this time. They had Easter and Spring related decor in the front section of the store. The Easter Bunny and his friends were stationed just at the front entry of the store. He was wearing his scarf, as it was a little chilly out this day and he is carrying a can of Bush's Beans in his hand!

Easter Bunny at Bush's Family Old-Fashioned General Store

Here is a view of the bunny from the side and you can see he carries his basket on his back and inside is, you guessed it, more Bush's Beans!

Bush's Beans Easter Bunny Carries Cans of Bush's Beans in His Basket

This bunny is taller than many humans! Isn't he just the cutest thing?

You can always find the most wonderful things in this shop. One section of the store is stocked with reproduction vintage and antique linens and kitchen items. I wish I had taken more pictures, but they were getting ready to close shortly after we left. I purchased some wooden Easter eggs and reproduction vintage dish towels like this one I used to make a red work embroidered gift for a blogging friend.

Reproduction Vintage Dish Towel 

Check that post out here, if you like. They are of good quality and I love to use them in projects.

The shop carries all sorts of vintage reproduction table cloths, aprons, etc. You know, the kind from the 30's, 40's and 50's that have the gorgeous graphics on them of flowers, fruits, vacation spots, etc! 

Like the one in this image. 

source

I find the prices on the merchandise in the store to be quite reasonable and the variety and selection of merchandise is very good, too!

We finished shopping and were heading for our car in the parking lot when we heard a voice behind us. I could not believe it. Did I hear OhHoHo?! I turned around and, yes, there he was! He was dressed in red and had a long white beard and his weight was quite "jolly."

He had just come from a visit in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where he and (as I recall) 256 other old elves, had attended a Santa convention and took part in a parade through that lovely mountain town! The event is called Santafest Parade and takes place every two years. This link has some information about the event. It takes place every two years sometime around St. Patrick's Day.

Santa was gracious enough to allow me to take a picture or two for my blog. Here he is leaning on the front of his red sleigh(car). That is his Ms. in the background wearing the purple shirt.

Santa Visits Bush's Beans

He thought it would be nice if I took another picture of him wearing his casual hat, so I was more than happy to do so. You will notice he is also wearing his casual sneakers! See his tag? He is from OHHOHO! In regular English, that is Ohio!

Santa From OHHOHO(Ohio)

He gave me a copy of his Sleigh License (business card). He is a professional Santa and his sleigh license lists his telephone number for the toy shop and his sleigh. He can be engaged for parties, photos, etc.  Isn't he cute?

Not only is Bush's Beans a fabulous stop along the way to more fun, but you just never know who you might see while you are visiting there!

I hope you are all having a beautiful and happy week!