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!




Comments

Hi Lynn, thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving the sweet and kind comment about spring and crocheting! This looks like it was such a nice day and I love the big easter bunny and Santa! Lol! Have a great day.
Julie at Julie's Lifestyle
lynn cockrell said…
We had a nice time at Bush's, Julie. It is a fun place. Thanks for dropping by my blog to check things out!
Hi Lynn, I had no idea about the Bush Bean Cafe and General Store. The next time we go to the mountains we may have to head that way. So glad I read your post!
What a fun trip! The bunny is cute ... and I love the vintage linens!!
Vicki Boster said…
Lynn- your trip sounds like it was so much fun. I love it when you find some little out of the way place and it turns out to be wonderful- I had never even heard of that cafe-- so thanks for the heads up!!

Thanks for your visit-- to respond to your comment-- we absolutely love Columbia. From a cruise perspective- I feel very safe walking around-- but- I do not think I would want to travel there-- outside the general tourist area-- I just don't think I would feel comfortable. But on a cruise day-- I have no concerns at all:)

Xoxo
Vicki
Lynn, I haven't been to Pigeon Forge in Years but would love to visit again. Sounds like you had a good day.
xx,
Sherry
JShelby said…
Love the bunny! Sounds like a trip must be made..
lynn cockrell said…
Thanks for visiting my blog and for letting me know you had stopped by! We always enjoy a visit to Bush's Beans. There were a couple of those big bunnies in the store and they really are cute and Santa, too! Hope your weekend is going nicely!
lynn cockrell said…
It is always fun stopping by there, Jennifer, and I wish I could buy one of every linen in there. They are wonderful!
lynn cockrell said…
Vicki,
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I really appreciate the information about Columbia. The people from there are beautiful and they all seemed so fun loving and happy when we saw them at Dollywood. It is sad that a country so wonderful and rich in culture and history has been so adversely affected by the elements of crime and violence. I hope conditions will improve for the beautiful people who live there and for those who wish to visit.

Your pictures taken there are wonderful!

lynn cockrell said…
Thanks for stopping by, Sherry! We always enjoy a stop at Bush's Beans!
lynn cockrell said…
It is a great place, Jennifer! It is truly family oriented. If you do go, don't miss the little museum where you can learn about Bush's Beans history and there is even a booth near the end of the museum tour where the whole family(we have stuffed 11 of us in)can have their picture made together with Duke in the background for free! We love the place.

Have a beautiful Sunday tomorrow!
Cindy said…
Cute post! We often visit and look for bush beans but not in a bunnies hand. Glad you were able to get away for a few days. It must have been a day to meet the Easter Bunny and Santa in the same.
lynn cockrell said…
Nothing like going straight to the source for those "beautiful beans!" I would love to have a bunny like that one for home. You are right, it was Easter and Christmas, all rolled in to one visit! Thanks for stopping by, Cindy. I love hearing from you!
Sheryl said…
What an interesting place to visit. Love the store and the lovely vintage linen, Fancy meeting Santa there! I wonder how many times he has to pose for photos every day?
Lol, Santa is early this year ;-)
I love old fashioned shops. I think I could get lost for hours there!
hugs, Wendy
Oh friend! This shop is so me!!! I just love those vintage table cloths! And that Easter bunny is a hoot! I am glad that you all got away! I could spend some money in that cute store! I hope you and the family are well! You take care...Nicole xoxox
lynn cockrell said…
Thanks so much for stopping by to check out our experiences Bush's Beans! We really do make it a must stop on our trips to the Smokies. It is a fabulous shop to buy reproductions of vintage linens at a very reasonable price. They are very low key, but it would be nice if they would open up an online shop too.

The funny thing about Santa was that he actually initiated the conversation and was very cordial. You are probably right and that he gets a lot of requests!
lynn cockrell said…
Wendy, I am so glad you dropped by! The shop is very quaint, but every inch is filled with wonderful things, including lots of the beautiful bean flavors! The folks who work there are so nice too. I (we) totally love the place!
lynn cockrell said…
Nicole, I am so glad you stopped by! I think you and the beans would really like the entire experience. We old(er) folks cannot get enough of it. Every time we plan a trip up that way, we get excited at the prospect of making the stop there! Isn't that silly of these two old kids?!
Oh I would love to go to Bush's Beans Cafe; didn't realize they were "that close" to me...still a couple of hours drive but, maybe, doable.
lynn cockrell said…
I'm so glad you stopped by! The Bush's Family Cafe is a great place to eat. I think it closes at 4:00 PM most days, so if you plan a trip, you might want to check to make sure about the time and season. The food is as good as home cooking-at least we certainly think so. The shop and little "free" museum are so nice, too. All of the people who work there are so cordial.

If you do visit, I hope you will find the whole place as charming as our family does!

Popular posts from this blog

More From Biltmore House and Gardens Fashionable Romance Wedding Gowns in Film Collection

How to Make and Use a Stencil Using Cricut Expression

Costumes From' "Fashionable Romance Wedding Gowns in Film Exhibition" at Biltmore House