So, you’ve heard the big news?
Photo credit: Clay Goswick (@4runnergunner)
Photo credit: Clay Goswick (@4runnergunner)
Photo credit: Clay Goswick (@4runnergunner)
To Our Mulberry Gap Community,
We have some important news that we’re really excited to share with you all!
After years of careful consideration, our families have made the decision to sell our unique, one-of-a-kind business to someone who is ready to take it to the next level. You read that right! After more than 17 successful years in business, we have decided it’s time to find the new owner(s) of Mulberry Gap and pass the torch.
We want Mulberry Gap to continue being a space for this community to get outside, create memories and relax in nature with friends and family for years to come. Our goal is to find someone interested in and committed to maintaining the high standards of service and quality that you have come to expect from us. However, we also realize our property serves as the perfect setting for a number of other business ventures and we’re open to seeing this space change as well.
We’ve put tremendous effort into creating a magical and unique space for our beloved outdoor community and you have given back tenfold with your generosity, support and friendship. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to meet so many amazing folks over the years. Developing genuine friendships with so many of you has been truly one of the most fulfilling parts of running this business! We are tremendously grateful to every person that has shared Mulberry Gap with their friends and loved ones. We could not be where we are without your unwavering support. Thank you for believing in us and ensuring we thrived.
Photo credit: Clay Goswick (@4runnergunner)
Photo credit: Clay Goswick (@4runnergunner)
We’ve witnessed your engagements, hosted your weddings, heard your laughter echoing throughout the property, and watched some of your kids grow up. A few of you long-timers have been around long enough to watch our families to completely transform this property. We’ve been your place to get away from it all and disconnect, your home away from home, and your safe retreat. Our hearts swell with gratitude when we’re reminded of these moments. Mulberry Gap has been described as having an “irreplaceable magic” and it’s our deepest desire to see that continue for each and every one of you.
You’re probably wondering about the rest of 2024 and beyond. We want to assure you that all operations will continue just as you’ve come to expect while we work through this process. Once we find the new owners, we are dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition with minimal disruption to our services. You can expect the same level of commitment to excellence that you have experienced with us.
We put considerable thought into how we wanted to go about this process but decided sharing our intentions publicly early on in this search is the best option. We have a better chance of finding the perfect new owners by reaching out to those that have experienced Mulberry Gap.
We sincerely appreciate your continued support through this journey. If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please share this with them! We are confident this is the right move for the business and community. New energy and a fresh perspective can breathe new life into this space, and we’re excited to watch Mulberry Gap continue to change and grow into the future.
See our FAQ below and thank you for being a valued part of the Mulberry Gap family!
Sincerely,
Kate & Andrew Gates, Diane & Stephen Kepley, Ginni Taylor, Pat Gates and the Crew at Mulberry Gap
Interested in learning more about how Mulberry Gap came to be?
We know this is a lot to take in and you likely have a handful of Questions. We’ve answered some of those below!
+ Why are you selling?
Mulberry Gap started as the dream of our moms, Diane & Ginni, when we were just 17 & 18 years old. As they continued to take a step back over the years, we've carried on with their vision and tried to constantly improve with the help our of amazing team! This has been an amazing and unexpected chapter in our lives that we are incredibly grateful for. It has been a labor of love - both as something that has been so meaningful to us personally, and also as a way to give back to our moms and families to ensure they have happier and healhier retirement years.
Andrew and I have been building a "deferred wishlist" of many of our own dreams while we live the Mulberry Gap life. After all, Andrew has spent 18 years here and I have spent 11. We're excited to head out on some of our own adventures in the future, and hopefully, even stop by as frequent guests in Mulberry Gap's next phase!
+ What will happen to Mulberry Gap?
Our sincere goal is that we can find someone who wants to carry on what our families started and our team has helped us continue on and improve upon. We want this space to exist for the outdoor community so that you all can continue to enjoy this beautiful property, nearby trails, and the peacefulness of these mountains. However, we fully understand this property is quite perfect for a number of opportunities and we’re open to talking with you about those too!
+ What’s the timeline for all this?
We’re in the early stages of this process. It could take several months or years. We’ll continue to operate as usual until then and will update our community as we know more.
+ What will happen to my credit voucher/gift card?
In the event we’re able to sell Mulberry Gap to a buyer that would like to continue running it as-is, all credits and gift cards will be honored. If the buyer intends to run it as something else, those items will expire at the time of our sale. If you have an unused credit or gift card, we encourage you to book those sooner rather than later. :)
+ Is this the last season to visit Mulberry Gap and experience it as-is?
Honestly, we’re not sure. It’s certainly possible. For that reason, we’re trying to be very intentional about cherishing each day we’re still here. If you have been wanting to come for years but haven’t been able to make it work, or love Mulberry just the way it is and want to guarantee yourself an experience just like before, we encourage you to make a reservation in 2024.
+ Will there be a final celebration or reunion or party to recognize the end of an era?
Absolutely! We will coordinate a farewell party in the future. We’ll ensure Diane, Ginni, and our families are present for this occasion so we can share memories, laugh a whole lot, maybe even cry, but definitely focus on celebrating this amazing chapter in our lives.
+ But I participate in a race here every year? What’s going to happen to TNGA? Or Coyote Ugly's Events?
We will maintain regular operations until further information becomes available. However, it's important to acknowledge the possibility that these events could undergo temporary or permanent changes depending on the future trajectory of this business.
+ I’m already hosting a retreat, private event, or wedding with you.
Don’t stress! We will honor each of our contracts exactly as they were written and agreed upon. Let’s make it memorable!
+ I was considering hosting a retreat, private event, wedding or similar with you. What should I do now?
Let’s talk! We’re taking bookings up to 12 months in advance so don’t put off your plans just because of this announcement.
+ I might be interested but would like to know more. What’s it like running Mulberry Gap?
- Plain and simple; it’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle.
- You’ll live and work in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains near Ellijay, Blue Ridge and Chatsworth.
- Being surrounded by like minded people.
- Helping folks enjoy and experience the outdoors.
- Bringing customers joy on a daily basis.
- Supporting happy customers. Our guests are on vacation. They’re stoked to be here and it shows.
- Working with great individuals and companies to host events.
- 5 day work weeks, Tuesday and Wednesday off. Of course, you could always remain open 7 days per week.
- Seasonal closure; 2-2.5 months of downtime to plan, reset, and recoup. We generally take about a month of vacation during that time.
- OR choose to stay open year-round. We’ve done both.
- Be your own boss! Set your own schedule and deadlines.
+ What does a day-in-the-life of running Mulberry Gap look like?
- Culinary: inventory, shop, prep, serve, cleaning and customer service.
- Housekeeping: stripping & flipping cabins, clean and restock bathhouses, wash, dry and fold laundry.
- Landscaping: debris pick up, weed whacking, mowing, leaf blowing and planting seasonal flowers.
- Property Maintenance: addressing fix it tickets, pressure washing, draining, cleaning, and refilling/treating hot tubs, cleaning out fire pits, safety checks throughout property.
- Bookkeeping/Financial Reports: run payroll, enter point-of-sale & reservation receipts, categorizing expenses and income, reconcile accounts, pay monthly taxes. Update all monthly reports.
- Business Development/Marketing: Attend Chamber meetings and vendor events to build relationships and help market and promote through various channels including social media, newsletter, etc.
- Event Planning: coordinate with event organizers, build events on the website and social media platforms.
- Guest Services: handle emails, phone calls and in-person guest services with retail sales, trail questions and shuttle scheduling and driving.
- Retail Management: assess inventory, re-order, stock, price in store and online inventory.
+ What is everyone doing next?
- As many of you already know, Diane & Ginni moved back to Vero Beach, Florida, where we lived before moving to Ellijay, between 2017 and 2020.
- Andrew plans to continue his work in Forest Health, treating Hemlocks with AdelRid along with taking on the occassional carpentry and other skilled trades job opportunities as they arise.
- Kate is considering going back to school to complete an MBA to hone her financial and entreprenurial skills. She will assist Andrew with the administration side of the businesses above and is also open to remote opportunities moving forward.
- When Tori's Mulberry Gap days are through, she plans to take a job closer to home in middle Georgia. Feel free to reach out if you have a future job opportunity in mind for her.
- Jackie and Cohutta Cat have already taken a job closer to home and family near Atlanta as of April '24.
+ What's the acreage and price of Mulberry Gap?
- We're lucky to have 15.6 acres only a half mile away from the famous Pinhoti Trail!
- About 10 acres is developed with cabins, campsites, bathhouses, retail office and a dining hall/event space.
- The other 5 acres has a custom onsite trail built by Cohutta Trail Designs. There are opportunities for more development on this parcel.
- Price: $3,695,000
+ I am, or know someone who is interested in running Mulberry Gap in a very similar fashion! Where should I send them to find out more info?
Awesome, we’d love to talk with you. All inquiries should be directed to Greg Goad (info@goadhomepartners.com or 404-553-4799).
+ I am, or know someone who is, interested in the property but would like to operate it as a different kind of business. Where should I send them to find out more info?
Awesome, we’d love to hear your plans. We’ll initially prioritize conversations with those who would like to keep Mulberry Gap’s operations running. However, if we are not able to successfully find a buyer, we will open the door to other business ventures. All inquiries should be directed to Greg Goad (info@goadhomepartners.com or 404-553-4799).