Currently Arrowhead Development through the town of Old Fort has been awarded two North Carolina Rural Center grants. the first one, a pre-development grant that provided means to do a feasibility study including structural evaluation, Phase-I environmental study, architectural drawings and business feasibility study. The second grant for reuse and restoration.
Both grants were made possible through cooperation with the town of Old Fort and McDowell County. The second grant award of $100,000.00 provides funds for abatement and restoration work in exchange for the creation of at least ten new jobs.
Our goal is to create a downtown shopping destination that will add value and enhance tourism development in association with Mountain Gateway Museum, Old Fort Train Museum, Davidson's Fort Historic Park, Andrew's Geyser, Point Lookout trail, Catawba Falls and other local attractions in and around the town limits of downtown Old Fort, North Carolina.Arrowhead Development, owned and operated by Dru & Beverly Heldman who also own Pinwilz Company along with TAAS Gallery & Catawba Vale Cafe. In the new plan for development of the restoration is the creation of Arrowhead Hotel & Suites. A twelve room upper-scale accommodation that will boast state of the art technologies, best use of new green environmental accommodations and retain the historic character of the building believed to be built in 1880.
Some of the features of the project are a special niche-marketing plan to attract motorcycle riders in for a stay with a secure out-building that will provide covered parking for motor bikes with special high-resolution cameras so that guests will be able to check on their bikes while in their room or even off site through a special IP-Video Internet gateway. Motor bike guests will have access to rent available mountain bikes and trek up the point look out trail, ride out to Andrew's Geyser or pedal over to Davidson's Fort Historic Park. The building plans also include a special room for hosting events like small weddings, trade shows and corporate training's. The flex space will be used by TAAS Gallery for special art showings. Catawba Vale Cafe will build out a full restaurant that will add a full menu that will serve all meals and even has a planned drive-thru and expanded catering capabilities. The interior of Catawba Vale Cafe will be a showcase of a time gone by and will pay tribute to the early residents of this place. Oversized sepia tone photographs will be stretched on canvas and accented by gallery lighting. Many of the photographs will come from Beverly collection and other sources. Behind the buildings on Catawba Avenue the developer has planned a phase II development which will create a handcrafts market. The Handcrafts market will be home to many small handcraft business owners all retailing and creating original products on site. Special accommodations will be made to insure that all the bases are covered including metal / black smithing, pottery making with an on-site kiln, additional space for teaching handcrafts, providing seminars and perpetuating craftsmanship along with the art of marketing these unique products.
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 | 1st floor features:
Restaurant with dine-in and drive thru. Will provide catering service and will have banquet space to host dinners and special events. Out back there will be a wisteria covered trellis dining area. Creating a perfect place to relax, unwind and enjoy fresh brewed coffee and fresh baked goods.
TAAS Gallery artisan products will be showcased throughout the dining area and in the hotel lobby area. The works of over 100 regional Handcrafters makes every visit memorable. |
 | 2nd floor features:
Arrowhead Hotel & Suites with 12 deluxe rooms. There will be nine standard rooms and three suites. One of the suites includes a Jacuzzi tub, living room and wet-bar. The hotel will also have an outdoor hot tub to help weary travelers relax. Room service will be available from 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM by Catawba Vale Cafe. Hotel guests will be given use of complementary mountain bikes to tour the town and it's many outdoor activities. |
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