Nestled in downtown Hiawassee, GA, Always Christmas has been a local favorite and popular tourist stop since 1993.

​

The idea of opening retail stores was born out of Ray and Faye Wine's love for entrepreneurial endeavors.  Several years prior, Faye ran The Hen's Nest at a different location in Hiawassee.  After several years of success, Ray and Faye purchased the property along HWY 76 between Lake Chatuge and downtown Hiawassee and built two retail store buildings, which they called The Shoppes at Tater Ridge. 

 

With the extra retail space, Faye came up with the idea for a year-round Christmas store out of her love for all things Christmas.  Always Christmas opened on August 7th, 1993.  Ray and Faye ran the store with one employee - a dear friend named Dottie Robinson who put many of her own personal touches into the store and whose presence is still felt there today.

​

Always Christmas continued to grow over the years.  Faye's previous career in design and decorating proved invaluable to the store and Ray's years of experience in construction and management kept things running smoothly.  During their yearly trips to the Atlanta retail market, Faye would buy product and Ray was in charge of transportation and navigation. Always Christmas now has more than a dozen employees and the Wine family continues to operate it, The Hen's Nest, Classy Chick, and Inspirations.

​

About a year after the store's opening, a friend in Hiawassee is quoted as saying, "When my wife and I heard what you were going to do, we both thought you had 'stepped off the deep end.' But, it looks like you are doing good!"

​