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HOMETOWN HOSPITALITY with Mallorie Rasberry | Episode 108

The Heirloom

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What does it take to turn a small Southern town into a beloved destination? According to Mallorie Rasberry—CPA, HGTV designer, and Laurel native—it starts with hospitality.

In this episode of The Heirloom Podcast, Josh Nowell and Jim Rasberry sit down with Mallorie to explore how welcoming strangers into a backyard cottage sparked a decade of transformation in Laurel, Mississippi. That spark became a movement—and now, The Heirloom Hotel.

From staging homes on Home Town to opening a 30-room hotel with a cooking school, Mallorie has spent years building spaces that feel like home. Her approach is simple but powerful: kindness, comfort, and care for every guest who walks through the door.

▶ You’ll hear:
• How Mallorie turned her love for hosting into Laurel’s first boutique hotel
• Why true hospitality can change the economics of a small town
• What a childhood on a dairy farm taught her about serving others
• The power of embracing your town’s quirks—yes, even a giant peanut
• How The Heirloom Hotel reflects Mallorie’s legacy of welcome

“You don’t have to be perfect to be proud of your place and to welcome folks. That’s the story of Laurel.” – Mallorie Rasberry

Whether you’re a fan of HGTV’s Home Town, a lover of small-town revitalization, or just looking for inspiration on how legacy is built one guest at a time—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:07 – Mallorie joins the podcast
03:38 – The early days of Home Town
04:49 – From Airbnb to hotel: the hosting journey
08:40 – Why Laurel needed a hotel
10:28 – Building The Heirloom Hotel
13:46 – Inspiration from the Viking cooking school
17:05 – What makes hospitality powerful
24:06 – The impact of weather, welcome, and kindness
29:16 – How Miss Hospitality shaped Mallorie’s worldview
33:05 – What to expect from The Heirloom Hotel
36:07 – The views from every room
39:00 – Hospitality as a legacy
44:41 – Why your town doesn’t need to be perfect
49:00 – “Find your peanut.”
50:13 – Final thoughts on legacy

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Recorded in Laurel, Mississippi at The Heirloom Hotel
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows.
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#TheHeirloomPodcast #HGTVHomeTown #MallorieRasberry #SouthernHospitality #SmallTownRevival #LaurelMississippi #Legacy #theHeirloomHotel #HomeTown #JoshNowell #JimRasberry #LaurelMercantile #ScotsmanCo #hgtv #theheirloom

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20 Comments

@terriford5634 4 months ago (edited)

100% Jim. I traveled by car as the only adult with kids 650 miles several times a year. It is amazing what familiarity does for confidence and pleasure in doing so. When you know the area and can count on it consistently, it drives plans. Those places become part of the tradition that makes family. It takes so little to welcome others. I drove 6 hours to Laurel, and arrived with no charge on my phone. My charger had failed. You know where I went? The library. I plugged in, visited with folks, read a few favorite children books, and left ready for my "official" visit. Again, never underestimate the community resources each of you already have.

@deborahjones7415 7 months ago

We all love Mallorie, she's an awesome friend to Erin.

@WillfromLG 3 months ago

I stumbled across this podcast today (7/3/26), and was momentarily encouraged that the Framily had reinstalled the store in The Heirloom Hotel. When a brief photo of the hotel was displayed, I realized that the Heirloom sign was missing that the podcast was old, later verified as I scanned down through the comments to see ones that were a year old.
You guys, while complimentary of Mallorie, didn't touch on how much we saw, watching her on Hometown, how valuable she has been.
Now, watching Mallorie talk about her BnB success, I realize she's even better. BTW, I wonder how many potential visitors to Laurel don't know about how many BnBs are available.

@kathydanko8931 3 months ago

I watched the heirloom being turned into the best hotel and store. I was so upset that it burned and cannot wait til u restore it so my sister and I can visit
We feel like we know you all and wish you all the best
We will keep watching so we can make reservations as soon as u are back open our prayers are with u all.

@andreaprice3267 3 months ago

You are all amazing! I'm delighted to hear other small town representatives are able to glean from you to revitalize their own town. When I first heard of the fire, Mallory was the first person I thought about. There's a saying, "People will forget what you said and what you did, but they never forget how you made them feel." I'm in admiration of your fortitude and your HARD WORK, not because anyone wants the spotlight, but because you believe in what you're doing. Thank you for the goodness you put into the world. You are very special people.

@Scrimp22 1 year ago

Another dynamite episode! Mallorie has always has such a welcoming presence! 😃

@airbeanie23 3 months ago

Mallorie thanks for sharing the podcast as it was awesome to listen to during my travels for work. Jim and Josh were pretty funny as well. I look forward to bringing my wife down as part of our 30 year wedding anniversary from the land of Oz very soon for a hospitable time to visit, learn more about Laurel, and spend some time in your hometown meeting many of the wonderful folks from Home Town.

@jocelyneTourangeau-Rutledge 1 year ago

Finally we can see all three of you having a conversation. Love it

@MaryNell-y2y 1 year ago

My husband & l celebrated our 40th anniversary at Jim & Mallorie’s Airbnb. It’s fabulous!! We’ve got our 45th coming up. I’m hoping to come back. We loved Laurel!!

@mandyvincent1439 2 months ago

My Husband and I are planning a trip to Laurel this fall. We want to visit Scottsman, restaurants and antique shops. Cannot wait.

@toddraney4072 1 year ago (edited)

Mallorie, you rock! Three years ago, we visited Laurel, and we were trying to find an atm, and we were trying to use the one at your building. You were very kind, and helpful, and we were kind of in shock that you were as laid back and cool as you were! I love Hometown, and we loved Laurel! People don't believe us when we tell them how wonderful the people in Laurel are. You left a great impression on two tourists from Cincinnati, Ohio. You are a great representative of Laurel. Thank you!
To everyone else, if you are considering a wonderful place to visit and vacation, I highly recommend visiting Laurel, Mississippi!

@AuntMandyLee 1 year ago

I was stuck in NJ traffic and I could barely stay awake when I remembered about your podcast. I navigated to this episode and it was like I was riding with old friends! Y'all helped the time fade away as the miles slowly passed. I ended up listening to three entire episodes on that trip and I am a fan for life! THANK YOU!🥰

@bettecannavino4047 1 year ago

Good for you! I visited Laurel in 1964 with a good friend who was from there. Her Grandparents had a huge mansion which we stayed in. The people of Laurel were so friendly with their southern hospitality I’ve never forgotten it and will be visiting soon.

@judyjones8939 4 months ago (edited)

My experience in Laurel were not like going home.. More like going to your Favorite Aunt's.. so happy to see us, always ready with that extra bit to make me welcome.. peaceful when wanted but plenty to do and great folks to visit with.🐸 ❤ Thank you for all of my lovely warm memories with Laurel in its background... each of your shows bring that feeling back to me.

@sandyhaworth4181 1 year ago

I hope next year to stay in your hotel! I live in Southern Indiana. I was raised on my grandparents' dairy farm. My Grandma Crane got up at 2 a.m. every morning. She cooked 3 meals-no sandwiches, for my Grandpa Crane and any hired hands that they had. Not, only did she do that and keep house, she helped milk cows and strip tobacco. As grandkids, we started working the farm at 3 years old. Don't judge! I am so thankful for the raising I had. That's why I have a strong work ethic. I've raised my boys to work hard, too.

@BarbaraBrown-j3l 3 months ago

Just love all of your creative work. You are just awesome. I can't wait to see you.

@pennybozok3549 3 months ago

We love you all. Wish you best

@lindafoster9009 1 year ago

Recently discovered The Heirloom podcasts on You Tube and love them. I watched Home Town for years so I feel like y’all are family. Matter of fact while visiting my daughter near Picayune we planned a mother daughter day in Laurel. Looking forward to the opening of The Heirloom Hotel which I’m sure will be a huge success. ❤

@JudySquyres52 1 year ago

We were just there for our 48th anniversary. We have previously stayed at Malories 2 times. Loved staying there.

@debbiee1073 3 months ago

I'm writing this post fire, and I'm so sorry you had to go through that. The hotel looked amazing, and I hope that you will be able to rebuild down the road if that is your desire.

I have enjoyed watching you over the years in Hometown, and it is interesting to learn more about you through the podcast. I appreciate Josh bringing his faith into the conversation, and I suspect that is something all of you share.

I didn't know Mississippi was known as the hospitality state. Maybe some day I will be able to come to Laurel to experience it.