Made in Bristol

Growing up in a candy factory sounds like every sugar-loving kid’s dream; visions of lollipops and chocolates dancing in their heads. For Buzz Helms, it was his everyday growing up. After school let out, he would race over to   Helms Candy Company , where his great-grandfather and grandfather made sure everything was running smoothly. Today Helms serves as the company’s vice president of sales and marketing as part of the fourth generation to lead the family business. Decades

Before you even walk in the door of   The Southern Churn , you can smell the melting chocolate and roasting nuts from the sidewalk; wafting out of the kitchen, the scent of fresh fudge calls your name. Cheerful music and smiling faces greet you once inside the shop as you browse for a sweet treat or two to taste. Located in the heart of Downtown Bristol, this is the place to be for decadent fudge and other sweet treats that will have you feeling like a kid again. Owner Karen

Straddling the Tennessee and Virginia border, Bristol is made by the people who call this slice of the mountains home. Whether you spend your days fly fishing for trout on the South Holston River, toe-tapping along to the sounds of the Birthplace of Country Music, or joining in with the roar of the crowd at Bristol Motor Speedway, memories are made in Bristol. Meet the creative makers of Bristol, the ones who turn ordinary sights, sounds, and smells into stunning works of art