Canton's Comeback Is Happening One Small Business at a Time

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By Jon Tharp, Broker  ·  June 3, 2026

Canton, North Carolina has been through more in the past few years than most small towns face in a generation. Two floods. The permanent closure of the Pactiv Evergreen paper mill after more than a century of continuous operation. Real losses, for real families, in a town that has always been defined by its working-class identity and its close-knit community.

And yet Canton is still here. Located along US-74 in Haywood County, about 17 miles west of Asheville, the town is working its way back. One of the quieter ways that recovery is happening is through its local business scene, which has more to offer than most people outside Haywood County seem to realize.

Why does it matter where you shop in Canton?

When you spend money at a locally owned business, more of that money stays in the local economy. It supports the owner's family, their employees, and in turn, the other businesses those people patronize. In a town that has absorbed the loss of one of its largest employers, that cycle matters more than usual.

The Evergreen mill had been part of Canton's identity since 1908. For generations, it was where people worked, where families built stability, and where the local economy had a reliable floor. That floor dropped out in 2023, and the floods compounded the pressure. Supporting independent businesses now is one of the few tangible ways residents and visitors can actually help push back against that.

What kind of shops and restaurants does Canton actually have?

More than most people expect. Canton has clothing boutiques, health and wellness businesses, restaurants, art collectives, and flower shops. It is not a ghost town, and it is not a tourist trap. It is a working small town trying to hold onto what makes it worth living in.

The challenge is visibility. Waynesville, about five miles east along US-74, has a well-established Main Street scene that draws consistent traffic from Asheville day-trippers and regional visitors. Canton sits right next to it and often gets skipped over. That is not a knock on Waynesville, which has earned its reputation, but Canton has real options that routinely go overlooked because of how close they sit to a louder neighbor.

If you have not walked Canton's streets recently, the picture is different from what you might assume. Local business owners have been building something, even during difficult times.

How does shopping locally connect to Canton's recovery?

Economic recovery in a small town is not a single event. It is incremental and often invisible until it gains momentum. Local businesses are a big part of what holds a community together between those moments.

Family-owned shops are also harder to replace than people tend to realize. When a chain store closes, another one often takes its place. When an independent business closes, the person who opened it and the relationships they built with customers are simply gone. That specific character does not come back.

Canton still has those businesses. The question is whether enough people will support them to ensure they are still there five years from now.

Is there a real estate dimension to Canton's story?

There is, and it has been developing quietly. Canton has historically offered some of the most affordable home prices in Haywood County, particularly for buyers who want mountain living without the premiums that come with Waynesville or Asheville. That difference has attracted buyers who are priced out of more prominent markets but still want access to the same landscapes and outdoor recreation that bring people to western North Carolina.

The Pigeon River runs through town. The national forest is close. Asheville is about 20 minutes east on US-74. For buyers looking in that range, Canton offers most of what they are looking for without the price tag.

A growing local business scene makes that picture more complete. People do not just buy a house. They buy into a place. The more Canton's shops and restaurants hold on and grow, the more the town becomes somewhere people actively want to live, not just somewhere they can afford to.

What is the bottom line on Canton right now?

Canton has faced real hardship, and the community has not pretended otherwise. But there is a difference between acknowledging difficulty and being defined by it. The people building businesses in Canton are doing it because they think the town has more ahead than the past few years would suggest.

Shopping locally there is a small act with a real effect. It is also a good excuse to spend some time in a part of Haywood County that too many people drive through without stopping, and to find out there is considerably more going on than they assumed.

If following Canton's story has you curious about what putting down roots in Haywood County might actually look like, Jon Tharp is happy to walk you through what the market looks like right now.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to the paper mill in Canton, NC?

The Pactiv Evergreen paper mill in Canton operated for over 100 years before it was permanently closed in 2023. At its peak, the mill employed hundreds of workers and was one of the largest employers in Haywood County. Its closure came after the company determined operations were no longer sustainable, and the economic impact rippled through Canton in ways still being felt today. The mill's smokestack was a visible landmark from much of the town, and its loss represented both an economic and cultural shift for the community.

What is there to do and shop in Canton, NC?

Canton sits along US-74 in Haywood County and offers a mix of dining, local retail, and outdoor access that often goes unnoticed compared to neighboring Waynesville. The town has independent restaurants, clothing boutiques, wellness businesses, art collectives, and flower shops. The Pigeon River runs through the area and provides fishing and kayaking opportunities nearby. Canton is also within 20 minutes of Asheville and a short drive from the western entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains, making it a practical and underrated base for exploring western North Carolina.

How far is Canton, NC from Asheville?

Canton is approximately 17 miles west of Asheville along US-74, also known as the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway. The drive typically takes around 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic. That proximity makes Canton accessible to Asheville's amenities while still feeling distinctly separate from the city. For people considering a move to the mountains, the US-74 corridor also provides easy access westward toward Waynesville, Sylva, Bryson City, and the boundaries of the national park.

Is Canton, NC a good place to buy a home?

Canton has historically offered some of the most affordable home prices in Haywood County, which makes it appealing for buyers who want mountain living without the premiums attached to Waynesville or Asheville. As interest in western North Carolina has grown, Canton has attracted buyers who want access to the same landscapes and outdoor recreation that define the region without paying top-of-market prices. Proximity to US-74 keeps commuting to Asheville reasonable, and the Pigeon River corridor and national forest access add genuine appeal for outdoor-oriented buyers.

Why is supporting local businesses in Canton important right now?

Canton has faced back-to-back hardships: two significant floods and the 2023 closure of the Pactiv Evergreen paper mill, which had anchored the local economy for more than a century. Unlike a chain retailer, an independent business that closes does not simply get replaced. The owner, the relationships, and the specific character of that shop are gone. Every dollar spent locally circulates back through Canton's economy and helps sustain the jobs and businesses that are central to the town's recovery. For Haywood County residents, shopping in Canton is one of the most direct ways to support that process.