Blue Ridge at Heart: How Christie Gribble Found Purpose and Joy Where She’s Rooted
Christie Gribble said she’d “never come back” to Blue Ridge but has since found not just a dream job, but a home, a loving husband, and a fierce love for her community. After some time away, Christie returned to her hometown of Blue Ridge, GA in 2015 to truly start her life in a place that makes her feel deeply settled, surrounded by beautiful mountain landscapes and plenty of things to do.
Today, she leads as President and CEO of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), a title that barely scratches the surface of what Christie really does: energize a growing community, champion local businesses, and welcome thousands of visitors each year to a very uniquely special place.
Businesses, Together: Creating a Booming Economy
The Chamber and CVB, jointly housed under one roof, is one of three offices serving the county. While the idea of a combined organization may sound unusual, it fits perfectly in a place like Blue Ridge, where tourism and business are deeply intertwined. With over 1,000 members, many of whom are in hospitality and tourism themselves, Christie’s team works to support both sides of the coin: building up local commerce while continuously attracting new visitors each season with attractive events, an app and robust website, and creating a growing network of entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and community members alike.
One look at the numbers tells the story. With up to 3,000 short-term rental cabins in the area, Blue Ridge offers everything from one-night Airbnb stays to full-week getaways. The result? A surge in related industries like property management, lawn care, cleaning services, and more, sustained by steady tourism, even in their quieter seasons.
Historic Roots and a Fresh Start
Christie’s got a deep family connection to the community as well, with her family settling in the region in the early 1900s from Lebanon. Her grandparents opened a clothing store called John Jabli and Sons in a building that now houses the Twisted Tomato, a riverside restaurant in what locals affectionately call a “mini mall.” That building flooded in the 1990s and is now beautifully rebuilt, with a restaurant in the space that once housed the clothing store.
After a finance career that took her from Chattanooga to Birmingham and Atlanta, Christie returned to Blue Ridge and accepted a role in economic development. As fate would have it, Christie met her husband Paul at the Chamber during her first week on the job. Six years later, they’re still based in the town where they wed in a quiet creekside ceremony and a big celebration at Old Toccoa Farm.
A few years later, she stepped into her current leadership role, where she now oversees a team of 15 women and an impressive slate of community initiatives. Around the same time she took on the Chamber presidency, she also completed her yoga teacher certification. The experience shaped her approach to leadership and life.
Local Events and Festivals
If you’re looking for the heart of small-town charm with outdoor adventure and upscale experiences, Blue Ridge delivers across every season.
Major events throughout the year include:
Trout Fest in April
Spring & Fall Arts in the Park
Fire & Ice Festival in February (yes, there are chainsaw-carved ice sculptures)
Blues & BBQ in September
The Kiwanis Rodeo in August
All Photos: Georgia’s Blue Ridge
Summer brings paddle board yoga on Lake Blue Ridge, tubing down the Toccoa River, and fireworks over the water on July 4th. Fall is prime time for leaf peeping, art festivals, and apple orchard visits. And if you want to skip the crowds, winter offers a peaceful retreat—cozy cabins, less traffic, and easier restaurant reservations.
A Fun Night Out in Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge’s growth has created an entire economy around local spirits and adventurous activities, from river tubing and guided fly fishing to a casual brewery tour. There are now multiple wineries across the tri-county area, from Bear Claw’s treehouse tasting room to mountaintop views at Rue and Living Water. For beer lovers, you can walk to three breweries downtown—and several more in nearby McCaysville and Copper Hill. Here is a list to check out:
Bear Claw Vineyards, known for its wooded setting and treehouse view
Roo Mountain Vineyard, located in Gilmer County with vast mountain views
Living Water Winery, just over the Union County line
Buck Bald Brewing, in nearby Copper Hill, TN
Grumpy Old Men Brewing, a local original and walkable in downtown Blue Ridge
Tipping Point Brewing Co., also walkable
Angry Hops Brewing, downtown Blue Ridge
If you’re planning a girls’ weekend, book a massage at the longstanding Serenity in the Mountains spa, or an infrared sauna session at TeaTree Spa. And for the guys, Old Toccoa Farm offers a challenging golf course and a few on-site cottages for rent.
And if you're feeling adventurous? Book a ride with Blue Ridge Rail Bikes, a pedal-powered experience that runs alongside the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and gives you a whole new way to see the countryside.
Need Some Help? Call the Experts
Whether you’re planning your first trip or your fifth, the team at Visit Blue Ridge makes it easy. Their website, blueridgemountains.com, is packed with driving tours, self-guided maps, event listings, blogs, and restaurant suggestions. The Blue Ridge app offers push notifications for festivals and reminders so you won’t miss out.
Need help planning? Just call 706-632-5680 and talk to one of the area’s friendly visitor specialists.
Be sure to check out this Southern Character’s story of grit and grace wherever you podcast, and continue to follow your compass, especially if it lands you in scenic Blue Ridge.