AnnMarie joined our staff 12 years ago learning our methods at our hostess stand. After honing her superior skills of customer enhancement, she quickly moved onto our floor as a lead commissioned saleswoman. All while earning her degrees in Business Economics & Studio Art from Meredith College as a straight-A student. AnnMarie delivers an extremely positive vibe daily that transcends onto our regulars & co-workers. Her infectious desire to be perfect on all details and disciplines shines ever so brightly and is why she is one of our very best. Her major influences are provided through Chef’s Pettifer & Meford’s tutelage in helping ground her familial atmosphere in and out of work. Such a bright, smile filled comforting energy engulfs her beautiful essence.
Off-premise, she is consumed with retracing her carbon footprint to a Non-Zero Factor. Her life literally revolves around being as green as possible. A fluent Spanish-speaking Sculptor who volunteers yearly at the Penland School of Crafts which is very important to this budding Artist. In addition, Ms. Valea is quite involved with her mobile gardens that are home to catnip, haricot vert, dragon carrots, arugula, heirloom tomatoes, marigolds, amaranth, rainbow chard & pink cone flowers. She can also be found camping & photographing The Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountain Ranges. When not painting her hand-crafted vessels, this Mammoth Sunflower can be found snuggling with her Blood Hound Ollie, her cat Stella and two frogs Lily & Augie. An award winning Potter that also makes the best home-made honey this side of the Mason Dixon Line.