Erin and Ben Napier committed to rebuilding after family heirloom destroyed by fire
Ben and Erin Napier, along with their dearest friends, are standing by their companions after a destructive fire thwarted their plans to inaugurate a new hotel in downtown Laurel, Mississippi.
The Heirloom hotel, painstakingly refurbished by the HGTV power couple and their best friends, Mallorie and Jim Rasberry, as well as Emily and Josh Nowell, was just on the brink of welcoming guests when a catastrophic fire erupted on August 26.
The entire renovation procedure was meticulously documented for Ben and Erin’s potential new HGTV series, “Home Town: Inn This Together.”
Although the fate of the show remains uncertain, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for the hotel’s future.
A recent video shared on the Heirloom’s Instagram depicts Josh Nowell seated at an ancient manual typewriter, skillfully tapping the keys. Letter by letter, the heartfelt words gradually emerge on a piece of Heirloom stationery – “We built with sweat, hope & such love- through many trials.”
The footage transitions to glimpses of the hotel under construction, overseen by its owners, before revisiting the typewriter where Jim Nowell contemplatively types, “And then it was gone… in a moment.”
As the video shifts to scenes of the fire calamity with smoke engulfing the building and flames consuming the roof, it culminates in the melancholic aftermath, revealing water trickling onto the carefully arranged displays inside the hotel.
Despite the devastation, the owners of Heirloom refuse to yield to despair.
In a moving sequence, Jim Nowell, Erin Napier’s cousin, intently ponders the situation at the typewriter before resolutely typing, “So what will we do now?” and emphatically declaring, “KEEP BUILDING” in uppercase letters. With the Paper clenched in his hands, he strides away as the footage transitions to Heirloom gleaming under the radiant sunshine against the azure sky.
The poignant video concludes with another page of typed Heirloom stationery, encouraging, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; Establish for us the work of our hands— Establish the work of our hands.”
Amidst a backing track of a spiritually infused song, the triumphant lyrics resonate, underscoring unwavering resilience and faith amid adversity.
Ben and Erin Napier, together with their devoted friends, have long been champions of reviving downtown Laurel.
Years prior to their HGTV stardom, they galvanized their friends to revitalize their struggling hometown, fostering a sense of community and vitality in a dilapidated downtown region.
In an Instagram post following the devastating fire, Erin Napier expressed profound hope amidst the mourning, rallying for prayers and envisaging a resilient future. The post garnered heartfelt support from various HGTV peers, echoing solidarity, compassion, and a resounding commitment to rebuild and persevere together.
Through united faith, unwavering resolve, and steadfast friendships, the Napier duo and their intimates continue to exemplify unwavering fortitude even amid the most formidable challenges, embodying an enduring spirit of resilience and camaraderie.