HICKORY – In conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week (Nov. 17-21), the City of Hickory is proud to announce the 2025 Business. Well Crafted. Award winners: Jason Yates and Steven Lyerly, Boundary Fencing, Lilly Thomas Boutique, DeFeet, Ella Blu, Ideal Office Worx, and Hickory Community Theatre.
Presented by the City’s Business Development Committee (BDC), the Business. Well Crafted. Awards annually honor businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs that support and affirm the City of Hickory’s vision for economic vitality.
Congratulations to the following 2025 Business. Well Crafted. Awards winners:
Entrepreneurs of the Year
Jason Yates and Steven Lyerly, Olde Hickory Brewery
Jason Yates and Steven Lyerly are visionary serial entrepreneurs whose impact on Hickory, North Carolina, is both deep-rooted and far-reaching. As the founders of Olde Hickory Brewery, they transformed a passion for craft beer into a thriving business that has become a cornerstone of the local community. Since its founding in 1994, Olde Hickory Brewery has grown from a small operation in a historic downtown building into one of the most respected craft breweries in the Southeast. With a commitment to traditional brewing methods, quality ingredients, and innovation, Yates and Lyerly have created a brand that not only reflects the character of Hickory but also draws visitors from across the region seeking an authentic local experience.
Beyond the brewery, Yates and Lyerly have continued to shape Hickory’s culinary and cultural landscape through the development of several popular restaurants and gathering spaces. Their ventures have become go-to destinations for both residents and tourists, offering unique atmospheres, locally inspired menus, and a strong sense of place. Whether it’s enjoying a handcrafted beer at the brewery or dining at one of their establishments, patrons experience the entrepreneurial spirit and community pride that define their work. Through their dedication to quality, hospitality, and local investment, Jason Yates and Steven Lyerly have helped make Hickory a destination known for its flavor, creativity, and welcoming charm.
Business or Organization (10 or fewer employees)
Boundary Fencing
Boundary Fencing is a family-owned and operated fencing company based in Hickory, North Carolina, known for exceptional craftsmanship, personalized service, and a strong commitment to community values. Specializing in both residential and commercial fencing, the company offers a wide range of high-quality options including wood, aluminum, vinyl, chain link, and custom designs. With a focus on durability, security, and curb appeal, Boundary Fencing delivers tailored solutions that meet each client’s unique needs. The company’s mission goes beyond building fences—it aims to build trust, value, and long-term relationships through expert installation, premium materials, and a lifetime craftsmanship warranty.
What truly sets Boundary Fencing apart is a dedication to community impact and sustainable growth. The company supports the City of Hickory’s vision for economic vitality by investing in workforce development, local partnerships, and national visibility. The upcoming Fence Week 2025 event will bring industry professionals from across the country to Hickory, boosting local tourism and showcasing the city as a hub for innovation in the trades. Boundary Fencing also gives back through initiatives like the CVCC Trades Scholarship, annual Turkey Giveaway, school supply donations, and partnerships with local nonprofits. With steady business expansion, a growing team, and plans for a dedicated training facility, Boundary Fencing exemplifies what it means to be Business. Well Crafted.—growing with purpose, giving back consistently, and helping shape a stronger future for Hickory.
Lilly Thomas Boutique
Lilly Thomas Boutique is a vibrant women’s clothing store on Union Square in downtown Hickory, North Carolina, dedicated to empowering women of all ages through fashion and community. From young adults to the elderly, the boutique offers personalized styling and exceptional customer service, creating meaningful relationships with every woman who walks through its doors. Guided by the motto, “Give a woman the right outfit and she’ll conquer the world with grace and confidence,” Lilly Thomas is more than a boutique—it’s a space where women are celebrated, uplifted, and connected.
Since its humble beginnings as a one-woman operation with just 20 styles and a single fitting room, Lilly Thomas has grown into a thriving storefront with multiple employees, over 70 styles of clothing, expanded fitting rooms, and a curated selection of jewelry, candles, and accessories. The boutique plays an active role in the Hickory community, participating in events like sip-and-shops, fashion shows, and leadership conferences. Committed to helping make Hickory a destination for shopping, living, and working, Lilly Thomas Boutique continues to drive local growth while staying true to its mission of service, style, and sisterhood.
Business or Organization (11 to 50 employees)
DeFeet
DeFeet is a North Carolina-based company that has been designing and manufacturing high-performance socks and accessories for cyclists, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts since 1992. Founded by Shane Cooper, DeFeet revolutionized the cycling industry with the Aireator®—the first open-mesh performance sock—and has since become a trusted name among professional athletes and teams worldwide. What makes DeFeet stand out is its unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and local craftsmanship. All products are made in the USA using locally sourced yarns and materials, supporting regional businesses and reducing environmental impact. DeFeet calls itself a “MicroSockery,” a nod to its small-scale, high-quality production model that has resisted the global shift to overseas manufacturing in favor of keeping jobs and innovation rooted in North Carolina.
Beyond its products, DeFeet is deeply embedded in both the local and global cycling communities. The company leads local road, mountain, and gravel rides, supports trail building, and provides a clubhouse for cyclists to gather and watch major races. DeFeet is a performance partner to elite teams like Visma-Lease a Bike, Trek Factory Racing, and Team Lotto, with its aerodynamic socks contributing to victories in the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France Femmes, and Vuelta in 2025. DeFeet also supports youth cycling through NICA and advocates for cycling infrastructure and policy as a member of People for Bikes and the NBDA. With a mission to inspire movement, adventure, and sustainability, DeFeet continues to craft the world’s best socks—locally made, globally respected, and always well crafted.
Woman-owned Business
Ella Blu
Ella Blu is a woman-owned contemporary women’s boutique founded by Courtney Lyons, proudly serving the Hickory community for over 22 years. Built on the belief that style should be both inspiring and attainable, Ella Blu empowers women through thoughtfully curated fashion that blends timeless elegance with modern flair. The boutique is known for its elevated shopping experience, exceptional customer service, and strong personal connections with its clientele. Beyond fashion, Ella Blu plays a vital role in the local economy by providing full- and part-time employment opportunities in sales, management, and marketing, while also driving foot traffic to downtown Hickory and supporting neighboring businesses.
In recent years, Ella Blu has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from a single storefront into a franchise, with its first new location opening in Davidson, N.C.—making Hickory the proud home of the original Ella Blu. The boutique actively contributes to the vibrancy of the community through events like trunk shows, pop-ups, and upcoming collaborations, including a spring 2026 fashion show with a local women’s group and a fall 2025 trunk show featuring local designer Meraki. Ella Blu also supports local schools and charities, reinforcing its commitment to giving back. With its blend of fashion, community engagement, and entrepreneurial spirit, Ella Blu continues to be a shining example of local business success and female leadership.
Veteran-owned Business
Ideal Office Worx
Ideal Office Worx, a veteran-owned business led by David Poston, is a modern contract office furniture dealer serving businesses across western North Carolina. Originally founded in 1923 as Bumbargers Inc., the company was rebranded in 2022 when Poston took the helm, bringing a fresh vision focused on innovation, growth, and community impact. Since the transition, Ideal Office Worx has expanded its reach, grown its vendor partnerships from 6 to over 40 on the NC State Contract, and acquired Carolina Office, further strengthening its local presence. With a commitment to helping businesses step into the 21st century with style, the company is also preparing for the future by investing in property for a permanent headquarters in Hickory.
Beyond business, Ideal Office Worx is deeply rooted in community values and service. The team is made up of individuals who are actively involved in giving back—whether through school board service, youth camps, missionary work, or church leadership. Poston himself serves as a youth leader, and the company supports nonprofits and public schools that align with its mission. With a family-like team culture and a focus on creating a positive, forward-thinking work environment, Ideal Office Worx is not only building better office spaces but also helping build a stronger, more connected community in Hickory and beyond.
Nonprofit
Hickory Community Theatre
The Hickory Community Theatre (HCT) has been a cornerstone of the arts in Hickory since its founding in 1948, when Kay Johnson was hired by the Hickory Recreation Department to form a theatre group. What began as a series of radio dramas quickly evolved into live performances, with the first full-length production, “You Can’t Take It With You,” staged in 1949 at City Hall—a building that has remained HCT’s home ever since. Over the decades, the theatre expanded both its physical space and its artistic reach, adding two performance venues—the Firemen’s Kitchen and the Charles E. Jeffers Theatre—thanks to renovations and growing community support. HCT has become a year-round hub for local talent, offering musicals, dramas, and comedies that showcase the creativity and passion of volunteer performers.
Today, Hickory Community Theatre is not only a cultural institution but also a vital economic driver for downtown Hickory, attracting over 13,000 visitors annually and generating more than $1.25 million in local economic impact. With a growing staff and consistent year-over-year revenue growth, HCT continues to thrive through community engagement and collaboration. The theatre partners with local nonprofits, offering support through shared resources, fundraising assistance, and creative partnerships. Through its commitment to artistic excellence and community connection, HCT remains a vibrant and essential part of Hickory’s cultural landscape.
“The Business Development Committee is proud to honor these award winners for their support of the City’s vision for economic vitality as well as their commitment to give back to their community,” said Bianca Carter, chair of the BDC.
The 2025 Business. Well Crafted. Award winners will be recognized during the Hickory City Council meeting on Dec. 16 and will be featured in a series of videos shared over the next few months.
For more information about the Business Development Committee and its Business. Well Crafted. Awards, please contact City of Hickory Business and Community Development Manager Dave Leonetti at 828-261-2227 or dleonetti@hickorync.gov.