June 2, 2006- Joseph Extine Named Store Manager of Acorns

HIGHLANDS, NC- The Old Edwards Hospitality Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Joseph Extine to the position of Store Manager for Acorns, the Shop at Old Edwards Inn.

Extine brings a well-qualified background to this position. With Belk department stores for more than sixteen years, Extine began in the visual department and worked his way up to regional visual merchandising manager where he supervised visual staff servicing eight Belk stores in the Western North Carolina area. He went on to become the Area Sales Manager for the Ladies wear department in the Belk Asheville Mall location and then went on to Manage three other Belk locations including Brevard, Corbin, KY and Jackson, TN. Extine has won awards for his skills in recruiting and interviewing, coaching and training, management training and he won the Pacesetter Top Performance Awards in 1992, 1993, 1995 and 1997.

In his role as Store Manager at Acorns Extine’s responsibilities will include overseeing all aspects of operations, merchandising and occasional buying for the boutique. Acorns offers an elegant shopping experience conveniently located next to Old Edwards Inn in downtown Highlands. The shop presents fine European and American antiques and one-of-a-kind home accessories including imported linens, tabletop and garden accents. Upstairs, the boutique features designer apparel, jewelry, handbags, scarves and accessories.

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa is located at 445 Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741, 828-526-8008 or 1-866-526-8008. The Old Edwards Hospitality Group, LLC, founded in 2003, includes the Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden, The Farm special events facility, Acorns retail shop, Miss Priss-Highlands, Miss Priss-Charlotte at Birkdale & Stonecrest; The Lodge at Old Edwards Inn, Old Creek Lodge, Rib Shack and The Laundry and Dry Cleaners at Old Edwards Inn.

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa is a AAA-Four Diamond award winner; a member of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America and a member of Boutique-the newest brand within Preferred Hotel Group. The property is a Recommended Hotel in Condé Nast Johansens 2005 and 2006 Recommended Hotels, Inns and Resorts Guide and was nominated for Most Excellent Inn 2006. Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden is a 2005 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner.

For more information, contact:
Elizabeth McDonald
McDonald Media
404-822-3788 or lizzie@mcdonald-media.com