You see them on your screen and everything looks so... perfect. The golden Mississippi sun hitting the pine trees, the smell of sawdust, the way Ben looks at Erin like she’s the only person in a room full of power tools. It’s easy to think the Ben and Erin Napier story is just another polished HGTV production.
But honestly? 2026 has been a weird, heavy year for them.
While most of us are just trying to figure out how they keep their hair so good while renovating 100-year-old houses, the Napiers are actually navigating some of the "most dramatic" challenges of their decade-long career. We’re talking about legal barriers in Canada, fire-damaged hotels, and the literal hospital ward where Erin’s babies were born.
The "Sacred Ground" Project
A few weeks ago, Season 10 of Home Town kicked off, and it wasn’t just about choosing between "greige" and "seafoam." Erin actually had to beg HGTV to let them do one specific project.
It wasn't a house. It was the maternity ward at South Regional Medical Center.
"I was born there. My babies were born there," she told Fox News Digital recently. Her dad worked there for 44 years. For Erin, that hospital wing isn't just a building; it’s where her life started and where her daughters, Helen and Mae, entered the world. She spent the renovation focusing on things like "glowy, ambient lighting" because she knows exactly how it feels to be a terrified first-time mom sitting in those rooms.
She cried like an idiot during the reveal. Her words, not mine.
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Why They’re Not Hosting the Canadian Spin-off
If you’ve been following the news about Home Town Takeover, you might have heard the rumors. The show is heading to Canada, but Ben and Erin won’t be the hosts.
People started speculating. Are they quitting? Is there drama with the network?
Basically, no. It’s way more boring than that: it’s legal.
Because the production is Canadian and the broadcast rules there are super strict about "Canadian talent," the Napiers—being very much from Mississippi—aren't legally allowed to host the show. They’re appearing as "guest stars," but they had to hand over the keys to a Canadian crew. Erin mentioned she's just excited to visit in the summer when it isn't "freezing," which is fair.
The Fire at the Heirloom Hotel
Then there’s the spinoff Home Town: Inn This Together. This was supposed to be the big 2026 launch. Ben, Erin, and their "framily"—Jim, Mallorie, and Josh—took on the 1930 Kress building in downtown Laurel to turn it into a hotel.
Then a fire hit.
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Back in August, the Heirloom Hotel suffered major damage. For a minute there, it looked like the show was dead. Erin was posting on Instagram asking for prayers and saying she didn't know if anyone would ever see the footage.
Good news: they’re rebuilding. Ben’s "Scotsman" crew and the Heirloom builders are back at it. There isn't a firm 2026 premiere date yet, but they haven't given up on the dream of a downtown Laurel boutique stay.
The Reality of "Fleeting" Fame
You might’ve noticed a lot of HGTV shows getting the axe lately. Christina on the Coast, Bargain Block, Married to Real Estate—all gone in the 2025-2026 shakeups.
Ben and Erin aren't blind to it.
"Everything is fleeting," Erin said in a candid interview with TooFab this month. Ben echoed that, saying it’s a "weird time for TV." They genuinely seem to think they’re just two people going to a "normal job" every day, and they’re prepared for the phone to ring tomorrow with a cancellation notice.
But with 23 million viewers tuning in, it doesn't look like they’re going anywhere. Their current deal reportedly has them filming well into 2027.
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The Businesses Beyond the Screen
What most people get wrong is thinking the show is their main thing. It’s not.
Between Laurel Mercantile, the Scotsman General Store, and the Scent Library, they’ve basically rebuilt the economy of their town. Ben’s "Scotsman Manufacturing Co." is now a legit factory making butcher blocks and countertops. He’s obsessed with American manufacturing. Like, actually obsessed. He credits the movie Tommy Boy for inspiring his desire to own a factory.
What’s Next for the Napiers?
If you want to keep up with them without just scrolling through Instagram, here’s what you actually need to look for:
- Watch the Gallagher House Reveal: This was the Season 10 opener. It’s the biggest renovation they’ve ever done—so big it took two episodes. Every contractor in Laurel turned the project down before Ben and Erin stepped in.
- Check out Jesse’s House: This season features Ben’s younger brother, Jesse, and his growing family. It’s rare to see that much family drama (the good kind) on the show.
- Visit Laurel (Seriously): If you go, the Scent Library is where Erin keeps her "scent memories." It’s less of a store and more of a weirdly emotional experience.
The Napiers aren't just TV characters. They’re parents to an 8-year-old and a 4-year-old, business owners, and local advocates who happen to have cameras following them around. They’re tired, they’re grateful, and they’re probably covered in sawdust right now.
To keep the "Laurel vibe" alive in your own space, focus on "glowy" lighting rather than overhead fixtures—Erin’s #1 tip for making a house feel like a home—and don't be afraid to keep the "backward books" on the shelves if it makes the room look better. It’s your house, after all.