Ben and Erin Napier didn't set out to be international stars. Honestly, they were just two people who really liked old houses and their quirky little corner of Mississippi. But then the Home Town television show hit HGTV in 2016, and everything changed. It wasn’t just another renovation series where people flip houses for a quick buck; it felt like a warm hug from a neighbor you actually like.
Since then, the show has morphed into a massive franchise. We’ve seen spin-offs like Home Town Takeover and Home Town Kickstart, but the core remains Laurel, Mississippi. People often ask me why this specific show stuck when dozens of other "small-town" reno shows died after one season. It’s the authenticity. Or maybe it’s just Ben’s woodworking.
Whatever it is, the impact on Laurel is real. It’s measurable. And it’s not always as simple as a happy ending on a 42-minute episode.
The Reality of the Laurel Effect
When you watch the Home Town television show, you’re seeing a highly curated version of southern life. That’s not a dig—it’s just TV. But the real Laurel has seen a massive economic shift since the pilot aired. Before the Napiers, the downtown area was struggling. Now? It’s a tourist destination.
According to local reports and tourism data from Jones County, the influx of visitors has skyrocketed. People drive from three states away just to buy a candle at Laurel Mercantile or a shirt at Scotsman General Store. It’s a textbook case of "TV tourism." However, this growth brings its own set of headaches. Property values in the historic district have climbed significantly. For a young couple trying to buy their first "fixer-upper" in Laurel today, it’s a lot harder than it was in Season 1.
The Napiers are very aware of this. They’ve often spoken about the "slow and steady" growth they want for their town. They aren't trying to turn it into a shiny, plastic version of itself. They want it to stay Mississippi.
What Actually Happens When the Cameras Stop?
A common misconception is that the Napiers pay for everything. They don't. The homeowners on the Home Town television show have to have a budget for the renovation. Usually, that budget is combined with the purchase price of the home. HGTV might chip in for a "big ticket" item here or there to make the reveal more dramatic, but the financial burden is largely on the buyers.
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Then there’s the furniture. You know those beautiful, perfectly staged rooms? Most of that isn't included in the final price. Homeowners often have the option to purchase the staging furniture at a discount, but many choose to bring back their old sofa once the crew leaves. It's a bit of a "smoke and mirrors" situation that happens across all HGTV productions, but it’s something fans should keep in mind if they’re dreaming of their own TV reveal.
The craftsmanship, though, is legit. Ben’s shop, Scotsman Mfg. Co., produces actual furniture that people use. It’s not just for the B-roll.
Why Ben and Erin Work Where Others Fail
Chemistry is everything in the entertainment world. You can’t fake it for nearly a decade. Ben and Erin’s relationship is the engine that drives the Home Town television show. He’s the gentle giant with a history degree and a love for old-growth pine; she’s the artist with a specific vision for "grandmillennial" style before that was even a buzzword.
They also lean into the history of the homes. Most reno shows just want to rip out the walls and put in white shiplap. The Napiers? They’ll spend half the episode trying to save a weird built-in cabinet from 1925 because it "tells a story."
- They respect the architecture.
- They use local craftsmen.
- The stories are about families, not just floorboards.
It’s personal. When they renovate a house for a returning veteran or a teacher who grew up in the neighborhood, the stakes feel higher. You’re not just watching a house get painted; you’re watching a community get rebuilt.
The Expansion: Home Town Takeover and Beyond
Eventually, Laurel wasn't enough. HGTV realized the formula—saving a dying small town—was gold. This led to Home Town Takeover, where they went to places like Wetumpka, Alabama, and Fort Morgan, Colorado.
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The scale of these projects is wild. We’re talking about fixing up entire downtowns, parks, and dozens of homes simultaneously. It’s an logistical nightmare that requires hundreds of contractors and local volunteers. While the Home Town television show is intimate, the Takeover series is cinematic.
But does it work long-term? In Wetumpka, the local economy saw a massive spike during and immediately after filming. The challenge for these towns is maintaining that momentum once Ben and Erin leave. You can’t just rely on a TV crew to be your marketing department forever. The towns that succeed are the ones that use the "HGTV bump" as a springboard to revitalize their own local business associations.
Is the Small-Town Trend Dying?
Short answer: No.
Longer answer: People are tired of the "big city" grind. The Home Town television show tapped into a cultural yearning for simplicity and connection. In an era where we’re all glued to our phones, seeing a couple walk down a quiet street to talk to their neighbor about a porch swing feels like a fantasy. It’s aspirational in a way that’s actually attainable for some people.
We’re seeing more "niche" versions of this pop up now. Shows focused on mountain towns, coastal villages, or even international locales. But they all owe a debt to the Napiers for proving that a show about a tiny town in Mississippi could beat big-budget dramas in the ratings.
Common Misconceptions About the Show
Let’s clear some things up. First, Ben and Erin aren't doing all the work themselves. They have a massive team of talented contractors and designers. That’s just common sense, but some viewers genuinely think Ben is hand-sanding every single floorboard in town.
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Second, the "find a house" segment at the beginning? Often, the homeowners have already closed on their house before filming starts. The "choosing between two houses" bit is frequently a reenactment for the sake of the narrative. It’s a standard industry practice, but it can feel a little disingenuous if you’re looking for 100% reality.
Third, the timeline. A renovation that looks like it took three weeks on the Home Town television show actually took four to six months. Delays happen. Permits get stuck. Rain in Mississippi is no joke. The "magic" of television is mostly just clever editing and a very patient production coordinator.
Actionable Steps for Home Town Fans
If you’re a fan of the show and want to bring that Laurel vibe into your own life without moving to Mississippi, there are a few things you can actually do. It’s not just about buying a specific brand of paint.
- Shop Local (Actually): The Napiers are huge on local commerce. Instead of ordering a mass-produced table, find a local woodworker in your town. It’ll cost more, but it’ll last 50 years and support someone’s family.
- Restore, Don’t Replace: If you have an old house with "ugly" original features, think twice before ripping them out. Sometimes a bit of stripping and staining can reveal gorgeous wood underneath decades of paint.
- Learn Your History: Every house has a story. Go to your local library or tax office and find out who lived in your house 50 years ago. It changes how you feel about the space.
- Visit Laurel: If you do go, be respectful. Remember that these are people's actual homes, not a movie set. Stick to the public areas and support the local shops that aren't just the ones you saw on TV.
The Home Town television show succeeded because it felt grounded. It wasn't about the glitz of Los Angeles or the high-rise luxury of New York. It was about a porch, a glass of sweet tea, and the idea that where you come from matters just as much as where you're going. That’s a message that doesn’t go out of style.
As the franchise continues to grow, the core lesson remains: you don't need a million dollars to make a home feel like it has a soul. You just need a bit of vision and a lot of respect for the people who lived there before you.