Mallorie Rasberry is best known as the upbeat, creative best friend of HGTV star Erin Napier on Home Town. But beyond her frequent appearances lending a hand on TV, Mallorie has built a life deeply rooted in family, community, and entrepreneurial passion in Laurel, Mississippi. From her Southern small-town upbringing and college days where she met Erin, to her marriage into the Rasberry family and “framily” (friends who are like family), Mallorie’s journey is full of heart. In this friendly, behind-the-scenes biography, we’ll explore her early life and education, love story with husband Jim Rasberry, proud mom moments with her two daughters, professional ventures like Laurel Mercantile Co. and The Laurel Cottages, her special bond with the Napiers, Home Town adventures, and how her social media reflects her style and values. Let’s get to know the many facets of Mallorie Rasberry in her own charming, down-to-earth Mississippi way.
Early Life in Mississippi and Meeting Erin Napier
Mallorie hails from Tylertown, Mississippi, a small town where Southern hospitality is a way of life. She left her hometown to attend the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where fate had a special roommate in store for her – Erin Rasberry (Napier), the future HGTV designer and host. The two young women became college roommates in Oxford, forging a tight friendship over late-night talks and creative projects. Mallorie pursued a rigorous education in accounting, earning her Bachelor’s degree in 2008, followed by a Master’s in Accountancy, and even passing the Certified Public Accountant exam.
Little did Mallorie know, Erin’s senior art exhibit would change her life in more ways than one. Erin’s project focused on revitalizing an old Laurel building – the First National Bank Building – and she invited her first cousin, Jim Rasberry, to Oxford to see it. Mallorie met Jim at that exhibit, and “within two years, I had made Laurel my new hometown!” she recalls enthusiastically. Moving to Laurel wasn’t just about following her heart; it was an entry into a close-knit family and community that shared big dreams for their small town. “By marrying Jim, being best friends with Erin and Ben and moving to Laurel, I knew the family and downtown Laurel were a package deal,” Mallorie has said, reflecting on how naturally she was swept up in Laurel’s renaissance. For a girl from Tylertown, becoming part of Laurel’s story was “infectious” – a passion she caught from the Napiers and Rasberrys that would shape her career and purpose.
Love, Marriage, and Family Life with Jim Rasberry
Mallorie’s love story is truly a best-friend-approved romance. Jim Rasberry – the lucky guy she met at Erin’s art show – is now her husband, and also Erin Napier’s first cousin (their dads are brothers). Erin likes to joke that the two are “technically related now” thanks to her matchmaking. Mallorie and Jim’s bond grew quickly after that first meeting in Oxford, and the couple tied the knot and settled in Laurel to start their life together.
Today, Jim and Mallorie have two adorable daughters, Lucy and Lottie, who are the light of their lives. Mallorie often shares heartwarming snippets of family life on Instagram, proudly posting about the love she has for her girls and her husband. (Jim even has a public Instagram, @jobforjim, where he shares their adventures in dad-life and community projects.) Their first daughter Lucy was born around 2014, and by 2018 Mallorie was navigating life as a busy “mompreneur” to a four-year-old while juggling multiple businesses. “We have a little girl, Lucy… so it’s beyond difficult juggling everything,” Mallorie admitted, “but I’ve learned that I have to prioritize… learned to say no to things that I’m not passionate about”. This practical approach helped her balance motherhood with her many roles in the community.
In March 2020, the Rasberrys welcomed their second daughter Charlotte “Lottie” Rasberry, right as the world was entering the COVID-19 pandemic. Mallorie’s friends threw her a creative “casserole baby shower” just before Lottie’s arrival – instead of typical baby gifts, everyone brought homemade freezer meals for the new parents
. Mallorie wrote that the “Casserole Shower” idea became an instant tradition among her “framily,” ensuring the Rasberrys had plenty of comforting suppers ready to heat up once baby Lottie was home. It’s a perfect example of how Mallorie values community care and practical help (with a fun twist of Southern tradition!).
Family is at the core of everything Mallorie does. She and Jim are often seen hosting relatives and friends on the big green front porch of their Laurel home, a 1910s-era charmer they’ve lovingly restored. Their home – with its signature Laurel green paint and inviting porch – has even been featured on CBS’s Sunday Morning and in Country Livingmagazine as a quintessential example of small-town Southern hospitality. Mallorie jokes that their house has become “ground zero” for gatherings; it’s the kind of place where kids and cousins are running around, neighbors drop by for coffee, and everyone feels welcome. “My biggest hope is that people feel welcome and comfortable when they walk through our doors,” she says. “That’s what hospitality and home mean to me… to leave feeling better than when you came.”.
Co-Owning Businesses: Laurel Mercantile, Rasberry Financial, and More
Don’t let Mallorie’s easygoing charm fool you – she’s a savvy entrepreneur and businesswoman wearing many hats in Laurel. With her CPA credentials and corporate experience (she worked for KPMG and a large regional accounting firm after grad school), Mallorie brought valuable skills back to her new hometown. Together with Jim, she jumped into managing Rasberry Financial Services, the investment and retirement planning firm Jim founded in 2002. Jim handles the client side while Mallorie keeps the books and back-office operations running smoothly. She also pitches in with Rasberry Producer Group, another family business, doing everything from payroll to training agents. In short, Mallorie became an integral part of the Rasberry family enterprises when she put down roots in Laurel.
Beyond the financial firm, Mallorie is most famous for co-owning Laurel Mercantile Co., the beloved downtown store featured on Home Town. When Erin and Ben Napier’s TV show took off, they teamed up with Mallorie, Jim, and their friends Josh and Emily Nowell to expand Laurel Mercantile from an online shop to a brick-and-mortar destination.
. “We’d been running an online store for several years… so as Season One of HGTV’s Home Town became a reality, we decided it was the perfect time to open the brick and mortar right here in downtown Laurel,” Mallorie explained of the decision
. As co-owners, the Rasberrys and Napiers poured their hearts into reviving this “hometown store” — selling USA-made heirloom wares, locally-inspired goods, and of course plenty of Erin’s signature Scotsman Co. woodworking pieces. Mallorie took on the role of Vice President of Purchasing for Laurel Mercantile, thoughtfully curating products that fit their mission of durable, American-made goods.
The Mercantile isn’t just a business; it’s part of Laurel’s comeback story. In fact, the store grew out of a larger effort by a core group of friends (the Napiers, Rasberrys, Nowells and others) who around 2008 started buying up and rehabbing old downtown buildings and telling Laurel’s story to anyone who’d listen. This grassroots crusade eventually formalized into Laurel Main Street, a non-profit organization to rejuvenate the town’s historic district. Mallorie has been active on Laurel Main Street’s board of directors since the beginning and even served as President, helping steer projects that brought dozens of new businesses and jobs to downtown. She’s known to roll up her sleeves for anything that helps Laurel flourish – whether that’s organizing events, mentoring other small business owners, or simply greeting tourists at the Laurel Welcome Center. (She jokes that every other day she pops in to play town ambassador: “I find myself welcoming a lot of people to Laurel,” she laughs.)
One defining moment of Mallorie’s business philosophy came after Home Town’s success put Laurel Mercantile on the map nationwide. They received an eye-popping offer from a Chinese furniture manufacturer wanting a licensing deal. It promised “more money than any of us could ever imagine,” Mallorie recalls – but the catch was outsourcing production overseas. The Laurel team turned it down flat. “We didn’t want to sell out,” Mallorie said of the decision, “so we put our money where our mouth was, and we said, ‘No.’”. Instead, they partnered with Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co. in Virginia to launch a Home Town-branded furniture line made in the USA. Mallorie’s pride in that choice is evident: “If we’re going to be serious about revitalizing small town America, we have to be serious about supporting American jobs and manufacturers,” she explained. This principled stand endeared her even more to fans who appreciate her integrity and support for hardworking locals.
Aside from the Mercantile, Mallorie and Jim also co-own the Scotsman General Store (a retro-inspired workshop and shop Ben Napier spearheaded) and manage a line of furniture sold nationally. And if that weren’t enough, Mallorie is an Airbnb superhost too – she runs The Laurel Cottages, a collection of charming vacation rental homes in town. Naturally, Mallorie put her design touch on each cottage. These “charming Airbnb rentals… are owned by Rasberry, and were also decorated by her”, notes a Downtown Laurel brochure. For Mallorie, it’s another way to extend hospitality to visitors: folks who stay in the cottages often get personal recommendations from her on where to eat, shop, and explore in Laurel. She truly wants everyone to experience the magic of her “best small town in America.”
HGTV’s Home Town: On-Screen Appearances and DIY Cred
If you’ve ever watched Home Town, you know that Mallorie is practically an honorary Napier. She pops up regularly in episodes to help Erin and Ben with renovations – whether it’s brainstorming design ideas, busting out a DIY project, or bringing over a casserole to feed the hungry crew. Erin affectionately calls Mallorie her “creative DIY-er” best friend, and what viewers see is exactly how she is off-camera too. Mallorie isn’t a paid designer or construction pro, but she has a great eye for decor and a hands-on approach that makes her a natural part of the Home Town team. She shares Erin’s love of vintage treasures and quirky antiques. “I’ve always loved antique shopping and collecting sentimental things,”Mallorie says, describing how ginger jars have become an obsession – “you’ll see those everywhere in my house”. If Erin needs the perfect old farmhouse table or a unique thrifted accessory for a client’s home, Mallorie is the one who “loves to dig” through antique shops to find a bargain. Her knack for repurposing shines too; for example, she once salvaged an old watch-repair worktable and turned it into a TV console for her living room. That resourceful, “use what you’ve got” DIY spirit is something she brings to every project.
On-screen, Mallorie often provides a sounding board for Erin’s ideas and adds a dose of fun. Fans have come to adore any episode where Mallorie makes an appearance. In one Season 5 episode, she unintentionally stole the show by cooking a pot of her famous jambalaya while the Napiers were renovating. Viewers were so enthralled by Mallorie’s jambalaya, they flooded social media begging for the recipe. Mallorie obliged by sharing it in Laurel Mercantile’s cookbook Family Recipes & Stories – with a confession: “the truth is, it’s not my recipe at all. I stole it from my Aunt Betty,” she wrote, crediting the beloved aunt who taught her how to make it. Her Aunt Betty had recently passed away, so Mallorie cherished the chance to keep her legacy alive through food. “I miss her fiercely, but I’m so thankful for my little Jambalaya Time Machine; her legacy lives on with every pan we make,” Mallorie shared, in her characteristically heartfelt way. It’s moments like these – a simple cooking scene turned tribute – that show Mallorie’s genuine warmth and why Home Town viewers feel like they know her personally.
Behind the scenes, Mallorie contributes in countless ways to Home Town’s success. She’s one of the trusted inner circlethat the Napiers rely on during those dramatic “reveal” days. In fact, Mallorie says reveal days (when the homeowners see their renovated house for the first time) are her favorite: “It’s like a wedding day around the office. We are all just on pins and needles waiting for them to finally see it!”. As a friend, she shares in Erin and Ben’s joy of transforming lives through homes. And as a Laurel resident, she’s proud that the show highlights the town she now dearly loves. Mallorie’s Home Town appearances may look effortless – a laugh here, a paintbrush there – but she’s modest about her role. Still, Erin often gives credit to Mallorie for being an integral part of the Home Town family since day one. As one article put it, “One thing that’s been a constant on Home Town from the start? Erin’s loyal best friend Mallorie.”.
With her eye for functionality and comfort in design, Mallorie also influences the aesthetic you see on the show. She believes decor shouldn’t be too fussy. “My style revolves around functionality and comfort,” she has said, a philosophy evident in her own home’s big, cozy front porch. “I wanted the porch to be informal and comfortable, but dynamic for entertaining large groups… We have a big family and ‘framily,’ and we love that our house has become a soft landing place for functions,” Mallorie told Laurel Mercantile’s journal. That pretty much sums up her design mantra: make it livable, make it welcoming, and make it personal. No wonder Erin trusts Mallorie’s input on making a house feel like a home for the show’s clients.
Friendship with Erin Napier: “Framily” Goals
At the heart of Mallorie’s story is her enduring friendship with Erin Napier. The two met as college students and roommates, and over the years they’ve become more like sisters. Erin was even Mallorie’s matchmaker, since she is the one who introduced Mallorie to Jim (albeit indirectly through that art exhibit). Their bond only grew stronger as they navigated early adulthood – moving to Laurel, fixing up loft apartments with their husbands, and dreaming up ways to revive the town’s downtown. “When we all came home from college – Mallorie and Jim Rasberry, Emily and Josh Nowell, Ben, and me – we were the only people who lived downtown,” Erin recalled of those scrappy early days. “It was just us and the feral cats… For the six of us, all in our twenties, it was like a game: How can we make downtown Laurel feel alive again?”
. This tight group of friends truly became family (“framily”) as they worked side by side on renovation projects long before HGTV came calling.
Erin and Mallorie’s friendship is often held up as #FriendshipGoals by fans. On Home Town, you’ll frequently see the two laughing together while painting a room or scheming the next design surprise. Off camera, Erin and Mallorie celebrate each other’s milestones and support each other through challenges. Erin threw that over-the-top casserole baby shower for Mallorie, and in turn Mallorie is “Aunt Mal” to Erin’s two little girls with Ben. They even vacation together – a fact viewers learned when Erin mentioned Mallorie during an Instagram Q&A about their close-knit friend group. The two families (Napiers and Rasberrys) spend holidays and Sundays together like one big extended family.
Interestingly, many fans have wondered if Erin and Mallorie are actually blood relatives because of the Rasberry name connection. The truth is a twisty little family tree: Erin’s maiden name is Rasberry, as she and Jim are first cousins, so Mallorie by marriage shares the Rasberry name that Erin was born with. In other words, Mallorie became Erin’s cousin-in-law after they were already best friends. It’s no surprise folks assume they might be sisters – they certainly act like it! Erin once sweetly acknowledged on social media that she couldn’t imagine life without Mallorie’s influence. In fact, Erin mused about how one friend can change your life’s course: if Mallorie hadn’t been her roommate at Ole Miss, she might never have met Jim, meaning Mallorie wouldn’t have moved to Laurel or had her two daughters. Life has a funny way of weaving people together, and Erin gives thanks for the domino effect that Mallorie set in motion just by being in her world.
Mallorie and Erin also collaborate professionally in many ways. As co-owners of Laurel Mercantile and champions of the town’s development, they tag-team on decisions big and small. Mallorie has spoken at Erin’s “Downtown Comeback”events and even filled in for Erin at community talks when Erin’s schedule was packed. Their complementary talents – Erin the artist/storyteller, Mallorie the organizer/accountant – make them a powerhouse duo in both friendship and business. Erin calls Mallorie her “hospitality guru,” learning from how Mallorie effortlessly hosts gatherings, while Mallorie credits Erin for sparking her love of historic homes and design. It’s a two-way admiration society with these two. And of course, when cameras roll, their natural chemistry and banter is a big part of Home Town’s charm. As Distractifyquipped, HGTV could “give her her own spinoff – Renovations with the Rasberrys, anyone?”. For now, fans are just happy to see Mallorie by Erin’s side, keeping it real and keeping it fun.
Personal Style, Social Media Highlights, and Values
One scroll through Mallorie’s Instagram (@malraz) gives you a window into what she cares about most: family, friends, food, and the little joys of small-town life. Her personality shines through in every post – whether she’s sharing a sweet selfie with her daughters, a snapshot of a new antique find for her home, or a rallying call to help neighbors in need. Mallorie’s personal style comes across as comfortable, classic, and a touch whimsical. You’ll often find her in a casual dress or jeans with a big smile, maybe covered in a bit of sawdust from a DIY project. She’s not trying to be a perfectly polished influencer; instead, her feed feels authentic and relatable, more like a friend sharing moments than a curated brand. Fans love that about her.
Mallorie’s home décor style also peeks through on social media. She might show off a cozy corner of her living room decked with vintage ginger jars, or the latest seasonal decorations on her porch (she loves to spruce up for fall and Christmas). In a Laurel Mercantile blog, Mallorie outlined “practical ways she prepares her home for a new season” – from swapping out throw pillows to simmering a signature stovetop potpourri – reflecting her knack for making home feel festive yet effortless. Her followers often comment that her house feels “lived in and loved,” rather than like a staged magazine spread. That’s intentional on Mallorie’s part: she has said that comfort and functionality guide her design choices, because with two kids and frequent guests, everything must be both useful and welcoming.
Beyond style, Mallorie’s values come through loud and clear online. She’s a big believer in faith, community, and kindness. A recent example was in March 2025, when a series of catastrophic tornadoes struck Mississippi. Mallorie’s hometown of Tylertown was devastated by twin twisters, and she took to Instagram to organize relief. “I’m so thankful that my little family is safe from the devastating storms… it’s truly a miracle that everyone survived,” she wrote, counting her blessings after her parents and brother rode out the tornado in the hardest-hit area
. “So many others can’t say that… but there’s a spirit that no tornado can shake,” Mallorie added, rallying hope for neighbors who lost everything
. She didn’t stop at words; Mallorie and the Laurel Mercantile team quickly converted their store into a donation drop-off hub for water, diapers, and supplies to send to affected communities
. She shared information on how to donate via local churches and personally helped load trucks. This selfless response to crisis is trademark Mallorie – she’ll be the first to step up, with a smile and determination, whenever someone needs a hand.
Even in everyday posts, Mallorie shows gratitude for the simple things. One day it might be a loving shout-out to her husband (“Couldn’t do life without this guy,” she’ll write), another day a cute photo of Lucy and Lottie playing in the yard (“These girls keep me on my toes and I wouldn’t have it any other way!”). She often uses the hashtag #smalltownlife and #blessed unironically, because she truly does feel blessed by the life she’s built in Laurel. Mallorie’s sense of humorcomes out too – she’s not above posting a blooper from Home Town or a meme about the chaos of motherhood. This balance of positivity and realness makes her social media uplifting without feeling fake.
Importantly, there haven’t been any notable controversies surrounding Mallorie. She keeps things pretty wholesome. If anything, the only buzz has been positive or curious – like fans asking if she and Erin are sisters, or viewers gushing over her jambalaya. Mallorie tends to avoid divisive topics online, focusing instead on what brings people together: good food, home and family, supporting local businesses, and celebrating her town’s successes. Her genuine nature and approachable vibe have made her a quiet favorite among the Home Town cast members. As one article noted, “Mallorie…offers a helping hand during episodes of Home Town,” and is always ready with encouragement or a paintbrush in hand. That’s just who she is, on camera and off.
Embracing Community and Looking Ahead
Mallorie Rasberry’s life so far reads like a love letter to small town Mississippi. She grew up with strong Southern roots, formed lifelong friendships (that turned into family ties), and chose to invest her talents where she could make a real difference – in the revitalization of Laurel. Along the way, she’s worn a lot of hats: accountant, shopkeeper, renovator, speaker, superhost, wife, mom, and more. But perhaps her favorite title is simply “neighbor”. Mallorie delights in being part of a community where people know your name, where porch gatherings are a weekly affair, and where a handful of determined locals can spur a downtown comeback that gains national attention.
In interviews, Mallorie often deflects attention to the team around her. She’ll praise Jim’s financial acumen, Erin and Ben’s creativity, or Josh and Emily’s hard work, emphasizing that none of Laurel’s success has been a solo project. Yet it’s clear that Mallorie’s own contributions have been pivotal. She was there hammering nails in dilapidated lofts to make them livable. She balanced budgets and kept the Mercantile stocked with heirloom-quality goods. She greeted the first busloads of tourists who showed up in Laurel after Home Town aired, making sure they felt the warmest welcome. She’s given talks to inspire other towns, sharing Laurel’s blueprint for revival. And every time she handed a set of keys to a Laurel Cottages guest or served a bowl of gumbo to a new neighbor, she was quietly furthering the mission: to show that small-town living can be full of big love.
Looking ahead, Mallorie shows no signs of slowing down. She and Jim are raising their daughters with the same values of community pride and kindness that they embody. Lucy and Lottie are already fixtures at Laurel events (no doubt learning how to host a proper porch party from their mom). On Home Town, we can expect Mallorie to keep popping up, perhaps tackling even bigger DIY projects as her confidence grows – who knows, maybe one day she’ll lead a renovation on-screen while Erin watches proudly. Off-screen, Mallorie will surely keep dreaming up new ventures, perhaps expanding the Laurel Cottages or diving into another historic property rehab.
Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain: Mallorie Rasberry will approach it with grace, humor, and a deep sense of home. As she once said about her journey, “Being a part of the progress and change [in Laurel] is a no-brainer… It turns out their passion is infectious, and can even take deep hold of a girl from Tylertown.”. Infectious indeed – Mallorie’s own passion now inspires countless viewers and neighbors. She shows that you don’t have to be a TV star to shine; sometimes being the best friend, the behind-the-scenes organizer, and the heart of the community is impact enough. And in true Mallorie fashion, she’d probably just flash that warm smile and invite us all over for a porch visit – casserole in the oven, of course.