09/24/2025
Dear Freedom Mill Family and Guests,
It is with heavy hearts that we have to announce that Freedom Mill’s doors are closing as of 9/23/25.
We, the Roper and Wales families, have poured our hearts, souls, savings, and everything we have into this business - and unfortunately it wasn’t enough to keep the doors open any longer. We have had an amazing 12 years of getting to be a part of the community, but unfortunately we’re tapped out. We have leveraged all our finances and even our homes to keep things afloat. The property taxes almost doubled, insurance went up drastically the past couple years (in spite of having no claims) and with everyone turning to online shopping, locally owned stores are sadly becoming a thing of the past. Through the Covid crisis and the issues with delays from Forsyth County on our expansions, we’ve had to pay for operating costs for many months with no income to offset. All of those costs were due to Forsyth County mandated overlays that crush small businesses in addition to lack of community support. Our families have gone without paychecks for more months than we can even share.
We have watched our children and grandchildren grow up at Freedom Mill. Having to close the doors to the only thing they’ve ever known is harder than anyone can imagine. The impact and conversations we are having to have with our children - we pray none of you ever have to experience. So this is a very heartbreaking decision for our family. There have been so many AMAZING employees that have graced our doors, and we are eternally grateful for them and their support. To be honest, we’ve only been going as long as we have to try and support our employees that have become like family to us. But at this point, we can’t afford to keep the lights on. We have tried all we could think of over the years to provide a safe, family-friendly environment for the community and have done our best. No one can say that we haven’t tried all that we could. God has called us to love others and to be a beacon to a lost world. It is not lost on us the eternal impact that Heavenly Dove and Freedom Mill has had over the past twelve years. God’s Word has been spread to people who may would have never heard of Jesus before - and that means it all!
At this point, we have to lean on the Lord for the next step in life. We are trusting that He will see us through, even though we don’t know what the next step will be. God will get the glory through this, even if in the natural we don’t see how right now. God is our provision and our comforter. Our prayer now is for our employees that they will rely on God with all their hearts to lead them to their next steps. Our hearts break that we couldn’t provide for your families any longer. Please go forward with your heads held high for being a part of what should have been a cornerstone establishment of the community for the past 12 years. God will provide when we lean on Him!
It is with all the love in our hearts that we say goodbye, and we pray for blessings and prosperity for your families as well as ours.
Freedom Mill Owners & Family
Danny & Mandy Roper
Chase, Emily, Jax, Barrett, & Ella Roper
Chase, Shaye, Maddie, & Ollie Wales
