Who Is Mallorie Rasberry? Bio, Age, Career, HGTV Home Town, Hotel & Business Ventures

Mallorie Rasberry is a familiar face to viewers of HGTV’s Home Town, a popular renovation series that follows Erin and Ben Napier as they restore historic houses in Laurel, Mississippi, while celebrating small-town living and local craftsmanship. Mallorie is often seen working alongside Erin on creative home renovation projects. But there’s more to Mallorie than what you see on screen. She’s deeply involved in business, community development, and sharing the charm of her hometown, Laurel, Mississippi, with the world.

Early Life and Education

Mallorie Rasberry was born in 1986 in Tylertown, Mississippi, as Mallorie Magee, the daughter of David and DeAnn Magee. She was raised on a dairy farm there, where her early mornings were spent milking cows and helping with other farm duties. These formative experiences gave her a strong work ethic and deep-rooted values in family, hospitality, and community life. These early experiences instilled in her a strong work ethic, a sense of responsibility, and a deep appreciation for hospitality—values that would later shape her passion for design, entrepreneurship, and community life. After high school, she attended the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), earning both a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy, Accounting & Economics (2004–2008) and a Master of Accountancy (2008–2009). While at Ole Miss, she was involved in Beta Alpha Psi and performed in the Pride of the South marching band.

Career Beginnings in Finance

Mallorie began her professional career as an Assurance Intern at KPMG in Atlanta. She later joined Horne LLP, where she worked as an auditor for public, private, and nonprofit clients. Her background in accounting and auditing laid a strong foundation for her future ventures in business management and entrepreneurship.

HGTV’s Home Town and TV Appearances

Mallorie Rasberry became a familiar face to millions as a recurring cast member on HGTV’s Home Town. She joined the show through her close ties with hosts Erin and Ben Napier—Erin was her college roommate, and Mallorie is married to Erin’s cousin, Jim Rasberry. Their friendship began at the University of Mississippi, where Mallorie and Erin decided to become roommates during their senior year.

Mallorie has appeared frequently on the show since 2016, bringing her signature mix of creativity and practicality to home design. Viewers have come to appreciate her emphasis on reusing, repurposing, and restoring materials, often showcasing budget-conscious yet stylish renovations. Her commitment to using what’s available locally—and to preserving a building’s character—embodies the Mississippi spirit of making the most out of limited resources.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mallorie Rasberry 🇺🇸 (@malraz)

In interviews, Mallorie has noted that she frequently met visitors from states like Ohio, Washington, and Florida who vacationed in Laurel after watching Home Town. She described their visits as surprising and reflective of the show’s wide reach. She also remarked that the series has helped introduce Mississippi’s small-town lifestyle to a broader national audience.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

Mallorie and her husband Jim Rasberry are among Laurel, Mississippi’s most active business owners. Long before the cameras arrived, they were deeply involved in the Laurel Main Street initiative, aiming to bring new life to downtown. Mallorie has served on the board since 2010, and Jim was one of its founding members. Their collective efforts—along with Ben and Erin Napier—laid the groundwork for the town’s renaissance.

Together, they co-own: are among Laurel, Mississippi’s most active business owners. Together, they co-own:

• Laurel Mercantile Co.: Mallorie serves as Vice President of Purchasing, helping curate and develop American-made products that celebrate Southern heritage and craftsmanship.
• Rasberry Producer Group: As Controller, Mallorie oversees agent training, payroll, branding, and internal operations at this life insurance and financial services company.
• Rasberry Financial Services: A firm focused on personal finance and wealth management, operated from the historic First National Bank Building in Laurel.
• The Laurel Cottages: Mallorie was one of the first in Laurel to convert her guesthouse into an Airbnb rental. She later expanded the business to include other properties, including a restored vintage Airstream.
• The Heirloom Hotel: Mallorie spearheaded the design and guest experience for this 30-room boutique hotel. The hotel includes a cooking school and retail space and was inspired by Mississippi’s historic Pinehurst Hotel and Viking Cooking School.

Community Involvement

Since moving to Laurel in 2009, Mallorie Rasberry has been a key force behind the city’s revitalization. She was part of the original team behind the Laurel Main Street organization, working to transform the downtown district through building renovations, new businesses, and community-centered events. Her leadership roles have included serving as both President and Treasurer of the nonprofit, and she continues to serve on its board.

Mallorie’s contributions helped lay the foundation for Laurel’s revival even before Home Town brought national attention to the area. She has remained committed to the town’s growth, often greeting visitors at the Laurel Welcome Center and engaging with tourists who travel to Mississippi after watching the show. Her civic efforts have helped shift perceptions of small-town Mississippi, highlighting hospitality, entrepreneurship, and a strong sense of local pride.

Personal Life and Family

Mallorie met her husband, Jim Rasberry, while attending Ole Miss. The two married in 2009, celebrating with a traditional Southern wedding surrounded by family and friends. She wore a lace gown with a dramatic black sash and carried white hydrangeas—fitting symbols of her timeless and personal style. Jim wore a white suit with a dark tie, complementing the formality of the occasion with a classic Southern flair.

In 2013, they welcomed their first child, beginning a new chapter of family life in Laurel’s historic district. Today, the couple shares their home with daughters Lucy and Lottie, and continue to embrace a lifestyle built on tradition, creativity, and community spirit. in Laurel’s historic district. They have two daughters, Lucy and Lottie, and live in a beautifully restored home featuring a working vintage elevator and a converted bourbon room.

Mallorie has a passion for antiques and often repurposes items with personal or historical value. One of her favorite possessions is a worktable from the home’s former owner, a watch repairman named Mr. Landrum. She discovered old maps and tools inside the table, which she restored and now displays in her home.

She is also an avid thrifter and regularly shops at NUTS, a local nonprofit resale store.

Legacy and Vision

In 2004, Mallorie was crowned Miss Hospitality of Walthall County—a title that sparked her early passion for community engagement and Southern hospitality. Although she once imagined moving to a big city after college, her path led her back to Mississippi, where she embraced Laurel as her long-term home.

Her vision has always been grounded in preserving the past while inspiring the future. Through projects like the Heirloom Hotel and Laurel Mercantile Co., Mallorie promotes sustainability, local craftsmanship, and American-made products. She frequently speaks about the importance of restoring old structures—not only as an aesthetic choice but as a way to honor the lives and memories of the people who once called them home.

Mallorie continues to be a driving force in Laurel’s growth, hoping to encourage other small towns to invest in their own stories, heritage, and people.