Pontheolla Mack Abernathy turns Clevedale into a Spartanburg hospitality hub

Pontheolla Mack Abernathy, owner and CEO of Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens in Spartanburg County, has expanded the historic property into a venue for lodging, weddings, retreats and community events. Her story, rooted in broadcasting, travel and preservation, will be featured in an upcoming 2026 edition of Influential Women magazine.

Why it matters: - Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens is the only bed and breakfast in Spartanburg County, making it a rare hospitality asset in the region. - Abernathy has turned the property into more than an overnight stay, expanding its role in Spartanburg’s event and tourism economy. - Her work ties historic preservation to local community building, which gives the estate value beyond lodging.

What happened: - Pontheolla Mack Abernathy is the owner and CEO of Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens, also known as Clevedale Inn, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. - She opened Clevedale in August 2013 after an extensive renovation of a property that had sat vacant for years. - The estate sits on the last four acres of a former 440-acre farm and traces its roots to 1798. - The property remained in the Cleveland family before Abernathy took over its care. - Influential Women said Abernathy will be featured in an upcoming 2026 edition of Influential Women magazine.

The details: - Abernathy began her career in broadcasting in 1980 with an NPR affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina. - She later became a news director at stations in Charleston. - Her career also included work at World Space in Washington, D.C., where international travel shaped her views on hospitality. - Travel in South Africa influenced her belief in a mutual exchange between host and guest. - She is an alumna of the University of South Carolina Journalism School and was active in Carolina Alive and NABJ. - Clevedale now hosts weddings, reunions, corporate retreats and other gatherings. - Abernathy greets guests personally and treats each visit as a shared experience. - The inn’s decor includes global influences gathered during her broadcasting career and local artwork throughout the property. - A restored 1947 Southern Railway caboose was added during the pandemic. - Abernathy says the caboose and other distinctive features helped keep the business going during COVID. - She also plans to add an adult treehouse. - Guests and word of mouth continue to bring repeat business to Clevedale. - A fellow bed and breakfast owner advised her that revenue comes from more than rooms, which helped shape her focus on events and other offerings. - Abernathy has navigated financing, county regulations tied to renovating a historic property and the survival pressures of COVID. - Several nearby bed and breakfasts closed during the pandemic.

Between the lines: - Clevedale’s appeal rests on a mix of history, personal hospitality and destination-style experiences, not just traditional lodging. - Abernathy’s background in journalism and travel shows up in the way she frames the inn as a place for storytelling, connection and cultural exchange. - The property’s expansion into events suggests historic homes in smaller markets can stay viable by diversifying revenue streams. - Her focus on preservation and community involvement gives Clevedale a civic role in addition to a commercial one.

What's next: - Abernathy sees potential in AI-assisted trip planning as a way for travelers to discover properties like Clevedale. - She continues to host monthly PorchTalk gatherings at the inn. - Her community work includes service on the Spartanburg Vision Plan 3.0 Steering Committee, the Ballet Spartanburg Board of Trustees and the One Spartanburg Inc Executive Committee. - She is also involved with the Bloom Upstate Lotus Society. - Abernathy belongs to the Association of Lodging Professionals and the SC Restaurant and Lodging Association. - Her civic engagement has been recognized with the Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Engagement. - Abernathy advises young women entering hospitality to dream big, visualize the goal, execute it and stay surrounded by fellow dreamers.

The bottom line: - Abernathy has turned a historic Spartanburg estate into a business built on hospitality, preservation and community ties, with room to grow through events and distinctive experiences. - More information is available through Pontheolla Mack Abernathy's profile.