Ben and Erin Napier Reveal the Surprising Way Home Town Changed Laurel, Mississippi
For 10 seasons, viewers have been watching Ben and Erin Napier breathe new life into historic homes on their HGTV hit Home Town. But according to the pair, the biggest transformation isn't what happened inside the houses at all-it's the larger impact the show has had on their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi.
During a recent interview with Parade, the Napiers reflected on how dramatically Laurel (a finalist in Parade's 2026 America's Favorite Small Towns contest) has changed since the show first premiered a decade ago.
"It's incredible to see how many out-of-state license plates are parked in every parking lot now," Erin shared. "People come here looking for something. They're looking for a slower way of life. They're looking for community."
That desire for a taste of a slower pace, according to the couple, has transformed Laurel into something of a real-life small-town fantasy for Home Town fans, complete with friendly shop owners (both Laurel natives and new residents who moved cross-country after seeing the show), bustling local businesses and residents who go out of their way to welcome the influx of visitors.
"People here just want to be helpful," said Erin. "I hear stories of people we know, friends of ours, [saying], ‘I saw somebody walking down 5th Avenue and they looked kind of lost, so I just pulled over to ask if they need anything."
The changes go far beyond tourism. According to Laurel Main Street, a preservation and economic growth organization in town, downtown Laurel has added 44 new businesses and nearly 150 new jobs in the last five years alone.
"We have an art gallery in downtown. We have a frame shop in downtown," Ben said, adding that the city has also welcomed restaurants, specialty shops and entrepreneurs who relocated to Laurel.
The town is even in the midst of an infrastructure upgrade, a much-needed project that is replacing decades-old piping to suit the town's modern expansion.
According to the couple, the local community has been supportive of the impact they've had on the town's growth. "The shop owners downtown are our greatest welcome wagon," Erin said. "They're hospitable and welcoming to all of the visitors who are coming to town."
Perhaps the clearest sign of Laurel's evolution? Coffee culture.
"When Erin and I got married and we moved back downtown, it was just a dream-what if one day we could get Italian food in downtown Laurel, or breakfast, or gosh, to go get a cup of coffee?" Ben recalled. "And now there are three coffee shops downtown."
For longtime fans of Home Town, it's the kind of plot line that underscores the sense of devotion to the series. The renovations may bring viewers in, but the sense of community keeps them watching.
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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 11:45 AM.