Mississippi’s favorite TV design and renovation duo is drumming up public support following a fire that destroyed a vacant 1930s department store that had been converted into a downtown Laurel boutique hotel.
“Home Town” stars Ben and Erin Napier took to the final episode on Sunday of a spinoff of their hit HGTV show to highlight the damage done to The Heirloom Hotel following a blaze that broke out in August 2025.
In the four-part series called “Home Town: Inn This Together,” the couple showcased the work done to the historic downtown Kress building and how it had been converted into Erin Napier’s “dream” project. The duo, alongside hotel owners and friends Jim and Mallorie Rasberry, and Josh Nowell, completed renovations in early 2025.
Soon after presenting their masterpiece to local officials, the fire upended years of dedicated and concerted efforts into transforming the building that had been vacant for four decades into an appealing asset expected to boost tourism in the small Mississippi town. Preliminary reports found that the fire, which broke out days before the hotel’s grand opening, started in the top-floor area of the building and was electrical in nature.
Since then, the owners of The Heirloom have reportedly been in an insurance claim battle with Liberty Mutual. The insurance giant has frustrated the Napiers and the hotel owners by not approving a claim made after the fire and covering costs for restoration efforts.
One appeal to Liberty Mutual that captured the attention of Erin Napier and fans of the HGTV couple was a letter written by 11-year-old Amos Sledge. The letter, addressed to Liberty Mutual’s board of directors and board president Timothy Sweeney, urged the insurance company’s decision makers to greenlight the claim.
“This hotel and this show have shown truth and beauty, and what hard work and true friendship can do. As of now, your company has not approved their claim to have the money to rebuild,” Sledge wrote, with his letter being shared by Erin Napier on social media.
“It is heartbreaking to watch the show and see how hard they worked. They put it all on the line. I am writing to ask respectfully that you please approve their claim. This is your chance to prove Liberty Mutual is different,” the letter continued.
The 11-year-old also encouraged the Liberty Mutual board to watch “Home Town: Inn This Together,” and referred to the city of Laurel as a “beacon of light” in a nation that has endured hard times of late. Sledge even notified the insurance company’s leaders that he will be in Boston, where Liberty Mutual is headquartered, in July and would be open to chatting with them.
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Ben Napier took to social media to air out his grievances with Liberty Mutual, saying, “Our friends worked so unbelievably hard, and we have never been more proud to be their friends. The fire shocked everyone. It has felt like a death of a loved one in the community. It has been nearly a year since the fire, and our friends are STILL waiting on [Liberty Mutual] to complete the claim.
The show host added that amid his frustration and uncertainty with what the future holds for The Heirloom, he has a peace about the situation rooted in his Christian faith while also expressing gratitude for the people who tuned in to watch him and his team bring the project to fruition.
Though the lack of insurance funding to support rebuilding efforts remains a hindrance, there is hope for the 30-bed hotel. Rebuilding has begun, and The Heirloom’s ownership has taken matters into their own hands by reaching out to the community for support.
Taking to social media, the hotel’s official page offered fans an opportunity to support restoration by purchasing photo rails made from the building’s original flooring. Other merchandise, like thematic hats and shirts, are also being sold to support the cause.
“Most everything was not salvageable but we couldn’t see these floors, that have seen so many generations, just be thrown in the dumpster too,” the post reads. “A way we could bring these floors one more life, was for our team to make them into these photo rails for your home or any space that you want to display your cherished images or even heirloom recipes.”
Those interested in taking part in rebuilding The Heirloom Hotel can do so by visiting the official Laurel Mercantile website.
“It makes us feel encouraged as we look at these, that no matter how damaged—beautiful things can still come from the ashes,” The Heirloom’s post concluded.
