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Trip
Art & Life Find eclectic art, gifts, food, and healing in Black Mountain, NC / by Libby McMillan Henson // photography by Cameron Reynolds
44 TOWN / towncarolina.com
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omething’s happening in Black Mountain, the artful burg, which lies just east of Asheville. An influx of transitioning baby boomers are breathing new life into this Blue Ridge destination. Make a visit, and you just might find yourself inspired by local proprietors who are reimagining their lives. This friendly mountain outpost is also a fun place to simply spend a day. Former inner-city basketball coach Lincoln Walters now holds court within The Asheville House, an expansive, beamed space. “My wife Charlotte likes metal furnishings and pieces using reclaimed materials,” he explains. “I like minimalist Mid-Century Modern pieces. We discovered they go well together.” The idea for a furnishings store was born. Today, its striking Cherry Street location pulls in a healthy mix of Asheville residents and second-home owners. Tucked back a bit from Cherry is quirky Chifferobe, which showcases owner Stephanie Wilder’s fun and affordable assemblage of home goods and gifts. Wilder stepped away from a frustrating career within the juvenile prison system. Today, she’s a happy curator of new friends and smile-inducing objects. One of her better finds—Melissa Weiss’s dark-hued organic pottery—was prompted by an African exhibition at the Met. Downtown can easily fill half a day or more. Worthwhile stops include twoyear-old Europa, which surprises visitors with pottery from Poland, Scottish tartans, and glass from Italy. At Mountain Nest, the town’s easy-going nature is reflected