WNC Pocket Guide (2020-2021)

2020-2021

awards

ASHEVILLE’S F AV O R I T E S PEOPLE, PLACES, GOODS & SERVICES

the Definitive Guide

2

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

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BEST M O U NTA I N X PR E S S PR E S E NTS

OF WNC 2020 X AWARDS the Definitive Guide

You hold in your hands a guide to celebrating what makes Western North Carolina great — the people, places and institutions most acclaimed in the 2020 Best of WNC balloting by thousands of voters, people who weighed in mostly from their homes as they were learning to cope with the then-new COVID19 lockdown. You’ll find not only whom and what we as a people consider the best, but also learn something about our biggest problems and causes for celebration.

The winners listed here constitute the findings of the area’s largest and most in-depth poll. They required hundreds of hours of tallying and judging votes in 400-plus categories.

Who are the voters? About 98% live in WNC, with half having lived here 12 years or more. Just over half see themselves as liberal; 15% consider themselves to be moderate; and 29% declare they’re conservative. The remaining 14% maintain they are “beyond labeling.” As in years past, voters’ No. 1 wish is for a less contentious world. Their No. 2 desire continues to be better health, but new to third place is a yearning for more gratitude.

Each year’s Best of WNC survey ushers in its share of new winners, but it also honors others with Hall of Fame status for winning four or more years in a row.

Many thanks to those who voted, to the Mountain Xpress staff who tallied and judged, and to the businesses who purchased thank-you ads in these pages. Their ads not only showcase the winners, they support WNC’s most widely read free newspaper, Mountain Xpress.

When you’re shopping or exploring the area, watch for X-Award certificates and store-window decals displayed by area businesses identifying themselves as 2020 Best of WNC winners.

Consider holding on to your copy of this guide as a reference: The Best of WNC listings offer a compendium of savvy recommendations.

And if you have comments or suggestions about this year’s or next year’s Best of WNC survey — drop us a line at bestofwnc@ mountainx.com.

— Jeff Fobes X

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X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

CONTENTS 7 Area Map Small Towns 8 Eats 101 Swannanoa & Black Mountain 28 Drinks 104 Weaverville 36 Arts & & Woodfin Entertainment 106 Marshall & 44 Outdoors Mars Hill 48 Shopping 107 Hot Springs 58 Professional 108 Burnsville Services 68 Personal Services 110 Hendersonville & Flat Rock 70 Kids 112 Brevard 74 Pets 113 Waynesville, 78 Uniquely Asheville Maggie Valley & Canton 82 Media 84 Health & Wellness 115 Sylva & Cullowhee 94 Work & Business 98 Farm, Yard & Garden

PUBLISHER Jeff Fobes • BALLOT OFFICIALS Able Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Jeff Fobes, Madeline Forwerck, David Furr, Molly Horak, Susan Hutchinson, Tracy Rose, Daniel Walton • BEST OF WNC SUPPLEMENT DESIGN Scott Southwick • DESIGNERS Scott Southwick, Olivia Urban • LISTINGS EDITORS Able Allen, Madeline Forwerck • PHOTO COORDINATOR Able Allen • WRITERS Able Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Virginia Daffron, Jeff Fobes, Laura Hackett, Molly Horak, Susan Hutchinson, Tracy Rose, Daniel Walton • AD SALES Sara Brecht, David Furr, Brian Palmieri, Tiffany Wagner • IT & WEB Bowman Kelley • FRONT OFFICE/ ACCOUNTING Able Allen, Amie Fowler-Tanner • DISTRIBUTION Susan Hutchinson, Cindy Kunst and a fantastic team of devoted drivers • COVER PHOTO Joe Bruno • COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick ON THE COVER: Queen Bee and the Honeylovers (For details, see page 6) The Best of WNC Pocket Guide is published annually by Mountain Xpress P.O. Box 114 Asheville, NC 28802 828.251.1333 © 2020 Mountain Xpress

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ICON KEY

x

THE HALL OF FAME ICON

The Hall of Fame designates winners who have come out on top four years in a row, including this year (2017 - 2020)

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA

OUTLYING REGIONS:

n a NORTH: Mars Hill, Marshall, Burnsville, Hot Springs, Weaverville

s a SOUTH: Fletcher, Brevard, Saluda, Tryon,

Arden/Skyland, Hendersonville, Mills River, Flat Rock

e a EAST: Fairview, Swannanoa, Black Mountain w a WEST: Candler, Sylva, Cullowhee,

Bryson City, Canton, Waynesville, Maggie Valley

our mission To build community and strengthen democracy by serving an engaged, thoughtful constituency at the local level – where the impact of citizen action is greatest. We report on local events, regional issues and the area’s vibrant arts-and-culture scene – independently, fairly and in-depth.

We partner with the community to create an ongoing civic dialogue. We offer exceptional and affordable media opportunities for local businesses, professionals and nonprofit groups to promote their offerings to the community.

ON THE COVER: Queen Bee and The Honeylovers, clockwise from left, Trevor Stoia, Eric Heveron-Smith, James Posedel, Mattick Frick, Whitney Moore and Michael Gamble.

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X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

AREA MAP na

Weaverville d roa hB nc

Ridg e Pa rkw ay

Fre e Riv

26

Blue

r

NORTH Woodfin

�a

EAST Black Mountain

WEST

26

240

40

240

Swannanoa

Fairview

40

Candler

SOUTH Bent Creek

Arden/Skyland Fletcher

r

ive

dR

roa

hB

d

Ri

Lake Julian

nc

e

u Bl

Fre

wa

Pa

ay

w

rk

ge

26

sa

SMALL TOWNS Burnsville

40 26

Hot Springs 25

19E 19

Mars Hill

Marshall Weaverville Woodfin

Black Mountain 40

Maggie Valley 19

Swannanoa Canton Waynesville

40

74

Sylva

280

26

64

Cullowhee

Hendersonville Brevard

Flat Rock

64

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

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PHOTO COURTESY OF RENDEZVOUS

BOUCHON & RENDEZVOUS

Best French Restaurant, Best French Fries (Bouchon); second place French Restaurant, second place Restaurant in East Asheville (RendezVouz)

H

UNGRY for any semblance of normalcy, many

eager diners have taken to the streets — literally.

To combat the spread of COVID-19, multiple local restaurants expanded their outdoor seating options. In an effort to help, the city of Asheville encouraged the practice by allowing establishments to convert up to 50% of their parking areas to dining; the city also allowed restaurants to use public sidewalks and roped off sections of downtown streets for increased outdoor seating.

So nowadays, when people say they’re dining out, they really mean it. And despite social restrictions and other safety guidelines, people’s enthusiasm for the local food scene has persisted.

In the midst of orders to stay home in April 2020, thousands voted online for the Best of WNC’s largest section, 86 categories in all, including six new options, which are: Restaurant With a View (The Sunset Terrace at The Omni Grove Park Inn), Korean (Stonebowl Korean Restaurant), Mediterranean (Gypsy Queen Cuisine), Middle Eastern (a tie between Gypsy Queen Cuisine and Jerusalem Garden Cafe), Bagels (Button & Co. Bagels) and Wings (Wild Wing Cafe).

This year’s Best Of also welcomes five new Hall of Fame entrants: Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas (Chinese), Nine Mile (Restaurant in West Asheville), Rosetta’s Kitchen (Restaurant That Gives Back to the Community), Jersey Mike’s (Sub) and Little Bee Thai (Thai).

Not surprisingly, our 2020 reader survey revealed a year-over-year decline in the average number of times respondents dine out per month, dropping 12%. However, responses showed that readers’ monthly takeout and use of food-delivery services increased by 29%. Don’t forget to tip your drivers, Asheville!

— Thomas Calder X

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X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

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PHOTO COURTESY OF RED GINGER

RED GINGER DIMSUM & TAPAS Best Chinese

RESTAURANT THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF ASHEVILLE

RESTAURANT IN THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT 1 BULL AND BEGGAR r thebullandbeggar.com

1 NINE MILE n w s ninemileasheville.com

2 VIVIAN r

vivianavl.com

2 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w sunnypointcafe.com

3 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP r whiteducktacoshop.com

3 HOMEGROWN n w slowfoodrightquick.com

RESTAURANT IN WEST ASHEVILLE

FAVORITE RESTAURANT

1 NINE MILE (WEST) w x

1 NINE MILE n w s x

ninemileasheville.com

ninemileasheville.com

2 CÚRATE d

katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate

2 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w sunnypointcafe.com

3 THE ADMIRAL w

3 LIMONES d

theadmiralasheville.com

limonesrestaurant.com

RESTAURANT IN DOWNTOWN (INCLUDING SOUTH SLOPE)

RESTAURANT IN NORTH ASHEVILLE

1 CÚRATE d x

1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN n

2 CULTURA d

2 AVENUE M n

3 LIMONES d

3 828 FAMILY PIZZERIA n

katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate culturaavl.com

vinniesitalian.com avenuemavl.com

limonesrestaurant.com

828pizzeria.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA

x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) 10

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

RESTAURANT IN EAST ASHEVILLE 1 COPPER CROWN e x coppercrownavl.com

2 EAST VILLAGE GRILLE e eastvillagegrille.com

3 RENDEZVOUS e

ashevillerendezvous.com

RESTAURANT IN SOUTH ASHEVILLE 1 WILD GINGER NOODLE BAR s wildgingernoodle.com

2 131 MAIN RESTAURANT s 131-main.com

BREAKFAST 1 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w x sunnypointcafe.com

2 BISCUIT HEAD d w s biscuitheads.com

3 OVER EASY CAFÉ d overeasyasheville.com

BRUNCH 1 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w x sunnypointcafe.com

2 TUPELO HONEY s

2 OVER EASY CAFÉ d

3 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK SOUTH s a

3 BISCUIT HEAD d w s

tupelohoneycafe.com

rockyshotchickenshack.com

overeasyasheville.com

biscuitheads.com

Thanks for voting us one of the best overall, people-watching, and kid-friendly pizza joints in Asheville!

You rock!

50 Broadway 236-9800 mellowmushroom.com/ asheville

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LUNCH

PEOPLE-WATCHING RESTAURANT

1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP d r s a

1 MELLOW MUSHROOM d x

2 NINE MILE n w s

1 WICKED WEED BREWING d

whiteducktacoshop.com

mellowmushroom.com

wickedweedbrewing.com

ninemileasheville.com

3 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a appalachianjavaburnsville.com

3 MELA INDIAN RESTAURANT d melaasheville.com

LUNCH - BUSINESS LUNCH 1 CHESTNUT d x

2 CARMEL’S KITCHEN & BAR d carmelsofasheville.com

3 THE NOODLE SHOP d noodleshopasheville.com

RESTAURANT WITH A VIEW 1 SUNSET TERRACE (OMNI GROVE PARK INN) n avl.mx/3k8

chestnutasheville.com

2 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a appalachianjavaburnsville.com

QUICK MEAL 1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP d r s ax whiteducktacoshop.com

2 HEMINGWAY’S CUBA RESTAURANT & BAR d

hemingwayscubaasheville.com

3 PISGAH INN w a pisgahinn.com

OUTDOOR DINING 1 SMOKY PARK SUPPER CLUB r smokypark.com

2 TACO TEMPLE n

mamacitastacotemple.com

2 UNIVERSAL JOINT w ujasheville.com

3 TACO BILLY w

3 WICKED WEED BREWING d

tacobillyasheville.com

wickedweedbrewing.com

RESTAURANT TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS TO 1 CÚRATE d x

katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate

NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS) 1 CULTURA d culturaavl.com

2 NINE MILE n w s

2 ITTO RAMEN BAR & TAPAS w d

3 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w

3 ROSABEES r

ninemileasheville.com sunnypointcafe.com

ittoramen.com rosabees.com

Thank you Asheville!

• Voted best Barbecue 10 years in a row • Voted best Ribs 7 years in a row River Arts Location 5 Foundy St | Asheville, NC 28801 | 828-253-4499

South Asheville Location

12 Bones Brewing attached on the other side of the building

2350 Hendersonville Rd | Arden, NC 28704 | 828-687-1395

@12bonesribs @12bonesriver @12bonessouth

12bones.com • 12bonesbrewing.com 12

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

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ROMANTIC DINING 1 ZAMBRA d x zambratapas.com

2 CÚRATE d

katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate

3 SUNSET TERRACE (OMNI GROVE PARK INN) n omnihotels.com’

FINE DINING/UPSCALE 1 CÚRATE d x

katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate

WINE LIST 1 CULTURA d culturaavl.com

2 ZAMBRA d

zambratapas.com

3 CUCINA 24 d

cucina24restaurant.com

KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT 1 ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. n d s x ashevillebrewing.com

2 CREEKSIDE TAPHOUSE e creeksidetaphouse.com

2 CULTURA d

3 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a

3 RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE s

3 MELLOW MUSHROOM d

culturaavl.com

appalachianjavaburnsville.com

ruths-chris.com/asheville

mellowmushroom.com

Thank you WNC for voting us Best Seafood every year since 2005

35 Patton Ave. Downtown Asheville Reservations Recommended www.thelobstertrap.biz

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X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

DINER/HOMESTYLE

BEST VALUE

1 HOMEGROWN n w x

1 NINE MILE n w

slowfoodrightquick.com

ninemileasheville.com

2 TASTEE DINER w tasteedinernc.com

2 PAPA’S & BEER e

3 FIVE POINTS RESTAURANT n

papasandbeermexican.com

avl.mx/83y

3 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP d r s a

PUB GRUB

whiteducktacoshop.com

1 WESTVILLE PUB w x westvillepub.com

BEST SERVICE

2 FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREW PUB d foggymountainavl.com

3 JACK OF THE WOOD d

1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN n x

jackofthewood.com

vinniesitalian.com

TAKEOUT

2 CÚRATE d

1 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w s a

katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate

rockyshotchickenshack.com

2 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a appalachianjavaburnsville.com

3 TACO BILLY w

3 WICKED WEED BREWING d wickedweedbrewing.com

BARBECUE

tacobillyasheville.com

LATE-NIGHT RESTAURANT

1 12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE r s ax

1 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE d

12bones.com

rankinvault.com

2 LUELLA’S BAR-B-QUE n s

2 FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREW PUB d

luellasbbq.com

foggymountainavl.com

3 MOE’S ORIGINAL BBQ s n

3 WAFFLE HOUSE e wafflehouse.com

moesoriginalbbq.com

Asheville’s most unique bar!

Drag, Punk, Comedy, Metal, Burlesque and more!!

For a full list of events, visit us at facebook.com/ashevilleodditorium

West Asheville • 1045 Haywood Rd MOUNTAIN XPRESS

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PHOTO BY LYNNE HARTY PHOTOGRAPHY

SMOKY PARK SUPPER CLUB Best Outdoor Dining

RIBS

FRIED CHICKEN

1 12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE r s ax

1 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w s ax

2 LUELLA’S BAR-B-QUE n s

2 HOMEGROWN n w

3 MOE’S ORIGINAL BAR B QUE s n

3 BUXTON HALL BARBECUE d

12bones.com

luellasbbq.com

moesoriginalbbq.com

BURGER 1 FARM BURGER d s x farmburger.net

2 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE d rankinvault.com

3 FOOTHILLS BUTCHER BAR & KITCHEN w e a

rockyshotchickenshack.com slowfoodrightquick.com buxtonhall.com

HOT BAR/BUFFET 1 MELA INDIAN RESTAURANT d melaasheville.com

2 ASIANA GRAND BUFFET s asianagb.com

3 WHOLE FOODS MARKET e n wholefoodsmarket.com

foothillslocalmeats.com

WINGS 1 WILD WING CAFÉ d s a wildwingcafe.com

2 EAST VILLAGE GRILLE e eastvillagegrille.com

3 FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREW PUB d foggymountainavl.com

3 MOE’S ORIGINAL BAR B QUE s n moesoriginalbbq.com

HOT DOGS 1 CELEBRITY'S HOTDOGS s x avl.mx/4uz

2 THE HOT DOG KING e a thehotdogkings.com

3 THE BARKSDALE d avl.mx/83z

3 HOT DOG WORLD s a hotdogworld.net

FRENCH

FRENCH FRIES 1 BOUCHON d x

1 BOUCHON d x

2 FARM BURGER d s

2 RENDEZVOUS e

3 FIVE GUYS BURGER AND FRIES n s

3 VIVIAN r

ashevillebouchon.com farmburger.net fiveguys.com

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ashevillebouchon.com ashevillerendezvous.com vivianavl.com

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

ITALIAN 1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN n x vinniesitalian.com

2 STRADA ITALIANO d stradaasheville.com

3 CUCINA 24 d

cucina24restaurant.com

PASTA 1 VINNIE'S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN n x vinniesitalian.com

2 STRADA ITALIANO d stradaasheville.com

3 CHIESA n

chiesaavl.com

Asheville Poverty Initiative THANK YOU for helping us break down stereotypes, reduce fear, and build community all over good rescued food!

ashevillepovertyinitiative.com @12basketscafe 828-232-2149

NEW YORK BUTCHER SHOPPE Thank you, Asheville!

Unparalled service & expert advice CHECK OUT OUR WEEKLY SPECIALS from Wagyu beef, custom meat grinds, exotic sausages, and hard to find seafood items.

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PIZZA

GREEK 1 APOLLO FLAME BISTRO s x

1 828 FAMILY PIZZERIA n

apolloflamebistro.net

828pizzeria.com

2 STONEY KNOB CAFE n a

2 ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. n d s

stoneyknobcafe.com

3 GOLDEN FLEECE SLOW EARTH KITCHEN [Closed]

ashevillebrewing.com

3 PIZZA MIND w pizzamindavl.com

MIDDLE EASTERN

SUB SHOP/DELI/SANDWICHES

1 GYPSY QUEEN CUISINE w gypsyqueencuisine.com

1 JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS w e s ax

1 JERUSALEM GARDEN CAFÉ d

2 OLD SCHOOL SUBS & DELI s e a

2 BABA NAHM d

3 ASHEVILLE SANDWICH CO. w

3 REZAZ RESTAURANT [Closed]

jerseymikes.com

oldschooldelisubs.com

ashevillesandwichcompany.com

MEDITERRANEAN

jerusalemgardencafe.com babanahm.com

TACO

1 GYPSY QUEEN CUISINE w

1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP d r s ax

2 REZAZ RESTAURANT [Closed]

2 TACO TEMPLE n

3 JERUSALEM GARDEN CAFÉ d

3 TACO BILLY w

gypsyqueencuisine.com

jerusalemgardencafe.com

whiteducktacoshop.com

mamacitastacotemple.com tacobillyasheville.com

Greenteajapanese.com “Thank you for voting us the best for Japanese food and sushi” - Tony

2 Regent Park Blvd. | 828-252-8300 Like us on facebook.com/greenteasushi 18

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Thank you for voting us one of the Best of WNC 5 years in a row, we love you!

Our budtenders look forward to seeing you at our local dispensaries soon!

Asheville • South Asheville • Hendersonville

FrannysFarmacy frannysfarm.com • frannysfarmac y.com MOUNTAIN XPRESS

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PHOTO COURTESY OF BUCHI

BUCHI KOMBUCHA Best Local Food/Drink Product

BURRITO

JAPANESE

1 MAMACITAS MEXICAN GRILL d mamacitasgrill.com

1 GREEN TEA SUSHI & JAPANESE RESTAURANT w greenteasushiasheville.com

2 NEO BURRITO s w e

2 WASABI JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR d

eatneo.com

3 URBAN BURRITO n

wasabiasheville.com

urbanburrito.com

3 HEIWA SHOKUDO d heiwashokudo.net

MEXICAN

THAI

1 PAPAS & BEER e

papasandbeermexican.com

1 LITTLE BEE THAI d x

2 EL QUE PASA w

facebook.com/LittleBeeThai

elquepasa.net

2 SUWANA’S THAI ORCHID RESTAURANT d

3 ZIA TAQUERIA w

suwanasthaiorchid.com

ziataco.com

LATIN AMERICAN

3 PAD THAI w s a padthaiasheville.com

1 SALSA’S d

INDIAN

salsasnc.com

1 MELA INDIAN RESTAURANT d x

2 LIMONES d

melaasheville.com

limonesrestaurant.com

3 CHUPACABRA LATIN CAFE n chupacabralatincafe.com

1 GREEN TEA SUSHI & JAPANESE RESTAURANT w greenteasushiasheville.com

2 WASABI JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR d wasabiasheville.com

zen-sushi-asheville.com

chaipaniasheville.com

3 INDIA GARDEN e

indiagardenonline.com

SUSHI

3 ZEN SUSHI n

2 CHAI PANI d

CHINESE 1 RED GINGER DIMSUM & TAPAS d x redgingerasheville.com

2 ORIENTAL PAVILION w orientalpavilionnc.com

3 ASIANA GRAND BUFFET s asianagb.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA

x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) 20

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

KOREAN 1 STONEBOWL KOREAN w stonebowlasheville.com

2 KOREAN HOUSE [Closed] 3 KOREANA s a koreanaasheville.com

SALAD 1 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d x laughingseed.com

SPECIAL DIET OPTIONS (GLUTEN-FREE, LACTOSE-FREE, ETC.) 1 POSANA d x

posanarestaurant.com

2 BIMBERIBON w bimberibon.com

3 GREEN SAGE CAFÉ d w n s greensagecafe.com

VEGETARIAN

2 APOLLO FLAME BISTRO s

1 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d

3 NINE MILE n w s

2 PLANT n

apolloflamebistro.net

ninemileasheville.com

SEAFOOD

laughingseed.com plantisfood.com

3 ROSETTA'S KITCHEN d rosettaskitchen.com

1 THE LOBSTER TRAP d x thelobstertrap.biz

2 OYSTER HOUSE BREWING CO. w oysterhousebeers.com

3 HARBOR INN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT w harborinnseafood.com

SOUTHERN 1 TUPELO HONEY CAFÉ d s x tupelohoneycafe.com

2 HOMEGROWN n w slowfoodrightquick.com

3 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w s a rockyshotchickenshack.com

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

VEGAN 1 PLANT n

plantisfood.com

2 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d laughingseed.com

3 ROSETTA’S KITCHEN d rosettaskitchen.com

GREEN/SUSTAINABILITYFRIENDLY RESTAURANT 1 GREEN SAGE CAFÉ d w n s x greensagecafe.com

2 PLANT n

plantisfood.com

3 HOMEGROWN n w slowfoodrightquick.com

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For news and happenings, arts and opinions, don’t forget to pick up

Mountain Xpress.

FREE EVERY WEEK IN THE PURPLE BOXES 22

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Consistently Voted One of WNC’s Best Italian Restaurants in:

BEST PASTA BEST ITALIAN Thank you for your support! stradaasheville.com 27 Broadway, Downtown AVL

Visit our Lounge and enjoy the full Strada menu on our Rooftop Patio

Eat, Drink & Be Social

socialloungeasheville.com 29 Broadway, Downtown AVL

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LOCAL-FOOD EMPHASIS 1 HOMEGROWN n w x slowfoodrightquick.com

2 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w sunnypointcafe.com

3 RHUBARB d

rhubarbasheville.com

CHOCOLATE 1 FRENCH BROAD CHOCOLATE FACTORY w x frenchbroadchocolates.com

2 THE CHOCOLATE FETISH d chocolatefetish.com

DOUGHNUTS

HEALTHIEST FOOD 1 GREEN SAGE CAFÉ d w n s greensagecafe.com

2 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d laughingseed.com

3 PLANT n

1 HOLE DOUGHNUTS w hole-doughnuts.com

2 VORTEX DOUGHNUTS d vortexdoughnuts.com

3 DUCK DONUTS n

plantisfood.com

DESSERTS 1 FRENCH BROAD CHOCOLATES d frenchbroadchocolates.com

2 OLD EUROPE PASTRIES & COFFEE d oldeuropepastries.com

3 BAKED PIE CO. s n a bakedpiecompany.com

ICE CREAM 1 THE HOP ICE CREAM CAFÉ n w e ax thehopicecreamcafe.com

2 ULTIMATE ICE CREAM e n ultimateicecreamavl.com

3 SUNSHINE SAMMIES d sunshinesammies.com

FROZEN TREATS OTHER THAN ICE CREAM 1 WHIT’S FROZEN CUSTARD n x whitsasheville.com

2 SUNSHINE SAMMIES d sunshinesammies.com

3 YOLO FROZEN YOGURT n fb.com/YoLoAsheville

duckdonuts.com

BISCUITS 1 BISCUIT HEAD d w s x biscuitheads.com

2 BLUE RIDGE BISCUIT CO. e a fb.com/BlueRidgeBiscuitCompany

3 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w sunnypointcafe.com

BAGELS 1 BUTTON & CO. BAGELS d katiebuttonrestaurants.com

2 BRUEGGER’S BAGELS n s brueggers.com

3 JOEY’S NEW YORK BAGELS s a joeysnybagels.com

BAKERY (SWEETS/DESSERTS) 1 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ s n ax wellbredbakery.com

2 OLD WORLD LEVAIN (OWL) BAKERY w owlbakery.com

3 OLD EUROPE PASTRIES & COFFEE d oldeuropepastries.com

BAKERY (BREAD) 1 CITY BAKERY CAFÉ d n x citybakery.net

2 OLD WORLD LEVAIN (OWL) BAKERY w owlbakery.com

3 WEST END BAKERY w westendbakery.com

Thank you for voting us the Best for 9 years in a row!

Deli - Market - Food Truck - Catering 807 Patton Avenue • 575-2758 www.gypsyqueencuisine.com

24

FOOD TRUCK 1 MELT YOUR HEART avl.mx/3uo

2 EL KIMCHI

fb.com/ElKimchi

3 CECI’S CULINARY TOUR cecisculinarytour.com

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

25

eats

CONTINUED

BUTCHER SHOP 1 THE CHOP SHOP BUTCHERY n chopshopbutchery.com

2 FOOTHILLS BUTCHER BAR & KITCHEN w e a foothillslocalmeats.com

3 NEW YORK BUTCHER SHOPPE s nybutcher.com

CATERING COMPANY 1 THE RED RADISH e a redradish.com

2 67 BILTMORE DOWNTOWN EATERY & CATERING d 67biltmore.com

3 CELINE & CO. CATERING d celineandcompany.com

CHEESEMAKER/CHEESE DAIRY 1 LOOKING GLASS CREAMERY e a ashevillecheese.com

2 THREE GRACES DAIRY n a 3gracesdairy.com

3 SPINNING SPIDER CREAMERY n a spinningspidercreamery.com

LOCAL FOOD/ DRINK PRODUCT 1 BUCHI KOMBUCHA n ax drinkbuchi.com

2 SHANTI ELIXIRS

PASTRY CHEF 1 KAREN DONATELLI CAKE DESIGNS s

donatellicakedesigns.com

2 ASHLEY CAPPS (BUXTON HALL BARBECUE) d buxtonhall.com

3 MELISSA GRAY (CAKES BY GRAY) n cakesbygray.com

LOCAL FOOD FESTIVAL OR EVENT 1 CHOW CHOW: AN ASHEVILLE CULINARY EVENT d avl.mx/6gm

2 ASHEVILLE FOOD TRUCK SHOWDOWN

ashevillefoodtruckshowdown.com

3 ASHEVILLE GREEK FESTIVAL (HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH) n

holytrinityasheville.com/greek-festival

RESTAURANT THAT GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY 1 ROSETTA’S KITCHEN d x rosettaskitchen.com

2 WICKED WEED BREWING d wickedweedbrewing.com

3 CÚRATE d

katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate

shantielixirs.com

3 ROOTS HUMMUS w rootshummus.com

LOCALLY-MADE CBD TREATS

NONPROFIT HELPING WITH HUNGER ISSUES 1 MANNA FOODBANK e x mannafoodbank.org

1 FRANNY’S FARMACY n s a

2 BOUNTY & SOUL e a

2 TRINITY PHARMS HEMP CO. e a

3 ASHEVILLE POVERTY INITIATIVE (12 BASKETS CAFE) w

frannysfarmacy.com

trinitypharmshempco.com

ashevillepovertyinitiative.org

CHEF 1 KATIE BUTTON (CÚRATE) x katiebuttonrestaurants.com

2 ERIC MORRIS (CULTURA) d culturaavl.com

3 BRIAN CANIPELLI (CUCINA 24) d cucina24restaurant.com

bountyandsoul.org

RESTAURANT STILL NEEDED IN ASHEVILLE 1 BETTER CHINESE x 2 VIETNAMESE 3 THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY

best of wnc is also online BestOfWNC.com

26

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

27

drinks

PHOTO BY MADELINE FORWERCK

WICKED WEED BREWING

Best Creative, Experimental Brewery, Local IPA, and Local Sour Beer; second place Local Beer (Any Style); third place Bar That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville, Local All-Round Brewery (for its beers), Bar or Brewery That Gives Back to the Community, Local Lager (tie); and additional wins in the Eats section

I

F you’re the best — and when it comes to local

beverage purveyors, that includes both alcoholic and nonalcoholic — you tend to be the best in several ways. Consider: Besides being voted best Upscale Bar, Sovereign Remedies won first place for its Cocktails and carried the day as Bar That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville.

Highland Brewing Co., in addition to being named best Local All-Round Brewery (for its beers), was voted top Family-Friendly Bar/Brewery and Bar or Brewery That Gives Back to the Community. Then, heaping on the accolades, traditionalists once again voted Highland’s Gaelic Ale No. 1 Local Beer. And finally, Highland took home the trophy in this year’s brand-new Seasonal Beer category (for its Cold Mountain Winter Ale).

Elsewhere, Dobra Tea earned two top honors: Place to Drink Tea and Coffee/Tea House in Which to Read a Book. And High Five Coffee earned high praise twice from roasted bean aficionados, who voted it best Coffee House and Establishment With the Best Coffee.

Thrice-crowned Wicked Weed Brewing was voted WNC’s most beloved local IPA (Pernicious) and Sour Beer (Black Angel) — an appropriate range for the year’s most Creative, Experimental Brewery.

New for 2020, top Local Cider goes to Noble Cider’s The Village Tart. And we welcome to the Hall of Fame Sunny Point Café’s Bloody Mary.

— Edwin Arnaudin X

28

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

shop dogs forever

Thank you Asheville!

BEST PRICES

FRIENDLY,

Internet competitive & nearly KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF always lowest in town Take home wine you’ll enjoy

WELL CURATED SELECTION from well known to hard to fif Ind

7

WE’RE LOCAL

Wages, profits and taxes are spent or invested right here

BIG SHOP SELECTION year SMALL SHOP SERVICE

th

in a row!

Free, Close Parking.

169 Charlotte St. • Asheville, NC 28801 • 828.575.9525

METROWINESASHEVILLE.COM MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

29

drinks BAR THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF ASHEVILLE 1 SOVEREIGN REMEDIES d sovereignremedies.com

2 JACK OF THE WOOD d jackofthewood.com

3 WICKED WEED BREWING d wickedweedbrewing.com

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR DOWNTOWN (INCLUDING SOUTH SLOPE)

BARTENDER 1 JENNIE LOU NELSON (THE ODDITORIUM) w ashevilleodditorium.com

2 MIKE TURNER (ONE STOP) d ashevillemusichall.com

3 JOSH MARCH (VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN) n vinniesitalian.com

BAR FOR LIVE MUSIC

1 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE d

1 JACK OF THE WOOD d

2 FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREW PUB d

2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e

rankinvault.com

foggymountainavl.com

3 BURIAL BEER CO. d burialbeer.com

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR RIVER ARTS DISTRICT 1 WEDGE BREWING CO. r wedgebrewing.com

2 CRUCIBLE BAR r fb.com/cruciblebaravl

3 BOTTLE RIOT (FORMERLY DISTRICT WINE BAR) r bottleriot.com

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR SOUTH 1 HILLMAN BEER s hillmanbeer.com

2 VILLAGE WAYSIDE BAR AND GRILL s villagewayside.com

3 THE CASUAL PINT s thecasualpint.com

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR - WEST 1 WESTVILLE PUB w x westvillepub.com

2 THE DOUBLE CROWN w fb.com/TheDoubleCrown

3 DESOTO LOUNGE w desotolounge.com

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR NORTH 1 LITTLE JUMBO n littlejumbobar.com

2 ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. n ashevillebrewing.com

3 AVENUE M n

avenuemavl.com

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR - EAST 1 CREEKSIDE TAPHOUSE e x creeksidetaphouse.com

1 THE SOCIAL e

thesocialasheville.com

jackofthewood.com

highlandbrewing.com

3 5 WALNUT WINE BAR d 5walnut.com

BAR WITH A VIEW 1 THE MONTFORD ROOFTOP BAR d themontford.com

2 HEMINGWAY’S CUBA RESTAURANT & BAR d

hemingwayscubaasheville.com

3 CAPELLA ON 9 d capellaon9.com

BAR WITH BAR GAMES 1 ASHEVILLE RETROCADE w ashevilleretrocade.com

2 WELL PLAYED BOARD GAME CAFÉ d wellplayedasheville.com

3 TWIN LEAF BREWERY d twinleafbrewery.com

GAY-FRIENDLY BAR 1 O.HENRY’S d x

ohenrysofasheville.com

2 SCANDALS NIGHTCLUB d scandalsnightclub.com

3 THE ODDITORIUM w ashevilleodditorium.com

HOTEL BAR 1 CAPELLA ON 9 d capellaon9.com

2 THE MONTFORD ROOFTOP BAR d themontford.com

3 WXYZ LOUNGE d

aloftashevilledowntown.com

DIVE BAR 1 THE DOUBLE CROWN w fb.com/TheDoubleCrown

2 EAST VILLAGE GRILLE e

2 BURGER BAR w

3 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e

3 DESOTO LOUNGE w

eastvillagegrille.com

highlandbrewing.com

30

fb.com/burgerbar.asheville desotolounge.com

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Thank you WNC for voting us one of the best places to buy CBD Oil in the region

112B Cherry St. Black Mountain, NC 828-357-8295 MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

31

drinks SPORTS BAR

COCKTAILS 1 SOVEREIGN REMEDIES d x

1 THE BIER GARDEN d x

sovereignremedies.com

ashevillebiergarden.com

2 ANTIDOTE d

2 WILD WING CAFÉ d s a

antidote.bar

wildwingcafe.com

3 LITTLE JUMBO n

3 HICKORY TAVERN s

littlejumbobar.com

thehickorytavern.com

DISTILLERY

UPSCALE BAR

1 CHEMIST SPIRITS d chemistspirits.com

1 SOVEREIGN REMEDIES d x

2 CULTIVATED COCKTAILS d

2 ANTIDOTE d

3 EDA RHYNE DISTILLING CO. e

sovereignremedies.com

cultivated-cocktails.com edarhyne.com

antidote.bar

3 CAPELLA ON 9 d

BLOODY MARY

capellaon9.com

BAR OR BREWERY THAT GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

2 NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO. w

1 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w x sunnypointcafe.com

2 THE ODDITORIUM w ashevilleodditorium.com

3 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE d rankinvault.com

newbelgium.com

3 WICKED WEED BREWING d wickedweedbrewing.com

CIDERY 1 NOBLE CIDER w noblecider.com

2 URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. w d

WINE BAR

urbanorchardcider.com

1 5 WALNUT WINE BAR d x 5walnut.com

2 BOTTLE RIOT (FORMERLY DISTRICT WINE BAR) r bottleriot.com

3 PLEB URBAN WINERY r

3 BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER e a boldrock.com

LOCAL CIDER 1 THE VILLAGE TART CHERRY CIDER (NOBLE CIDER) w noblecider.com

pleburbanwinery.com

3 SANTÉ WINE BAR AND TAP ROOM d avl.mx/840

2 BLACKBERRY (BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER) s a boldrock.com

3 GINGER CAMPAIGN (URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO.) w d

LOCAL WINERY

urbanorchardcider.com

1 BILTMORE WINERY s x

BAR: LOCAL BEER SELECTION

2 PLEB URBAN WINERY r

1 BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA d

biltmore.com/wine

barleystaproom.com

pleburbanwinery.com

3 BURNTSHIRT VINEYARDS s e a burntshirtvineyards.com

2 THIRSTY MONK d s monkpub.com

3 THE BIER GARDEN d ashevillebiergarden.com

WINE STORE

BAR: UNUSUAL BEER SELECTION

1 METRO WINES n x metrowinesasheville.com

2 APPALACHIAN VINTNER s

1 THE WHALE :: A CRAFT BEER COLLECTIVE w

3 ASHEVILLE WINE MARKET d

2 THIRSTY MONK d s

appalachianvintner.com ashevillewine.com

thewhaleavl.com monkpub.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA

x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) 32

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Thank You Asheville for the Hat Trick

:: We Appreciate Every One of You! ::

Prost!

Come See Our Expanded, Spaced Out, Parking Lot Patio Located at 507 Haywood Road Behind Haywood Common

Here Everyday 12-11 TheWhaleAVL.com • 828-575-9888 MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

33

DRINKS LOCAL ALL-ROUND BREWERY (FOR ITS BEERS) 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e x highlandbrewing.com

2 BURIAL BEER CO. d burialbeer.com

3 WICKED WEED BREWING d wickedweedbrewing.com

BREWERY (FOR ITS TAPROOM & ATMOSPHERE) 1 SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. s a sierranevada.com

2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

3 NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO. w newbelgium.com

FAMILY-FRIENDLY BAR OR BREWERY 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

2 NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO. w

CONTINUED

LOCAL LAGER 1 HI-WIRE LAGER (HI-WIRE BREWING) d s hiwirebrewing.com

2 HIGHLAND PILSNER (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e highlandbrewing.com

3 HOUNDES OF HELLES (BOOJUM BREWING) w a boojumbrewing.com

3 UNCLE RICK’S PILSNER (WICKED WEED BREWING) d wickedweedbrewing.com

LOCAL SOUR BEER 1 BLACK ANGEL (WICKED WEED BREWING) d wickedweedbrewing.com

2 OTRA VEZ (SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO.) s a sierranevada.com

2 THE GOOD FIGHT SOUR PALE ALE (BHRAMARI BREWING CO.) d bhramaribrewing.com

newbelgium.com

3 SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. s a sierranevada.com

CREATIVE, EXPERIMENTAL BREWERY 1 WICKED WEED BREWING d wickedweedbrewing.com

2 BURIAL BEER CO. d burialbeer.com

LOCAL IPA 1 PERNICIOUS IPA (WICKED WEED BREWING) d wickedweedbrewing.com

2 IRON RAIL IPA (WEDGE BREWING CO.) r wedgebrewing.com

3 AVL IPA (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e highlandbrewing.com

3 BHRAMARI BREWING CO. d

SEASONAL BEER

bhramaribrewing.com

LOCAL BEER (ANY STYLE) 1 GAELIC ALE (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e x highlandbrewing.com

2 PERNICIOUS IPA (WICKED WEED BREWING) d wickedweedbrewing.com

3 WHITE ZOMBIE (CATAWBA BREWING CO.) d s catawbabrewing.com

LOCAL DARK BEER

1 COLD MOUNTAIN (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e highlandbrewing.com

2 PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME (CATAWBA BREWING CO.) d s catawbabrewingco.com

3 NINJABREAD MAN (ASHEVILLE BREWING CO.) n d s ashevillebrewing.com

BREWMASTER 1 BRAD HILLMAN (HILLMAN BEER) s hillmanbeer.com

1 GREEN MAN PORTER (GREEN MAN BREWERY) d

2 JOSIE MIELKE (URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO.) w

2 BLACK WATCH (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e

3 JOE PAWELEK (WICKED WEED BREWING) d

3 OATMEAL PORTER (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e

3 JONATHAN CHASSNER (ZILLICOAH BEER CO.) n

greenmanbrewery.com

highlandbrewing.com

highlandbrewing.com

34

urbanorchardcider.com

wickedweedbrewing.com

zillicoahbeer.com

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

FAVORITE LOCAL BEER EVENT 1 BREWGRASS FESTIVAL r x

PLACE TO DRINK TEA 1 DOBRA TEA HOUSE d w x

brewgrassfestival.com

dobrateanc.com

2 ASHEVILLE OKTOBERFEST d

2 HIGH CLIMATE TEA CO. d

ashevilleoktoberfest.com

highclimatetea.com

3 COLD MOUNTAIN RELEASE (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) e

SMOOTHIES/JUICES

highlandbrewing.com

BEER STORE

1 SIMPLE CAFE & JUICE BAR w simpleasheville.com

1 APPALACHIAN VINTNER s

2 GREEN SAGE CAFÉ d w n s

appalachianvintner.com

greensagecafe.com

2 TASTY BEVERAGE CO. [Closed]

3 MOUNTAIN JUICERY s

3 INGLES MARKETS e w s n a

mountainjuicery.com

ingles-markets.com

3 LOCAL 604 BOTTLE SHOP w

MOCKTAILS OR NONALCOHOLIC OPTIONS

local604avl.com

HOMEBREWING/ WINEMAKING SUPPLIES

1 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d laughingseed.com

1 ASHEVILLE BREWERS SUPPLY & WINEMAKING SHOP n

2 BUCHI BAR d

ashevillebrewers.com

rosettaskitchen.com/buchi-bar

2 FIFTH SEASON GARDENING CO. e fifthseasongardening.com

COFFEE HOUSE

CBD DRINKS/HEALTH ELIXIRS 1 ASHEVILLE DISPENSARY w avldispensary.com

1 HIGH FIVE COFFEE d n r x highfivecoffee.com

2 DOBRA TEA HOUSE d w

2 IZZY'S COFFEE d w

dobrateanc.com

izzyscoffee.com

3 PENNYCUP COFFEE CO. d r n e pennycupcoffeeco.com

3 FRANNY’S FARMACY n s a frannysfarmacy.com

KAVA BAR

ESTABLISHMENT WITH THE BEST COFFEE

1 SOVEREIGN KAVA d

1 HIGH FIVE COFFEE d n r x

ashevillekava.com

highfivecoffee.com

2 VINTAGE KAVA n a

2 DYNAMITE ROASTING CO. e a

vintagekava.com

dynamiteroasting.com

3 PENNYCUP COFFEE CO. d r n e pennycupcoffeeco.com

COFFEE/TEA HOUSE IN WHICH TO READ A BOOK 1 DOBRA TEA HOUSE d w x dobrateanc.com

2 BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE & CHAMPAGNE BAR d batteryparkbookexchange.com

3 HIGH FIVE COFFEE d n r highfivecoffee.com

COFFEE ROASTER 1 DYNAMITE ROASTING CO. e ax dynamiteroasting.com

2 PENNYCUP COFFEE CO. d r n e pennycupcoffeeco.com

3 COUNTER CULTURE COFFEE d counterculturecoffee.com

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

35

Arts & Entertainment

PHOTO BY HEATHER HAMBOR PHOTOGRAPHY

DANCECLUB ASHEVILLE

Best Place to Dance, second place for Place to Take Dance Classes or Lessons

A

MID an unprecedented season in 2020, in which creators have been unable to share their work in the time-honored fashion — en masse and in person — the results of this year’s Best of WNC survey offer a pleasant reminder of the region’s still vibrant and ever-changing arts scene.

Well represented are the music venues (The Orange Peel, The Grey Eagle, Salvage Station), arts nonprofits (LEAF Global Arts, Penland School of Craft, Asheville Community Theatre) and galleries (Blue Spiral 1, Southern Highland Craft Guild, Asheville Area Arts Council) — all of which appeal to locals and tourists alike. But there are also the trivia night hosts (Kipper Schauer, Mitch Fortune), movement-oriented groups (Asheville Aerial Arts, Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance) and craftspeople (fiber artist Ashton Zager, metalworker David Earl Tomlinson) that give WNC its distinct look and feel.

Readers additionally recognized artists who have since embraced digital opportunities to keep their audiences engaged. From livestream concerts (Ashley Heath, Andrew Scotchie, Steep Canyon Rangers) to new online humor offerings (LaZoom Comedy Tours) to brand-new business models (Grail Moviehouse, Studio Zahiya), many of this year’s honorees could also place high in categories honoring top innovators.

Congratulations are due to Hilliary Begley, the people’s choice in the inaugural Comedian category, and welcome to new Hall of Fame inductees Leeda “Lyric” Jones (Lyricist and R&B/Soul) and Gus Cutty (Mural Artist).

— Edwin Arnaudin X

36

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Thanks Thanks for for voting voting us us

salvagestation.com salvagestation.com MOUNTAIN XPRESS

#1 OUTDOOR MUSIC VENUE! MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

37

Arts & entertainment

PHOTO BY TOM FARR

ANDREW SCOTCHIE & THE RIVER RATS Best Rock

LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

OPEN-MIC NIGHT VENUE

1 LAKE EDEN ARTS FESTIVAL (LEAF) e ax

1 SOVEREIGN KAVA (FORMERLY NOBLE KAVA) d

2 LEAF DOWNTOWN d

2 THE SOCIAL e

3 DOWNTOWN AFTER 5 d

3 ONE STOP @ ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL d

theleaf.org theleaf.org

ashevilledowntown.org

PLACE TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC 1 THE ORANGE PEEL d x theorangepeel.net

2 THE GREY EAGLE r thegreyeagle.com

3 ISIS MUSIC HALL w isisasheville.com

OUTDOOR MUSIC VENUE 1 SALVAGE STATION r salvagestation.com

2 PISGAH BREWING CO. e a pisgahbrewing.com

3 THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING e highlandbrewing.com

LISTENING ROOM

ashevillekava.com

thesocialasheville.com ashevillemusichall.com

SINGER-SONGWRITER 1 ASHLEY HEATH

speakeasyartists.com

2 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES reverbnation.com/lyricfans

3 JANE KRAMER

janekramermusic.com

LYRICIST 1 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES x reverbnation.com/lyricfans

2 DAVID ROGERS (MODERN STRANGERS) modernstrangers.com

3 AMANDA ANNE PLATT & THE HONEYCUTTERS honeycutters.com

1 THE GREY EAGLE r

VOCALIST

2 ISIS MUSIC HALL w

1 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES

3 THE ORANGE PEEL d

2 ASHLEY HEATH

thegreyeagle.com isisasheville.com

theorangepeel.net

RECORDING STUDIO 1 ECHO MOUNTAIN RECORDING STUDIO d x echomountain.net

2 ASHETOWN SOUND STUDIO (THE MUSIC ACADEMY ASHEVILLE) w musicacademyasheville.com

3 THE EAGLE ROOM n a theeagleroom.com

38

reverbnation.com/lyricfans speakeasyartists.com

3 AMANDA ANNE PLATT honeycutters.com

ACOUSTIC/FOLK 1 ASHLEY HEATH AND HER HEATHENS speakeasyartists.com

2 STEEP CANYON RANGERS steepcanyon.com

3 RISING APPALACHIA risingappalachia.com

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

AMERICANA/COUNTRY

WORLD MUSIC

1 AMANDA ANNE PLATT & THE HONEYCUTTERS x

1 FREE PLANET RADIO freeplanetradio.com

honeycutters.com

KREWE 2 ASHLEY HEATH AND HER HEATHENS 2 TOUBAB toubabkrewe.com speakeasyartists.com

3 LES AMIS

3 STEEP CANYON RANGERS

facebook.com/lesamisasheville

steepcanyon.com

BLUES

BUSKER/STREET GROUP

1 PEGGY RATUSZ x

1 ABBY THE SPOON LADY x

reverbnation.com/peggyratusz

spoonlady.com

2 AARON WOODY WOOD

2 ABBY THE SPOON LADY aaronwoodywood.com & CHRIS RODRIGUES 3 ASHLEY HEATH AND HER HEATHENS speakeasyartists.com 3 ABBY THE SPOON LADY & BANCO BEN FUNK 1 YO MAMA’S BIG FAT BOOTY BAND bootyband.com

ALL-ROUND FAVORITE BAND

2 EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS

1 STEEP CANYON RANGERS

2 THE FRITZ

2 EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS

3 TUESDAY NIGHT FUNK JAM (ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL)

3 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES

steepcanyon.com

empirestrikesbrass.com thefritzmusic.com

empirestrikesbrass.com

reverbnation.com/lyricfans

ashevillemusichall.com

DJ (NONRADIO)

JAZZ

1 QUEEN BEE AND THE HONEYLOVERS 1 MARLEY CARROLL marleycarroll.com

queenbeeswing.com

2 FIRECRACKER JAZZ BAND

2 LIL MEOW MEOW (ANNELISE KOPP)

firecrackerjazz.com

3 JASON DECRISTOFARO

fb.com/djlilmeowmeow

reverbnation.com/jasondecristofaromusic

3 RUSS WILSON everswinging.com

OLD-TIME/BLUEGRASS 1 STEEP CANYON RANGERS steepcanyon.com

2 BALSAM RANGE balsamrange.com

3 TOWN MOUNTAIN townmountain.net

3 KIPPER SCHAUER fb.com/heykipper

MUSIC ENGINEER OR PRODUCER 1 JULIAN DREYER (ECHO MOUNTAIN RECORDING) d juliandreyer.com

2 JOSH BLAKE

joshblakemusic.com

R&B/SOUL 1 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES x reverbnation.com/lyricfans

2 RYAN RNB BARBER ryanrnbbarber.com

HIP-HOP 1 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES reverbnation.com/lyricfans

2 NATURAL BORN LEADERS naturalbornleadersband.com

3 SPACEMAN JONES & THE MOTHERSHIPS avl.mx/7uu

ROCK 1 ANDREW SCOTCHIE & THE RIVER RATS x andrewscotchiemusic.com

2 MODERN STRANGERS modernstrangers.com

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

WE’RE OPEN

COME AND SEE US Dinner + Live Music Tickets & Schedule at isisasheville.com 743 HAYWOOD RD • WEST AVL 828.575.2737 MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

39

Arts & entertainment

CONTINUED

PHOTO BY SHEILA MRAZ

SHEILA MRAZ Best Photographer

MUSIC INSTRUMENT REPAIR COMPANY 1 MUSICIAN’S WORKSHOP n musiciansworkshop.com

2 ACOUSTIC CORNER e a acoustic-corner.com

3 HEYDAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS & REPAIR d heydaymusic.net

MUSIC-RELATED NONPROFIT 1 LEAF GLOBAL ARTS e theleaf.org

CRAFT SCHOOL OR PLACE TO LEARN A CRAFT 1 PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFT n ax penland.org

2 JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL w a folkschool.org

3 A-B TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE d w n s a abtech.edu

LOCAL ART GALLERY

2 ASHEVILLE MUSIC SCHOOL d

1 BLUE SPIRAL 1 d x

3 GIRLS ROCK ASHEVILLE

2 ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM d

ashevillemusicschool.org girlsrockasheville.org

ART/CRAFTS FAIR OR EVENT 1 THE BIG CRAFTY d x thebigcrafty.com

bluespiral1.com ashevilleart.org

3 HORSE + HERO d horseandhero.com

CRAFT-ORIENTED GALLERY

2 CRAFT FAIR OF THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS d

1 FOLK ART CENTER/ SHCG GALLERIES e x

3 LAKE EDEN ARTS FESTIVAL (LEAF) e a

2 GROVEWOOD GALLERY n

craftguild.org

theleaf.org

STUDIO STROLL/ DRIVING TOUR

southernhighlandguild.org grovewood.com

3 NEW MORNING GALLERY s newmorninggallerync.com

FIBER ARTIST

1 RIVER ARTS DISTRICT STUDIO STROLL r x

1 ASHTON ZAGER

2 WEAVERVILLE ART SAFARI n a

2 JAN WESCOTT (JANI WOVENS)

3 TOE RIVER STUDIO TOUR n a

3 JUDE STUECKER w

riverartsdistrict.com

weavervilleartsafari.com toeriverarts.org

40

ashtonzagerfiberart.com janiwovens.com

judestuecker.com

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

JEWELRY ARTIST/DESIGNER

POTTER/CERAMIC ARTIST

1 LAUREN MOODY (FOX & BEAUX BOUTIQUE) d

1 ROB AND BETH MANGUM (MANGUM POTTERY) n a

foxandbeaux.com

mangumpottery.com

2 ANNA JOHNSON

annajohnsonjewelry.com

2 MELISSA WEISS s

melissaweisspottery.com

3 PAULA DAWKINS (JEWELS THAT DANCE) d

3 AKIRA SATAKE r

jewelsthatdance.com

akirasatake.com

METAL ARTIST OR METALWORKER

NONPROFIT THAT SERVES THE ARTS

1 DAVID EARL TOMLINSON (DYNAMIC METAL WORK) dynamicmetalwork.com

2 STEFAN BONITZ (STEEBO DESIGNS) steebo.com

2 TINA COUNCELL (IRON MAIDEN STUDIOS) w ironmaidenstudios.com

3 MARK WOODHAM (MW STUDIOS) n a

1 ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL d ashevillearts.com

2 LEAF GLOBAL ARTS d theleaf.org

3 OPEN HEARTS ARTS CENTER d openheartsartcenter.org

mwstudiosnc.com

MURAL ARTIST 1 GUS CUTTY x guscutty.com

2 IAN WILKINSON ianthepainter.com

3 DUSTIN SPAGNOLA w fb.com/spagnolaart

PAINTER/ILLUSTRATOR 1 ANDY HEROD r andyherod.com

PHOTOGRAPHER 1 SHEILA MRAZ sheilamraz.com

2 STEPHAN PRUITT

stephanpruittphotography.com

3 CARRIE TURNER

carrieturnerphotography.com

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

41

Arts & entertainment MOVIE THEATER 1 GRAIL MOVIEHOUSE d grailmoviehouse.com

CONTINUED

VAUDEVILLE TROUPE (BURLESQUE, AERIAL ARTS, JUGGLERS, ETC.)

2 FINE ARTS THEATRE d

1 ASHEVILLE AERIAL ARTS

3 THE CAROLINA CINEMARK ASHEVILLE s

2 LAZOOM d

fineartstheatre.com

avl.mx/3n9

LOCAL FILMMAKER 1 PAUL BONESTEEL (BONESTEEL FILMS) d bonesteelfilms.com

THEATER COMPANY 1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE d ashevilletheatre.org

2 NORTH CAROLINA STAGE CO. d ncstage.org

3 MONTFORD PARK PLAYERS n montfordparkplayers.org

ACTOR (MALE OR FEMALE) 1 SCOTT TREADWAY (NC STAGE CO.) d x ncstage.org

2 CHARLIE FLYNN-MCIVER (NC STAGE CO.) d ncstage.org

PERFORMANCE DANCE COMPANY

ashevilleaerialarts.com lazoomtours.com

3 ASHEVILLE VAUDEVILLE COLLECTIVE avlvaudeville.com

COMEDY TROUPE OR SERIES 1 LAZOOM d x lazoomtours.com

2 REASONABLY PRICED BABIES fb.com/RPBimprov

LOCAL COMEDY SHOW/ NIGHT/EVENT 1 LAZOOM TOUR d lazoomtours.com

2 OPEN MIC COMEDY FREAKSHOW AT THE ODDITORIUM w ashevilleodditorium.com

3 DISCLAIMER LOUNGE COMEDY OPEN MIC AT THE ONE STOP d disclaimercomedy.com

COMEDIAN 1 HILLIARY BEGLEY fb.com/highlarrious

TRIVIA NIGHT EMCEE

1 TERPSICORPS THEATRE OF DANCE w x

1 KIPPER SCHAUER (TOTALLY RAD TRIVIA) x

2 THE ASHEVILLE BALLET n

1 MITCH FORTUNE (MITCH’S TOTALLY RAD TRIVIA)

3 ASHEVILLE CONTEMPORARY DANCE THEATRE d

2 DR. BROWN (DR. BROWN’S TEAM TRIVIA)

terpsicorps.org

ashevilleballet.com

acdt.org

avl.mx/7ul

avl.mx/7uk

PLACE TO DANCE 1 DANCECLUB ASHEVILLE n danceclubasheville.com

2 SCANDALS NIGHTCLUB d scandalsnightclub.com

3 ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL & ONE STOP d ashevillemusichall.com

PLACE TO TAKE DANCE CLASSES OR LESSONS 1 STUDIO ZAHIYA d

zahiyaonline.mykajabi.com

2 DANCECLUB ASHEVILLE n danceclubasheville.com

3 ASHEVILLE BALLROOM AND DANCE CENTRE s ashevilleballroom.net

42

fb.com/heykipper

3 ROBERT BENNETT (TOTALLY RAD TRIVIA) avl.mx/6ej

LOCAL AUTHOR 1 RON RASH avl.mx/7uf

2 ROBERT BEATTY robert-beatty.com

3 WILEY CASH wileycash.com

LOCAL POET 1 ALLAN WOLF allanwolf.com

2 GLENIS REDMOND glenisredmond.com

3 BARBIE ANGELL barbieangell.com

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

43

outdoors

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHEVILLE ON BIKES

ASHEVILLE ON BIKES Best Bicycle Club or Group

I

N a year that has found most forms of entertainment affected in some way (looking at you, movie theaters and bowling alleys), nature is making a grand resurgence. Gone, seemingly, are the days of scenic solitude and morning walks with only the bears for company — WNC residents and visitors are heading to the hills in record-breaking numbers.

But there remain plenty of roads less traveled to provide a break from the fast pace of city life. Look no farther than the North Carolina Arboretum, inaugural winner of the Outdoors section’s new category Best Walk In or Near Asheville. For folks seeking extended getaways, Hot Springs Campground, the Art Loeb Trail and the Davidson River come highly recommended as the best sites to pitch a tent and spend a night away from home.

This year, we welcome two locations to the Hall of Fame: the Davidson River (Fishing Spot) and Craggy Gardens (Picnic Spot).

The mountains have long offered an opportunity for social distance. From hiking and biking to rafting and zip lining, there are escapes for everyone longing for adventure and some fresh air.

— Molly Horak X

44

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

BICYCLE CLUB OR GROUP

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL

1 ASHEVILLE ON BIKES x

1 BENT CREEK EXPERIMENTAL FOREST w

ashevilleonbikes.com

2 BLUE RIDGE BICYCLE CLUB s

avl.mx/7v1

blueridgebicycleclub.org

3 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. EAST SIDE SOCIAL RIDE e

2 RIDGELINE TRAIL s a avl.mx/7v2

highlandbrewing.com

CANOPY/ZIP-LINE TOUR

HIKING CLUB OR GROUP 1 CAROLINA MOUNTAIN CLUB

1 NAVITAT CANOPY ADVENTURES n ax

carolinamountainclub.org

navitat.com

RUNNING CLUB OR GROUP 1 JUS’ RUNNING n jusrunning.com

2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. RUN CLUB e highlandbrewing.com

DAY HIKE

2 ASHEVILLE TREETOPS ADVENTURE PARK (ADVENTURE CENTER OF ASHEVILLE) w

ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com

3 THE GORGE: A ZIPLINE CANOPY ADVENTURE s a

1 BLACK BALSAM KNOB w a

thegorgezipline.com

avl.mx/prun

2 MAX PATCH n a

RUNNING EVENT/RACE - ROAD OR TRAIL

avl.mx/7uw

3 GRAVEYARD FIELDS w a avl.mx/7uv

1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. NIGHT FLIGHT e

BACKPACKING TRAIL / OVERNIGHT HIKE

highlandbrewing.com

1 ART LOEB TRAIL s a

2 SHUT-IN RIDGE TRAIL RUN

2 APPALACHIAN TRAIL FROM HOT SPRINGS TO MAX PATCH n a

3 RACE TO THE TAPS w

avl.mx/3s7

appalachiantrail.org

jusrunning.com

facebook.com/racetothetaps

ASH EVILLE

B U N C O M B E CO U N T Y

We want to thank our dedicated volunteers and supporters for helping to keep Asheville and Buncombe County clean and green.

We couldn't do it without you!

ashevillegreenworks.org MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

45

outdoors RAFTING COMPANY 1 NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER w ax noc.com

CONTINUED

WHITEWATER PADDLING SECTION 1 NANTAHALA RIVER w a

2 FRENCH BROAD SECTION 9 n a

2 ZEN TUBING r s a

avl.mx/6dg

zentubing.com

CAMPING SPOT

3 FRENCH BROAD ADVENTURES n a

1 HOT SPRINGS CAMPGROUND n a

frenchbroadrafting.com

OUTDOOR GEAR AND APPAREL SHOP 1 REI CO-OP s

nchotsprings.com

2 MAX PATCH n a avl.mx/7uw

3 DAVIDSON RIVER s a

rei.com

avl.mx/6df

2 SECOND GEAR w

SWIMMING HOLE

secondgearwnc.com

3 BLACK DOME MOUNTAIN SPORTS e blackdome.com

1 SKINNY DIP FALLS w a avl.mx/7uy

SKI RESORT 1 CATALOOCHEE SKI AREA w ax cataloochee.com

2 WOLF RIDGE SKI RESORT n a skiwolfridgenc.com

3 SUGAR MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT e skisugar.com

ENVIRONMENTAL OR CONSERVATION NONPROFIT 1 ASHEVILLE GREENWORKS w ashevillegreenworks.org

WATERFALL 1 LOOKING GLASS FALLS s avl.mx/wordcaop

2 CATAWBA FALLS e a avl.mx/7uz

3 TRIPLE FALLS s a avl.mx/7v0

SKATE PARK 1 FOUNDATION ASHEVILLE SKATEPARK (FOUNDY) r foundationasheville.com

2 MOUNTAINTRUE d s a mountaintrue.org

3 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN HIGHLANDS CONSERVANCY n appalachian.org

2 RAD SKATEPARK r radskateparkavl.com

3 ASHEVILLE SKATEPARK d avl.mx/7LD

PLACE TO CAR CAMP 1 HOT SPRINGS CAMP GROUND n a nchotsprings.com

2 DAVIDSON RIVER s a

PLACE TO RELAX ON THE WATER 1 FRENCH BROAD RIVER 2 LAKE LURE e a

avl.mx/6df

townoflakelure.com

FISHING SPOT

3 LAKE JAMES e a avl.mx/8by

1 DAVIDSON RIVER s ax avl.mx/6df

WALK IN OR NEAR ASHEVILLE

PICNIC SPOT 1 CRAGGY GARDENS n ax

1 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM s

2 BILTMORE ESTATE s

2 BEAVER LAKE n

2 MAX PATCH n a

3 BILTMORE ESTATE s

avl.mx/6cf

biltmore.com avl.mx/7uw

ncarboretum.org

thelakeviewpark.org biltmore.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA

x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) 46

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Visiting Asheville?

Check out the ʻField Guide to Ashevilleʼ pocket guide.

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

47

shopping

PHOTO COURTESY OF INGLES MARKETS

INGLES MARKETS

Best All-Round Grocery Store, third place Beer Store

H

OME, they say, is where the heart is. But in the age of COVID-19, it’s also become where the fun is. The living room is now a theater; the dining room, a restaurant. And thanks to VaVaVooom, newly entered into the Hall of Fame for Adult Toys, Lingerie & Naughty Things Store, the bedroom can take on a touch of the cabaret.

Many other WNC retail venues also offer area shoppers opportunities to make stay-at-home life more enjoyable. In this year’s new category of Store for Comics, Collectibles and/or Games, co-winners Comic Envy and Morgan’s Comics sell stories of cinematic scale and excitement.

Victuals from the West Village Market & Deli — a new Hall of Fame honoree for Convenience/Corner Store — help quarantined chefs whip up five-star cuisine.

Of course, even the most well-stocked residence can’t meet every essential need. When you must leave the comforts of home, new Hall of Fame winner Prestige Subaru (Auto Dealer – New and/or Used) will make sure you get to your destination in style.

— Daniel Walton X

48

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Thank you, Asheville!

We couldn't do what we LOVE without YOU and our amazing TEAM! We truly appreciate all of our amazing customers and your votes for

1st Place Best Jeweler / Jewelry Artist!

2nd Place Best Jewelry Store!

Lauren Merrell of LM Photography

Book your free custom jewelry consultation online today!

56 Haywood Street, 28801 (828) 585-7230 foxandbeaux.com MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

49

shopping STORE THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF ASHEVILLE

JEWELRY STORE 1 SPICER GREENE JEWELERS d spicergreene.com

1 MAST GENERAL STORE d w ax

2 FOX & BEAUX d

2 L.O.F.T. (LOST OBJECTS FOUND TREASURES) d

3 ELEMENTALITY e

3 FRENCH BROAD FOOD CO-OP d

1 INGLES MARKETS e w s n x

mastgeneralstore.com

loftofasheville.com

frenchbroadfood.coop

CLOTHING: DRESS-UP/STYLIN' 1 MINX BOUTIQUE d x minxasheville.com

foxandbeaux.com

myelementality.com

ALL-ROUND GROCERY STORE ingles-markets.com

2 TRADER JOE'S n traderjoes.com

3 PUBLIX s n w a publix.com

BUDGET-FRIENDLY GROCERY STORE

2 ELEMENTALITY e myelementality.com

CLOTHING: OFFICE (WOMEN'S) 1 MINX BOUTIQUE d minxasheville.com

CLOTHING: OFFICE (MEN'S) 1 JOS. A. BANK e x josbank.com

CLOTHING: USED OR VINTAGE (FOR-PROFIT STORE) 1 RECIPROCITY w

reciprocityasheville.com

2 HONEYPOT d

honeypotvintage.com

3 LULU’S CONSIGNMENT s a ilovelulus.net

CLOTHING: USED OR VINTAGE (NONPROFIT STORE) 1 GOODWILL w e s n ax goodwillnwnc.org

2 ZEN & NOW n

1 ALDI e w x aldi.us

2 HOPEY & CO. d e a hopeyandcompany.com

3 TRADER JOE'S n traderjoes.com

HEALTH FOOD STORE 1 WHOLE FOODS MARKET e n wholefoodsmarket.com

2 FRENCH BROAD FOOD CO-OP d frenchbroadfood.coop

3 EARTH FARE w earthfare.com

IMPORT/ETHNIC FOOD STORE 1 KIM’S ORIENTAL FOOD & GIFTS w x yelp.com/biz/kims-orientalfood-and-gifts-asheville

2 YZ ASIAN MARKET w yzasianmarket.com

3 FOREIGN AFFAIRS ORIENTAL MARKET e

foreignaffairsorientalmarket.com

avl.mx/6c0

CONVENIENCE/ CORNER STORE

ASHEVILLE-STYLE CLOTHES 1 ELEMENTALITY e myelementality.com

2 GOODWILL OUTLET (THE BINS) w goodwillnwnc.org

3 HIP REPLACEMENTS d

hipreplacementsclothing.com

SHOE STORE

1 WEST VILLAGE MARKET & DELI w x westvillagemarket.com

2 GAS-UP w avl.mx/6bv

3 MONTFORD CONVENIENCE n 828-258-1879

NEW FURNITURE STORE

1 TOPS FOR SHOES d x

1 TYSON FURNITURE e ax

2 DISCOUNT SHOES s

2 PENLAND'S FURNITURE e a

3 GB SHOES e s a

3 MOBILIA d

topsforshoes.com

discountshoesofasheville.com housershoes.com

50

tysonfurniture.com

penlandsfurniture.com mobilianc.com

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Thank you WNC

for your support!

#1 used furniture store #2 antique store

Shop our warehouse of uniques, antiques and rarities!

Over 75 Vendors

Best of WNC since 2014!

26 Glendale Ave

Asheville’s oldest Junk Removal service, since 2010

• 828.505.1108 • theregenerationstation.com TheRegenerationStation

Clubland LISTINGS

Catch a show while you're here

mountainx.com/clubland MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

51

shopping USED FURNITURE STORE (FOR-PROFIT STORE) 1 THE REGENERATION STATION s x regenerationstation.com

2 ATOMIC FURNISHING & DESIGN s

CONTINUED

ANTIQUE STORE 1 ANTIQUE TOBACCO BARN s x atbarn.com

2 THE REGENERATION STATION s regenerationstation.com

3 SCREEN DOOR s

screendoorasheville.com

atomicfurnishings.com

3 SCREEN DOOR s

screendoorasheville.com

USED FURNITURE STORE (NONPROFIT STORE) 1 ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE s x ashevillehabitat.org/restore

2 GOODWILL w e s n a

PAWN SHOP 1 ALAN’S JEWELRY & PAWN w e x alanspawn.com

2 FINKELSTEIN’S LOAN OFFICE d finkelsteinspawn.com

PICTURE FRAMER 1 FRUGAL FRAMER n s ax frugalframer.com

2 BLACKBIRD FRAME & ART n blackbirdframe.com

3 MICHAELS e s a michaels.com

goodwillnwnc.org

BED AND MATTRESS STORE

FLORIST 1 FLORA w x

florabotanicalliving.com

1 COLTON MATTRESS s x

2 MERRIMON FLORIST n

2 PENLAND'S FURNITURE e a

3 CLEMENT’S FLOWER SHOP & GREENHOUSE s

coltonmattress.com

penlandsfurniture.com

merrimonflorist.com

clementsflowershop.com

Want to support Asheville’s unique small business economy?

Pick up Go Local, Asheville Grownʼs guide to local businesses

202 0 DIR EC TO RY

YO UR GU IDE

TO OVER INDE PEN DEN T BUS INES SES AND TO THE

50 0

ULT IMA TE

LO CA L

EXPE RIEN

52

X Awards | Best Of WNC

CE

2020/2021

MONTFORD CONVENIENCE Affectionately known as “The Store” Thank you Mountain Xpress readers for voting us one of the best convenience stores in the region, we appreciate the support

231 Montford Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

53

shopping BOOKSTORE - NEW

CONTINUED

RECORD/CD STORE 1 HARVEST RECORDS w x

1 MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE/CAFE d x

harvest-records.com

malaprops.com

2 STATIC AGE RECORDS d

2 BARNES & NOBLE e s

staticagerecords.biz

bn.com

3 FIRESTORM BOOKSTORE CO-OP w firestorm.coop

BOOKSTORE - USED 1 MR. K’S USED BOOKS, MUSIC & MORE e x mrksusedbooks.com

2 DOWNTOWN BOOKS & NEWS d dbnbooks.com

3 BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE & CHAMPAGNE BAR d batteryparkbookexchange.com

STORE FOR COMICS, COLLECTIBLES AND/ OR GAMES

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE 1 MUSICIAN’S WORKSHOP n x musiciansworkshop.com

2 ACOUSTIC CORNER e a acoustic-corner.com

3 HEYDAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS & REPAIR d heydaymusic.net

GIFT SHOP 1 WHIST w x whistshop.com

2 L.O.F.T. (LOST OBJECTS FOUND TREASURES) d loftofasheville.com

1 COMIC ENVY n comicenvy.com

3 DUNCAN & YORK d duncanandyork.com

1 MORGAN’S COMICS w morganscomics.com

HEAD SHOP

2 ORBIT DVD w orbitdvd.com

1 OCTOPUS GARDEN SMOKE SHOP w e d n s ax

3 THE WYVERN’S TALE n

octopusgardensmokeshops.com

thewyvernstaleavl.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA

x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

West Village Market Thank you for your support!

Radically inclusive of you AND your food choices Full-on natural food store All organic produce

Gifts For Everyone On Your List, a must-Shop during your Asheville visit

Home of the Sunflower (vegan) Diner Order online for curbside pick-up or delivery at westvillagemarket.com

9am to 8pm daily 771 Haywood Rd., West Asheville Market & Deli: (828) 225-4949

54

duncanandyork.com 33 N. Lexington Ave. 828.575.2441

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

NC‘s Oldest Pawn Shop Oldest … and maybe quirkiest!

THANKS TO YOU, WE‘RE NUMBER 2!

21 BROADWAY • DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE

Open 7 Days • 253-7731 • www.FinkelsteinsPawn.com

#

Thank you for voting us

1 PAWN SHOP We LOVE Our Fans!

Alan’s West

1186 Patton Ave.

828.254.8681 Mon - Sat: 9 to 7 Sun: 1 to 6

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

Cherokee

(Across from Casino)

828.554.0431

Follow us on

Alan’s East

736 Tunnel Road

828.299.4440 Mon - Sat: 9 to 7

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

55

shopping

CONTINUED

VAPE SHOP 1 OCTOPUS GARDEN SMOKE SHOP w e d n s a octopusgardensmokeshops.com

BIKE SHOP 1 LIBERTY BICYCLES s x libertybikes.com

2 ASHEVILLE VAPOR n s w a

2 MOTION MAKERS BICYCLE SHOP s w a

2 OG VAPORS w e s n a

3 EPIC CYCLES e a

ashevillevapor.com ogvapors.co

ADULT TOYS, LINGERIE & NAUGHTY THINGS STORE 1 VAVAVOOOM d x

motionmakers.com epiccyclesnc.com

AUTOMOBILE TIRE STORE 1 NEWBRIDGE TIRE CENTER n newbridgetirecenter.com

2 JAN DAVIS TIRE STORE d

vavavooom.com

jandavistire.com

2 BEDTYME STORIES s a bedtymestories.business.site

KNOW

ASHEVILLE LIKE A

LOCAL

3 DISCOUNT TIRE e discounttire.com

AUTO DEALER NEW AND/OR USED 1 PRESTIGE SUBARU e x prestigesubaru.com

2 APPLE TREE AUTOMOTIVE SUPERSTORE s a appletreeautomobiles.com

3 FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA s ashevilletoyota.com

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US #1 FOR 7 YEARS! Body-safe adult toys Organic oils & lubricants Sexy Lingerie with inclusive sizing Eco-conscious silk, bamboo & cotton apparel INDEPENDENT & LOCALLY WOMAN OWNED SINCE 2008 Located in the heart of Downtown Asheville at

57 Broadway Street

VaVaVoom.com 56

828.254.6329

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Going Out

Tonight?

See what's happening in town MOUNTAINX.COM/ CALENDAR

Thank you to the Mountain Xpress readers for voting

DIAMOND THIEVES

BODY PIERCING AND TATTOO for Best of WNC in 2020

Bring this ad in and get

$10 OFF

your next piercing or tattoo

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

57

professional services

PHOTO BY ANASTASIIA PHOTOGRAPHY

ZENO LANCASTER (LANCASTER LAW FIRM) Best Real Estate Attorney

S

ORRY, Shakespeare. This year, Xpress is

upending the Bard of Avon’s immortal words: The first thing we do, let’s celebrate all the lawyers!

Three of 2020’s new Professional and Home Services categories praise WNC’s legal eagles. Taking the inaugural honor for Criminal Law Attorney is Barbara Bowers.

Katherine Fisher with The Van Winkle Law Firm is the region’s favorite Family Law Attorney, while Zeno Lancaster of Lancaster Law Firm is the first winner for Real Estate Attorney.

Those attorneys must share the stage with a motley crew of other Professional and Home Services newcomers.

In a testament to the occasional benefits of hubris, the winner of Best Bookkeeping is named — wait for it — Best Bookkeeper in Asheville. Kudzu Brands won a closely contested race to label itself as best Marketing and Graphic Design Service, and Verizon’s victory as the best Cell Phone Service Provider for the WNC Mountains rang out loud and clear.

Finally, while lawyers can get their clients out of deep metaphorical you-know-what, the only new Hall of Fame honoree in Professional and Home Services deals with the more literal kind. Congrats to T.P. Howard’s Plumbing Co.!

— Daniel Walton X

58

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Thank you so much for voting for me as the best real estate attorney!

Realtors, tired of waiting for a call back from your real estate attorney?

Reliable communication is more important than ever, these days.

“Closings with Zeno Lancaster = Well Advised, Organized, and Sanitized”

Zeno B. Lancaster, IV

MANAGING ATTORNEY

189 E CHESTNUT ST ASHEVILLE, NC 28801 Free, dedicated parking lot.

PHONE: 828.505.8514 FAX: 828.365.6046 WWW.LANCASTERLAWFIRM.COM ZENO@LANCASTERLAWFIRM.COM

Offices in Hendersonville located inside the Keller Williams Mountain Partners building.

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

59

professional services ACCOUNTANT/CPA FIRM 1 AUSTIN CPA, PC d x austincpapc.com

2 CHAD STORCK (STORCK CPA, PC) n storckcpa.com

3 STUART LEBLANC (LEBLANC CPA LTD.) n avl.mx/7v5

PLACE TO GET YOUR TAXES PREPARED 1 AUSTIN CPA, PC d austincpapc.com

2 H&R BLOCK d avl.mx/54y

3 CHAD STORCK (STORCK CPA, PC) n storckcpa.com

FINANCIAL ADVISER 1 KEVIN PASARILLA (NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT CO.) s kevinpasarilla.nm.com

LAW FIRM 1 GOOSMANN ROSE COLVARD & CRAMER, P.A. d s grcclaw.com

2 THE VAN WINKLE LAW FIRM d s a vwlawfirm.com

3 MCGUIRE WOOD & BISSETTE LAW FIRM d mwblawyers.com

FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY 1 KATHERINE E. FISHER (THE VAN WINKLE LAW FIRM) d vwlawfirm.com

REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY 1 ZENO LANCASTER (LANCASTER LAW FIRM) d s a lancasterlawfirm.com

2 VERONICA H. COLVARD (GOOSMANN ROSE COLVARD & CRAMER) d s grcclaw.com

3 GEORGE F. GOOSMANN (GOOSMANN ROSE COLVARD & CRAMER) d s grcclaw.com

REAL ESTATE AGENT 1 THE MATT & MOLLY TEAM (KELLER WILLIAMS) d x themattandmollyteam.com

2 SONA MERLIN (APPALACHIAN REALTY ASSOCIATES) n homeiswnc.ne

REAL ESTATE COMPANY 1 BEVERLY-HANKS & ASSOCIATES d s n w a beverly-hanks.com

2 KELLER WILLIAMS d

kellerwilliamsasheville.com

3 TOWN AND MOUNTAIN REALTY w townandmountain.com

BOOKKEEPING SERVICES 1 BEST BOOKKEEPER IN ASHEVILLE n avl.mx/7v4 t

WEB DEVELOPMENT FIRM 1 INTEGRITIVE WEB DESIGN d integritive.com

#1 Accountant/CPA Thanks for voting us #1 in WNC seven years in a row!

-George Austin CPA, CVA & Joel Chambers 301 W Haywood St Asheville, NC 28801 828-785-1556

60

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

THANKS, ASHEVILLE! for voting me one of the Best!

Sona Merlin Real Estate Broker Appalachian Realty

8 years in a row!

(828) 216-7908 sonamerlin.com

Quality Commitment Character

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

61

Thank You WNC! #1 Handyman!

Small Repair & Maintenance LeaveItToWeaver.net

(828) 301-4725

Detailed cleaning with earth friendly products.

We are so thankful to our customers for voting us #1 six years in a row!

WNC’s Hall of Fame Cleaning Company 828.505.7320 | greenhomecleaning.com 62

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Responsible Automotive Service & Repair

Thank you for letting us LOVE your vehicle!

Voted one of the BEST OF WNC for 15 years in a row.

Thank you!

Call us!

255.2628

organic-mechanic.com • 568 Haywood Rd • West Asheville

Asheville, we P you!

THANKS FOR VOTING FOR THE LITTLE GYM! 828-747-2239 • www.tlgashevillenc.com 10 Crispin Court, Ste 104 • Asheville, NC 28803

Come visit our brand new facility in Gerber Village MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

63

professional services COMPUTER REPAIR

GREEN BUILDER 1 JAG CONSTRUCTION e

1 CHARLOTTE STREET COMPUTERS n x

jaggreen.com

charlottestreetcomputers.com

2 JADE MOUNTAIN BUILDERS r jademountainbuilders.com

2 ONECLICKFIX COMPUTER REPAIR n oneclickfix.com

3 CHRISTOPHER'S COMPUTERS n christopherscomputers.com

ALT ENERGY SALES AND INSTALLATION 1 SUGAR HOLLOW SOLAR e a sugarhollowsolar.com

CAR REPAIR

2 ELEEOS w eleeos.com

1 XPERTECH CAR CARE e x avl.mx/551

2 THE ORGANIC MECHANIC w organic-mechanic.com

3 JIMMY’S AUTOMOTIVE n jimmysauto.com

PLUMBING COMPANY 1 TP HOWARD'S PLUMBING CO. e ax tphowardsplumbing.com

2 FOUR SEASONS PLUMBING s

BIKE REPAIR

callfourseasons.com

3 MB HAYNES CORP. w

1 LIBERTY BICYCLES s x

mbhaynes.com

libertybikes.com

2 MOTION MAKERS BICYCLE SHOP s w a

ELECTRICAL/ELECTRICIAN COMPANY

motionmakers.com

3 FIND YOUR LINE BICYCLE SHOP w findyourline.bike

CONTINUED

1 MB HAYNES CORP. w x mbhaynes.com

THANK YOU, ASHEVILLE! for voting us

#1 Automotive Repair Shop, Again!

1295 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 298-3612 64

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

65

professional services HEATING/COOLING COMPANY 1 GENTRY HEATING e ax

CONTINUED

HANDYMAN OR WOMAN 1 BEN WEAVER (LEAVE IT TO WEAVER) n a

gentryheatinginc.com

2 MB HAYNES CORP. w

fb.com/LeaveItToWeaverAVL

mbhaynes.com

3 BULLMAN HEATING & AIR n bullmanheating.com

PEST CONTROL SERVICE

2 GREG HOLDEN (HOMEWORK HANDYMAN) w 828-258-1107

EQUIPMENT RENTAL SERVICES

1 TERMINIX s x trustterminix.com

2 DODSON PEST CONTROL w a dodsonbros.com

2 GIBSON PEST CONTROL s

1 GENERAL EQUIPMENT RENTAL n a generalrents.com

gibsonpest.com

CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE WNC MOUNTAINS

3 APEX PEST CONTROL n apexpestcontrolwnc.com

MOVING COMPANY 1 TWO MEN AND A TRUCK s ax

1 VERIZON e s w a

2 PERSONAL TOUCH MOVERS w a

2 U.S. CELLULAR w e n s a

twomenandatruckasheville.com personaltouchmovers.net

HOUSE PAINTERS

verizon.com

uscellular.com

3 T-MOBILE w e s t-mobile.com

1 BIONIC MAN PAINTING CO. w bionicmanpainting.com

ROOFING COMPANY

PRINT SHOP

1 JOHN MCCLUNG ROOFING

1 HENCO REPROGRAPHICS d x

2 DLV ROOFING s a

2 ALLEGRA PRINT & IMAGING r n w

3 BALKEN ROOFING e a

3 PRINTVILLE d s a

johnmcclungroofing.com dlvroofing.com

balkenroofing.com

hencorepro.com

allegranetwork.com printville.net

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA

x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

Thanks for voting us one of the best Alternative Energy Sales & Installation!

Offering EMF Assessments and Mitigation for homes and businesses in WNC and across the nation. With our mission being about positive changes as we support healthy living and today’s technology intermingling in a fun, supportive, and nonjudgmental manner. We do this by offering quality products and services combined with competitive prices and friendly customer support.

828-575-9337 • www.eleeos.com

66

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

HOME CLEANING SERVICE 1 GREEN HOME CLEANING d x greenhomecleaning.com

2 MERRY MAIDS s a merrymaids.com

3 FLYING SQUIRREL CLEANING CO. s

flyingsquirrelcleaningcompany.com

DRY CLEANER 1 SWANNANOA CLEANERS d n w s e ax swannanoacleaners.com

2 ASHEVILLE CLEANERS n ashevillecleaners.com

3 QUICK AS A WINK CLEANERS s avl.mx/7v6

7 B E AV E R DA M R D #10 3, A S H E V I L L E • (828) 3 48 - 0111 P O S H L A S H A N D B E AU T Y. C O M

THANKS FOR VOTING

WNC’S LARGEST & BEST READER SURVEY

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

67

personal services

PHOTO COURTESY OF GINGER KELLEY

GINGER KELLEY (POSH LASH LOUNGE & BEAUTY BAR) Best Aesthetician

B

EST Hair Salon and Hairstylist continue to be some of the most heavily contested categories in Personal Services. During the Best of WNC balloting period in the early days of COVID-19, some people were even taking to the streets with hand-painted signs demanding that the governor allow them to get a haircut. Others were doing their best to manage without professional help, snipping their own split ends or trying their hand at styling for their significant other or neighbor. No matter their political differences, one thing is for sure: People missed the attention from their favorite salon, barber or spa.

Welcome to new Hall of Famer, The Local Barber & Tap, which has dominated the Barber Shop category since it was added to the ballot in 2017. Proving that when it comes to pampering an Asheville man, it pays to understand both his beard and his beer.

This section’s races are always tight, largely because voters are broadly divided on their beloved candidates.

We believe this is because great providers of personal services inspire loyalty and love from their clients. So, don’t forget to lend your support to your own favorites on next year’s ballot. Every vote counts.

— Able Allen X

68

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

SPA

TATTOO ARTIST

1 THE SPA AT OMNI GROVE PARK INN n x

1 KIMI LEGER (SACRED LOTUS TATTOO) w x

2 SENSIBILITIES DAY SPA d s

2 CHRIS CHAVERS (RED RABBIT TATTOO) r

sacredlotustattoo.com

avl.mx/554

sensibilities-spa.com

redrabbittattoo.com

3 SHOJI SPA & LODGE s

3 DANNY REED (HOT STUFF TATTOO) w

shojiretreats.com

hotstufftattoos.com

HAIR SALON

PIERCING STUDIO

1 WILLOW’S DREAM d

1 BELLA FINE JEWELRY AND PIERCING d

willowsdream.com

2 ANANDA HAIR STUDIO d r

bellapiercing.com

anandahair.com

2 DIAMOND THIEVES BODY PIERCING & TATTOO w

3 WINK SALON & BOUTIQUE s

diamondthieves.net

ilovewink.com

3 EMPIRE TATTOO & PIERCING d

HAIRSTYLIST

empiretattooavl.com

LOCAL BODY PRODUCTS MAKER

1 AMY GROOMS ROSE (SALON ZHENYA) w

amyrose.glossgenius.com

1 BONNY BATH ORGANIC BODYCARE

2 CAITLIN FRINK (SALON DRAGONFLY) d

bonnybath.com

AESTHETICIAN

salondragonfly.net

3 JENNA WILSON (ATLAS BEAUTY) w atlasbeautyasheville.com/jenna

BARBERSHOP

1 GINGER KELLEY (POSH LASH LOUNGE & BEAUTY BAR) n poshlashandbeauty.com

TAILOR/ALTERATIONS

1 THE LOCAL BARBER & TAP d x barberandtap.com

2 THE CHOP SHOP BARBER SHOP w avl.mx/55u

1 MISHA'S ALTERATIONS w

facebook.com/mishasalterations

2 KATHERINE'S CORNER n

katherines-corner.business.site

3 ASHEVILLE BARBER & BEARD d avlbarberandbeard.com

3 INARA'S TAILOR & ALTERATIONS n facebook.com/Inarasalterations

NAIL SALON

3 QUICK AS A WINK CLEANERS s avl.mx/7v6

1 AMERICAN NAILS AVL w

3 SEW & SEW CUSTOM SEWING & ALTERATIONS e

americannailsavl.com

avl.mx/7v7

1 AVANTE BEAUTY LOUNGE w a avantebeautylounge.com

2 NOIRE THE NAILS BAR s

Thank you, Asheville!

noirethenailsbar.com

Thankyou for voting me #1 best hairstylist!

3 MAJESTIC NAIL SALON e majesticnailsalon.com

3 NAILS BY JENNA (RÉALTA SALON) d facebook.com/nailsbyjennanc

Amy Grooms Rose

NAIL TECHNICIAN 1 JENNA DUVALL (NAILS BY JENNA, RÉALTA SALON) d facebook.com/nailsbyjennanc

TATTOO PARLOR 1 ZEN INK d

LOCATED AT

Salon Zhenya 290 Haywood Rd. Suite 102

zeninkasheville.com

2 SACRED LOTUS TATTOO w

amyrose_asheville

sacredlotustattoo.com

3 THISTLE AND PEARL TATTOO n thistleandpearltattoo.com

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

Book a new client consultation online amyrose.glossgenius.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

69

kids

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMP CEDAR CLIFF

CAMP CEDAR CLIFF

Best Overnight Camp, third place Day Camp (tie)

X

PRESS readers — over half of whom have chil-

dren, according to our reader survey — once again shared their insights for getting the most out of our region via their top picks for all things kids-related.

Top vote-getters across all the Kids categories include Asheville Museum of Science (Museum), Dancing Bear Toys (Toy Store), ABC Pediatrics of Asheville (Pediatric Practice – General) and Great Beginnings Pediatric and Orthodontic Dental Specialists (Pediatric Practice – Dentistry).

While some winning businesses have remained open under COVID-19 safety protocols, others were forced to close. Be sure to confirm a business’ status before visiting.

A fond farewell to Asheville’s Fun Depot (Place for Indoor Fun), which closed permanently in the summer of 2020 due economic losses related to COVID-19.

Please welcome new Hall of Fame honorees Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts (After-School Program) — which also took first-place honors in three other categories — and AMOS – Asheville Museum of Science (Museum).

Also, be sure to check out another new category for 2020, which could be ideal for these times: Kid-Friendly Hike.

— Tracy Rose X

70

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

SCHOOL (PRE-COLLEGE)

ART EDUCATION PROGRAM

1 ARTSPACE CHARTER SCHOOL e a

1 ARTSPACE CHARTER SCHOOL e a

1 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL w

2 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL w

artspacecharter.org

rainbowcommunityschool.org

2 CAROLINA DAY SCHOOL s 3 FRANKLIN SCHOOL OF INNOVATION w

rootsandwingsarts.com

franklinschoolofinnovation.org

MUSIC TEACHER (CLASSROOM)

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

1 SUE FORD (RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL) w x

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS e x martialartsasheville.com

2 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL w rainbowcommunityschool.org

3 Y AFTERSCHOOL IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (YMCA OF WNC) d n s e w a ymcawnc.org/childcare

CHILD CARE OR DAY CARE SERVICE 1 SHALOM CHILDREN’S CENTER (ASHEVILLE JCC) n x jcc-asheville.org

2 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS e martialartsasheville.com

3 YWCA EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM d ywcaofasheville.org

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

2 MEG BOERNER (ARTSPACE CHARTER SCHOOL) e a artspacecharter.org

DAYTRIP FOR KIDS wncnaturecenter.com

1 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL w

jcc-asheville.org

rainbowcommunityschool.org

1 WNC NATURE CENTER e x

PRESCHOOL rainbowcommunityschool.org

rainbowcommunityschool.org

3 ROOTS + WINGS SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN s

carolinaday.org

2 SHALOM CHILDREN’S CENTER (ASHEVILLE JCC) n

artspacecharter.org

KID-FRIENDLY HIKE 1 CRAGGY GARDENS n a avl.mx/6cf

2 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM s ncarboretum.org

3 CATAWBA FALLS e a avl.mx/7uz

OVERNIGHT CAMP 1 CAMP CEDAR CLIFF e a campcedarcliff.org

2 YMCA CAMP WATIA w a ymcacampwatia.org

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

71

Kids

CONTINUED

PHOTO COURTESY OF CENTER STAGE DANCE STUDIO

CENTER STAGE DANCE STUDIO Best Dance Studio for Kids

DAY CAMP

PLAYGROUND 1 CARRIER PARK w x

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS e

avl.mx/6vq

martialartsasheville.com

2 YMCA OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA d e w n s a ymcawnc.org

3 ASHEVILLE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER n

2 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL w rainbowcommunityschool.org

3 ROBERT LAKE PARK e a montreat.org

MUSEUM

jcc-asheville.org

1 ASHEVILLE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE (AMOS) d x

3 CAMP CEDAR CLIFF e a campcedarcliff.org

ashevillescience.org

NATURE CAMP

2 ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM d

1 WNC NATURE CENTER e

3 HANDS ON! CHILDREN'S MUSEUM s a

ashevilleart.org

wncnaturecenter.com

handsonwnc.org

2 DISCOVERY CAMP (THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM) s

PLACE FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES

ncarboretum.org

PLACE FOR INDOOR FUN 1 ASHEVILLE’S FUN DEPOT [Closed] 2 MOUNTAIN PLAY LODGE s a mountainplaylodge.com

3 SKY ZONE INDOOR TRAMPOLINE PARK s skyzone.com/asheville

PLACE FOR OUTDOOR FUN 1 WNC NATURE CENTER e wncnaturecenter.com

2 CARRIER PARK w avl.mx/6vq

3 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY blueridgeparkway.org

1 MOUNTAIN PLAY LODGE s a mountainplaylodge.com

2 ASHEVILLE’S FUN DEPOT [Closed] 3 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS e martialartsasheville.com

PLACE TO MAKE ART 1 FIRED UP! CREATIVE LOUNGE d x fireduplounge.com

2 CLAYING AROUND s clayingaround.com

TEEN-FRIENDLY PLACE TO HANG OUT 1 ASHEVILLE RETROCADE w ashevilleretrocade.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA

x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) 72

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

PARENTS NIGHT OUT PROGRAM

KIDS' CLOTHES 1 THE LITTLEST BIRDS w

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS e x

thelittlestbirds.com

martialartsasheville.com

2 CHILDREN'S TRADING POST n

2 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY MOVEMENT r

childrenstradingpost.com

ashevillecommunitymovement.com

3 ASHEVILLE YMCA (DOWNTOWN) d ymcawnc.org

2 LOLLIPOPS LIMITED s lollipopsltd.com

TOY STORE

DANCE STUDIO FOR KIDS 1 CENTER STAGE DANCE STUDIO s

1 DANCING BEAR TOYS e s ax

2 ASHEVILLE DANCE THEATER e

2 O.P. TAYLOR'S s a

centerstage1.com

ashevilledancetheater.com

2 THE ACADEMY AT TERPSICORPS w terpsicorpsacademy.org

3 SPARKY’S TOYS & GIFTS w PEDIATRIC PRACTICE GENERAL MEDICINE

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY MOVEMENT r x

ashevillecommunitymovement.com

2 THE LITTLE GYM OF ASHEVILLE s tlgashevillenc.com

1 ABC PEDIATRICS OF ASHEVILLE s x abcasheville.com

MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM

2 FRENCH BROAD PEDIATRICS n

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS e x

frenchbroadpeds.com

3 MOUNTAIN AREA PEDIATRICS e

martialartsasheville.com

mountainareapeds.com

2 BUDO MOUNTAIN FAMILY MARTIAL ARTS n

PEDIATRIC PRACTICE DENTISTRY

budomountain.com

YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM

1 GREAT BEGINNINGS PEDIATRIC & ORTHODONTIC DENTAL SPECIALISTS s w ax

1 ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION e abysa.org

begreatdental.com

2 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS e

2 ASHEVILLE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY s

martialartsasheville.com

3 YMCA OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA d e w n s a

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

optaylors.com

sparkystoyshop.com

GYMNASTICS PROGRAM

ymcawnc.org

dancingbeartoys.com

ashevillepediatricdentistry.com

3 BEST BITES DENTAL s drjoshdentistry.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

73

pets

PHOTO BY MARY HENDERSON

ANDREA FOCHIOS (PEOPLE & PETS ACUPUNCTURE) Best Alternative Pet Health-Care Provider

W

NC’S collective devotion to our furry, feathered

and scaled friends burst out again this year in enthusiastic voting for all things pet-focused.

Another indication of our love: growing reader interest in Xpress’ annual Animal Issue, according to voter responses in the last three years of our online surveys.

The Pets section’s heaviest voting took place in the Animal Shelter/Rescue Organization category. Though Brother Wolf Animal Rescue had its challenges in 2019 with its much-discussed reorganization, supporters once again crowned the longtime Hall of Famer as the best.

The category of Pet Supply Store likewise prompted vigorous voting, with Hall of Famer Patton Avenue Pet Co. maintaining its position as top dog.

Voter interest likewise rode high for the section’s new category, Veterinarian, with first-place bragging rights going to Dr. James Earley of the Animal Hospital of North Asheville (Hall of Fame winner for Veterinary Services).

And please welcome new Hall of Fame honoree Kim Brophey of The Dog Door (Trainer/Training Center), whose website proclaims a “shameless love of dogs” that may help explain their owners’ feelings as well.

Read on for more insights on the best places to take your pet for grooming, day care and outdoor recreation, plus pet-friendly places to quaff a beer, eat a meal and more.

— Tracy Rose X

74

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

THANK YOU for VOTING US #1 Unsurpassed in Caring • State-of-the-Art Affordable • Serving all WNC • Extended Hours

Dr. Earley voted

Best Veterinarian in WNC AAHA Certified for 40 Plus Years, Gentle 24 Hour Nursing Care, Advanced & Accurate Dental Care, Gold Standard Feline Practice, Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery, Soft Tissue and Orthopedic Surgery, Endoscopy, Ultrasound, Echocardiograms, Digital X-Ray, Video Ear Diagnostics, Advanced Pain Control

1 Beaverdam Road at Merrimon Ave. • 828-253-3393 ahna.net • Join us on Facebook

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

75

pets VETERINARY SERVICES

PET KENNEL

1 ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF NORTH ASHEVILLE n x

1 HAPPY TAILS COUNTRY CLUB s w a

2 CHARLOTTE STREET ANIMAL HOSPITAL n

2 THE PET VET ON PATTON w

3 THE PET VET ON PATTON w

3 THE SOAPY DOG r

ahna.net

charlottestreetanimalhospital.com petvetonpatton.com

VETERINARIAN 1 JIM EARLEY (ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF NORTH ASHEVILLE) n ahna.net

2 TIM MCMULLAN (PINNACLE ANIMAL HOSPITAL) s a pinnacleanimalhospital.com

3 JONATHAN ALLEN (ALLEN ANIMAL HOSPITAL) n a avl.mx/841

ALTERNATIVE PET HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER 1 ANDREA FOCHIOS (PEOPLE & PETS ACUPUNCTURE) w peopleandpetsacupuncture.com

2 LAUREL DAVIS (SUNVET ANIMAL WELLNESS) d sunvetanimalwellness.com

PET SUPPLY STORE 1 PATTON AVENUE PET CO. d w s x

happytailscc.com

petvetonpatton.com thesoapydog.com

PET DAYCARE FACILITY 1 HAPPY TAILS COUNTRY CLUB s w a happytailscc.com

2 THE PET VET ON PATTON w petvetonpatton.com

3 CANINE SOCIAL CLUB n

caninesocialclubofasheville.com

GROOMING SERVICE 1 WAGGERS DOG DEPOT n x waggersdogdepot.com

2 PAWSITIVITY PET SPA w pawsitivitypetspa.com

3 HAIR OF THE DOG PET SALON s hotdavl.com

TRAINER/TRAINING CENTER 1 THE DOG DOOR (KIM BROPHEY) d x

dogdoorcanineservices.com

2 PETSMART e

2 MINDFUL MUTZ TRAINING & BEHAVIOR CONSULTING (HEATHER PLOECHIO) s

3 ASHEVILLE PET SUPPLY n

3 WOOF IN THE WOODS e a

pattonavenuepet.com petsmart.com

ashevillepetsupply.com

mindfulmutz.com

woofinthewoods.com

Relationship-Centered Behavior Solutions Heather Polechio CPDT-KA, CTC, FPPE Licensed Educator

MindfulMutz.com • (828) 230-6389 76

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

ANIMAL SHELTER/RESCUE ORGANIZATION 1 BROTHER WOLF ANIMAL RESCUE s x bwar.org

2 ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY w ashevillehumane.org

3 MOUNTAIN PET RESCUE w mountainpetrescueavl.org

OUTDOOR PLACE TO TAKE YOUR PET 1 CARRIER PARK w x avl.mx/6vq

2 FRENCH BROAD RIVER PARK w

PET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT 1 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w sunnypointcafe.com

2 HILLMAN BEER s hillmanbeer.com

3 AVENUE M n

avenuemavl.com

Thank you for voting us #2 Pet Groomer in the Best of WNC!

avl.mx/6vq

3 AZALEA ROAD DOG PARK e avl.mx/6vq

PET-FRIENDLY BAR 1 HILLMAN BEER s hillmanbeer.com

2 NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO. TAPROOM w

Asheville’s only holistic, appointment-only grooming salon.

newbelgium.com

3 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. TAPROOM e highlandbrewing.com

1388 Patton Ave., AVL, 28806 828-505-8278 pawsitivitypetspa.com

Thank you for voting us

Best Pet Supply Store for 9 years running!

Stop by one of our 3 Asheville locations to see what’s new, including the new self-service dog wash at our South Asheville store!

109 Patton Avenue, Downtown AVL 1392 Patton Av., West AVL • 582 Hendersonville Rd, South AVL MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

77

uniquely asheville

PHOTO COURTESY OF BELOVED ASHEVILLE

BELOVED ASHEVILLE

Best Activist Group for Civic/Political Action, Nonprofit That Improves Asheville, Nonprofit That Serves the Underprivileged

T

ALK about disagreeing. Voter views on the 2020 pandemic are like night and day. The Dr. Jekylls of our city decreed the virus the “Worst Thing to Happen to Asheville.” But the Mr. Hydes helped it top the category of “Best Thing to Happen to Asheville.”

Along with earning these two conflicting accolades, COVID-19 also placed third for the “Biggest Threat to Asheville’s Uniqueness.” Excessive hotels and tourism placed first and second, respectively.

Initially, these contradictory results were hard to square.

But upon further review, it all makes sense, especially if you tie in that third-place finish. Too many hotels means too many tourists means too many potential new carriers of the virus — a 1, 2, 3 threat (in that order) to voting residents and a worst-case scenario for the Dr. Jekyll voters.

At the same time, when COVID-19 effectively shut down the city in the first half of 2020, closing most hotels and other nonessential businesses, the virus put the kibosh on those unwanted tourists — the best-case scenario for the Mr. Hyde balloters.

And so the strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde voters is solved. COVID-19 is the best and worst thing to happen to our city in 2020. Stay weird, Asheville.

P.S. We welcome new Hall of Fame winners The Windsor Boutique Hotel (B&B or Small Boutique Hotel) and Esther Manheimer (Local Politician).

— Thomas Calder X

78

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

NEIGHBORHOOD

PLACE TO PRETEND YOU’RE A TOURIST

1 MONTFORD n

1 DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE d

2 WEST ASHEVILLE w

2 BILTMORE ESTATE s

3 NORTH ASHEVILLE n

biltmore.com

STREET FOR A STROLL

3 OMNI GROVE PARK INN n avl.mx/3te

1 LEXINGTON AVENUE d

PLACE TO CONNECT WITH NATURE WITHIN ASHEVILLE CITY LIMITS

2 HAYWOOD ROAD w

2 MONTFORD AVENUE n 2 WALL STREET d

1 BOTANICAL GARDENS n

3 KIMBERLY AVENUE n

ashevillebotanicalgardens.org

LOCAL ASHEVILLE ATTRACTION

2 WNC NATURE CENTER e wncnaturecenter.com

3 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM w

1 BILTMORE ESTATE s x biltmore.com

ncarboretum.org

2 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY blueridgeparkway.org

HISTORIC/INTERESTING BUILDING

3 ASHEVILLE DRUM CIRCLE d avl.mx/559

1 BILTMORE ESTATE s

LOCAL CITY TOUR

biltmore.com

1 LAZOOM d x

2 FLATIRON BUILDING d

2 GRAY LINE TROLLEY TOURS d

3 GROVE ARCADE d

3 HOOD HUGGERS HOOD TOURS w

3 JACKSON BUILDING d

flatironbuilding.org

lazoomtours.com

grovearcade.com

graylineasheville.com hoodhuggers.com

VENUE TO BOOK FOR A PARTY OR EVENT

PLACE TO TAKE YOUR ECCENTRIC FRIENDS 1 THE ODDITORIUM w

1 HAIKU I DO s

2 THE CROW & QUILL d

2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e

3 ASHEVILLE DRUM CIRCLE d

3 THE VENUE d

haikuido.com

ashevilleodditorium.com

highlandbrewing.com

thecrowandquill.com

ashevillevenue.com

avl.mx/559

Shop, Drink, Get Married

“I just want to be humble at all times.”

— MIKE TYSON

DR. CARL MUMPOWER

Voted 2nd place for

Best Local Villain

496 Haywood Rd, Asheville NC

— 2020 WNC READER’S POLL

Thanks Mountain Xpress readers!

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

V in tage shop Music V enue/ W edding Ch a pel

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

79

uniquely asheville PLACE TO GET MARRIED 1 HAIKU I DO s haikuido.com

2 BILTMORE ESTATE s biltmore.com

3 FLEETWOOD’S ROCK-N-ROLL WEDDING CHAPEL w fleetwoodschapel.com

HOTEL 1 OMNI GROVE PARK INN n x avl.mx/3te

2 ALOFT ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN d aloftashevilledowntown.com

3 KIMPTON HOTEL ARRAS d hotelarras.com

B&B OR SMALL BOUTIQUE HOTEL 1 THE WINDSOR BOUTIQUE HOTEL d x windsorasheville.com

HOLIDAY EVENT SUMMER/FALL

CONTINUED

NONPROFIT THAT IMPROVES ASHEVILLE 1 BELOVED ASHEVILLE d belovedasheville.com

2 ASHEVILLE GREENWORKS ashevillegreenworks.org

2 MANNA FOODBANK s mannafoodbank.org

3 MOUNTAINTRUE d s a mountaintrue.org

NONPROFIT THAT SERVES THE UNDERPRIVILEGED 1 BELOVED ASHEVILLE d belovedasheville.com

2 MANNA FOODBANK s mannafoodbank.org

3 ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN MINISTRY (ABCCM) w abccm.org

ACTIVIST GROUP FOR CIVIC/POLITICAL ACTION

1 LAKE EDEN ARTS FESTIVAL (LEAF) e a

1 BELOVED ASHEVILLE d

2 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS d

2 MOUNTAINTRUE d s a

theleaf.org

HOLIDAY EVENT WINTER/SPRING 1 WINTER LIGHTS AT THE NC ARBORETUM s ncarboretum.org

2 CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVENINGS AT BILTMORE s biltmore.com

3 NATIONAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION AT THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN n avl.mx/7zx

LOCAL HERO 1 GREG MAYER (ONE CLICK FIX) n gregmayer.com

2 AMY CANTRELL (BELOVED ASHEVILLE) d belovedasheville.com

LOCAL VILLAIN 1 WANDA GREENE (FORMER BUNCOMBE COUNTY MANAGER) 2 CARL MUMPOWER 3 SHAWN JOHNSON (AIRBNB RULE BREAKER) LOCAL POLITICIAN 1 ESTHER MANHEIMER x avl.mx/7zw

2 KIM RONEY

kimroney4asheville.com

3 JULIE MAYFIELD

mayfieldforncsenate.com

80

belovedasheville.com mountaintrue.org

3 SUNRISE MOVEMENT sunriseavl.org

BUMPER STICKER OR SLOGAN ABOUT ASHEVILLE 1 KEEP ASHEVILLE WEIRD x 2 WELCOME TO ASHEVILLE, NOW GO HOME 3 ASHEVILLE CAT WEIRDOS ashevillecatweirdos.org

THING DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE NEEDS 1 BETTER, MORE AND/ OR FREE PARKING 2 FEWER HOTELS 3 MORE PARKS AND GREEN SPACES THING WEST ASHEVILLE NEEDS 1 PARKING 2 BIKE LANES 3 AFFORDABLE HOUSING THING NORTH ASHEVILLE NEEDS 1 MORE QUALITY RESTAURANTS 2 BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE 3 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

THING SOUTH ASHEVILLE NEEDS

BIGGEST THREAT TO ASHEVILLE'S UNIQUENESS

1 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT 2 MORE QUALITY RESTAURANTS 3 GREENWAYS

1 HOTEL GROWTH 2 TOURISTS/TOURISM

THING EAST ASHEVILLE NEEDS 1 MORE QUALITY RESTAURANTS 2 BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE 3 AFFORDABLE HOUSING THING THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT NEEDS 1 MORE QUALITY RESTAURANTS 2 BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE 3 AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT YOU’D LIKE TO SEE LOCAL GOVERNMENT DO

3 CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY FOR ASHEVILLE'S UNIQUENESS 1 SLOW DOWN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 1 TOURISM MONEY FOR CITY NEEDS, SUCH AS STREET AND SIDEWALK REPAIR OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING 2 ARTISTS 3 KEEP IT LOCAL: SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES, STOP CHAINS

1 FINISH THE GREENWAYS 2 FIX OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES 3 AFFORDABLE HOUSING WORST THING TO HAPPEN TO ASHEVILLE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS 1 CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 2 MORE HOTELS, ESPECIALLY FLATIRON BUILDING BECOMING A HOTEL 3 HCA PURCHASE OF MISSION HEALTH BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO ASHEVILLE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS 1 COVID-19 VIRUS QUARANTINE AND LOCKDOWN 2 HOTEL MORATORIUM 3 EXPANSION OF GREENWAYS

We are honored to be voted #1 Small Boutique Hotel!

Thank you, Asheville!

36 Broadway St. Asheville, NC 28801 windsorasheville.com • 1-844-494-6376 MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

81

Media

PHOTO BY ABLE ALLEN

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

Best Local Events Information Source, second place Local News Source

W

E know who the local media heroes are. That’s

easy. All of them, for hanging in as essential businesses in 2020 despite disease, social disruption and loss of advertising support. And who are the best?

That, we leave to the voters, whose favorites we present in this guide.

With COVID-19 news fresh on the minds of voters in April as they cast their ballots, it was easily voted Most Important Local News Story, Most Over-Reported Story and Most Under-Reported Story. In such times, somehow that makes perfect sense.

Extra! We have a winning Local Podcast this year. A category we’ve included on the ballot for several years without a declarable winner garnered enough focused votes this time to have a clear victor. Congrats to Making It in Asheville, the first winner of WNC’s best Local Podcast.

Meanwhile, we’re prouder ’n all get out to have Eddie Foxx, host of The Eddie Foxx Show on Kiss Country, take his place as a Hall of Fame winner for Best Local Radio Personality/Announcer. You’uns all clap now.

— Able Allen X

82

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LOCAL RADIO STATION (COMMERCIAL)

LOCAL EVENTS INFORMATION SOURCE

1 98.1 THE RIVER w x

1 MOUNTAIN XPRESS d

2 99.9 KISS COUNTRY w

2 AVLTODAY d

3 MIX 96.5 WOXL w

3 NEWS 13 WLOS s

981theriver.com

mountainx.com

99kisscountry.com

avltoday.com

mymix965.com

wlos.com

LOCAL RADIO STATION (NONCOMMERCIAL)

FAVORITE FEATURE IN XPRESS

1 BLUE RIDGE PUBLIC RADIO (BPR NEWS AND BPR CLASSIC) d x bpr.org

wncw.org

mountainx.com/movies/reviews

AshevilleFM.org

LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY/ ANNOUNCER 1 EDDIE FOXX (THE EDDIE FOXX SHOW, 99.9 KISS COUNTRY) w x

1 NEWS 13 WLOS s wlos.com

citizen-times.com

3 ASHVEGAS

99kisscountry.com

ashvegas.com

3 AVLTODAY d

mymix965.com

avltoday.com

3 JOSH MICHAEL (JOSH & ARIEL IN THE MORNING, STAR 104.3 FM) w

LOCAL PODCAST

star1043.com

1 MAKING IT IN ASHEVILLE makingitinasheville.com

LOCAL TV PERSONALITY/ ANNOUNCER

MOST IMPORTANT LOCAL NEWS STORY (IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS)

1 DARCEL GRIMES (WLOS) s wlos.com

2 JAY SILTZER (WLOS) s

1 CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC’S EFFECTS ON LIFE AND ECONOMY

wlos.com

3 TAMMY WATFORD (WLOS) s

2 BUNCOMBE COUNTY CORRUPTION: GREENE, CREIGHTON, STONE, ET AL

wlos.com

LOCAL PRINT PUBLICATION OTHER THAN XPRESS

3 HCA PURCHASE OF MISSION HEALTH

1 ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES d citizen-times.com

MOST OVER-REPORTED STORY (IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS)

2 THE LAUREL OF ASHEVILLE d thelaurelofasheville.com

3 SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS w a smokymountainnews.com

1 CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

LOCAL PRINT REPORTER

2 DONALD TRUMP

1 JOHN BOYLE (CITIZEN TIMES) d x

LOCAL NEWS SOURCE

LOCAL NEWS WEBSITE

2 ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES d

2 KIPPER SCHAUER (MIX 96.5) w

citizen-times.com

2 ANNUAL BEST OF WNC 3 MOVIE REVIEWS

3 ASHEVILLE FM 103.3 w

2 MACKENSY LUNSFORD (CITIZEN TIMES) d

calendar.mountainx.com avl.mx/4g5

2 88.7 WNCW e

citizen-times.com

1 CLUBLAND

3 BUNCOMBE COUNTY CORRUPTION: GREENE, CREIGHTON, STONE, ET. AL. MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY (IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS)

1 NEWS 13 WLOS s

1 PROBLEMS AT MISSION HOSPITAL

2 MOUNTAIN XPRESS d

2 CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

wlos.com

mountainx.com

3 ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES d citizen-times.com

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

3 BUNCOMBE COUNTY CORRUPTION: GREENE, CREIGHTON, STONE, ET. AL. MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

83

health & wellness

PHOTO BY GABRIEL SWINNEY

GIVENS ESTATES Best Assisted Living Facility

W

HETHER it’s a tension-releasing massage, a thorough dental cleaning or a comprehensive annual physical you seek, connecting with the right health practitioner or service can feel like winning the lottery. Those who help safeguard and restore our health are community heroes indeed.

Finding a path to wellness is crucial. Xpress readers put better health at the top of their wish list, second only to a less contentious world, in our annual reader survey. And to help in the quest, each year WNC residents cast thousands of votes in the Best of WNC poll for these up-close-and-personal categories.

New in 2020 are awards for the best Dental Practice (Gillespie Dental Associates), Assisted Living Facility (Givens Estates) and Pharmacy/Drugstore (CVS, all locations). Congratulations to these inaugural winners! And a tip of the hat to orthodontist Keith Black of Black Orthodontics, a new Hall of Famer. Welcome to an elite club!

Recognizing that we can all improve our health, here’s a notion: After perusing the best of our area’s health and wellness offerings, resolve to add one new service or provider to your personal care regimen. Schedule an eye checkup, purchase a bottle of CBD oil or join a yoga session — whatever you choose, you’re likely to be glad you did.

— Virginia Daffron X

84

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

85

Health & Wellness PHYSICIAN (GENERAL PRACTICE) 1 MEREDITH POLANSKY (OUR FAMILY DOCTOR) d x ourfamilydoctorasheville.com

2 ANANDA VIEAGES (OUR FAMILY DOCTOR) d ourfamilydoctorasheville.com

2 GUS VICKERY (VICKERY FAMILY MEDICINE) s vickeryfamilymed.com

2 MICHAEL WEIZMAN (OUR FAMILY DOCTOR) d ourfamilydoctorasheville.com

3 RUSTAN ADCOCK (THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS) d fhconline.com

PEDIATRICIAN 1 LAUREN KEELY CARLISLE (FRENCH BROAD PEDIATRICS) n x frenchbroadpeds.com

2 JOHN D. TEMPLETON (FRENCH BROAD PEDIATRICS) n frenchbroadpeds.com

3 JOHN S. PASCHALL (ABC PEDIATRICS) s abcasheville.com

FAMILY MEDICAL PRACTICE 1 OUR FAMILY DOCTOR d ourfamilydoctorasheville.com

2 THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS ASHEVILLE d fhconline.com

3 COMMUNITY FAMILY PRACTICE n communityfamilyonline.com

WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTER 1 ASHEVILLE WOMEN’S MEDICAL CENTER d x ashevillewomens.com

2 PLANNED PARENTHOOD: ASHEVILLE HEALTH CENTER d avl.mx/3va

Urgent Care re.imagined Simplified.

Transparent. Respectful.

Now Offering

HOUSE CALLS! Schedule online at

rangeurgentcare.com Asheville

• Black Mountain

8am-7:30pm Everyday

3 LAUREL OB/GYN d laurelobgyn.com

3 MAHEC OB/GYN SPECIALISTS s mahec.net

MATERNITY CARE/SERVICE 1 ASHEVILLE WOMEN’S MEDICAL CENTER d x ashevillewomens.com

2 LAUREL OB/GYN n laurelobgyn.com

3 MAHEC OB/GYN SPECIALISTS s mahec.net

Thank you for continuing to vote us one of the "BEST" in WNC, 10 years strong! myenvisioneyecare.com 86

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Celebrating over 40 years of Excellence in Women’s Health Care FIRST PLACE: • Women’s Health Center • Maternity Care/Service

(828) 258-9191 • www.ashevillewomens.com MOUNTAIN XPRESS

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87

Health & Wellness HOSPITAL

CONTINUED

ORTHODONTIST 1 KEITH BLACK (BLACK ORTHODONTICS) s x

1 MISSION HOSPITAL d x mission-health.org

kblacksmiles.com

2 ADVENTHEALTH HENDERSONVILLE s a

2 TIMOTHY SCANLAN (TS ORTHODONTICS) s

adventhealth.com

tsorthodontics.com

3 PARDEE HOSPITAL s a pardeehospital.org

PLACE TO GET MEDICAL CARE WHEN UNDEROR UNINSURED 1 WNC COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES (MINNIE JONES HEALTH CENTER) d x

3 JEFFREY ROEDER (ROEDER ORTHODONTICS) s roederorthodontics.com

EYE CARE SPECIALIST/ SERVICE 1 ASHEVILLE EYE ASSOCIATES s x ashevilleeye.com

2 ENVISION EYECARE n myenvisioneyecare.com

wncchs.org

3 TUNNEL VISION e

2 MERCY URGENT CARE w e s n a

tunnelvisionasheville.com

CHIROPRACTOR

mercyurgentcare.org

2 RANGE URGENT CARE n e a rangeurgentcare.com

3 MISSION HEALTH d

1 DAN MARTIN (RADIUS CHIROPRACTIC) e radiuschiropractic.com

mission-health.org

2 DEREK KASTEN (ONE LOVE CHIROPRACTIC) n

DENTIST

onelovechiropractic.com

3 J. ANYA HARRIS (CRYSTALIGN CHIROPRACTIC) d

1 MARK A. KNOLLMAN e drknollman.com

crystalignchiropractic.com

2 TIM GILLESPIE d drtimgillespie.com

ACUPUNCTURIST

3 M. SCOTT PEELE s

1 LIZ ROSEMAN (SUSTAINABLE HEALTH ACUPUNCTURE) d x

ashevilledentalwellness.com

DENTAL PRACTICE 1 GILLESPIE DENTAL ASSOCIATES d

acupuncture-in-asheville.com

2 ZOE DENTAL s

2 SAM SOEMARDI (THE PEOPLE’S ACUPUNCTURE OF ASHEVILLE) d

3 MARKS FAMILY DENTISTRY n

3 LEX KEKLAK (ALCHEMY) n

drtimgillespie.com zoedental.com

northashevilledentist.com

peoplesacupunctureavl.com alchemyasheville.com

Thank to the readers for Voting Groce Favorite once again!

Asheville’s Local, Family-Owned Cremation & Funeral Service Lake Julian 72 Long Shoals Rd. Arden 828-687-3530

West Asheville 1401 Patton Ave. Asheville 828-252-3535

East Asheville 856 Tunnel Rd. Asheville 828-299-4416

grocefuneralhome.com 88

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Thank you WNC!

Dr. Dan Martin Affordable Chiropractic Care is Our Mission. ✓ Experienced, Professional & Friendly Staff ✓ Convenient Appointments & Hours 1011 Tunnel Road, Suite 110, Asheville, NC 28805 828-333-4447 • www.radiuschiropractic.com

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

89

Health & Wellness ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC

CONTINUED

HOSPICE

1 THE PEOPLE’S ACUPUNCTURE OF ASHEVILLE d

1 CAREPARTNERS (MISSION HEALTH) s x

2 CHINESE ACUPUNCTURE & HERBOLOGY CLINIC n

2 FOUR SEASONS COMPASSION FOR LIFE s a

peoplesacupunctureavl.com

ashevilleacupuncture.com

3 ALCHEMY: TEAROOM, APOTHECARY, ACUPUNCTURE n alchemyasheville.com

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

avl.mx/7x8

fourseasonscfl.org

MORTUARY/FUNERAL SERVICES 1 GROCE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE w x grocefuneralhome.com

1 GIVENS ESTATES s

2 WELLS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES w a

2 DEERFIELD RETIREMENT COMMUNITY s

3 WEST FAMILY FUNERAL SERVICES n a

givensestates.org

deerfieldwnc.org

wellsfuneralhome.com

westfamilyfuneralservices.com

Yes, we listen to you... you matter.

Thank You Asheville for Voting Us One of The Best!

600-B Centrepark Drive Asheville, NC 28805 828.254.5677

The Chinese Acupuncture & Herbology Clinic

OurFamilyDoctorAsheville.com

Thank you WNC! Thanks for voting us to the top!

the best primary care doctors under one roof

828.252.2511

90

X Awards | Best Of WNC

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Health & Wellness

CONTINUED

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHEVILLE EYE ASSOCIATES

ASHEVILLE EYE ASSOCIATES Best Eye Care Specialist/Service

PHYSICAL THERAPIST 1 WES MILLER (ANTIFRAGILE PHYSICAL THERAPY) d antifragilept.com

2 MIRIAM SALLOUM (THE RUNNER’S MECHANIC) s therunnersmechanic.com

FITNESS STUDIO WITH CLASSES 1 HARD EXERCISE WORKS s hardexerciseworks.com

2 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS e martialartsasheville.com

3 AMANDA ROACH (PHYSIO PHYSICAL THERAPY & WELLNESS) n physiownc.com

MASSAGE THERAPIST 1 ZACH COMER (ASHEVILLE MEDICAL MASSAGE) n medicalmassageasheville.com

2 TONI CORADETTI (ALCHEMY) n alchemyasheville.com

3 HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE e hotyogaasheville.com

PHYSICAL TRAINER 1 CALLIE JORDAN SHOPE (HARD EXERCISE WORKS) s hardexerciseworks.com

2 ZACH COMER (HIGH PERFORMANCE AGING) n hpafitness.com

GYM OR PLACE TO WORK OUT

YOGA STUDIO

1 YMCA OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA d e w n s ax

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA n x

2 HARD EXERCISE WORKS s

2 HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE e

3 GOLD’S GYM w e s

3 ASHEVILLE YOGA CENTER d

ymcawnc.org

hardexerciseworks.com goldsgym.com

ashevillecommunityyoga.com hotyogaasheville.com youryoga.com

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA

x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) 92

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YOGA TEACHER

PHARMACY/DRUGSTORE

1 MICHAEL GREENFIELD (ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA) n x ashevillecommunityyoga.com

1 CVS PHARMACY n w e a cvs.com

2 WALGREENS n e w a walgreens.com

2 KELLY GILMORE (ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA) n ashevillecommunityyoga.com

3 SONA PHARMACY + CLINIC e sonapharmacy.com

PLACE TO BUY SUPPLEMENTS, VITAMINS & HERBS

3 ADI WESTERMAN (HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE) e

1 FRENCH BROAD FOOD CO-OP d

hotyogaasheville.com

frenchbroadfood.coop

PILATES STUDIO/ CENTER/CLASSES

2 EARTH FARE w earthfare.com

3 NATURE'S VITAMINS & HERBS s naturesvitaminsandherbs.com

1 CLUB PILATES n s clubpilates.com

PLACE TO BUY CBD OIL

2 CLASIQUE ACUPUNCTURE & PILATES STUDIO d

1 FRANNY’S FARMACY n s a frannysfarmacy.com

studioclasique.com

2 TRINITY PHARMS HEMP CO. e a

3 RISE: AUTHENTIC PILATES d

trinitypharmshempco.com

riseasheville.com

3 GARDEN PARTY w shopgardenparty.com

MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO

PLACE TO CENTER YOURSELF

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS e x

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA n ashevillecommunityyoga.com

martialartsasheville.com

2 ASHEVILLE SALT CAVE d ashevillesaltcave.com

2 BUDO MOUNTAIN FAMILY MARTIAL ARTS n

3 ASHEVILLE YOGA CENTER d youryoga.com

budomountain.com

THANKS FOR VOTING

WNC’S LARGEST & BEST READER SURVEY

It’s not complicated...Hard Exercise Works!

cafe & juice bar

1636 Hendersonville Rd, Ste 195 Asheville, NC 28803

Thank you for voting us THE BEST 2 years in a row!

FOR

We are a locally owned cafe & juice/smoothie bar proudly serving organic fruits & veggies so we can all feel good!

Save your spot now – Limited Availability!

828-774-5410 simpleasheville.com 643 Haywood Rd. • AVL, NC MOUNTAIN XPRESS

Call us at (828) 575-2556 or visit us at www.hewasheville.com/mountainx we’re social @hewasheville

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

93

work & business

PHOTO COURTESY OF HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Best Business That Give Back to the Community, Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville and Best Woman-Owned Business (tie); second place Business With Earth-Friendly Practices; with additional wins in Drinks, Outdoors, Arts & Entertainment, Uniquely Asheville and Pets sections.

H

AVE a beer. Voters certainly had a cold one on their minds this year, as evidenced by Highland Brewing winning three top spots in Work & Business in 2020 (Business That Represents the Spirit of Asheville, Business That Gives Back to the Community, Woman-owned Business), plus one runner-up finish.

Health Care retained its place as the best sector in which to work, despite many health care workers being on the front lines of risk during the coronavirus pandemic.

While the health crisis has affected nearly every sector, it has done so more to some than others. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the leisure and hospitality sector was the hardest hit in Asheville, with nearly twothirds of those workers losing their jobs in April 2020.

However, about half of those jobs had been recovered by the end of July. Government and mining, logging and construction were the least affected, while education and health services experienced a middling downturn.

A shoutout is due to Mountain BizWorks for its eighth firstplace win in as many years for best Support Organization That Promotes New Businesses & Healthy Local Economy.

Its staff and volunteers are veterans at helping local small businesses navigate the troubled waters of assistance programs and tough decision-making. A helping hand where it’s needed is indeed something to celebrate.

— Able Allen X

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2020/2021

#1 Acupuncturist

Liz Roseman

“Thank you for voting me #1 Acupuncturist for the seventh year.

I’m so grateful to be partnering with you in your health!”

Specializing in:

Women's Health Insomnia

Fertility Struggles Digestive Issues

Emotional Issues Pain

Sustainable Health Acupuncture 828-216-3101 • 36 Clayton St, Asheville, NC 28801

www.acupuncture-in-asheville.com liz@acupuncture-in-asheville.com

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Work & Business BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF ASHEVILLE 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

2 HARD EXERCISE WORKS s hardexerciseworks.com

EMPLOYMENT SECTOR TO WORK IN 1 HEALTH CARE BUSINESS THAT GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

2 HARD EXERCISE WORKS s hardexerciseworks.com

CO-OP/ WORKER-OWNED BUSINESS 1 FRENCH BROAD FOOD CO-OP d x frenchbroadfood.coop

2 FIRESTORM BOOKSTORE CO-OP w firestorm.coop

BANK 1 HOMETRUST BANK d e s a htb.com

2 FIRST BANK d w e a localfirstbank.com

2 FIRST CITIZENS BANK d n w a firstcitizens.com

3 WELLS FARGO d s w a wellsfargo.com

CREDIT UNION 1 STATE EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION d n s ax ncsecu.org

2 TELCO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION e w s a telcoccu.org

3 SELF-HELP CREDIT UNION d s e a self-help.org

BANK SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESS 1 HOMETRUST BANK d e s a htb.com

2 FIRST CITIZENS BANK d n w a firstcitizens.com

3 FIRST BANK d w e a localfirstbank.com

SUPPORT ORGANIZATION FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND NEW BUSINESSES 1 MOUNTAIN BIZWORKS d x mountainbizworks.org

BUSINESS WITH EARTH-FRIENDLY PRACTICES 1 GREEN SAGE CAFÉ d w n s greensagecafe.com

2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS 1 HARD EXERCISE WORKS s hardexerciseworks.com

2 PIANO LAB STUDIOS w s e a pianolabasheville.com

WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. e highlandbrewing.com

LOCAL, NATURAL, NEW, CONSIGNMENT.

1 PIANO LAB STUDIOS w s e a pianolabasheville.com

INNOVATIVE OR ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS

Best selection of wooden toys, cloth diapers, baby carriers, and more!

1 HARD EXERCISE WORKS s

647 Haywood Road ~ West AVL 253-4747 ~ thelittlestbirds.com

1 HARD EXERCISE WORKS s

96

hardexerciseworks.com

BUSINESS WITH BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE hardexerciseworks.com

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Drs. Chambers, Baechtold, Haldeman, Pratt, Chambers, Hogue, Chadwick & Wyble

Thank you for voting us #1 Pediatric Dentistry Practice 7 years in a row!

Asheville

828-274-9220

Waynesville 828-454-9156

Sylva

828-586-9333

Specializing in Pediatric Dentistry for Infants, Kids, Special Needs & Teens

BeGreatDental.com

Now Accepting New Patients!

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

97

farm, yard & garden

PHOTO COURTESY OF B. B. BARNS

B. B. BARNS

Best Garden Supply Store, Best Landscape/Grading Service, second place Nursery (Trees, Shrubs)

A

SHEVILLE loves its farms, those who work

them and the markets where we obtain the fruits of their labor, not to mention those mouthwatering, multicourse farm-to-table events. But the Farm & Garden section is about more than pretty fields and happy chickens: You’ll also learn about the best places to find mulch and supplies, plus landscaping and nonprofit services.

Hats off to B.B. Barns for its double first-place wins (Garden Supply Store and Landscape/Grading Service) and for earning Hall of Fame status as Garden Supply Store.

And congratulations to Hickory Nut Gap Farm for its twin honors: best Farm to Visit for Events and best Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm.

Let’s not forget that WNC’s farms, however excellent, however popular, have been facing new challenges due to the pandemic. “Our farms are innovative and resilient, but they are facing unprecedented challenges that are going to take a community effort to address,” says Charlie Jackson, executive director of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (best Nonprofit Supporting Farms/ Farmland Preservation).

So while everybody loves a winner — be sure to cast your local love widely and enjoy the food that’s thousands of miles fresher. See you at North Asheville Tailgate Market (best Tailgate/Farmers Market) or at one of the area’s many other great tailgate options.

— Susan Hutchinson X

98

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

TAILGATE/FARMERS MARKET

MULCH SUPPLIER

1 NORTH ASHEVILLE TAILGATE MARKET n x

1 ASHEVILLE MULCH YARD s n e ax

2 WEST ASHEVILLE TAILGATE MARKET w

2 THE MULCH LADY/RIVERSIDE STUMP DUMP r s a

ashevillemulchyard.com

northashevilletailgatemarket.com

themulchlady.com

westashevilletailgatemarket.com

3 WNC FARMERS MARKET w

TREE SERVICE

avl.mx/4vl

1 ROYCE’S TREE SERVICE w a

ROADSIDE FARM STAND

roycestreeservice.com

2 SMART FELLER TREE WORKS n

1 FLYING CLOUD FARM e ax

smartfellertreeworks.com

flyingcloudfarm.net

3 TARZAN THE TREEMAN tarzanthetreeman.com

FARM TO VISIT FOR EVENTS 1 HICKORY NUT GAP FARM e ax hickorynutgapfarm.com

NURSERY (TREES, SHRUBS) 1 REEMS CREEK NURSERY n ax

2 FRANNY’S FARM w a

reemscreek.com

frannysfarm.com

3 GRANDAD'S APPLES N’ SUCH s a grandadsapples.com

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) FARM

2 B. B. BARNS s a bbbarns.com

3 JESSE ISRAEL & SONS NURSERY & GARDEN CENTER w jesseisraelandsons.com

LANDSCAPE/ GRADING SERVICE

1 HICKORY NUT GAP FARM e a hickorynutgapfarm.com

1 B. B. BARNS s a

2 MOTHER EARTH FOOD w

bbbarns.com

motherearthfood.com

NONPROFIT SUPPORTING FARMS/FARMLAND PRESERVATION

3 FLYING CLOUD FARM e a flyingcloudfarm.net

ORCHARD 1 SKY TOP ORCHARD s ax skytoporchard.com

2 GRANDAD'S APPLES N’ SUCH s a grandadsapples.com

3 BARBER ORCHARD w a

1 APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT (ASAP) d x asapconnections.org

2 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN HIGHLANDS CONSERVANCY n appalachian.org

fb.com/BarberOrchardFruitstand

COMMUNITY GARDEN 1 BURTON STREET COMMUNITY PEACE GARDENS w burtonstreet.org

2 DR. JOHN WILSON COMMUNITY GARDEN e a

THANKS ASHEVILLE!

avl.mx/7xa

3 GRACE COVENANT COMMUNITY GARDEN n gcpcusa.org

• Delivery • Quantity Discount • Product Of The Month

GARDEN SUPPLY STORE 1 B. B. BARNS s ax bbbarns.com

2 FIFTH SEASON GARDENING CO. e fifthseasongardening.com

3 REEMS CREEK NURSERY n a reemscreek.com

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

Weaverville – (828) 484-8131 Swannanoa – (828) 707-1615 Arden – (828) 687-2792 ashevillemulchyard.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

99

small towns

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOUNTY & SOUL

BOUNTY & SOUL Best Local Cause to Support

G

OOD things come in small packages. As residents of the towns surrounding Asheville know, there’s no shortage of hidden gems to draw folks off the beaten path and showcase the small-town charm we all know and treasure, made even sweeter by fewer crowds and an abundance of parking. And as travelers and transplants continue to flock to WNC, these charming towns only seem to grow increasingly alluring.

We tip our hats to a raft of new Hall of Fame honorees this year.

To the east and north of Asheville: LEAF Global Arts Festival (Cultural or Historical Landmark–Swannanoa and Black Mountain), Vance Birthplace (Cultural or Historical Landmark–Weaverville and Woodfin) and Hot Springs Resort & Spa (Cultural or Historical Landmark–Hot Springs).

To the south and west, we welcome three cultural or arts events to the Hall of Fame: Brevard’s White Squirrel Festival, Hendersonville’s N.C. Apple Festival and Waynesville’s Folkmoot USA festival. Also joining the Hall of Fame are the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in Flat Rock and the Jackson County Historic Courthouse and Public Library, both for best Cultural or Historic Landmark.

— Molly Horak and Laura Hackett X

100

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

SWAN NANOA & BLACK MOU NTAI N BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

COFFEE & SWEETS 1 THE DRIPOLATOR COFFEEHOUSE x avl.mx/3w7

1 TOWN HARDWARE & GENERAL STORE x

2 DYNAMITE ROASTING CO. dynamiteroasting.com

townhardware.com

3 MOMENTS COFFEE BAR & CATERING

2 BAD CRAFT

badcraft828.com

momentscoffeebarandcatering.com

3 SEVEN SISTERS GALLERY

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

sevensistersgallery.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 PISGAH BREWING CO. pisgahbrewing.com

1 LOUISE'S KITCHEN x

2 LOOKOUT BREWING CO.

louisesblackmtn.com

lookoutbrewing.com

2 BLUE RIDGE BISCUIT CO.

3 THE TRAILHEAD RESTAURANT & BAR

fb.com/BlueRidgeBiscuitCompany

3 OPEN OVEN CAFE

thetrailheadrestaurant.com

openovenblkmtn.com

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 VERANDA CAFE x

1 PISGAH BREWING CO.

verandacafeandgifts.com

pisgahbrewing.com

2 THE TRAILHEAD RESTAURANT & BAR

2 WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

3 MY FATHER’S PIZZA & PASTA

3 STRAIGHTAWAY CAFE & PUB

whitehorseblackmountain.com

thetrailheadrestaurant.com

thestraightaway.com

myfatherspizza.com

RETAIL STORE

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 NATIVE KITCHEN + SOCIAL PUB x nativesocialpub.com

2 THE TRAILHEAD RESTAURANT & BAR

thetrailheadrestaurant.com

3 MY FATHER’S PIZZA & PASTA myfatherspizza.com

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

1 TOWN HARDWARE & GENERAL STOREx townhardware.com

2 SASSAFRAS ON SUTTON sassafrasonsutton.com

3 TYSON FURNITURE tysonfurniture.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

101

small towns ART GALLERY 1 SEVEN SISTERS CRAFT GALLERY x sevensistersgallery.com

CONTINUED

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 MONTREAT TRAILS & PARK townofmontreat.org

2 BLACK MOUNTAIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

2 LAKE TOMAHAWK PARK

3 RED HOUSE STUDIO AND GALLERY

3 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

blackmountainarts.org

avl.mx/7xb

svfalarts.org

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

blueridgeparkway.org

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT 1 BOUNTY & SOUL

1 LAKE EDEN ARTS FESTIVAL (LEAF) x

bountyandsoul.org

theleaf.org

2 SOURWOOD FESTIVAL

2 BLACK MOUNTAIN HOME FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES

3 THE SWANNANOA GATHERING AT WARREN WILSON COLLEGE

3 SWANNANOA VALLEY CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

blackmountainhome.org

sourwoodfestival.com

swangathering.com

svcmblackmountain.org

best of wnc is also online BestOfWNC.com

The Square rooT

Brevard First Place - Lunch Restaurant First Place - Dinner Restaurant s qua r e ro ot r e s tau r a n t . c o m 33 TimeS arcade alley B r e va r d , N c 828.884.6171 102

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

Glorifying God by caring for children and families 80 Lake Eden Rd., Black Mountain (828) 686-3451

Give now to help orphaned, abused, abandoned, and neglected children have a safe, loving home.

BlackMountainHome.org/donate Visit our thrift store & cafe for great deals & delicious homemade goodies.

10 Lake Eden Rd., Black Mountain, NC (828) 581-0583 MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

103

small towns

CONTINUED

WEAVERVILLE & WOODFIN

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA AND BREW PUB

Business that Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town, Best Local Bar/Brewery/Watering Hole, Best Music/Entertainment Venue; third place Dinner Restaurant BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA AND BREW PUB x bluemountainpizza.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ x wellbredbakery.com

2 CREPERIE & CAFE [Closed]

2 MANGUM POTTERY

2 STONEY KNOB CAFE

3 MAGGIE B’S WINE & SPECIALTY STORE

3 TOMMY’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

mangumpottery.com maggiebswine.com

stoneyknobcafe.com avl.mx/4ve

Thank you for voting us #1 Nursery in WNC!

Garden Center & Gift Shop

Trees & Shrubs • Perennials • Annuals Organic Gardening Supplies • Houseplants Holiday • Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff 76 Monticello Rd • Weaverville, NC 828-645-3937 • www.reemscreek.com 104

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

LUNCH RESTAURANT

RETAIL STORE

1 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ x

1 CURTIS WRIGHT OUTFITTERS

2 STONEY KNOB CAFE

2 THE COTTAGE DOOR

3 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA AND BREW PUB

3 MANGUM POTTERY

wellbredbakery.com

curtiswrightoutfitters.com

stoneyknobcafe.com

thecottagedoorconsignment.com mangumpottery.com

bluemountainpizza.com

3 REEMS CREEK NURSERY reemscreek.com

DINNER RESTAURANT

ART GALLERY

1 STONEY KNOB CAFE x stoneyknobcafe.com

1 MIYA GALLERY x

2 GLASS ONION

miyagallery.com

glassonionasheville.com

2 ARTISANS ON MAIN

3 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA AND BREW PUB

avl.mx/7yu

3 MANGUM POTTERY

bluemountainpizza.com

mangumpottery.com

COFFEE & SWEETS

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

1 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ x

1 WEAVERVILLE ART SAFARI

2 ALLGOOD COFFEE

2 ART IN AUTUMN

3 BAKED PIE CO.

3 MUSIC ON MAIN

wellbredbakery.com

weavervilleartsafari.com

allgood.coffee

avl.mx/7zg

bakedpiecompany.com

avl.mx/7zh

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA AND BREW PUB

1 LAKE LOUISE PARK avl.mx/6cc

bluemountainpizza.com

2 MAIN STREET NATURE PARK

2 ELUVIUM BREWING CO.

avl.mx/6cc

eluviumbrewing.com

3 TWISTED LAUREL EATERY & TAPS twistedlaurel.com

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 1 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA AND BREW PUB x bluemountainpizza.com

2 WEAVER HOUSE

weaverhousenc.com

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

3 BEAVER LAKE

thelakeviewpark.org

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK 1 VANCE BIRTHPLACE x avl.mx/7zi

2 LAKE LOUISE PARK avl.mx/6cc

3 WEAVERVILLE TOWN CLOCK

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

105

small towns

CONTINUED

MARSHALL & MARS H I LL

PHOTO BY COLBY SEXTON

MERMAID PARADE AND FESTIVAL Best Cultural or Arts Event

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 ZUMA COFFEE x zumascoffee.com

2 FERMENTI

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 MAD CO. BREW HOUSE madisoncountybrewing.com

2 HICKORY NUT GORGE BREWERY hickorynutbrewery.com

fermenti.biz

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 ZUMA COFFEE

1 ZUMA COFFEE

2 THE WAGON WHEEL

2 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN REPERTORY THEATRE (SART)

zumascoffee.com avl.mx/88u

3 THE SWEET MONKEY BAKERY & CAFÉ

zumascoffee.com

sartplays.com

RETAIL STORE

avl.mx/xmasjb1

LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 STACKHOUSE AMERICAN EATERY & PUB stackhouserestaurant.com

2 THE SWEET MONKEY BAKERY & CAFÉ avl.mx/xmasjb1

3 BAA’D SHEEP BURRITOS baadsheepburritos.com

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 STAR DINER

stardinerwnc.com

2 STACKHOUSE AMERICAN EATERY & PUB stackhouserestaurant.com

2 THE ORIGINAL PAPA NICK'S theoriginalpapanicks.com

3 THE SWEET MONKEY BAKERY & CAFÉ avl.mx/xmasjb1

COFFEE & SWEETS 1 ZUMA COFFEE x zumascoffee.com

2 THE LIBRARY COFFEE HOUSE librarycoffeemarshill.com

3 THE SWEET MONKEY BAKERY & CAFÉ avl.mx/xmasjb1

106

1 PENLAND & SONS DEPARTMENT STORE x avl.mx/7zj

1 FLOW BODY + HOME flowmarshall.com

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 MERMAID PARADE AND FESTIVAL downtownmarshallnc.com/events

2 BASCOM LAMAR LUNSFORD FESTIVAL mhu.edu

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 BAILEY MOUNTAIN PARK avl.mx/7zk

2 BLANNAHASSETT ISLAND avl.mx/686

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT 1 MADISON COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL madisoncountyarts.com

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR TOWN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS 1 HICKORY NUT GORGE BREWERY OPENING hickorynutbrewery.com

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

HOT SPRI NGS

PHOTO COURTESY OF IRON HORSE STATION

IRON HORSE STATION RESTAURANT AND TAVERN

Best Dinner Restaurant, second place Lunch Restaurant BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 HOT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA x nchotsprings.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 SMOKY MOUNTAIN DINER x avl.mx/2sg

LUNCH RESTAURANT

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 BLUFF MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL avl.mx/7zm

1 FRENCH BROAD RIVER FESTIVAL frenchbroadriverfestival.com

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 HOT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA nchotsprings.com

1 SPRING CREEK TAVERN

2 APPALACHIAN TRAIL (AT)

2 IRON HORSE STATION RESTAURANT & TAVERN

3 MAX PATCH

thespringcreektavern.com

appalachiantrail.org avl.mx/7uw

theironhorsestation.com

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 IRON HORSE STATION RESTAURANT & TAVERN x theironhorsestation.com

2 SPRING CREEK TAVERN thespringcreektavern.com

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 SPRING CREEK TAVERN thespringcreektavern.com

RETAIL STORE 1 BLUFF MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS avl.mx/7zl

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK

CONGRATS TO THIS YEARʼS

WINNERS WNC’s largest & best reader survey

1 HOT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA x nchotsprings.com

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

107

small towns

CONTINUED

BU RNSVI LLE

PHOTO BY JOHN SILVER

HOMEPLACE BEER CO.

Best Thing to Happen to Your Town in the Last 12 Months, Best Local Bar/Brewery/Watering Hole, second place Music/Entertainment Venue BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE appalachianjavaburnsville.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE appalachianjavaburnsville.com

2 PIG & GRITS

pigandgrits.com

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE appalachianjavaburnsville.com

2 MOUNTAIN CHEF BISTRO mountainchefbistro.com

COFFEE & SWEETS 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE appalachianjavaburnsville.com

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 HOMEPLACE BEER CO. homeplacebeer.com

LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE appalachianjavaburnsville.com

2 GARDEN DELI garden-deli.com

3 PIG & GRITS

pigandgrits.com

108

2 SNAP DRAGON garden-deli.com

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE appalachianjavaburnsville.com

2 HOMEPLACE BEER CO. homeplacebeer.com

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

RETAIL STORE 1 SOMETHING SPECIAL GIFT SHOP avl.mx/55a

Going Out

ART GALLERY 1 TOE RIVER ARTS GALLERY toeriverarts.org

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

Tonight?

1 MOUNT MITCHELL CRAFTS FAIR

See what's happening in town

avl.mx/7zn

2 TOE RIVER STUDIO TOUR toeriverarts.org

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

MOUNTAINX.COM/ CALENDAR

1 MOUNT MITCHELL STATE PARK avl.mx/7zo

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT 1 YANCEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY yanceyhumanesociety.org

KNOW

ASHEVILLE

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR TOWN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

LIKE A

LOCAL

1 HOMEPLACE BEER CO. OPENING homeplacebeer.com

Thanks to everyone who voted for us First Place in Burnsville for Breakfast Restaurant,

Lunch Restaurant, Dinner Restaurant, Coffee & Sweets, Music Entertainment Venue, Business that Best Represents the Spirit of your Town

Second Place in WNC for Best Business Lunch & Best Take-Out Third Place Tie in WNC for Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant & Best Lunch

Best of WNC Winner Third Year in a Row!

~

8 West Main Street, Burnsville, NC 28714 828-682-0120 ~ www.appalachianjavaburnsville.com

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

109

small towns

CONTINUED

H EN DERSONVI LLE & FLAT ROCK

PHOTO BY BROWN DOG STUDIO

FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE

Best Music/Entertainment Venue, second place Cultural or Historical Landmark and Cultural or Arts Event BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 MAST GENERAL STORE mastgeneralstore.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 HENDOUGH CHICKEN & DONUTS hendough.com

2 HONEY AND SALT honeyandsaltnc.com

3 FIRESIDE RESTAURANT firesidepancakeinn.com

LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 FLAT ROCK VILLAGE BAKERY flatrockwoodfired.com

2 HOT DOG WORLD hotdogworld.net

3 HENDOUGH CHICKEN & DONUTS hendough.com

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 POSTERO

COFFEE & SWEETS 1 BLACK BEAR COFFEE CO. blackbear.coffee

2 FLAT ROCK VILLAGE BAKERY flatrockwoodfired.com

2 MCFARLAN BAKERY mcfarlanbakery.com

3 APPALACHIAN COFFEE CO. appalachiancoffeecompany.com

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 SANCTUARY BREWING CO. [Closed] 2 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY sabrewery.com

3 DRY FALLS BREWING CO. dryfallsbrewing.com

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 1 FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE x flatrockplayhouse.org

1 SANCTUARY BREWING CO. [Closed] 2 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY sabrewery.com

RETAIL STORE

postero-hvl.com

2 NEVER BLUE

theneverblue.com

1 MAST GENERAL STORE x mastgeneralstore.com

2 WEST FIRST WOOD-FIRED PIZZA

ART GALLERY

flatrockwoodfired.com

3 UMI JAPANESE FINE DINING umisushinc.com

110

1 THE GALLERY AT FLAT ROCK galleryflatrock.com

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 NC APPLE FESTIVAL x ncapplefestival.org

2 FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE SHOWS flatrockplayhouse.org

3 ART ON MAIN avl.mx/7zp

x

THE HALL OF FAME ICON

The Hall of Fame designates winners who have come out on top four years in a row (or more), including this year (2017 - 2020)

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 CARL SANDBURG HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE nps.gov/carl

2 DUPONT STATE FOREST dupontforest.com

3 THE PARK AT FLAT ROCK flatrockparkfoundation.org

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT 1 BLUE RIDGE HUMANE SOCIETY blueridgehumane.org

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK 1 CARL SANDBURG HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE x nps.gov/carl

2 FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE flatrockplayhouse.org

3 JUMP OFF ROCK

laurelpark.org/jumpoff

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

celebrating 22 years! we thank you for your continued support

Waynesville, NC twigsandleaves.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

111

small towns

CONTINUED

BREVARD

PHOTO BY STEVEN MCBRIDE

BREVARD MUSIC CENTER Best Music/Entertainment Venue, second place Cultural or Arts Event

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 D.D. BULLWINKEL’S OUTDOORS ddbullwinkels.com

2 O.P. TAYLOR’S optaylors.com

3 WHITE SQUIRREL SHOPPE whitesquirrelshoppe.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 THE SUNRISE CAFE x the-sunrise-cafe.com

2 CEDAR MOUNTAIN CAFE cedarmountaincafe.com

LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 THE SQUARE ROOT x squarerootrestaurant.com

2 MAYBERRY'S

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 OSKAR BLUES BREWERY oskarblues.com

2 BREVARD BREWING CO. brevard-brewing.com

3 ECUSTA BREWING ecustabrewing.com

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 1 BREVARD MUSIC CENTER x brevardmusic.org

2 185 KING STREET 185kingst.com

3 OSKAR BLUES BREWERY oskarblues.com

RETAIL STORE 1 D.D. BULLWINKEL'S OUTDOORS ddbullwinkels.com

2 THEOPHILUS

mayberrys.co

3 MAGPIE MEAT & THREE magpiemeatandthree.com

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 THE SQUARE ROOT x squarerootrestaurant.com

2 MAGPIE MEAT & THREE magpiemeatandthree.com

3 JORDAN STREET CAFÉ thejordanstreetcafe.com

COFFEE & SWEETS 1 CUP & SAUCER

cupandsaucernc.com

theophilusnc.com

3 O.P. TAYLOR'S optaylors.com

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 THE WHITE SQUIRREL FESTIVAL x whitesquirrelfestival.com

2 BREVARD MUSIC CENTER SUMMER CONCERT SERIES brevardmusic.org

3 MOUNTAIN SONG FESTIVAL mountainsongfestival.com

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

2 BRACKEN MOUNTAIN BAKERY

1 PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST

3 BLUE RIDGE BAKERY

2 DUPONT STATE FOREST

brackenmountainbakery.com blueridgebakery.com

112

avl.mx/6aw

dupontforest.com

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

WAYN ESVI LLE MAGG I E VALLEY & CANTON

PHOTO COURTESY OF TWIGS & LEAVES GALLERY

TWIGS & LEAVES GALLERY Best Art Gallery

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 BOOJUM BREWING CO. TAPROOM boojumbrewing.com

1 BOOJUM BREWING CO.

2 THE SWEET ONION RESTAURANT

boojumbrewing.com

sweetonionrestaurant.com

2 MAST GENERAL STORE

3 SOUTHERN PORCH

mastgeneralstore.com

southern-porch.com

3 ORCHARD COFFEE

orchardcoffeeroasters.com

COFFEE & SWEETS

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 ORCHARD COFFEE

orchardcoffeeroasters.com

1 THE BUTTERED BISCUIT

2 PANACEA COFFEE CO.

fb.com/TheButteredBiscuit

panaceacoffee.com

2 JOEY'S PANCAKE HOUSE joeyspancake.com

3 PAPERTOWN COFFEE papertown.coffee

3 CLYDE'S RESTAURANT avl.mx/7zq

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 BOOJUM BREWING CO. TAPROOM

1 BOOJUM BREWING CO. TAPROOM

2 THE SWEET ONION RESTAURANT

2 BEARWATERS BREWING CO.

3 J-RO’S BURGERS AND SUBS

3 FROG LEVEL BREWING CO.

boojumbrewing.com

sweetonionrestaurant.com jrosburgers.com

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

boojumbrewing.com bwbrewing.com

froglevelbrewing.com

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

113

small towns MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE 1 THE GEM BAR AT BOOJUM BREWING boojumbrewing.com

2 HAYWOOD ARTS REGIONAL THEATRE (HART) harttheatre.org

3 THE STRAND @ 38 MAIN 38main.com

RETAIL STORE 1 MAST GENERAL STORE x mastgeneralstore.com

2 HAZELWOOD SOAP CO.

hazelwoodsoapcompany.com

3 PIGEON RIVER MERCANTILE pigeonrivermerc.com

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 FOLKMOOT USA INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL x folkmoot.org

2 APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL avl.mx/7zr

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 LAKE JUNALUSKA lakejunaluska.com

2 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY blueridgeparkway.org

3 CATALOOCHEE VALLEY avl.mx/7zs

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT

3 ROBIN BLU robinblu.com

ART GALLERY 1 TWIGS & LEAVES GALLERY x twigsandleaves.com

CONTINUED

1 SARGE’S ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION sargeanimals.org

2 REACH OF HAYWOOD COUNTY facebook.com/reachofhaywood

Thank you to the Best of WNC voters for making us one of the 2020 Best Bank and Best Bank Services for Small Business.

Visit one of our 13 locations across Western North Carolina, and let us help you make big plans.

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114

X Awards | Best Of WNC

2020/2021

SYLVA / CU LLOWH EE

PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY LIGHTS BOOKSTORE

CITY LIGHTS BOOKSTORE

Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town (tie) BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 CITY LIGHTS BOOKSTORE citylightsnc.com

1 INNOVATION BREWING innovation-brewing.com

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 CITY LIGHTS CAFE citylightscafe.com

LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 LULU'S ON MAIN lulusonmain.com

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 INNOVATION BREWING innovation-brewing.com

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK

1 JACKSON COUNTY HISTORIC COURTHOUSE / PUBLIC LIBRARY x fontanalib.org

2 MAD BATTER KITCHEN madbatterkitchen.net

DINNER RESTAURANT 1 LULU'S ON MAINx lulusonmain.com

2 GUADALUPE CAFÉ guadalupecafe.com

3 BOGART’S RESTAURANT fb.com/BogartsSylva

COFFEE & SWEETS 1 CITY LIGHTS CAFE x citylightscafe.com

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 INNOVATION BREWING

CONGRATS TO THIS YEARʼS

WINNERS WNC’s largest & best reader survey

innovation-brewing.com

2 THE CUT COCKTAIL LOUNGE avl.mx/7zt

MOUNTAIN XPRESS

MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES

115

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