The partnerships Asheville’s food trucks forge with brick-and-mortar businesses feed the success of both parties — especially in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene. Pictured on the cover with canine friends are Beefie Boys food truck owner Jeremy LaRochelle and Fetch Dog Spa owner Kim Scofield.
PUBLISHER & EDITOR: Jeff Fobes
ASSISTANT PUBLISHER: Susan Hutchinson
MANAGING EDITOR: Thomas Calder
EDITORS: Lisa Allen, Gina Smith
OPINION EDITOR: Tracy Rose
STAFF REPORTERS: Lisa Allen, Thomas Calder, Brionna Dallara, Justin McGuire, Greg Parlier, Brooke Randle, Gina Smith Intern: Amrit Brown
COMMUNITY CALENDAR & CLUBLAND: Braulio Pescador-Martinez
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Jon Elliston, Mindi Meltz Friedwald, Peter Gregutt, Rob Mikulak
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS:
Christopher Arbor, Edwin Arnaudin, Danielle Arostegui, Mark Barrett, Eric Brown, Carmela Caruso, Cayla Clark, Molly Devane, Ashley English, Tessa Fontaine, Mindi Meltz Friedwald, Troy Jackson, Carol Kaufman, Bill Kopp, Chloe Leiberman, Morgan L. Sykes, Jessica Wakeman, Kay West, Clark Wilson, Jamie Zane
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Caleb Johnson Intern: Chad Truitt
ADVERTISING, ART & DESIGN MANAGER: Susan Hutchinson
LEAD DESIGNER: Scott Southwick
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Tina Gaafary, Caleb Johnson, Olivia Urban
MARKETING ASSOCIATES: Emily Baughman, Sara Brecht, Dave Gayler
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES: Jeff Fobes, Mark Murphy, Scott Southwick WEB: Brandon Tilley
BOOKKEEPER: Amie Fowler
OFFICE MANAGER: Mark Murphy
FRONT OFFICE: Caitlin Donovan, Lisa Watters
DISTRIBUTION: Susan Hutchinson, Kyle Ramser
DISTRIBUTION DRIVERS: Cass Kunst, Cindy
Waiting for the bus and accountability
[Regarding “Imagining Asheville in 2050: What Might Public Transport Look Like in 25 Years?” May 14, Xpress:]
I have been sitting at a bus stop with 15 other people when the bus is 30 minutes late. I have been sitting at a bus stop waiting for a bus at a scheduled time, and the bus has just driven past me.
In both cases, there was zero accountability from anyone with the transit authority.
— Chuck Lichtenberger Asheville
Editor’s note: Xpress contacted City of Asheville spokesperson Kim Miller, who provided a response from Asheville Rides Transit, which says in part: “Providing reliable and accountable transit service is our top priority. ART is continuously working to improve the reliability of transportation for our community. If community members experience issues or delays that are not reflected on our webpage [avl.mx/ey1], we encourage them to email iride@ashevillenc.gov. ART also communicates service adjustments to the public through an email notifica-
Word of the week
Polemical (adj.) expressing or constituting a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something
Courtesy of freelance editor Peter Gregutt, polemical feels like the best way to summarize the various threats felt by elected officials both across the country and closer to home. Read on page 12 about how political violence — in both words and actions — has affected the lives of members of Western North Carolina’s state legislative delegation. X
tion list [avl.mx/ey2]. We encourage the community to sign up for these notifications to receive the most up-to-date information about trip cancellations, route detours or extended delays.”
Local food deserves as much attention as beer
As someone committed to local farming and regional resilience, I’m increasingly disillusioned by a cultural contradiction I see playing out here in Asheville.
Every week, Mountain Xpress runs yet another glowing feature on the craft beer scene — new releases, taproom expansions, tasting notes. Meanwhile, local food and farming barely get a mention. At farmers markets, I watch people balk at paying $8 for a dozen pasture-raised
eggs, yet think nothing of dropping the same amount on a single pint of barrel-aged saison.
Why is local food considered expensive, niche or a luxury — while alcohol consumption is normalized, celebrated and subsidized by attention?
This isn’t a call to kill the beer industry. It’s a call to rebalance the cultural narrative. If we claim to care about sustainability, equity or health, then the people growing real nourishment should be as culturally central as the ones brewing recreational beverages.
Locally grown food and the farmers stewarding Western North Carolina deserve more than a seasonal writeup or blurb in the announcements. It deserves a seat at the table — every week.
— Noah Poulos Wild East Farm Marion
Editor’s response: Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the need to shine a brighter light on our region’s community of growers. We’re with you — coverage of the local food system is a priority for Xpress. While we admittedly don’t always manage to run agriculture news and features every week, we do work to stay on top of the issues impacting local farms and report on events and developments within that sector. We also nurture readers’ interest in growing their own food through the monthly “Gardening With Xpress” column with local sustainability expert Chloe Lieberman. With that said, we are definitely open to publishing more stories about WNC farms and farmers. If you have ideas for features or thoughts about issues that should be explored, please feel free to reach out to Gina Smith at gsmith@mountainx.com.
Only apartments and clinics justify cutting urban forest
Only small, residential apartments, under 3,000 cubic feet per unit, or abortion clinics can justify the destruction of urban forests like UNC Asheville’s, since these can save more forest elsewhere. Sports/concert stadiums are a complete abomination anywhere, and Asheville already has more work and shopping places than homes, which causes polluting commuting from affordable exurbs, where the retail belongs and where a city minimum wage would put it.
It would be ideal if parking can be used around the clock by UNCA students and staff, etc., during the day and residents at night, but balancing the parking would not be worth unbalancing the city with more retail. — Alan Ditmore Leicester X
CARTOON BY RANDY MOLTON
Collaboration crucial
BY JUSTIN M c GUIRE
Even in the best of times, running an independent business in Asheville means juggling costs, seasonal swings in traffic and the constant need to adapt. Lately, add to that the lingering effects of Tropical Storm Helene, shifting consumer habits, supply chain instability and uncertainty about tariffs.
Tied together by long-standing collaborations — and a shared sense that survival often depends on mutual support — local businesses are leaning on each other in new ways. Go Local, the discount card and fundraiser for local schools, is one thread in that network, connecting about 650 businesses with residents who want to keep their spending close to home.
“We need to keep that message out there that Asheville is open for business,” says Sherree Lucas, Go Local's executive director. "One of the things that I'm starting to do with our cardholders and our members is to remind people that all those local dollars have a huge impact. They help save local jobs. And then they circulate through the economy. So every dollar that we can keep in our community and spend locally is a big deal.”
Xpress sat down with Lucas to discuss the state of Asheville's small businesses post-Helene, the possible impact of tariffs on stores and consumer confidence and the importance of community collaboration.
Xpress: When we talked late last year, you said Go Local's directory had gone from 650 to about 500 business-
es because you simply couldn't get in touch with some after the storm. Have you been able to reconnect with many of those 150 businesses?
Lucas: Over that period of time since Helene, and probably starting about a month after that, when things had settled down at least a little bit, we were able to get in touch with more of our businesses. At the time, there were so many unknowns. Some of our businesses had moved to temporary locations, and they had no idea how long they were going to be there. That went on for a while. But I feel that over time we’ve gotten a good handle on the local, independent businesses in the area. We know that we’ve lost some legacy businesses that were just part of the fabric of Asheville. And we know there’s still so many businesses that are hurting. Right now we’re still sitting around 650 businesses, but there’s been turnover; businesses that have come on and businesses that have left because of either the damages they incurred or that they were just not ready to [come back yet].
Have you heard from businesses about how tariffs are affecting them?
We definitely know it’s been making planning hard. Reports just showed that retail sales were down nationally in May, and part of it was the impact of tariffs. We had an info session [recently]. The speaker was with the Small Business Technology and Development Center. He spoke to the group about tariffs and gave them some tips on what they can do. We had businesses there represented in some of our boutiques, some of
Business of community
our small manufacturers. It does impact our local businesses. I know that almost 100% of toys come out of China, and so our independent toy stores say finding alternative supply chains is very difficult. That means that it affects their pricing. So we are trying to provide them the resources that they need. But it’s a very real issue.
How have Go Local cardholder sales and engagement been in 2025?
Seems like sales are about the same as last year, which I look at as a positive. For instance, [outdoor gear consignment store] Second Gear has sold 50% more cards this year than they did last year. The story they had coming out of Helene was all the people who wanted to support them. The Hop [Handcrafted Ice Cream store] is the same way. Their card sales are way up. So we have a mixture, with some being up a great deal and some about the same or a little bit down from the prior year. So I feel that it all meant to be about the same. And that makes me feel good, coming out of Helene.
What significant changes has Go Local undergone since Helene?
One of the first things is the collaborations with all of the other member-based community organizations and how we work together much more collaboratively to reach out to our member base. One example was right after Helene, when we were doing info sessions at Mojo Coworking Asheville. All the associations were getting information out. Groups like the Small Business Administration
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: Sherree Lucas, executive director of Go Local, says supporting local businesses through collaboration as well as keeping spending in the community are key to Asheville’s economic recovery and future growth. Photo courtesy of Go Local
and FEMA would come in and talk. I’ve heard businesses say how important those meetings were. It wasn’t only about the information, it was about the sense of community. We’ve sat through so many speakers helping to share with our community what other cities had experienced. I think those have been very helpful. Like the tariff session, there’s a lot more sharing where the information is.
What kinds of support do local businesses still need, and how is Go Local helping?
Money. They’re still looking for grants. Not nearly enough businesses got what they needed. There’s still issues with insurance, with FEMA. It takes a while. I believe our tourism numbers have not come back yet. That means storefront
revenue is down, and revenue in the service industry is down. There’s a lot of really, really good messaging that Asheville is open. Explore Asheville is spending money. It just takes time. The messaging has to continue to be very strong.
What did you learn from your latest survey, and how does it shape future planning?
We asked our business members to describe Asheville now. There was a strong emphasis on resilience and struggle. Many responses highlighted words like "determined" or “creative.” However, a significant number indicated they’re struggling, recovering, hurting, suffering under economic pressure. Some specifically noted Helene. Other themes included “community focused,” then swung to “tired” and “stretched.” Then, asking them what words they would use five years from now, the overwhelming sentiment was “growth,” “prosperous,” “thriving,” “vibrant,” “flourishing.” That was very, very encouraging.
How will Go Local put that survey data to work going forward?
The question is: How do we help? How does Go Local make a difference and
support this effort to get us there in five years? One of the key things is continuing the collaboration among all these community-based organizations and maintaining a seat at the table to represent the local independent business community. I see that many other organizations feel the same way. We all recognize the value in helping, sharing ideas and collaborating — whether on social media, events or other efforts — and we've seen the benefits across our membership base. I just see us doing more of that.
It’s not that Go Local was ever out there alone — we’ve always sought partnerships — but these collaborations have taken on a new level of importance. We’ve seen the impact they can have. If the (Asheville) Downtown Association or the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association is doing something, I’ll share their surveys, promote their events — like Taste of Asheville or their annual meeting — and make sure our members know about them. That approach aligns so well with Asheville’s culture. We’ve always understood the importance of collaboration, but after Helene, and through working more with different organizations across Asheville, we saw just how valuable and impactful that deeper level of collaboration can be. Continuing that will be really important. X
Business of Community
Unsung heroes
These Go Local independent business owners used their skills, expertise and love of community to help their neighbors recover post-Helene. Here are some excerpts from their stories. To read the full texts with photos, visit https://golocalasheville.com/business-of-community-stories.
AMP’D DESIGNS
828-808-1946
ampddesigns.com
“I collaborated with Nicole McConville to co-host free monthly events.
‘Resilience Roundtable: WNC Business Pivot Chats’ were discussions to connect and brainstorm ideas and strategies for reaching customers beyond Asheville while WNC recovered from Helene.” — Alyssa Downey
LARK ABOUT DESIGN CO.
828-423-0510
larkaboutdesign.com
“I taught people without water to manage their waste with DIY dry toilets.
‘Poop Crew’ grew to 30-plus people, raising $5,000-plus. We provided dry toilets, emergency sanitation supplies and education, and gave out 1,000-plus toilet kits.” — Lark Frazier
STARBOY CREATIVE
720-609-6512
starboycreative.com
“Teryn and I raised $6,000 in those first few days from friends, families and our extended network. Most funds were used to fill our rented U-Haul with needed supplies to take to smaller mountain towns.” — Dan Conerd
ZHOOSH CREATIVE
718-304-6004
zhooshcreative.com
“After Helene, we created an Asheville Holiday Gift Guide website that would spotlight local shops and make it easy for shoppers, both near and far, to support our city with the click of a button.” — Denise Foy
Entertainment
FOX-N-OTTER ESCAPE ROOMS
3 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-585-4302
escaperoomsasheville. com
“We invited Crisis Response International, hosting operations for months. 990-plus volunteers served 30,000-plus meals from a mobile kitchen.
We relocated to BB Barns, a larger space, and became the largest distribution center in South Asheville.” — Ferrin Cole
LEVEL 256
CLASSIC ARCADE BAR
79 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-412-5537
level256arcade.com
“Anna and I raised over $58,000 for our three employees by raffling a pinball machine. All proceeds went directly to our employees. We sold 2,957 tickets and did the drawing live on Instagram Oct. 8.” — Adam Yates
WNC NATURE CENTER GIFT SHOP
75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville
828-259-8083
wildwnc.org
“In addition to individual employee efforts, we teamed up to volunteer at a distribution site, moving, sorting and handing out emergency supplies. We also helped operate a comfort station with access to showers, laundry, etc.” — Kate Frost
Food & Drink
ALL DAY DARLING
102 Montford Ave., Asheville
828-505-3701
alldaydarlingavl.com
“Cooked everything that didn’t go bad and gave to the neighborhood. Used the restaurant as a donation and distribution center for goods and water before reopening. Served free hot meals out of the window.” — Megan Beaver
FUEGOS GRILL
828-723-1917
fuegosgrillcatering.com
“When there wasn’t power, we started our open-fire grill and invited the neighbors to join us for dinner. When power returned, we went to The RAD Brewery and cooked meals for free for our community.”
— Guillermo von Foerster
OLD EUROPE PASTRIES
18 Broadway, Asheville 828-255-5999
oldeuropepastries.com
“Immediately after Helene, we gave away food. The owner, Melinda Vetro, funded free breakfasts and essential goods for a month. We became a small distribution hub, connecting people with needs to those who could help.” — Abigail Schrupp
RED FIDDLE VITTLES
1800 Hendersonville Road, Suite 9, Asheville 828-412-0506
redfiddlevittles.com
“We raised more than $60,000 and provided more than 8,500 free meals for Red Cross shelter residents, first responders and volunteers.” — Matt Farr
THE MULE AT DEVIL’S FOOT BEVERAGE
131 Sweeten Creek Road, Suite 10, Asheville 828-357-7601 devilsfootbrew.com/ location/the-mule
“We turned our taproom into a relief effort hub. We received and distributed clean drinking water. We connected with breweries and other businesses in Asheville to plan how to get water to keep them operational.” — Katie Smith
NATURAL PATHWAYS ACUPUNCTURE
251 Haywood St., Suite D, Asheville 828-484-1050
naturalpathwaysacupuncture.com
VINTAGE KAVA
141 Reems Creek Road, Weaverville 828-484-8186
vintagekava.com
“The month at our kava bar following Helene consisted of community cookouts, rescue missions for some missing community members, coordinating helicopter supply drops and planning daily distribution routes to areas that were not getting supplies.”
— Danielle Senzig
Health & Wellness
DRAGON PHOENIX
KUNG FU
51 N. Merrimon Ave, 109, Asheville 828-423-2868
dragonphoenix.org
“I spent time in Marshall digging out mud and gutting buildings. When electricity returned, we offered free tai chi and qigong classes hoping they would help people process the trauma to start the healing process.” — Aaron Dison
FRANNY’S FARMACY
frannysfarmacy.com
“Franny stood at the helm of her farm, transforming it into more than a refuge for the displaced. It became a beacon of hope, feeding the community and offering support to those who lost everything.”
— Tynesha Carden
“We collaborated with the nonprofit Acupuncture Without Borders, setting up mobile clinics throughout Asheville and offering free acupuncture, trauma and PTSD pain treatments for anyone who came — to help people process what happened to them.”
— Dr. Sarah Fields
POSITIVE TRANSFORMATIONS
7 Beaverdam Road, Suite 205, Asheville 828-808-2860
positivetransformations. net
“Post Helene, through a Foster Family Alliance of NC grant, I provided trauma therapy to foster families, many with special needs children, that experienced flooded homes, loss of access to water, food, clothing and supplies.”
— Sheila McKeon
RIVERROCK CLINIC
670 Weaverville Road, Suite 1, Asheville 828-222-3782 riverrockclinic.com
“As Helene struck, Dr. Lok was the first physician to arrive at a local medical shelter, caring for many vulnerable patients. For weeks following, she volunteered at a LatinX community center, providing care and medications.”
— Dr. Catherine Lok
WAKE FOOT SANCTUARY
1 Page Ave., Suite 115, Asheville 828-575-9799 wakespa.com
“We donated foot soaks and massage experiences to local volunteers and nominees within our communities, partnered on marketing collaborations with local businesses we hadn’t worked with before and raised retail sales funds for local donations.”
— Ashton Kacsmaryk
VINTAGE KAVA
Pet & Pet Care
PATTON AVENUE PET COMPANY
109 Patton Ave., Asheville
828-255-7737
pattonavenuepet.com
“Having retained power, we opened for charging phones and connecting to WiFi, posting our password on our door for after-hours use. Also as a donation center, we received and distributed food, pet food and supplies.” — Jenna Wilson
THE LAUNDROMUTT
150 Murphy Hill Road, Weaverville 828-747-2197 thelaundromuttasheville. com
“We loaned our grooming space — table, tub plus utilities — on weekends free to the team of Fetch Dog Spa RAD whose salon was destroyed. We also offered for our customers to fill up water here.” — Emily Marvin Professional Services
GREEN RIVER WOODS
24 Ormond Ave., Asheville 828-450-4535
greenriverwoods.com
“We worked with others to clear roads and remove trees from personal property. We removed, milled and dried logs into furniture-grade lumber, helping flood zone woodworkers by salvaging and donating what we could.” — Matt Christie
LIBERTY LOCKSMITH
828-275-2758
libertylocksmithavl.com
“We have helped get generators back online because they use keys that, due to infrequency of use, get lost. We give discounts to people in the community who have been directly affected by Helene.” — Gabriel Berlin WOODWITCH ARBORICULTURE
828-200-9852 facebook.com/ woodwitcharbor
“We did volunteer work for folks that needed trees removed from their personal property. I lost my home to flooding. I found a rental and shifted into action to mitigate the disaster.” — Devin Morgan
Retail
HOUSE
OF BLACK CAT MAGIC
841 Haywood Road, Asheville
828-423-0111 houseofblackcatmagic. com
“We gave pet supplies to the public, the ASPCA and Red Cross. We were open every day and gave away three moving trucks full of supplies. We offered free/low-cost clinics with Paws Mobile Veterinary.”
— Hannah Soboleski
MORGAN’S COMICS
600 Haywood Road, Asheville
828-505-4003 morganscomics.com
“We entertained people in the happy environment of Morgan’s Comics. We watched others’ children while they stood in line to get food or utilized the free Wi-Fi close by. We delivered supplies to nearby towns.” — Morgan Albritton
PURL’S YARN EMPORIUM
830 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
828-253-2750
purlsyarn.com
“When we could text, we connected with our stitch group, sharing information and resources. We donated thousands of dollars to local fiber farms and artists, yarn bombed Wall Street and raised nearly $10,000 for BeLoved Asheville.”
— Elizabeth & Rik Schell
STUDIO A
344 Depot St., Suite 100, Asheville 828-423-6459
ashevillestudioa.com
“I had a T-shirt fundraiser at my studio/gallery where I raised money for RAD artists who had lost everything. My husband and I organized a singer-songwriter benefit concert and raised $3,000plus for BeLoved Asheville.”
— Andrea Kulish Wilhelm
WAXON BATIK & DYE STUDIO
726 Haywood Road, Asheville
828-367-7537
waxonstudio.com
“I turned my storefront into a small distribution center! I collected goods from outof-town friends. Putting the word out, I met locals at my shop so that they could take what they needed.”
— Jessica Kaufman
MORGAN’S COMICS
Pricing pressures
BY BROOKE RANDLE
Tariffs take toll on local businesses brandle@mountainx.com
Whether you drink it, wear it or cuddle it, some local purchases will cost more, thanks to ongoing tariff threats.
The Trump administration has been launching — and then pausing — tariffs on scores of countries since April, injecting volatility into all global trade. The policies have had a large impact on small businesses that rely on imported goods or goods manufactured domestically with foreign-sourced materials.
As trade policies ripple through the global economy, Asheville shop owners grapple with rising costs and share the tough decisions amid waves of uncertainty.
WINE WOES
At Metro Wines on Charlotte Street, co-owner John Kerr says tariffs have disrupted far more than just the bottom line. European wines, Kerr says, are often less expensive than their American counterparts for the same quality and are central to Metro Wines’ offerings. But recent policy shifts have caused widespread delays.
“We’re a value-oriented shop, so this hurts my brand,” Kerr says. “I want to be able to offer the highest quality for the lowest price.”
When various tariffs were announced in April, Kerr responded quickly, calling distributors and ordering as much as possible of his most in-demand wines.
“They literally stopped ships on their way across the ocean and turned them back. Then when things looked a little better, they did start up again,” he explains. “But that kind of on-again, offagain is still going on. There are wines that are popular that we can’t provide right now.”
NOT SO SIMPLE: Roughly 85% of toys sold in the U.S. are made by producers in China, says Sarah Evers, right, who co-owns Dancing Bear Toys with her sister, Erika Evers, left. Moving toy manufacturing to the U.S. isn’t as simple as some might think. Photo by Chad Truitt
Being a small, independent bottle shop that focuses on small, family-run European wineries means many bottles are limited in supply, even under normal conditions.
“There are very many, very good wines in grocery stores, but they’re the corporate wines. They never run out,” Kerr says. “The kind of wines we sell … are really hard to get. When there’s a huge rush to buy those kinds of wines, that, in particular, hits us hard.”
Some wines are now up to 10% more expensive, though Kerr says his shop is trying to keep increases to a minimum. He’s already preparing for the holiday
explains that roughly 85% of toys sold in the U.S. are made in China by producers that have both the infrastructure and rigorous safety standards in place. Moving toy manufacturing to the U.S. isn’t as simple as some might think.
“We don’t have the dyes and all of the different things to make them,” she says. “It’s easy for a lot of people to just be like, ‘Great, let’s move it to the United States,’ but it would take years to get up and going.”
Like Kerr, Evers began taking a proactive approach to purchasing once tariffs on Chinese goods were announced.
“As soon as this started rolling out, we immediately went to our bigger vendors who had a lot of products already in the country, and we tried to pretariff-buy,” Evers says.
Thanks to extra storage space, both in its oversized storefront and off-site, the store was able to stockpile enough toys to carry it through the season. “It looks like Christmas in here,” she says. “We don’t usually have this many toys this time of year.”
Still, even with smart planning, prices have crept upward. In most cases, customers are seeing increases of just $1 to $3 per toy, she says. But even that is noticeable.
season by stockpiling choice bottles for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“The only thing I really want people to know is … if they do want the kinds of wines that we sell, they ought to be in communication with us and other shops like us,” Kerr advises. “Don’t wait until the week before Thanksgiving to get your favorite wine; it might not be there.”
STOCKING UP FOR SANTA
At Dancing Bear Toys just south of downtown, which carries unique and educational toys, co-owner Sarah Evers
“People are like, ‘Oh, I remember this used to be $19.99, and now it’s $21.99.’ And it’s like, yeah, the tariffs,” Evers explains. “You hear about it on the news, but it doesn’t seem quite as real until you see the price tag.”
Depending on where Chinese tariff policy ultimately lands, Evers recognizes there may be a price point that she won’t be able to continue purchasing certain imported goods.
“Toys have a limit to how high they can go,” she continues. “You can’t double the price of a stuffed animal and have it be reasonable.”
FASHION WITH A HIDDEN COST
At Adlib Clothing, a boutique on Haywood Street in downtown Asheville,
Smoothing techniques
Elena Gupta, regional director of the Asheville branch of UNC’s Small Business and Technology Development Center, says there are several steps small business owners can take to protect themselves during uncertain times.
• Strengthen supplier relationships: “Don’t hesitate to negotiate pricing, request discounts, or seek more favorable terms,” says Gupta.
• Spread tariff costs: “Distribute added costs across various products to avoid sudden spikes.”
• Review invoices carefully: “Tariffs should only apply to eligible goods, not freight or insurance,” she explains.
• Leverage industry networks: “Connect with peers to exchange insights or make joint purchases for better pricing.”
• Reassess your business model regularly: “Adapt your strategy as conditions change to stay resilient and competitive,” Gupta adds. X
ROLLING WITH THE PUNCHES:
Simone Martin, who owns Adlib Clothing in downtown Asheville, says clothing stores need to purchase a season in advance, which proves difficult amid the uncertainty of changing tariff policy. Photo by Chad Truitt
owner Simone Martin is also feeling the impact. Though many of her most popular brands are based in the U.S., some source fabrics or manufacturing in China or Europe.
“Even if they have all the design and development in the U.S., we are having to search even more right now to validate where those materials are produced,” Martin explains.
In the fashion industry, shops buy a season in advance. That means the impact of current tariffs might not show up until fall or even next spring.
“Now when we’re investigating a new brand, we’re really going deep to understand where the material is coming from,” Martin says. “If it’s not shipped from the U.S., I will have some additional bill to pay.”
Martin notes that, like many of the smaller retailers that make up Asheville’s business community, Adlib can’t negotiate bulk pricing or extended payment terms the way big-box stores can. And with suppliers often requiring upfront payments, the strain on cash flow can be significant.
“We are a small business,” she says. “We don’t have the leverage.”
FOREIGN TRADE ZONES: A TOOL FOR RELIEF?
While local businesses deal with rising costs, one federal program may offer some relief: Foreign Trade Zones. The Foreign Trade Zone program was created by Congress in 1934 with the goal of expediting and encouraging foreign commerce.
“[Foreign Trade Zones] are secure areas within the United States that are considered to be outside of U.S. Customs territory for tariff purposes,” says Brian White, regional project manager at the Land of Sky Regional Council.
The benefit? Companies that import goods into these zones don’t pay duties until the goods officially enter U.S. commerce, and if those goods are reexported, they may avoid duties altogether.
White says there are more than 200 Foreign Trade Zones across the U.S, including one in Greer, S.C.
“Businesses that are operating in a Foreign Trade Zone often are investing locally. They’re expanding facilities, creating better-paying jobs and encouraging export activity,” White says. “It’s really a tool in the toolbox for economic development.”
But because the trade zones are only available to businesses within 60 miles or a 90-minute drive from that Customs and Border Protection office, White says a large portion of Buncombe County falls out of the Greer zone. One local priority is getting Asheville Regional Airport designated as a port of entry, which would expand the customs-free zone to include all of Buncombe.
“We’ve been having conversations with local legislators, trying to get some funding in the state budget to allow for that airport improvement,” he says.
WEATHERING THE STORM
Another resource for local businesses dealing with international variables is the Asheville branch of UNC’s Small Business and Technology Development Center.
“Tariffs are one part of the cost of the product,” says Elena Gupta, the center’s regional director. “So it's just like everything falls into one bucket, and you have to prepare for unexpected costs everywhere.”
The center offers free help to business owners on a range of issues, including how to plan for tariff policy.
“Tariffs have a domino effect across the region. Businesses are intertwined with each other, especially manufacturing businesses,” says Gupta. “This can lead to slower production in the end, and it also might lead to reduced profit margins.”
Despite the challenges, Evers says Asheville’s customer base — both locals and visitors — understands the value of supporting local businesses, which she hopes will help her and others weather the economic storm.
“What people love about Asheville is all these cool shops that offer cool little different things,” she said. “I think we are so lucky to be in Asheville, because this town really does support local.” X
Polemical threats
Local elected officials reflect on increase in political violence gparlier@mountainx.com
BY GREG PARLIER
It’s no secret that the national political rhetoric has gotten increasingly noxious in recent years, at times escalating into violent action. But the June 14 shootings of state lawmakers in Minnesota show that pointed political violence isn’t solely aimed at officials based in Washington, D.C., raising concerns among Western North Carolina’s legislative delegation.
In the early morning hours on June 14, Democratic Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed and Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in what have been called politically motivated shootings. Hoffman, who was shot nine times by the assailant, was released from intensive care July 7. His wife, Yvette, survived being shot eight times, reportedly jumping on their daughter, Hope Hoffman, to shield her from bullets during the attack.
The targeting of state-level officials has members of Buncombe County’s legislative delegation feeling a range of emotions and exercising increased caution when appearing at public events or walking the streets of Raleigh.
State Sen. Julie Mayfield, D-49th District, says that when she heard about the Minnesota shootings, she was overwhelmed with “disbelief and a tremendous sadness” both for the victims and for all who take the risk of going into politics.
“There is a lot of both public adulation and vitriol that comes with
this job, and we all know it. I'm used to people yelling at me in person, in print, over the phone. I get that, but to think that somebody would actually go to this level — that their hatred, their anger would take them to this level, it really was just unbelievable,” says Mayfield.
N.C. Rep. Lindsey Prather , D-115th District, says she was attending the June 14 No Kings rally in Asheville when she heard about the shootings. Even after Rep. Robert Reives, the N.C. House minority leader, messaged Prather about the attacks, warning the Democratic caucus to exercise caution in public, it took a while for reality to sink in.
“My first reaction was, ‘Oh, my God, that’s horrible,’” she says. “The more I started thinking about it and reading about it, the more I started thinking about how often I make myself available to constituents.”
But political violence soon crept even closer to home.
VERY REAL THREATS
A week after the Minnesota shootings, violent threats directed at North Carolina legislators surfaced on social media. In response to a bill that would have banned shrimp trawling, a controversial method of harvesting that’s been found to have significant negative ecological consequences, protesters from North Carolina coastal communities converged on Raleigh.
While most of them were peacefully asking representatives to vote no on the bill after it had already passed the
ADDED SECURITY: The N.C. General Assembly added metal detectors and advanced screening at the state Legislative Building in 2018. The precautions proved useful earlier this year when a resident was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon into the complex. Image by Adobe Stock. Design by Scott Southwick
N.C. Senate, one opponent took things a step further, specifically targeting Republican Sen. Bill Rabon.
“The commercial fishermen of N.C. pray God will bless Bill Rabon and the other 40 state senators who have voted to end our way of life ... be warned now you deserve to lose your lives!” one now-deleted Facebook post stated, according to The News & Observer of Raleigh. Another post said “41 Senators in Raleigh need to understand what happened to Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman in Minnesota can happen here in North Carolina!”
On June 20, the State Bureau of Investigation arrested the alleged poster, Brunswick County resident Anthony Wayne Street, and charged him with making threats against executive, legislative or court officers, according to The News & Observer The incidents rattled lawmakers.
“All of that happening together was a little much. Ordinarily, [I would say] ‘Yeah, whatever, a guy on the coast is making these threats.’ But you couldn’t just say that,” Mayfield points out, in light of what had just happened in Minnesota. “In my view, every act of violence like that gives somebody else permission to not just consider it, but to carry it out.”
State Rep. Brian Turner, D-116th District, says the events led law enforcement to increase its presence and hold training sessions with legislators on how to stay safe, ratcheting up the tension.
A previous incident had already heightened state lawmakers’ level of concern. In May, a raw milk advocate was arrested at the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh for carrying a concealed gun into the complex. Police
found her gun when she was going through a security screening.
Turner is the only member of the WNC delegation who was in office before 2018, when the State Capitol Police first installed metal detectors at the entrances of the Legislative Building. Thinking back to the time when you could walk right into the building to see your representative without passing through any security seems “quaint” nowadays, Turner observes. And though he says the increased security inside the building gives him comfort, getting there is increasingly nerve-wracking as violent attacks accumulate.
“I do worry about walking from the sidewalk and getting to the building. I definitely look over my shoulder, I definitely check out who’s around me before I get out of my car. I definitely park in the garage underneath, if there’s space available, so that I can avoid [walking outside].”
Although Turner says he did receive threats in prior years, he feels the dangers have escalated recently. “It just feels different. It feels like people are more likely to follow through on a threat than they were in the past.”
NOT SURPRISING
In light of the escalating rhetoric, Turner says he found the Minnesota shootings “incredibly concerning but not surprising.”
According to Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative (BDI), a research group that works to track and mitigate the risk of political violence in the United States, there was a 14%
increase in the number of threat and harassment incidents targeting local elected officials around the country in 2024 compared with 2023, and a 74% increase over 2022. As of May of this year, there had been more than 200 such incidents nationwide, compared with 600 in all of 2024, BDI reports.
That has resulted in heightened fears among public officials, negatively impacting their willingness to engage in political activities, according to both BDI and CivicPulse, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research group that focuses on local and state governance. In the wake of the 2024 assassination attempts against then-candidate Donald Trump, local officials surveyed by the two groups reported a significant increase in levels of concern, their joint report found. That affects officials’ willingness to seek reelection, work on controversial topics or participate in public events. “Some officials tell us that they are reconsidering public service altogether due to safety concerns,” the report notes.
After the Minnesota attacks, Mayfield decided to remove the legislative license plate she had previously placed on her car, which read “Senate 49.”
“There’s no point in rolling out a red carpet to people who might be angry and might come across my car or end up behind me in traffic and decide, ‘I’m pissed. I’m going to do something about this.’”
WHO’S TO BLAME?
WNC’s state delegation lays the increased political violence squarely at the feet of the Trump administration. “It was an incredibly tragic event,” Turner says about the Minnesota attacks. “But honestly, I feel like this is where a lot of the Trumpian rhetoric has been pointing us toward.”
Mayfield agrees. “In my view, he’s the one who got this whole freaking party started,” she says of Trump. “When you have people like that who don’t just
roundly come out and condemn it, it gives everybody permission, and they think, ‘Oh, well, this is what I’m supposed to do: This is my answer. Now, if I don’t like something the legislature does, I go and shoot my legislator.’”
“It’s a leadership problem,” adds Democratic N.C. Rep. Eric Ager of District 114. “If there are political candidates out there who are using this kind of rhetoric where the other political side is an enemy, it gives people an excuse to do things that they might not do on their own.”
State Sen. Warren Daniel of District 46, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards and U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, all Republicans, did not respond to requests for comment for this story.
Rep. Julie von Haefen, a Wake County Democrat from District 36, reposted a video from a June 14 No Kings rally that included an image of a sign featuring a fake severed head resembling President Trump, causing some on the right to demand her resignation. Von Haefen later took down the post and apologized for having included the image, calling it inappropriate.
Buncombe County delegation members all agree that there is no place for that kind of imagery in political discourse. Still, they say there’s a stark difference between reposting a photo and the type of rhetoric coming from the top of the Republican Party. Turner and Ager both say it’s a red herring to call the violent rhetoric a “both-sides issue.”
“It is a Trump and a MAGA problem,” Turner maintains. “I think that when Trump does things like call [California Gov. Gavin Newsom] scum, when he refers to people as vermin, uses dehumanizing language and when he pardons the Jan. 6 [insurrectionists], it tells people that it’s OK to do this. And not only is it OK to do it, but it is promoted, and if you get caught, we will excuse you of it and pardon you. So why wouldn’t people think that they can just act with impunity?”
“Every act of violence like that gives somebody else permission to not just consider it, but to carry it out.”
— state Sen. Julie Mayfield
WATCH YOUR BACK
The violent threats and incidents have WNC’s legislators thinking twice about appearing in public.
“You start thinking back on the coffee hours that you do during the campaign, where people can just come talk to me,” Prather explains. “When I first started doing those, I had a couple people say, ‘Wow, you’re really putting yourself out there, huh?’ I never thought twice about it, but in hindsight, you think back on all the times that you are kind of open and exposed and vulnerable. I don’t plan to stop doing those things, but it certainly makes me look at them in another light.”
Prather adds that she’s seldom recognized in public as an elected official, and that level of obscurity helps protect her compared with national level politicians.
As her father, N. King Prather, wrote in a recent op-ed in the Asheville Citizen-Times , her commitment to transparency and availability both makes her stronger as a legislator and renders her more vulnerable to attacks. He worries that some political opponents depict her as an enemy rather than as someone with whom one may disagree.
“I am proud to be her father. That does not reduce my fear,” he writes.
Similarly, Turner says he worries about his 18-year-old daughter, with whom he works to ensure that she’s constantly aware of her surroundings. Both he and his wife — legislative assistant Hope Turner , who is deaf — take extra security precautions at home to deter intruders.
DON’T LET THEM WIN
At the end of the day, all four Buncombe County legislators say they’re willing to run again and don’t plan to let the violence impede their availability to constituents.
“I think when you have a job to do, you’ve got to do it, and you can take certain precautions, but you can’t let people scare you, because I think then they win without even trying,” Ager points out.
“In current America, I could be gunned down going to the movies,” Turner notes. “Sometimes I’m not sure exactly how much more danger I put myself in by being in elected office as I would be going to the mall. So, you know, while these threats are concerning, they’re not going to stop me from wanting to serve.”
Mayfield sounds a similar note.
“I’m not going to stop doing anything I’m doing: I have to do my job. … That requires me to be present in public and to speak to the media and things like that. ... What I will do is pay much more attention to my surroundings, and pay attention to the cars that are on the street outside of my house before I walk out the door.”
Ager, meanwhile, says he’s more concerned about discouraging potential future political candidates from running.
“I think that’s a real problem. The reality of it is that we need all of us to come together and have discussions where we disagree, even vehemently at times, on certain policies. What we can’t do is declare, because we have different policy preferences, that the other side is the enemy of our country.” X
by Lisa Allen | lallen@mountainx.com
The
bees would like a minute of your time Week of the Pet
Batter up! Pitcher is ready to take on the competition, from wrestling his brother to being the quickest eater of his litter. He’s got all the skills! After a long game, he’s ready to curl up beside his people on the couch or bask in the sun. He’ll make the sweetest addition to any team. Go to avl.mx/ey0 to find out more and see all available animals.
How do you feel about pollinators and their conservation in Western North Carolina? UNC Asheville McCullough Fellow has created a Pollinator Conservation Survey to gather attitudes toward pollinator conservation. The survey takes less than 10 minutes and includes questions about awareness of different species and one’s connection to the natural world. If you would like to participate, go to avl.mx/exs. X
Solemn Ride
Nearly 200 bicyclists rode from Marshall to a roadside memorial near Panhandle Road on July 5 to remember Jacob Hill, 32, and Leonard Antonelli, 27. The competitive cyclists were killed July 1 when a dump truck traveling on N.C. 251 crossed the centerline and hit them while they were participating in a weekly bike ride between Marshall and Asheville. Marshall police and Madison County EMS provided an escort.
Apply by Monday, July 21, for an Arts Build Community grant.
“Public art” is defined as any permanent or temporary work of art created or led by artists or craftspeople. The project or event must be in a space that is accessible for the public and can include murals, sculpture, community art, digital media and performances and festivals. Funded projects must be free and open to the public and include some aspect of community engagement. Grants range from $1,000-2,500. For more info, visit avl.mx/exz. X
Muni Golf with a Twist
The filing deadline to run for Weaverville and Woodfin elections is noon Friday, July 18. Up for grabs in November are four-year terms for Weaverville mayor and three seats each on both Weaverville and Woodfin town councils. Three seats for two-year terms are up for the
The front nine of the Asheville Municipal Golf Course at 226 Fairview Drive is temporarily turning into a disc golf course while work continues to restore the site after it was destroyed by Tropical Storm Helene. The 18-hole disc golf course was designed in part by Chris Dickerson, 2020 U.S. Disc Golf Champion. “The damage from Helene devastated this property from a golf standpoint,” Chris Corl, the city’s director of community and regional entertainment facilities, said in a press release. “This project is our way of transforming that destruction into an interim recreational space for our community while we work … to return golf to the site.” The disc course opens at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1. A single round is $7, and all-day play is $13 for Asheville City residents. For more info, go to avl.mx/exu X
Calling all Candidates
Business as usual?
Downtown Asheville merchants get creative to boost sales
BY BRIONNA DALLARA
bdallara@mountainx.com
Downtown Asheville merchants are not seeing the surge of summer shoppers they had hoped for post-Tropical Storm Helene. Still awaiting even keel nine months after the storm, shop owners are testing their marketing prowess to bring back business.
Several downtown businesses say they are about 20% down in sales this year compared with last, says Hayden Plemmons, executive director of the Asheville Downtown Association (ADA).
That metric aligns with the 20% dip in foot traffic recorded in June by Placer. ai, a tracking software used by the ADA to record visitors’ geolocation through third-party apps. That data, Plemmons says, is based on a four-week period compared with the same time last year.
“We’re seeing spikes on Saturdays and Sundays a bit, but all the data is kind of telling the same story,” Plemmons says.
At the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Erin Leonard, vice president of communications, says the organization is working toward shifting the narrative that Asheville is still closed. Even today, visitors call the chamber to ask whether downtown is open, Leonard says.
“We still need things, but a lot of businesses are moving back to business as usual,” Leonard says, listing tax abatements, rebuilding incentives and staff retention as ongoing concerns.
To lure customers back, local businesses are trying just about everything from sidewalk chalk to scavenger hunts to working with social media influencers. Xpress talked to a few business owners to find out how they’re drawing customers when advertising budgets are nonexistent.
GROWING PLANS
On Rankin Avenue, a sandwich sign outside The Green Room Plant Shop acts as a mini marquee, enticing pedestrians to stop and smell the flowers — or greet the green tree frog that lives inside. Other city strollers are lured from blocks away via chalked arrows and messaging scribbled on the sidewalks leading to the shop.
The chalk started as a promotional tool for the shop’s opening day last year and is now a weekly task for owner Dara Belohlavek. Weather permitting,
Business of community
From
Belohlavek hits the sidewalks once a week to add chalked messages in a oneblock radius around the store, but often ventures farther to Pritchard Park, Pack Square and Broadway.
“Many people give us feedback that they came here because of the chalk,” Belohlavek says. “We usually put some arrows saying, ‘This direction, keep walking. You’re almost there’ [or] ‘We’ve got a green tree frog. Come say hi.’”
Belohlavek has fun sprinkling in trendy and relevant slang, too. “For example, lately I’ve been chalking ‘It’s giving cute plant shop’ which is popular with Gen Z and younger generations.” (Translation: the characteristic or vibe of something.)
Another lure is the shop dog, Chance, a very chill golden retriever. “The pets definitely bring in a lot of people,” adds Belohlavek.
The budding shop celebrated its one-year anniversary last month. Right after the storm, it was buoyed by the community wanting to support local businesses, but that support trailed off in the spring, says Belohlavek.
“We were really expecting May and June to be amping up for summer,” Belohlavek says. However, the shop’s June sales were 10% less than the February-May average.
Now, the business that offers houseplants, pottery, fresh-cut flowers and local art is expanding its services to local businesses to make up for lost revenue from individuals.
in customers with
and shop
also rents plants to local creatives for music videos or set design and is a stop along the Asheville Detours scavenger hunt tour.
The scavenger hunt features lists of businesses, or “detours,” that groups stop into for tastings, interactive activities and shopping. At the plant shop, folks enjoy wine and snacks while they build terrariums.
“It's just the perfect business model,” Belohlavek says. “It brings awareness to us. So people know that we’re here, they have an experience, they usually post it on their [social media] story and [it] travels that way.”
As a young entrepreneur, the 30-yearold says she’s grown more comfortable asking other businesses for help with things like grants, tax forms and strategies after the storm.
“It’s been a lot to digest and navigate as someone who’s young and new to this [business] world, who’s trying to figure it out and just take it day by day,” Belohlavek says. “It’s not going to always work, and some days are going to be hard. But other days are full of our favorite customers who are encouraging and show up every Thursday to buy a bouquet of flowers. That’s definitely the energy that keeps you going.”
A CALL TO CATER
The shop offers monthly plant upkeep, plant installation and plant rentals.
“That sort of collaboration with local businesses takes the weight off of local individuals and strengthens the network of businesses so we can keep afloat,” says Sami Baker, the shop’s creative director.
The shop recently partnered with DSSOLVR brewery on Lexington Avenue to “plantify” its DJ booth for summer music events. The shop
SWEET SERVICE: Old Europe Pastries gave out free coffee and pastries after Tropical Storm Helene. Consistently showing up for the community is what has sustained the business, says General Manager Abby Moore, pictured. Photo by Chad Truitt
At Old Europe Pastries on Broadway, those reciprocal interactions and community relationships are what have sustained the 31-year-old business, says General Manager Abby Moore. And fortunately, she says, business this summer is shaking out to be similar to last year.
“In the last couple years, we’ve been consistently growing. But instead of growing, we’re pretty much just keeping even,” Moore says. “We’re extremely humbled by the fact that people continue to show up to support us, and that’s why we put the love, the care and the attention into everything that we do.”
That care was evident when the bakery handed out free coffee and pastries right after Helene, serving 300-500 people a day, says Moore.
The shop’s goodwill was captured by Jillian Speece and Nathaniel Paul Hoff, full-time musicians and filmmakers who documented the generosity on a Helene video they posted on their YouTube channel The Bergamont. The video drove $12,000 into a GoFundMe link that was included.
“It was really great. I took all that money, and it went to cover the cost of what we were donating, but also we divided that up among staff. That was their paycheck,” Moore says.
Much of the shop’s marketing relies on social media, which Moore curates. However, Moore says, the main marketing is the shop’s customer service and consistency.
GROWING BUSINESS:
luring
sidewalk chalk
pets, The Green Room Plant Shop on Rankin Avenue is branching out to bring back business. Pictured, from left, are the shop’s creative director, Sami Baker, her pup, Chance, and shop owner Dara Belohlavek.
Photo by Chad Truitt
“We’re trying to make new connections with other local businesses and support them. But I think still, at the end of the day, it’s just us being here, being open,” Moore says.
Old Europe also supports other local businesses, such as serving Dynamite Coffee from Black Mountain and wines from Stellar Farm and Wine in Mars Hill.
It’s also been a busy wedding season for Old Europe bakers, who’ve had their hands full on weekends catering cakes and dessert platters to weddings. A lot of business stems from clients whose bakers, unfortunately, closed from Helene, says Moore.
“It’s been a busy one for sure. There’s been some weekends where we have four deliveries, four different weddings on Saturday, three on Friday and two on Sundays — [but] we’re doing it,” she says.
Between May and August last year, the bakery catered 39 weddings. This year it’s on track to complete 57, Moore says.
Even still, the bakery feels the ripple of business closures nearby.
“We’ve watched so many businesses just on this street alone close that we never expected were going to close,” Moore says. “As much as people don't want to acknowledge that this is a tourist-based city, it really is — especially downtown.”
For example, Moore cites ananda hair studio, which closed its Broadway location post-Helene, taking with it the stylists and salon clients who popped in regularly.
“That affects us directly,” Moore says. “Now there's no ladies with [curlers] in their hair coming in anymore.”
GOING OUT ON A BRIM
Whereas many businesses closed after Helene, Tanya Johnson took a different path. She turned her traveling business, She’s Crafty AVL, into a brick-and-mortar shop called AVL Hat Bar on Lexington Avenue, which opened in May.
“It kind of legitimizes my business for one, and No. 2, if people see me at a market and they’re like, ‘Oh, do you have a brick-and-mortar,’ then they can come and see more stuff. And it elevates your brand at that point,” Johnson says.
Between lost locations, such as Foundation Studios in the River Arts District, canceled craft markets and damaged wares, Johnson says she lost $30,000 in revenue and products to Helene. In the months following the storm, she traveled to craft markets across the Southeast for sales.
“At one point, I never wanted a brick-and-mortar, because it ties you to a place, right? And you can’t travel. But after traveling so much, I was like, it
NEW PLACE: After Helene, Tanya Johnson turned her traveling craft business into AVL Hat Bar, where groups and individuals can get a custom hat branded by Johnson with unique designs. Photo by Chad Truitt
would be nice to just open the door and turn on the lights,” Johnson says.
To bolster her business, she lent hats to Birchwood Bridal for a wedding photo shoot and staged hat-making wine nights with JP Bourgeois Wines and South Slope Cheese. During August, Johnson will be customizing hats every weekend for Wicked Weed Brewing’s country music series on Biltmore Avenue.
She’s also tapping into other business owners’ expertise.
“People love to tell business owners what to do, and that’s fine, but they don’t have experience with business, and I think that it’s important to have mentors, to collaborate with other businesses,” Johnson says.
The power of chalk, for example, is a lesson she picked up. Johnson (literally) draws people to her shop with sidewalk messages.
“I think it brings the type of demographic that we’re looking for to the shop, because they’re a little adventurous, they’re a little serious, they’re
kind of quirky,” Johnson says. “And it’s so fun.”
That’s what draws 80% of the people to the shop, she says. “The other 20% are usually people who follow us on Instagram, want to or live in the building, or work in the building, and they want to check us out.”
ZOOMING OUT
While business owners attend to the details, business groups are creating events that lift all businesses, such as expanding on the Billy Strings concert with a bingo game in February that took people from business to business, and the Downtown After 5 series at Pack Square.
“Many people reported their best day in business since the hurricane on April 18, which was our first Downtown After Five,” Plemmons says, noting it drew 7,000 people into Pack Square.
“We heard from businesses that they'd never had such great business on a Downtown After Five night, and it felt like drawing people to downtown for that encouraged them to go out afterwards,” Plemmons says.
Most recently, the ADA held its annual Independence Day Block Party on the South Slope. This year’s event drew 14,000 attendees to food trucks, art vendors and multiple festivities. Among the art vendors, Johnson says she made $1,300 in credit card sales alone, nearly tripling the $439 made at last year’s event.
July also kicks off Independent Retailer Month. In a monthlong initiative, led by Go Local Asheville, Merchants of Downtown Asheville (MODA), the Asheville Downtown Association and Explore Asheville, shoppers will be encouraged to shift their spending from big-box businesses to local shops. Check out the sidebar to learn more about the initiative.
“Trails, campaigns and maps that get people that come downtown to stay downtown longer — the businesses just love that,” Plemmons says. X
Spotlighting local in July
This July marks Independent Retailer Month. A monthlong initiative led by Go Local Asheville, Merchants of Downtown Asheville, the Asheville Downtown Association and Explore Asheville entices shoppers to shop locally. The Independent Retailer Month initiative includes:
• The Shift 10 Pledge Campaign asks shoppers to pledge to spend 10% of what they would normally spend at big-box stores and online companies like Amazon at local retailers.
• The Shop Win Scavenger Hunt is an app-based experience where participants check in at retailers across the city for a chance to win a basket of locally made goods and Biltmore Estate tickets.
Explore Asheville also has an Open and Ready Summer toolkit to help businesses market their offerings. The toolkit offers social media templates, email blurbs that businesses can plug their names into for newsletters, photo and content ideas and talking points with visitors. X
Hands on her district
Jennifer Horton on the path less traveled to elected office
BY GREG PARLIER
gparlier@mountainx.com
In an isolated stretch of Fairview, Jennifer Horton and her husband, Kamali, clutched their two frightened children as they rode on the back of a neighbor’s side-by-side utility vehicle.
The initial hurdle was cleared: The Horton family had escaped their home, damaged by the onslaught of wind and rain from Tropical Storm Helene. But they still needed to navigate their way to safety.
Jennifer Horton, who was seven months pregnant at the time, recalls the “unimaginable scenes of destruction” she saw as their neighbor raced the utility vehicle across about 20 miles of downed trees and flooded lands before pulling up to Jennifer Horton’s father's home.
It was like “seeing Jesus himself,” Horton says of their arrival.
Six weeks later, Horton, a firsttime candidate running for a seat on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, won her race. Two weeks after her victory, she gave birth to her fourth child, Kamala. As trying as the experience was for Horton, a Swannanoa native, it was far from the first time she was faced with significant obstacles. And it wouldn’t be the last challenge she would overcome in 2024.
NOT SUPERWOMAN
Less than a month after the election and just days before her scheduled swearing-in as a county commissioner, Horton learned that the assisted living facility she owned with her husband would lose significant funding once she became commissioner based on a little-known state law.
The law, General Statute 108A-47, precludes anyone residing in an adult care home from receiving funding from a special state fund if that home is owned by a “member of the Social Services Commission, any county board of social services, or any board of county commissioners.”
Horton’s assisted living facility gets a little more than $1,300 per resident per month to cover housing, meals and other health care costs, she says. Losing a significant part of this funding would have left Mount Moriah Assisted Living in dire financial straits.
SUPERMOM: Jennifer Horton gave birth to her fourth child, Kamala, far right, two weeks after winning election to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Photo courtesy of Horton
The revelation sent Horton into a panic, worried what that would mean for her roughly 30 residents.
After seeking guidance from other elected officials and the N.C. Department of Social Services, Horton found she could remain as administrator as long as the facility was owned by someone else. She was able to make arrangements to retain the funding for her tenants, changing the facility’s name to Ahava along the way. Buncombe County has turned oversight of Horton’s business to Henderson County, according to Buncombe County spokesperson Lillian Govus
More than seven months into her term as commissioner, Horton continues to juggle her duties at the assisted living facility and her role as mother to four children while learning the ropes of her new elected role. This summer, she planned to go back to school remotely, seeking her nurse practitioner license from N.C. Central University. Simultaneously, she con-
tinues to work on writing her memoir, all while remaining displaced from her Fairview home.
While it is being fixed, Horton and her family are staying at a property they own in Candler. Horton says she hopes renovations to her home and driveway will be completed next month.
When asked why she’s taking on so much all at once, Horton insists she’s “not trying to be superwoman.” After all, she’s only taking one class at a time at NCCU, she notes.
Horton classifies her long list of responsibilities and continued challenges as opportunities to prove herself. Her history has prepared her for this hustle, she continues, and she’s determined to meet the moment.
EARLY DAYS
A Buncombe County native, Horton grew up in Swannanoa in a home where alcohol abuse and domestic
violence were prevalent. Later, this informed her passion to work in mental health; but at the time, it factored into her decision to drop out of Buncombe County’s alternative Community High School to work full time.
“It wasn’t about academics,” Horton says. “It was always about money.”
She worked at Bojangles, mowed lawns and cleaned houses to make ends meet. Through family, she later landed a job at Blue Ridge Group Homes, taking care of people with developmental disorders. Horton says the position ignited her professional interest and dedication to the medical field.
After getting her GED diploma, she took classes at A-B Tech, eventually becoming a registered nurse, she says.
But her path to owning her own assisted living facility wasn’t direct.
Shortly after the birth of her first son, Kamaje, who is now in college, Horton and Kamali experienced a series of housing crises — from fires to condemned apartments — that left them homeless and bouncing between spare rooms at family members’ and friends’ houses, as well as stints in shelters and motels.
Financially strained, the family would buy a pizza and make it last for three days. Horton remembers the joys of taking her youngest boy to the store after food stamps became available to let him choose his own Lunchables or juice. It wasn’t until Horton and her husband landed stable jobs at Ingles that they qualified for a trailer on Old U.S. 70 in Swannanoa.
“It was the best thing that ever happened to us because we had a home for our child,” Horton says.
Things were starting to turn around for the family.
HANDS ON HER DISTRICT
These early experiences informed Horton’s compassion for individuals who suffer from mental health issues and development disabilities, she says. It also informs her approach as a county commissioner.
“You cannot properly assess a patient unless you put your hands on that patient. In public service, you cannot properly assess your district unless your fingers are on that pulse,” she notes. “The only way that your fingers can be on that pulse is if you are talking, if you are meeting with and if you are truly trying to hear the people of your district. I think that that’s the most important part of leadership. I take that very seriously.”
Horton says she hears the words of her grandfather echoing in her head, helping drive her decisions at work. “Strong communities are produced by strong people.”
To that end, she is determined to stay connected to her constituents in District
BIGGEST SUPPORTER: Jennifer Horton says her husband, Kamali, left, has been her biggest supporter through their many chapters of life together. Photo courtesy of Horton
1, which constitutes east Buncombe County, including Black Mountain, Swannanoa and parts of Fairview — the same areas that received some of the worst damage from Helene.
Recently, she’s led the charge advocating for Ingles to reopen its Swannanoa store, for example.
In terms of getting things done, Horton is struck by how slow the government moves when faced with a problem, compared with the health care industry, where she likes to solve problems as they arise.
Nonetheless, she’s acutely aware of how much she doesn’t know and remains in the “sponge” phase of her first term, soaking up everything and learning who is in what lane.
Overall, she knows she is a little different from the typical county commissioner. But her perspective and her local history connect her to her constituency in a unique way, she says.
“The importance of having real people serving is that whenever you lead from knowing, I believe that the changes are more effective, and it’s not just based on what sounds good,” she says.
“I have fought to thrive my whole life, and somehow I’ve been successful. I have fought the fight, I’m connected to a lot of people that are still fighting that fight, and so making sure that we are positioned in a way where that fight can be successful is very important to me. I believed wholeheartedly that this is my season to serve,” she says. X
JULY. 16 - JULY 24, 2025
For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/calendar. For questions about free listings, call 828-251-1333, opt. 4. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 828-251-1333, opt. 1.
Online-only events
More info, page 33
WELLNESS
Free Community
Functional Fitness
Build muscular endurance through exercises that focus on multiple repetitions with lower weights while moving in all planes of motion.
WE (7/16, 23), 10:15am, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave
Gentle Tai Chi for Balance
This class works on improving our balance through exercises that help you to think with your feet while strengthening your balance muscles.
WE (7/16, 23), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109
Tai Chi Fan
The Fan forms include movements from Yang, Chen and Sun styles of Tai Chi.
WE (7/16, 23), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109
Nia Dance
Nia is a sensory-based movement practice that draws from martial arts, dance arts and healing arts.
In this Beginner Tai Chi class, the focus is on the Yang 10 and 24 forms as well as Qigong exercises for health.
TH (7/17, 24), 11:30am, MO (7/21), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109
Free Community Zumba Gold
The class design introduces easy-to-follow Zumba choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion, and coordination.
FR (7/18), 10am, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave
Intermediate Tai Chi
Yang 24
Slow, gentle movements that promote
EVENT PICK
Blackberry Festival
• Ebbs Chapel Community Center
281 Laurel Valley Road, Mars Hill
• Saturday, July 19, 8 a.m
The Blueberry Festival at Ebbs Chapel Community center will feature special food options, arts and crafts vendors, a rummage sale, games and children’s activities.
“Every summer, I look for excuses to visit Madison County, which is not only gorgeous this time of year, but with its mountain culture and traditions, also feels like the real heart of Western North Carolina. What better reason for a Saturday mountain drive than a chance to eat biscuits and buy local blackberry jam?”
Combining strength training, HIIT, plyometrics, kickboxing and step, this class offers a diverse, challenging training experience.
MO (7/21), 8am, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave
Yin Yang Qigong Yin Yang Qigong offers lineage practices to return to your center, to be strong in your body and to feel relaxed, regulated and energized.
MO (7/21), 10am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109
CLASSIC TAP-DANCING ADVENTURE:
On Friday, July 18, Hart Theatre kicks off its newest production, the classic Anything Goes, starting at 7:30 p.m. This musical comedy is filled with mistaken identities, mismatched lovers and show-stopping songs by Cole Porter. Photo courtesy of Hart Theatre
Chen Tai Chi
Chen style is known for its spiral movements and fajin, or issuing power. It is considered a very high level of Tai Chi.
MO (7/21), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109
Free Community Yoga (Level 2)
A full body movement series to get you poised for an energized day.
TU (7/22), 8:45am, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave
Qigong for Health & Resilience
This class is an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to learn traditional Qigong exercises.
TU (7/22), 9am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109
Yoga & Coffee Practice on the outdoor deck, get the body and mind balanced, and then you can hang out after for some coffee, tea and pastries.
TU (7/22), 9:30am, Cooperative Coffee Shop, 210 Haywood Rd
SUPPORT GROUPS
Disordered Eating/ Eating Disorders
This support group is peer-led and facilitated by licensed therapists & dietitians specializing in eating disorders. Register at avl.mx/es6.
WE (7/16), 6pm, Online Marijuana Anonymous
Whether you’re exploring sobriety, new to recovery, or have been on this path for a while, you are welcome here.
TH (7/17, 24), 6:30pm, American Legion Post #2, 851 Haywood Rd
Nicotine Anonymous
People share their experience, strength and hope to stop using nicotine. You don’t need to be stopped, just have a desire to attend.
Magnetic Minds: Depression & Bipolar Support Group
A free weekly peer-led meeting for those living with depression, bipolar, and related mental health challenges. For more information contact (828) 367-7660.
SA (7/19), 2pm, First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St
Dementia Support Group
This free community group meets every month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at the Woodfin YMCA and 1st and 3rd Monday at the Asheville YMCA. MO (7/21), 6pm, Asheville YMCA, 30 Woodfin St
Garden Helpline
You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours.
TU (7/22), 10am, Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center, 49 Mount Carmel Rd, Ste 102
Families Anonymous Meeting
Gain support from others who have had lived experiences with a family member or friends substance abuse and related behavioral health challenges.
TU (7/22), 6pm, Love and Respect Com-
munity for Recovery and Wellness, 350 Chadwick Ave, Ste 300, Hendersonville
Mad Hatter’s Collective: Hearing Voices Network
A group collective that gathers to talk about encounters with visual, tactile, sensational, or fringe experiences with life and the interaction of energy.
TH (7/24), 6pm, 12 Baskets Cafe, 610 Haywood Rd
DANCE
Latin Night Wednesday w/DJ Mtn Vibez
A Latin dance social featuring salsa, bachata, merengue, cumbia, and reggaeton with dance lessons for all skill levels.
WE (7/16, 23), 8pm, One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd
Ballet Spectacular: Youth Dance Class
An exciting class where we will review ballet basics at the barre and then learn special ballet choreography. These classes are open to all experience levels.
SA (7/19), 10:30am, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain
Monday Night Contra Dance
Contra dancing is a fun, social dance for everyone. Follow a lesson at 7 p.m. and then dance to a live band and caller at 7:30 p.m.
MO (7/21), 7:30pm, A-B Tech, 340 Victoria Rd
Sassy Hip Hop Workshop (Ages 12+)
Designed for dancers ages 12 and up, this one-night class is all
about confidence, self-expression, and seriously fun choreography.
TH (7/24), 5pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St, Black Mountain Summer Seduction: Burlesque Dance Class
A one-night-only burlesque-inspired dance workshop with Claire—where playful meets powerful, and the vibe is pure summer magic. This class is beginner-friendly and open to all levels.
TH (7/24), 6:30pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain
Michelson & Susan
Blooming Connections
The exhibition showcases the artists' unique perspectives on the natural world, from the vibrant hues of blooming flowers to the serenity of everyday moments. Gallery open daily, 11am. Exhibition through July 31.
Asheville Gallery of Art, 82 Patton Ave
Flora Symbolica: The Art of Flowers
The exhibition features the work of celebrated photographer and artist Edward Steichen, whose life-long infatuation with flowers deeply affected his artistic vision. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through July 28.
Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square
James Henkel: On the Nature of Things
James Henkel’s photography shows a
commitment to aesthetic pleasures while embracing melancholia and the disruption of the preciousness of still life imagery, allowing space for humor & absurdity. Gallery open Wednesday through Saturday, 11am. Exhibition through Aug. 9. Tracey Morgan Gallery, 22 London Rd
Native America: In Translation
This exhibition, curated by Apsáalooke artist Wendy Red Starr, features the work of seven Indigenous artists who explore themes of community, heritage, and the lasting impact of colonialism in North America. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through Nov. 3. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Enchanted Garden Art Show
Discover a magical blend of art and nature in this outdoor sculpture invitational featuring works by eight artists from North Carolina and beyond. Gallery open Monday through Sunday, 10am. Exhibition through Sept. 21. Grovewood Gallery, 111 Grovewood Rd
Iron & Ink Exhibition
This exhibition focuses on a dynamic era in American history—the Machine Age—when industrialization and advances in technology transformed urban landscapes and redefined the nature of work and leisure nationwide. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through Sept. 27. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square
ART
Olga
Voorhees:
At Rotary, we are proud to support WNC’s recovery
In one of many recovery-related projects after Helene, Rotarians and family members had a workday in the River Knoll community of Asheville, supporting one of the many neighborhoods impacted by the storm.
The Rotary Club of Asheville is built around supporting our Western North Carolina community. And that’s never been as important as it is now. As I finish my term as the Club’s president, I am proud to report the impact we’ve made since Hurricane Helene. Since the storm, the Club has:
• Raised and distributed almost $500,000 for recovery and resilience efforts.
• Partnered with over 35 local organizations, impacting everything from housing and food insecurity to business recovery and emotional support for residents.
• Helped 10 nonprofits doing work in our city through Harry R. Morrill Community Grants.
• Furthered the education of 22 local students through Tennant Scholarships and the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy.
We know that the recovery is far from over, and that our work is far from done. We are proud to support the organizations making a difference every day, and are grateful for how our members have shown up time and again in this time of need.
For community members who would like to know how they can work with us in these efforts, I encourage you to learn about joining Rotary.
This is not your grandfather’s Rotary: We are a diverse group of people who take action and unite for good.
Again, we are proud to do our part in the recovery, and as our incoming President, David Mans, prepares to take the reins, know that we aren’t stopping now.
Sincerely,
Eva-Michelle Spicer
Rotary Club of Asheville President, 2024-25
Tina Curry: Into the Wild Into the Wild features a wide variety of animals not often encountered in daily life, originating from various continents.
Gallery open Monday through Sunday, 10am. Exhibition through August 10.
Grovewood Gallery, 111 Grovewood Rd
Viewshed Exhibition
The exhibition highlights works that span painting, textile, sound, and performance, inviting viewers to consider the ways in which artistic methodologies evolve and reverberate across time. Gallery open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am. Exhibition through August, 16, 2025.
Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St
Mr. Harnish is the Music Director at Weaverville United Methodist Church. He has curated an evening of Broadway tunes, both classic and contemporary.
FR (7/18), 7pm, First Baptist Church of Weaverville, 63 N Main St, Weaverville
Carolina Celtic Presents: Kevin Burke
Carolina Celtic and White Horse Black Mountain are proud to present a living legend of traditional Irish music, fiddler Kevin Burke.
SA (7/19), 7:30pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain
CMS of the Carolinas Presents: Viaje
Flutist Brandon Patrick George joins the Jasper String Quartet for Zhou Tian’s Viaje, a thrilling work combining the composer’s musical roots as a Chinese-American with his love of Spanish music.
Asheville-based musicians Ashley Paul, Jake Pugh, and Shane Justice McCord will play as a trio. Their performance blends acoustic instruments and live computer processing.
TH (7/17), 7pm, Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St
Joe Medwick's For The Love of Levon & Lowell: Music of the Band & Little Feat
A heartfelt and loving tribute to Joe’s friends Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and other members of Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame group, The Band, as well as Joe's past and present good pals in equally legendary band, Little Feat.
FR (7/18), 6pm, Pisgah Brewing Co., 2948 US Hwy 70 W, Black Mountain
SA (7/19), 7:30pm, Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church, 101 Chapel Ln, Swannanoa Sound Voyage w/ Jeannie McKenzie & Wolfgang Ettenreich Sound voyages are intentionally crafted, guided sonic meditations that use healing frequencies of multiple instruments in unique combinations.
SU (7/20), 3pm, UR Light Center, 2196 NC-9, Black Mountain
Admiral Radio
An outdoor concert featuring the award-winning folk and Americana duo Admiral Radio.
SU (7/20), 4pm, Olivette Riverside Community and Farm, 1069 Olivette Rd
Asheville Beer Choir Enjoy seasonal performances that showcase the talent of our group and the spirit of our community.
This program will discuss financial responsibility, credit scores and their importance, plus tips on building good credit and provide guidance on how to check it regularly. Register at avl.mx/exq.
WE (7/16), 10am, Online
Change Your Palate Cooking Demo
This free lunchtime food demonstration is open to all but tailored towards those with type 2 diabetes or hypertension and/or their caretakers.
WE (7/16), noon, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave
Simply Charmed Jewelry Workshop
This hands on workshop is drop in friendly and for ages 8 and up who are interested in jewelry making. After a quick demo by the instructor you can take up to 45 minutes to complete your masterpiece.
WE (7/16,23), TU (7/22), 11am, Ignite Jewelry Studios, 191 Lyman St, Ste 262 Plant Partner: Mugwort
This is a great opportunity for anyone who is brand new to the healing herbal world wanting to learn about healing plants and perfect for the budding herbalist to dive deeper in relationship.
WE (7/16), 6pm, Twin Star Tribe, Location is TBA
Adulting 101 Workshop: Life Skills for Young Adults
A fun and informative event to help you navigate the ups and downs
This 1-hour workshop will include a brief history of the tarot, and how to incorporate a one- and three-card pull for daily guidance.
FR (7/18), 5:30pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd
Kokedama Workshop w/Ata & Katie
Under the expert guidance of Ata, you’ll learn the art of crafting kokedama.
SU (7/20), 1pm, NANU Gallery, 78E Catawba Ave, Old Fort
Qigong Downtown Qigong is the precursor to Tai Chi. It is easier to learn since all movements are performed 8 times and you create a flow of Qi, the lifeforce energy.
TU (7/22), 10am, Asia House, 119 Coxe Ave Tech Time w/Becca
Guiding you through the ever-changing digital world, one topic at a time to explore the latest technology and apps that make everyday tasks easier.
TU (7/22), 3pm, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd
Launch Your Airbnb Biz: A Beginner’s Masterclass
A beginner’s masterclass is a comprehensive course designed for those who are new to hosting on Airbnb or looking to improve their Airbnb hosting skills. Register at avl.mx/ey7.
TU (7/22), 6pm, Online
Access to Capital
Whether you’re a start-up or interested in growing your business, this workshop is here to guide you through the process to secure a business loan. Register at avl.mx/ey8.
TH (7/24), 11am, Online
Couch to 5K Training
Learn techniques, habits, and helpful tips each week to improve pace and form so you can run happy and healthy.
TH (7/24), 5:30pm, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave
Fermentation 101 & Let’s Make Kimchi
This hands-on workshop will teach the science behind fermentation and provide information on how to ferment many different foods. We’ll make a fermented product called kimchi and each participant will take home their own packed jar.
TH (7/24), 5:30pm, Madison County Cooperative Extension Office, 258 Carolina Ln Marshall
LITERARY
Poetry Open Mic
This open mic welcomes any form of artistic expression from poetry to improv theatre to music to dance.
WE (7/16, 23), 8:30pm, Sovereign Kava, 268 Biltmore Ave
Asheville StorySLAM: Dirt
Prepare a five-minute story about what lies beneath. Squalor, smut, muck and mire. Air out your dirty laundry and don’t leave out the filthy details.
TH (7/17), 7:30pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave
It's a Yoga Party: Book Launch
A new book, which helps children learn how to do exercises and simple yoga postures. Bring your children to engage with the author, Nancy Gannon.
SA (7/19), 3pm, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Asheville Mall, 3 S Tunnel Rd
Author Talks: The Seven Stones of Creation
Through images, Hector will take us to different places where he got the inspiration to write his novel, The Seven Stones of Creation.
SA (7/19), 5:30pm, Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Rd
Flooded Poetry
Each poet will be able to share 2-3 poems, and occasionally we will have local celebrity poets close out our night with a featured reading.
MO (7/21), 6:30pm, Flood Gallery, 802 Fairview Rd, Ste 1200
The Story of Asheville's Water
Michael Holcombe, author of the first book detailing the history of Asheville's water, will give a 45 minute presentation followed by audience Q&A and
book signing.
TU (7/22), 6pm, Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Rd
THEATER & FILM
Southside Movie Nights: Holes Enjoy the classic combo of delicious fresh popcorn, refreshing drinks, and a family film.
TH (7/17), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St
Anything Goes Set aboard an ocean liner bound for London, Anything Goes is a madcap musical comedy filled with mistaken identities, mismatched lovers, and show-stopping songs by Cole Porter.
FR (7/18), SA (7/19), TH (7/24), 7:30pm, SU (7/20), 2pm, Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Thi play takes place in a mystical forest, where a group of fairies interfere with the romantic entanglements of four young lovers and a troupe of actors, creating both chaos and comedy, as they attempt to navigate love’s enchantments and illusions.
FR (7/18), SA (7/19), SU (7/0), 7:30pm, Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St
Asheville Vaudeville
A rogues gallery of some of the area’s silliest, sultriest, and swirliest homegrown talent. You may see singing, dancing, burlesque, comedy, clowns, contortion, puppetry and more. FR (7/18), 8pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave
The Floating Kingdom: Mythobardic Storytelling & Song
Weaving storytelling and acting with live music, puppetry, and community song, this original mythic tale for our times is guaranteed to delight and entertain. See p33 SA (7/19), 7pm, Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd
Becomyth Night 2: Book of Convocation
The second performance draws the audience into a mythic gathering—a convocation of old and new stories in conversation with one another.
SU (7/20), 6:30pm, Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd Community Improv Jam
A jam where everybody gets a chance to play. All are welcome for newbies to vets. TH (7/24), 7pm, Dr
Wesley Grant Sr.
Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St
Something Rotten!
A hilarious musical comedy that combines Shakespeare with musical theatre in a madcap Renaissance mashup.
TH (7/24), 7:30pm, Hendersonville Theatre, 229 South Washington St, Hendersonville
Appalachian Phoenix: Beauty & Resilience Through Dance
A dance experience that celebrates the resilience and unity of WNC in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. It feature stories of the real-life heroes who risked life and limb, and carried out acts of kindness and generosity to help their neighbors and communities.
Jay Brown will be pairing music to silent Charlie Chaplin films. He will feature 2 short Charlie Chaplin films and perform a solo set.
TH (7/24), 8pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain
MEETINGS & PROGRAMS
Strolling Strikers:
Relaxed Pace Soccer for Older Adults
Glide across the field and rediscover the joy of soccer at a gentle pace that's kind to your body. It's all about smooth moves, honing skills with grace, and soaking up the fun without frantic sprints.
WE (7/16), 11am, Memorial Stadium, 32 Buchanan Pl
Tarot Community Circle
Please bring a deck based on the system of the Rider Waite Smith tarot or a copy of the Rider Waite Smith Tarot.
WE (7/16), 6pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd
NSA-WNC Meeting
Professional keynote speakers, coaches, trainers, facilitators, and consultants who cover a broad range of topics, skills, & knowledge.
This water-based workout is perfect for anyone looking to stay active and socialize in a supportive and enjoyable environment.
SA (7/19), 10am, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St
Tours of St. John in the Wilderness
The guided tours of the church and churchyard (cemetery) are led by church docents. Learn about their history with lead docent Polly Morrice.
SA (7/19), 11am, The Episcopal Church of St John in the Wilderness, 1895 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock
Find Your Familiar: Black Cat Adoption Event
A black cat adoption event that will feature black kittens galore of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Find your loyal guardians, energy protectors, healers, and the truest of companions.
SA (7/19), noon, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd, Bathe in the Frequency of Chakra Sound Healing w/Rev Heidi Peck
Receive guidance from the wild unknown world of animal spirits. Practice mantras and mudras that balance, build and clear the immune system.
SA (7/19), 2pm, UR Light Center, 2196 NC-9, Black Mountain Chinese Wrestling: Shuai Jiao
It is a standing grappling style, meaning that although there are hip throws, leg sweeps and hand techniques, like many other arts, there is no ground grappling.
SA (7/19), 4pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109
Schleich: Bag Tag Make & Take Kids and families are invited to design and take home their very own Schleich bag tag. This event is first-come, first-served and limited to the first 100 participants each day.
SA (7/19), 5pm, Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Blvd, Mill Spring Rest & Reset Sound Bath
Shift into your parasympathetic nervous system with a healing Sound Bath.
SU (7/20), 1pm, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way
Coloring w/Cats
Take 50 minutes for yourself and cuddle with the panthers, meet other cat-lovers, and color a beautiful picture of a cat from our adult coloring books.
SU (7/20), 2pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd Push Hands
A two-person training routine practiced in internal Chinese martial arts such as baguazhang, xingyiquan
and tai chi
SU (7/20), 5:30pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109
Permission to PLAY Ginger leads a gathering with others embracing the playfulness of creativity through some fun, open ended studio time.
Program designed to teach adults how to help an adolescent who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
MO (7/21), TU (7/22), 10am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave
The Wisdom of Silence & Stillness
At the surface, silence at times is viewed as the absence of sound and stillness, the absence of movement. However, meditative insight reveals far more depth and nuance.
MO (7/21), 6:30pm, The Lodge at Quietude, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Baguazhang Level 1
It is considered a very advanced style of Kung Fu with its complex use of geometry and physics.
TU (7/22), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 North Merrimon Ave, Ste 109
IBN Biz Lunch
All are invited to attend and promote their business, products, and services, and meet new referral contacts.
WE (7/23), noon, Yao, 153 Smoky Park Hwy
Southside Cyber Wednesday
Dive into the exciting world of e-sports and gaming with friends and neighbors with two powerful PlayStation 5 consoles ready for action.
WE (7/23), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St
Shamanic Journey Circle
Explore your consciousness and meeting your guides in the lower world, upper world, and middle worlds.
WE (7/23), 6:30pm, The Well, 3 Louisiana Ave
GAMES & CLUBS
Bingo Night w/Britton
A midweek break full of good drinks, loud laughs, and questionable luck, hosted by Britton.
WE (7/16, 23), 7pm, Dssolvr, 63 N Lexington Ave
Trivia Night w/ MountainTrue & NC Conservation Network
A night of environmental trivia where you can flex your knowledge on forests, rivers, wildlife, climate, and all things green.
WE (7/16), 7pm, The RAD Brew Co., 13 Mystery St Spiritual Game Night
Be guided through powerful and playful spiritual games designed to open hearts and expand minds.
FR (7/18), 7pm, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way
Level 256 Weekly
Pinball Tournament
This is a weekly group knockout pinball tournament. Food will be provided to players. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
SU (7/20), 5:30pm, Level 256 Classic Arcade Bar, 79 Coxe Ave
Ping Pong Tournament
Come by and shoot your shot against some of the best ping pong players in town. Free to enter and $50 bar tab to the winner.
MO (7/21), 6pm, Sovereign Kava, 268 Biltmore Ave
Music Bingo w/DJ Spence
Featuring 3 different themes of upbeat, family friendly music. It’s first come first serve, no tickets required and free to play.
WE (7/23), 5:30pm, New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St
KID-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS
Family Story Time
A fun and interactive story time designed for children ages 18 months to 3 years.
WE (7/16, 23), 10:30am, Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain
Baby Storytime
A lively language enrichment story time designed for children ages 4 to 18 months.
TH (7/17, 24), 10:30am, Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain
Kids & Teens Xing Yi
Learn complete systems of Xing Yi, Baguazhang, and Taiji, including weapons and sparring as optional classes.
In this 30-minute pop-up class, your kiddo will explore the world of dance in a fun, engaging, and imaginative way.
Taught by Ms. Lacy, this class is designed to help students develop
essential motor skills, coordination.
SA (7/19), 9:30am, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St, Black Mountain
Coloring w/Cats: Kiddie Edition
An artistic session with coloring books and markers for children ages 13 and under to relax by coloring as they pet cats to reduce stress and anxiety.
SA (7/19), 1pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd
Artistic Adventures for Toddlers
Ignite the creative spark of children in a safe and engaging environment to explore wonders of art through messy masterpieces and imaginative exploration.
WE (7/23), 2pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave
Toddler Sip & Splash
Dive into fun and exploration with this drop-in program that combines the joy of water play with a social and sensory-rich environment.
TH (7/24), 3:30pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St
Black Cat Tales: Story Time w/Cats
A special after-school workshop where families with children age 7 and under can relax and foster a love of reading while also socializing with the cats in the lounge.
TH (7/24), 4pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd
LOCAL MARKETS
Leicester Farmers Market
A community-led farmers market local produce, cheese, meats, honey, strawberries, asparagus, rhubarb, ramps, a variety of plants and more. Every Wednesday through October.
WE (7/16, 23), 3pm, Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester
RAD Farmers Market
Asheville’s only year-round weekly market, featuring 30+ vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafted items, beverages, grab-and-go meals, and more. EBT and SNAP accepted.
WE (7/16, 23), 3pm, New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St Enka-Candler Farmer's Market
A grand selection of local foods and crafts, everything from produce to pickles, baked goods to body care, and even
educational resources. Every Thursday through October 31.
TH (7/17, 24), 3:30pm,
A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler
East Asheville Tailgate Market
Featuring over 25 vendors selling meat, seafood, produce, flowers, bread, eggs, baked goods, fruit, herbs, sweet treats, tamales, and more. Every Friday through Nov. 21.
FR (7/18), 3pm, Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd
Mills River Farm Market
This market offers local food, live music, kids' activities, cooking demos, and a welcoming community. Browse fresh produce and pasture-raised meats to homemade breads, fresh flowers, and artisan goods.
SA (7/19), 8am, Mills River Elementary School, 94 Schoolhouse Rd, Mills River
North Asheville Tailgate Market
Browse from over 70 vendors that will be offering sustainably produced produce, meats, eggs, cheeses, breads, honey, plants, prepared foods, crafts and more.
SA (7/19), 8am, UNC Asheville Lot P28
Asheville City Market
A producer-only market featuring local food products, including fresh produce, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, and other artisan products. Every Saturday through December.
SA (7/19), 9am, 52 N Market St
Black Mountain Tailgate Market
A seasonal community event featuring organic and sustainably grown produce, plants, cut flowers, herbs, local raised meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheeses, eggs and locally handcrafted items. Every Saturday through Nov. 22.
SA (7/19), 9am, 130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain
Mars Hill Farmers & Artisans Market
A producer-only tailgate market located on the campus of Mars Hill University on College Street. Offering fresh local produce, herbs, cheeses, meats, eggs, baked goods, honey, body care and more. Every Saturday through Oct. 26.
SA (7/19), 10am, College St, Mars Hill
WNC Farmers Market
This year-round market features locally grown produce, fruits and vegetables, mountain crafts, plants, shops, arts and crafts, sour-
wood honey, and other farm fresh items. Open daily, 8am. 570 Brevard Rd
Artisan Market
This market features performances from local artists and vendors that will be showcasing a various of items.
SU (7/20), 11am, Third Room, 46 Wall St Honky Tonk Flea
Discover unique antique treasures, vintage gems, and handmade goods while listening to the best honky tonk vinyls.
SU (7/20), 11am, Eda's Hide-a-Way, 1098 New Stock Rd, Weaverville
Junk-O-Rama Vintage Market
Browse vintage clothing vendors, local crafters, antiques and more.
SU (7/20), noon, Fleetwood's, 496 Haywood Rd
Magical Market
Stock up on magical supplies in the shop, browse the market of local vendors, pet some panthers in the cat lounge, and finish your day off with an intuitive reading.
SU (7/20), 12pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd
BIPOC Farmers Market
A variety of local BIPOC vendors including farmers, artists, bakers, herbalists, and more. Are you a maker of color who is interested in vending? Email Andi Gonzales at ashevillemarket@newbelgium.
com.
SU (7/20), 1pm, New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St
Meadow Market
This vibrant outdoor market features a curated selection of local makers and artisans. Browse a delightful array of one-of-a-kind textiles, handcrafted jewelry, beautiful pottery, and more.
SU (7/20), 1pm, The Meadow at Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200
The Gluten Free Jubilee
A local gluten free purveyor market that features baked goods, beer, pasta as well as live music, drink specials and more.
SU (7/20), 2pm, The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd Ste 10 West Asheville Tailgate Market
This market features an array of goods including fruits, vegetables, baked goods, bread,
eggs, cheese, plants, specialty items, locally made art and crafts and more. Every Tuesday through November.
TU (7/22), 3:30pm, 718 Haywood Rd
Moto Jumble Swap Meet
This is for you if you love motorcycles, ride, or are looking to stock up your gear garage. Browse shop vendors, meet fellow enthusiasts and enjoy a coldie inside.
WE (7/23), 11am, The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd, Ste 10
Weaverville Tailgate Market
This market features a selection of fresh, locally grown produce, grass fed beef, pork, chicken, eggs, cheese, baked goods, artisan bread, eclectic handmade goodies, garden and landscaping plants. Open year-round.
WE (7/23), 3pm, 60 Lake Shore Dr Weaverville
Biltmore Park Farmers Market
This market features fresh seasonal produce, delicious homemade pastries, premium meats and seafood, beautiful vibrant flowers, and more.
TH (7/24), 3pm, Biltmore Park Town Square, Town Square Blvd
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Asheville Marathon Launch Party
Enjoy a relaxed group run with the New Belgium Run Club, live DJ tunes, and cold beer available for purchase from the brewery.
TH (7/17), 5pm, New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St
Rhythm & Brews Concert Series w/Florencia & the Feeling
These free outdoor shows will bring all the excitement downtown on the third Thursday of each month, complete with craft beverages, food trucks, vendors and a fun-filled Kids Zone. Florencia & the Feeling will be performing this week.
TH (7/17), 5:30pm, Downtown Hendersonville S Main St, Hendersonville Road to Roots'25
Asheville gets a heavy dose of groove, grit, and generational soul when Road to Roots hits the stage for a onenight-only celebration
of the music that shaped a movement. It will feature music from Melody Trucks, the Fitzkee Brothers and Jaden Lehman.
TH (7/17), 5:30pm, Asheville Music Hall, 31 Patton Ave
Summer Spritz Soiree
Celebrate the glow up of the patio space with live DJ vibes and a build your own spritz bar. Don't forget to throw your favorite summer outfit and head over.
FR (7/18), 6pm, The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd,Ste 10
Marshall Music on the River
There will be over 15 stores and restaurants open, including 2 new ones since the flood plus music from fabulous bands: Kiss Me Again, Paint Rock, Pierce Edens.
SA (7/19), noon, Downtown Marshall, Marshall
All Jammed Up Fest
This festival curated by Clint Dodson creator of the All Jammed Up podcast will feature a variety of jamband and bluegrass artists.
SA (7/19), 2pm, One World Brewing W, 520 Haywood Rd
Wide Spread Panic
Shady Grove Shakedown Market
A 3-day WSP blowout featuring live music, vendor markets, afterparties, daytime hangs, and all the in-between moments that make Panic weekends in Asheville special. TH (7/24), noon, Dssolvr, 63 N Lexington Ave
BENEFITS & VOLUNTEERING
4ft To Hell: 5th Annual Charity Hotdog Eating Contest
Watch competitors battle to devour four foot-long hot dogs in under 6 minutes and 66 seconds and join the raffle to win prizes. Proceeds will benefit Manna Foodbank. WE (7/16), 7pm, Dssolvr, 63 N Lexington Ave
Low-Cost Community Neuter Clinic
Please schedule and pay for your appointment prior to showing up. Appointments and additional services can be scheduled at avl.mx/dlq.
TH (7/17), 9am, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd
ARTS & CULTURE
Movable feast
BY GINA SMITH
Inviting tables, beautifully plated dishes, servers in black aprons — and, well, actual dining rooms — may be the images that automatically come to mind when thinking about the local food scene. But since 2011, when Asheville eased restrictions on food trucks, eateries on wheels have also been a key ingredient of the city’s flavor.
Along with the allure of the freedom of the road, food trucks offer a budget-conscious alternative to the classic brick-and-mortar restaurant model, requiring comparatively little up-front startup capital and lower overhead. As Asheville has grown and changed, weathering a pandemic and the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene, food trucks continue to offer an accessible vehicle for suc-
cess for culinary professionals with entrepreneurial dreams.
But running a rolling restaurant requires more than four wheels and cooking skills: Collaboration is inherent to Asheville’s mobile eatery ecosystem. With the city currently lacking dedicated food truck lots, partnerships with breweries and other brick-and-mortar businesses can provide truck operators with vending locations, ready-made customer bases and other perks.
In turn, the trucks deliver an array of benefits to their host venues, creating what longtime local food truck operator Dano Holcomb says are “symbiotic relationships.” Those partnerships naturally take myriad forms, depending on the needs of both businesses. And in the months since Helene, innovative solutions to challenges presented by the disaster have reshaped Asheville’s food truck landscape.
PUTTING DOWN ROOTS
As far as its food truck scene, “Asheville has come a long way,” says Holcomb, founder of Root Down food truck, now chef at Terra Nova Beer Co. in Swannanoa.
“The food truck society nowadays is pretty big, but when we started, it was difficult to park anywhere downtown or even at existing [businesses].”
The relationships Holcomb gradually built with brick-and-mortar businesses charted the course of his career. He started Root Down food truck in the Charlotte area in 2012, serving Creole Southern soul food,
Business of community
HOME COOKING: Chefs Sarah Keeney and Michael Aanonsen, owners of Blue Collar Diner food truck, say they are happy to have found a permanent home for their mobile business at Hi-Wire Brewing’s RAD Beer Garden since the location reopened in May after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene. Photo by
Chad Truitt
before moving his family and business to Asheville in 2014.
For years, Holcomb says, he traveled Western North Carolina, serving at events and music venues and from the parking lots of businesses. Many of those locations were breweries without kitchens that wanted to offer food options — and even some restaurants or breweries that were renovating their kitchens or wanted to provide customers with additional choices.
Then, in February 2020, the chef entered a partnership with the Salvage Station, launching a brick-and-mortar kitchen at the River Arts District venue, which he also used as a commissary for his truck business.
The collaboration survived the COVID-19 lockdowns, and Root Down thrived until flooding from Helene washed away the Salvage Station — along with Holcomb’s kitchen and the truck. Out of those soggy ruins, a fresh partnership with Terra Nova Beer Co.’s Swannanoa taproom emerged.
“Salvage Station was due to be bulldozed to make way for the flyover for the I-26 extension, so its days were already numbered,” says Holcomb, referring to plans for the redesign of Interstate 26. “We had been talking with Terra Nova about [a partnership] being a possibility.” When the brewery was ready to reopen its Swannanoa taproom after the storm, he continues, the owners reached out to see if he’d be interested in bringing in the Root Down concept.
“I said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it,’” says Holcomb. “We’re fortunate to have this opportunity and very grateful that they put their trust in us, and it kind of helped them out as well.”
Root Down launched at the taproom in late February, and several months later, with the storm-battered neighborhood slowly recovering and the business gradually growing, Holcomb says that this partnership may allow him to evolve past his food truck phase.
“I loved it, you know, after being immersed in it for so long,” he says. “But, wow, it’s just really a difficult profession.”
‘TRUCK AND MORTAR’
Chefs Sarah Keeney and Michael Aanonsen, who both worked in brickand-mortar restaurants before launching their diner-themed food truck, Blue Collar Diner, in 2019, agree about the demanding nature of food truck life. From extremes of heat and cold to mechanical issues to logistics, both say the business can be challenging, particularly when moving from one location to another each day.
“It’s a lot more hustle than we were expecting,” says Keeney. “We really just want to do what we do best and have people come to us. But when you’re moving around, it’s hard.”
Just booking and managing the different venues, Aanonsen adds, takes enormous energy and commitment. So a regular partnership they established in May with Hi-Wire Brewing’s RAD Beer Garden has alleviated a lot of headaches.
“This is really nice having just one really nice group of people to work with,” says Aanonsen. “But in years past, depending on how many clients we had over the year, we might have 15, 20, 30 different clients to schedule with different personalities and different needs.”
With their spiffy blue truck parked next to the Hi-Wire taproom SundayWednesday afternoons and evenings, they are able to build a base of regulars drawn to their popular smoked meatloaf sandwich, pimento cheese dip and other offerings.
Though they dream of one day owning a brick-and-mortar restaurant, they say they’ve accepted that it won’t happen for them in Asheville due to the high cost of commercial space. Instead, says Aanonsen, “This is like ‘truckand-mortar.’ It’s all the happy balances — there’s lower overhead, not as big of a staff, just a little bit more control. It’s essentially a minirestaurant.”
Christine Ferguson, Hi-Wire’s director of retail operations, says it makes sense to have food trucks at brewery taprooms — Hi-Wire has three in Asheville, including the Beer Garden and the Biltmore Village location, both of which flooded during Helene, and the original facility on Hilliard Avenue. None of them have their own kitchens.
“It’s always been our goal to find someone permanent,” she says of the Beer Garden taproom. “It takes a lot of time to find food trucks when they’re rotating on the daily, so it frees you up several hours a week if you don’t have to worry about that.”
Since reopening post-Helene, the Biltmore Village location has had Guajiro Cuban food truck permanently in place, and the RAD taproom has had Blue Collar and chef Davaion Bristol’s Happy Belly burger truck sharing a regular schedule.
“Our guests are happy they’re here,” says Ferguson. “But then also there’s a ton of DoorDash and Uber Eats people that come to pick up their food, sit at our tables while they eat and don’t even come inside. And it’s completely fine, because it gets people into a new habit. If you go to a place more than once, you’re likely to go back, and it sticks in your mind.”
PIE IN THE SKY
For a time, chef PJ Bond enjoyed a regular partnership with an established brick-and-mortar that allowed him to kick-start his artisan pizza business, Mean Pies. While working on the bread team at OWL Bakery, Bond began doing pizza pop-ups at the bakery’s West Asheville location in 2021. In 2023, the owners of plēb urban winery in the River Arts District invited him to launch Mean Pies in their plumbed-in, stationary food trailer.
Bond was enthusiastic about the opportunity, though the logistical challenges of operating an artisan pizza business in the tiny space were numerous. All the prep work, dishwashing and refrigerated storage — Mean Pies’ cold-fermentation process for its dough requires a lot of refrigerator space — had to be completed in off-site kitchens, which meant constant packing, transporting and unpacking of ingredients and equipment.
Additionally, operating ovens in the small space meant temperatures inside the trailer could soar to 105 degrees in warm weather, making working conditions miserable for Bond and his business partner, Zach Brin.
But there were benefits to operating in a stationary trailer — being plumbed in at plēb meant the trailer didn’t have to be moved daily like mobile food trucks to dump greywater. And the crowd at the winery’s Sunday trivia games provided an instant customer base.
Mean Pies grew in popularity, eventually expanding from Sundays to three days a week. Bond invested in two new ovens for the trailer.
7/16:
“We were there for basically a year, and it was good for them and good for us,” he says. “It was the beginning of something cool.”
But just as the business was on the brink of expanding its staff and days of operation, flooding from Helene changed everything. The plēb building was washed away along with the Mean Pies trailer, which ended up far down Lyman Street behind Riverview Station.
“We pulled everything we could out of it,” he says. “The ovens were completely unsalvageable. I gave them away on Facebook for scrap.”
After the flood, OWL owner Susannah Gebhart offered Bond after-hours use of her Charlotte Street location, and over the winter, Mean Pies reinvented itself as a pop-up. The arrangement has continued and morphed into an ongoing sublease arrangement.
Menu options have been limited to one or two choices, and until this month, service was only on Wednesday evenings due to Bond’s need for refrigeration space. But with OWL expanding into the next-door storefront this summer and adding a new refrigerator, Mean Pies is increasing menu offerings to include more pizza options, house-made ice cream and possibly wine by the glass. More hours have also been added — service is now 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Bond sees a brick-and-mortar as the future of Mean Pies, though he’s finding Asheville property costs extremely prohibitive. For now, at least, what he and Gebhart are calling his “summer residency” with OWL feels like a good fit.
“We are hoping we can continue to feed the community while we look for a space that makes sense for us to take over,” he says. ” We love the OWL crew and feel the symbiosis of bread and pizza, morning and evening, is a beautiful one.”
Gebhart says the arrangement is good for her business as well. “OWL, in return, benefits from some rent, which helps us as well, since we are still in our own recovery process from the hurri-
EMPYREAN ARTS
cane,” she wrote in an email to Xpress “I know the team would love to entertain more residencies and pop-ups with other local makers and food producers in the future if it proves to be a mutually beneficial model.”
DOG DAYS
Thanks to Tropical Storm Helene, Jeremy LaRochelle found his culinary career moving in the opposite direction — from conventional restaurant to food truck.
Formerly a managing partner at Moe’s Original BBQ in Biltmore Village, LaRochelle needed a pivot plan after the restaurant was destroyed by flooding from Helene. He decided to launch Beefie Boys food truck, serving fresh-made Chicago Italian beef, Boston North Shore roast beef and meatless portobello Philly cheesesteak sandwiches.
“[A food truck] is something I've always thought about doing,” says LaRochelle. “Unfortunately, the storm kind of made this happen a little quicker.”
Once Beefie Boys opens in early August, LaRochelle aims to remain part of the Biltmore Village community. In addition to traveling to festivals and breweries, he plans to regularly park the custom truck — currently being built out by Adolfo Tovar of
Mountain Food Trucks with branding from artist Esau Alday — six days a week for lunch at Fetch Dog Spa at 66 Sweeten Creek Road.
The collaboration with Fetch’s owner, Kim Scofield, is a story of post-Helene resilience and community. Fetch was originally located on Depot Street in the River Arts District and closed after taking on 11 feet of water during Helene. After recently moving her business to the Biltmore Village building, which was home to 7 Clans Brewing before the flood, Scofield’s landlord gave her the idea to host LaRochelle’s food truck.
She’s looking forward to the partnership. “My clients drop off their pets for an hour or so to get groomed, so it’ll be nice to offer them something to do without going far away,” she says. “I’m just really grateful [LaRochelle and I] are able to help each other after going through a very similar experience.”
And for LaRochelle, it’s meaningful to still be connected to Biltmore Village. “I mean, everyone’s seen Biltmore Village and what happened there, and I just think it'll be really cool to be a part of the rebirth,” he says. “In the aftermath of Helene, Asheville has truly shown its resilience through community spirit, and I wouldn't have been able to do any of this on my own.”
So you want to start a food truck?
Have you been dreaming of hitting the road in a snazzy-looking rolling restaurant to share your mouthwatering cuisine with the world? Before you start shopping for step vans and signing up your neighbors for recipe R&D, read some advice from Asheville food truck owners.
Cost and logistics: “The average truck/trailer setup costs a great deal more than most people would consider but can be significantly less than a traditional restaurant buildout. The mobility aspect means you can meet customers where they want to be, but also means you have to navigate a series of logistical obstacles, specifically when considering prep, refrigeration, water, storage and receiving product. And none of that speaks to the fact that service is only a small part of your day, when you factor in moving the whole outfit to and from commissary spaces, dump stations, parking garages and mechanic shops.”
PJ Bond,
Mean Pies
Roll with it: “Anyone who wants to open a food truck should absolutely go work on one, for quite some time, more than a day. … There are going to be days that you’re going to go out and absolutely crush it, and all the customers are going to be superhappy, and you’re going to just be having the best time. And then there’s also going to be days when it snows or rains and there’s nobody, and you’re just sitting there going, ‘Oh, my gosh, what have we done?’ You have to take the good with the bad, or it will drive you crazy.”
— Sarah Keeney, Blue Collar Diner
Start small, be nice: “Have a really solid vision of what you want to do, and I would say start small … don’t try to please everybody. … Really knock down your hot items, then expand from there. Then, show up on time and be friendly. You’re kind of in a goldfish bowl and everybody’s watching you. Be open-minded, be excited and be happy to your customers and your hosts.”
— Dano Holcomb, Root Down X
Creative comeback
BY JUSTIN M c GUIRE
Two days after Tropical Storm Helene hit Asheville, artist Erica Schaffel stood on a bridge in the River Arts District (RAD) and witnessed something that still haunts her.
“I kept seeing paintings floating down the French Broad River, and it gutted me,” recalls Schaffel, whose watercolor art was on display at Marquee in the RAD. “My first thought was, ‘Oh my gosh, my paintings are gone.’ But then I was like, ‘Oh no, there’s so much art in this river.’”
That moment inspired what would become The Flood Collection, a 52-card casino-quality deck and hardcover coffee table book featuring 54 works of art lost or damaged by the storm and the flooding that followed. Since launching on Kickstarter just days after Helene, the project has raised more than $250,000 and distributed around $2,000 each to the participating artists — with more on the way.
The featured pieces were selected from more than 250 submissions from artists affected by the storm. Each artist had to provide a high-resolution image of a work created before the flood. The final 54 pieces were selected by Schaffel and Mira Gerard, who previously ran Tyger Tyger Gallery in Riverview Station.
“We curated based on trying to create a diverse reflection of what our creative community looks like,” Schaffel explains. “We wanted every medium represented.”
The result is a collection that spans painting, sculpture, jewelry, textiles, woodwork and even elaborate costumes made from found materials. Each card in the “Asheville on Deck” set features one piece of art. The book, The Flood Collection: Original Artwork Lost to Hurricane Helene, includes additional images and short biographies of each artist.
BUILDING TRUST
Reaching artists after the flood wasn’t easy. With power and internet down across much of Asheville, Schaffel relied on Facebook groups, gallery owners and local contacts to spread the word. “I didn’t know many artists,” she explains. “I had just moved here three years ago and gone full time three months before the storm.”
She enlisted artist Spencer Beals to help and drove to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to
ART AND HEALING
Schaffel is unlikely to produce another edition of The Flood Collection book, which far exceeded her expectations and became “a huge, exhausting labor of love. It was a fulltime volunteer job for nine months,” she says.
Though she’s open to a second version of the playing card deck, she’s unsure if the effort would be worthwhile or have the same impact now that Helene isn't as much in the national consciousness. Her current focus is on her own art and helping the community recover.
Her work is being shown at St. Claire Art Studio & Gallery in Pink Dog Creative, where she also sells Flood Collection products.
Schaffel lost about 15 of her original watercolor pieces when Marquee flooded. One of them, a semiabstract landscape titled “Emerging from Water,” is included in The Flood Collection book and playing card deck. “That hurt,” she says. “But others lost entire lifetimes of work.”
For Schaffel, the project has been a way to preserve something that otherwise would’ve been gone forever.
“You lose an original piece of art like that, you can make prints, but it’s not the same,” she says. “This felt like a way to honor what was lost, to help it live on in some way.”
And, she says, it helped her and others make sense of a kind of loss that can be hard to explain.
launch the Kickstarter campaign while most of WNC was still offline.
Some artists were initially hesitant. “But I was like, ‘Just trust me, this is free money. All I need is a picture.’”
That trust paid off. In addition to direct payments, Schaffel says artists have told her they’ve seen increased interest in their work from buyers across the country who discovered them through The Flood Collection. Several local retail stores have started carrying the products, where they’re selling quickly, she says.
“It’s a specific kind of grief,” she explains. “You paint something knowing you’re not going to keep it, but it still feels like a piece of you. This project was a way to hold on to those pieces — mine and everyone else’s.”
Books and card decks are available online at avl.mx/ews and in local shops including St. Claire Gallery, Malaprop’s Bookstore, Embellish Asheville, Asheville Emporium and Trackside Studios. X
Do you run a business in a local town outside of Asheville?
Advertise in Xpress’ once-a-month recurring feature!
Meal plan
BY KAY WEST
Nearly five years after opening Leo’s House of Thirst in West Asheville, Drew Wallace has activated the big-picture plan he always had for the third of his four restaurants. (The Admiral, The Bull and Beggar, and Baby Bull are the others in his portfolio.)
On July 2, Leo’s joined the city’s breakfast club and lunch bunch, embracing all-day dining — albeit via three different menus.
“I’m just trying to make my life as full as possible,” Wallace says with a laugh. “The original vision of this place was to be more accessible than Admiral and Bull, which felt rigid to me — open at 5, close at 10, reservations recommended.”
After signing the lease in early 2019 on the 900-square-foot building at 1055
Haywood Road, Wallace encountered multiple renovation and construction challenges, which delayed Leo’s anticipated opening date to May 2020. Then came the great COVID-19 shutdown of March 2020, precipitating another pivot.
“The pandemic hit with all that insanity, and we didn’t even know if this would ever open,” Wallace remembers.
“When we got to the point where we felt safe serving folks outside, there was no way we could do a full breakfast, lunch and coffee. So we went to limited hours with just dinner and wine.”
The reset earned Leo’s a loyal following and plenty of accolades — particularly for opening chef Austin Inselmann’s fresh, clean, inventive, beautifully plated dishes.
About two years in, Wallace added lunch Friday through Sunday. In November, Inselmann expanded his role, becoming executive chef at both
The Admiral and Leo’s and a partner in both restaurants. “It was all great, but eventually I started twiddling my thumbs a bit, and Austin and I started talking about how to implement the original plan,” Wallace says.
That meant using the one day a week Leo’s was closed — Mondays — to remodel the bar for an espresso program. Meanwhile, he and Inselmann worked on their dream breakfast and lunch menus, leading up to the big reveal on July 2.
The structure of each menu is designed to support the transition to serving three meals a day. “There are three different services, but you want them to be unified in some way,” says Wallace. “So we carried over about four of the breakfast items to the lunch menu.”
Appearing on both the 9 a.m.-noon and noon-4 p.m. menus are an egg, cheese, bacon and Berber aioli breakfast sandwich; Inselmann’s version of avocado toast, which includes a sliced boiled egg and pistachio dukkha; a sweet-savory composition of marinated beets and berries in asparagus mousse with quinoa
and crunchy farro; and beef short rib hash for hearty appetites.
Lunch adds starters and hors d’oeuvres (some are also found on the 4-5 p.m. aperitivo hour and dinner menus), plus salads, soups and sandwiches like grilled cheese and a seasonal BLT.
“At dinner, we’ll keep a couple of sandwiches from the lunch menu and roll the roast chicken and our pasta dishes back out.”
The new coffee program is perking from open to close, with espresso to wake you up and cappuccino to enjoy after dinner. Bubbly for breakfast — wine and prosecco drinks are available starting at 9 a.m. — is a daily bonus.
“I love being able to say to our guests that we’ve got you, no matter what part of the day you want to be here,” says Wallace. “Having people here all day, warming the room up with music, conversation and all the smells of food just makes the restaurant feel so alive.”
Leo’s House of Thirst is at 1055 Haywood Road. Learn more at avl.mx/9f1. X
EYE-OPENERS: Breakfast favorites, including eggs and bacon, avocado toast and Belgian waffles, anchor the new morning menu at Leo's House of Thirst.
Photo by Chad Truitt
Shelter from the storm
‘#RADstrong’ exhibition at Pink Dog spotlights displaced artists
BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN
earnaudin@mountainx.com
Andrea Kulish had to move quickly. In late May, the marketing director for Pink Dog Creative had just received word that a one-person exhibition slated for late July into mid-August at Pink Dog Gallery needed to be canceled. With less than a week until her press release deadline for area art monthly publications, she and gallery director Hedy Fischer brainstormed substitute programming, and both had the same first choice: Do something to help River Arts District artists displaced by Tropical Storm Helene.
The result is the #RADstrong exhibition, which features work by Suzanne Armstrong, Annie Kyla Bennett, Bridget Benton, Wesley Ethyn Bowers, Gretchen Chadwick, Heather Clements, Sarah Faulkner, Jack Henry, Fleta Monaghan and Stephen Santore. The show runs Friday, July 18-Sunday, Aug. 17, with an opening reception scheduled for Saturday, July 19, 4-6 p.m.
Such events highlight the resilience of local artists in the wake of extreme hardships. But as the one-year anniversary of the storm approaches, Kulish, Bowers and Monaghan emphasize that the creative community still has a long way to go in its journey of recovery.
POP-UP POWER
In focusing on displaced individuals, Kulish says she was inspired by Pink Dog Creative artist Julieta Fumberg’s pop-up series in February and March. Those four shows featured a total of 17 artists and included four opening receptions. The gallery took zero commission for the pop-ups, and participating artists will likewise receive all sales during #RADstrong
“It is especially important to help the artists as much as we can, as the support is so crucial right now,” Kulish says.
Fischer tasked Kulish with organizing the show, and she happily accepted the assignment. Kulish first spoke with River Arts District Association (RADA) artists and asked for recommendations of people they thought might have some work to exhibit. Several of those joined the show while others declined due to being too busy or not having enough work on hand
PERSEVERANCE PIECES: Original works by nine displaced visual artists plus textile artist Suzanne Armstrong compose Pink Dog Gallery's new #RADstrong exhibition. Images courtesy of Pink Dog Creative
to participate. She then put the call out to the RADA Club, the private Facebook group for RADA artists, and several more people responded and committed to the exhibition.
Kulish notes that far more local artists than the 10 #RADstrong par-
ticipants lost studio space as a result of flooding and other damage from Helene. The show, she stresses, is merely a snapshot of this community, and she hopes it will help raise aware-
CONTINUES ON PAGE 32
ness of the numerous area creatives whose businesses have yet to return to predisaster levels.
“Many artists were not able to create for months due to shock, overwhelm and trauma,” she says. “Others are creating, but many artists are overwhelmed. Some have no place to create or very limited space; some have little to no inventory; and some are currently very focused on teaching, as opposed to creating.”
GROUP EFFORT
Bowers and Monaghan say they are grateful to be included in #RADstrong. While both artists lost spaces in the RAD last September, their paths in the months that followed are as distinct as their creations.
A painter working in oils, acrylics, encaustic and mixed media, Monaghan is the founder, director and instructor of 310 ART school and has been part of the local scene for 20 years. She says that little in her Riverview Station studio survived the flood, and years of work were lost. But thanks to the generosity of Nan Cole, the owner of Re.Imagine Gallery and Studios in Fairview, Monaghan was able to resume classes on Oct. 30 in
Cole’s building and launch a new workspace there.
Getting back into a creative groove post-Helene, however, took some time. Multiple sleepless nights prompted Monaghan to seek help via mild medication and therapy, the latter of which she’s continued as readjustments and personal stress endure. She notes that it takes a lot of mental concentration and energy to get into the creative mindset, and with personal and business difficulties dominating her bandwidth, it was impossible to achieve that proper headspace.
However, motivation came in the form of invitations to exhibit in shows like #RADstrong, which she says provided her with a choice to either give up or push forward by any means possible. The events of the past year also inspired Monaghan to shift her focus to exploring climate change themes, working more in mixed media and trying to forge new ideas and methods.
“I can’t go back to what I was making before September,” she says. “But I do want to turn a new leaf in my creative journey. The new work is mixed media, paint, cardboard, old rusty objects, some imagery, bones, some ashes and references to water and fire. Some of the pieces are small
and more playful, at lower prices and whimsical. It’s a way to try and make something that is interesting to look at but that explores recent experiences and building something from nothing.”
Bowers (who uses they/them pronouns) will present a mix of pre- and post-Helene work in #RADstrong Currently based in Canton, the visual artist and jeweler moved to the area in July 2023 largely because of the vast diversity of art in the RAD. Yearning to be part of this vibrant community, they landed a booth in Foundation Studios the following March. But when Helene tore through the region, Bowers wasn't able to get to their art before floodwaters toppled the wall on which their pieces were housed, destroying every item.
Bowers eventually found studio space in Waynesville at Folkmoot USA and will have a spot at Marquee in the RAD when the space reopens in August. In the interim, they’ve participated in the RADFest 1.0 Art Market in November and attended multiple RADA member meetings, all of which have strengthened their ties to the community.
They view #RADstrong as an opportunity to further connect with local creatives and the Asheville area at large through their colorful, vibrant art. Bowers describes their current work as a combination of Keith Haring, M.C. Escher and aboriginal influences with a wealth of hidden images that inspires viewers to pause and spend time with the artwork.
“I want [my #RADstrong selections] to show a progression of where I have been and where I am going,” Bowers says. “Some of my older works have had those traditional elements of figure and technique, and my newer works are very graphical. I would say that my style has morphed over the years but especially since I’ve been in Western North Carolina.”
To learn more, visit avl.mx/a0b. X
by Edwin Arnaudin | earnaudin@mountainx.com
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
If you’ve never been to a Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, it’s tough to describe what you’re missing. Over the course of four days each July and October, Harrah’s Cherokee Center –Asheville brims with the work of more than 100 juried artists from across the region. And along with the impressive eye candy that the pottery, sculpture, furniture, textiles, apparel, jewelry and mixed media offer, visitors have the opportunity to speak with the craftspeople themselves and ask questions about the creations in their booths. Now in its
78th year, the summer edition of the craft fair runs Thursday-Sunday, July 17-20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wood-carving and jewelry-making demonstrations will be offered each day; area folk/Americana artists will perform live music July 19-20; and master carver Helen Gibson will provide live demos at the brandnew Heritage Booth, which highlights makers preserving techniques passed down through generations. Tickets are $12 for adults, and children younger than 12 get in free. To learn more, visit avl.mx/exy X
The Budos Band
Situated on the banks of the French Broad River, The Grey Eagle’s outdoor venue The Outpost was a casualty of Tropical Storm Helene. But the listening room’s ownership remained committed to large-scale outdoor shows and built Hatch Amphitheater on the grassy hillside next to Hatch Coworking on South French Broad Avenue. The space’s inaugural ticketed show features longtime funk/ fusion favorites The Budos Band on
Saturday, July 19. Spoon’s bassist, Benny Trokan, kicks off the night at 7 p.m. with his eponymous solo side project. Looking to help fill the void of outdoor live music that also took a major hit with the loss of Salvage Station, Hatch Amphitheater’s first season also currently includes shows by Godspeed You! Black Emperor (Saturday, Sept. 6) and The Mountain Goats (Saturday, Sept. 20). Tickets for July 19 are $41. To learn more, visit avl.mx/ext X
The Floating Kingdom
Not alll stand-up comedians begin their careers hosting a political call-in radio show in Benghazi, Libya. That experience during 2011’s Arab Spring helped shape Mohanad Elshieky’s distinct sense of politically charged humor that he’s continued to hone since moving to the U.S. a little over a decade ago and officially pursuing comedy. In addition to inspired bits about strangers attempting to figure out his ethnicity, he also manages to make moments of personal trauma funny — such as the time in early 2019 when he was removed from a Greyhound bus by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, interrogated for 20 minutes and accused of falsifying his immigration documents. (Elshieky sued and received $35,000 in restitution.) The New York City-based comic brings his witty insights to the Funkatorium on
Thursday, July 17, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 general admission and $23 for premium seating. To learn more, visit avl.mx/exw X
Asheville-based singer-songwriter Samara Jade and fellow local storyteller Mica Sun have been collaborating on their original production The Floating Kingdom since July 2024. After touring it around the country for the past year, they bring it back home for a performance at Story Parlor on Saturday, July 19, at 7:30 p.m. The symbolically rich fable centers on an
old king who steps through a magical doorway to recover the pieces of the firebird — a mysterious being who holds the keys to the ancient monarch’s freedom and his heart. Designed for attendees of all ages, the show blends Sun’s theatrical oral storytelling and puppetry with Jade’s live instrumentation and song. Tickets are $22. To learn more, visit avl.mx/exv X
Photos of Samara Jade, left, and Mica Sun by James Island
Photo of The Budos Band courtesy of the artists
Mohanad Elshieky
Photo of Southern Highland Craft Guild member Lucas Hundley courtesy of the Guild
FITZ AND THE WOLFE Julianna Jade (indie, folk, soul), 6pm
FLEETWOOD'S The Discs, Scrapmetal & Invasion Boys (punk, rock), 9pm
FLOOD GALLERY
True Home Open Mic, 6pm
FRENCH BROAD
RIVER BREWERY
Jerry's Dead Thursdays (Grateful Dead & JGB tribute), 6pm
GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM
Blue Ridge Pride Open Mic, 6pm
CLUBLAND
APPALACHIAN-INFUSED AMERICANA: Jack of the Wood Pub hosts Jackson Grimm & Old Sap on Saturday, July 19, starting at 8:30 p.m. Grimm, who studied traditional music at Warren Wilson College, weaves together folk-pop melodies with traditional Appalachian music. Photo courtesy of Jackson Grimm
JACK OF THE WOOD PUB
Bluegrass Jam w/ Drew Matulich, 7pm
MAD CO. BREW HOUSE
Country Music Thursdays w/Jim Hampton, 6pm
OKLAWAHA
BREWING CO.
Detective Blind (indie-rock), 8pm
ONE WORLD BREWING Falspring (soul), 8pm
ONE WORLD BREWING WEST
Fee Fi Phaux Fish (Phish tribute), 8pm
PISGAH BREWING CO.
Tru Phonic (funk, blues, rock), 7:30pm
SHAKEY'S
• Comedy Showcase in The Office, 8pm
• Karaoke w/Franco Nino, 9pm
STATIC AGE LOFT
Auto-Tune Karaoke w/Who Gave This B*tch A Mic, 10pm
STATIC AGE RECORDS
Barrow, Senza & Ythgrp (post-rock, punk, screamo), 8:45pm
THE FUNKATORIUM
Modelface Comedy Presents: Mohanad Elshieky, 7pm
THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.
Julia Sanders (honkytonk, country), 6pm
THE ODD
Talent Shmalent, 8pm
THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL
Third Thursdays w/ Fancy & the Femmes, Elizabeth McCovey, Ashley Heath & Marisa Blake (multi-genre), 9pm
THE ORANGE PEEL
Red NOT Chili Peppers (Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute), 8pm
THIRD ROOM
Billingsley (rock'n'roll), 9:30pm
TWIN LEAF BREWERY
Trivia Night, 6:30pm
TWIN WILLOWS
The Candleers (country), 6pm
WICKED WEED BREWING
Pete Townsend (acoustic), 5pm
FRIDAY, JULY 18
ARTBEAT GALLERY AND LOUNGE Mr Jimmy (blues), 2pm
ASHEVILLE MUSIC
HALL
The Get Right Band w/The Feels (psych, indie, alt-rock), 9pm
ASHEVILLE YARDS
Flipturn (indie-rock), 7pm
COFFEE, ART, MUSIC TYPE PLACE
Open Mic, 6pm
CROW & QUILL Firecracker Jazz Band (swing, jazz), 8:30pm DSSOLVR Puro Perreo w/ DJ Mtn Vibez (Latin, reggaeton, cumbia), 9pm
EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY
Hannah Kaminer & The Wistfuls (Appalachian, Americana, country), 8pm
EULOGY
• Deep Sea Diver w/ Meernaa (indie-rock, indie-pop), 7pm
• In Plain Sight w/ Marley Carroll (house, edm), 11pm
FITZ AND THE WOLFE Monster Wave (surf, psych), 7pm
ARIES (March 21-April 19): For the Dagara people of Burkina Faso, the element of fire has profound cultural meanings. It’s a symbol of innovation and inspiration. It’s a mediator between the physical and spiritual worlds and a conduit for communication with the ancestors. Through rituals, fire is a purifying and renewing force that helps people reconnect with their purpose, heal relationships and catalyze positive change in the community. In the coming weeks, Aries, I hope you will be deeply aligned with all these symbolic meanings. What are you ready to ignite for the sake of nurturing and care? What truths need light and heat? What future visions would benefit from surges of luminosity?
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the Nahuatl language spoken by Indigenous Mexicans, the word "nepantla" describes an in-between space. It's a liminal threshold where a transition is in process. The old ways have fallen away but the new ways are not yet fully formed. It's unsettling and perhaps confusing, yet seeded with the potential for creative change. I suspect you are now in a state resembling nepantla, Taurus. Please understand that this isn’t a crisis. It’s a chrysalis. Any discomfort you feel is not a sign of failure, but a harbinger of the wisdom and power that will come by molting the identity you have outgrown. I hope you will honor the rawness and speak tenderly to yourself. You are not lost; you are mid-ritual.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The sea slug Elysia chlorotica is a small, unassuming creature that performs a remarkable feat: It eats algae and steals its chloroplasts, then incorporates them into its own body. For weeks afterward, the slug photosynthesizes sunlight like a plant. I believe, Gemini, that you are doing a metaphorical version of this biological borrowing. Some useful influence or presence you have absorbed from another is integrating into your deeper systems. You’re making it your own now. This isn’t theft, but creative borrowing. You’re not copying; you’re synthesizing and synergizing.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Ancient beekeepers in Anatolia carved hives directly into rock faces, coaxing honey from the cliffs. This practice was designed to protect bees from harsh weather and predators while maximizing honey production. The bees adapted well to their unusual homes. I suspect, Cancerian, that in the coming weeks, your sweetness and bounty may also thrive in unlikely structures. It could take a minute or two for you to adjust, but that won’t be a problem. Your nectar-making instincts will guide you. So I advise you not to wait for the perfect container before beginning your work. Make honey in the best available setting.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I laughed until I sobbed as you earnestly played the game of love even after the rules had changed. I sighed till I panted as you dredged up a new problem to avoid fixing an overripe hassle. I rolled my eyes until I got dizzy as you tried to figure out the differences between stifling self-control and emancipating self-control. But all that's in the past, right, Leo? Now I'm preparing to cheer until my voice is raspy as you trade in a dried-up old obsession in favor of a sweet, fresh, productive passion — and outgrow all the fruitless nuisances.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The ancient scribes of Mesopotamia etched records onto clay tablets with styluses, pressing wedge-shaped marks into wet earth. Once baked, these tablets endured for thousands of years. Some are still readable today. In my astrological assessment, Virgo, you are undergoing a metaphorically comparable process. Messages and expressions that are forming within you are meant to last. They may not win you immediate attention and applause. But you already suspect how crucial they will be to both your own future and the destinies of those you care for. Be bold, decisive, and precise as you choose your words.
ROB BREZSNY
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Is there any aspect of your life or character that is still unripe even though it is critical to your life-long journey? Have you held on to your amateur status or remained a bit dilettantish beyond the time when you might have progressed to the next highest level? Are you still a casual dabbler in a field where you could ultimately become masterful? If you answered yes to these queries, now is a perfect moment to kick yourself in the butt and leap to the next level. Waiting around for fate to kick your butt would be a mistake.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Many astrologers rightfully say that Virgo is the most detail-oriented, meticulous sign. I think you Scorpios may be the most methodical and thorough of all the signs, which means that you, too, can be meticulous and detail-oriented. A prime example is the Scorpio sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840–1917). Eventually, his work became world-renowned, but his career developed gradually because of his painstaking patience and scrupulous devotion to excellence. I propose we make him your role model for now. Inspired by him, resist pressure for immediate results. Trust in the slow, steady refinement process.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Here are half of your words of power for the coming days: windfall, godsend and boon. The other half is potion, remedy and healing agent. If you’re lucky, and I think you will be, those terms will blend and overlap. The blessings that come your way will be in the form of cures and fixes. I’m being understated here so as to not sound too wildly excited about your immediate future. But I suspect you will wrangle at least one amazing victory over hardship. Your chances of a semi-miraculous visitation by a benevolent intervention are as high as they have ever been.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The ancient Chinese character for “listening” contains symbols for ears, eyes and heart. I interpret this to signify that it’s not enough to seek the truth with just one of your faculties. They must all be engaged and working together to get the full story. You are wise to survey the world with your whole being. Keep these meditations in mind during the coming weeks, Capricorn. Your natural inclination is to be practical, take action and get things done. But for now, your main superpower will be listening to everything. So my advice is to listen with your skin. Listen with your breath. Listen with your gut. Let your attention be so complete that the world softens and speaks to you about what you really need to know.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you would like to glide into rapt alignment with astrological rhythms, give gifts to your two closest allies. These offerings should inspire their ambitions, not indulge their cravings to be comfortable. They shouldn't be practical necessities or consumer fetishes, but rather provocative tools or adult toys. Ideally, they will be imaginative boons that your beloved companions have been shy about asking for or intriguing prods that will help beautify their self-image. Show them you love both the person they are now and the person they are becoming.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Piscean photographer Ansel Adams is so renowned that he’s in the International Photography Hall of Fame. We know the moment that his lifelong passion erupted. At age 14, his family gave him a simple camera and took him to Yosemite National Park in California. “The splendor of Yosemite burst upon us and it was glorious,” he wrote later. “One wonder after another descended upon us. A new era began for me." In the coming months, I foresee you encountering a comparable turning point, Pisces — a magical interlude awakening you to a marvel that will become an enduring presence in your life. Be alert for it. Better yet, declare your intention to shape events to ensure it happens and you’re ready for it.
MARKETPLACE
Want to advertise in Marketplace? 828-251-1333 advertise@mountainx.com • mountainx.com/classifieds
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember the Russian proverb: “Doveryai, no proveryai,” trust but verify. When answering classified ads, always err on the side of caution. Especially beware of any party asking you to give them financial or identification information. The Mountain Xpress cannot be responsible for ensuring that each advertising client is legitimate. Please report scams to advertise@mountainx.com
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE SERVICES
REAL ESTATE BUSINESS BROKER Just sold: child care center. South Asheville area. Financed by an SBA loan. Under contract: Kitchen & bath construction company. Financed by an SBA loan. WANT TO BUY OR SELL A BUSINESS? Please contact me Rick Maerkle 30 years selling small businesses. Asheville Business Brokers 828-9891858 Rickmaerkle21@aol. com
EMPLOYMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE/ OFFICE
SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY
FARM IS HIRING Southside Community Farm seeks a
detail-oriented and collaborative Financial Administrator/ Funding Director to oversee nonprofit financial operations and lead funding strategies. This unique, dual-role position includes budget management, financial administration, payroll, fundraising, and grant coordination. On-the-job training will be provided. $25/ hr, 30hrs/week. Accepting applications on a rolling basis through August 1st. Go to southsidecommunityfarm. org to learn more about this position and how to apply.
SALES/ MARKETING
SENIOR SALES ASSOCIATE
Work for a local company that has covered the local scene for 30 years! Mountain Xpress
newspaper is a supportive, team-oriented environment serving local readers and businesses. We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic advertising sales representative. Ideal candidates are personable, organized, motivated, and can present our company with confidence. Necessary skills include clear and professional communications (via phone, email, and in-person meetings), detailed record-keeping, and self motivation. Experience dealing with varied and challenging situations is helpful. The position’s responsibilities include account development and lead generation (including cold-calling), account management, assisting clients with marketing and branding strategies. If you are a high energy, positive, cooperative person looking to join an independent media organization, please send a resume and cover letter (no
walk-ins, please) explaining why you are a good fit for Mountain Xpress to: xpressjob@mountainx.com. This is a noncommissioned position. There is potential for a performance-based annual bonus. Salary: $22 per hour.
Donate your car.
Do you have an extra car that needs a new home?
Your donated car can open the doors to independence, increased income, and higher education for a hardworking member of our community. Vehicles of all types and conditions are welcomed and appreciated!
The donation is tax-deductible. The process is simple. The impact is real.
HANDY MAN
HANDY MAN 40 years experience in the trades, with every skill/tool imaginable for all trades with the exception of HVAC. No job too small. $35 an hour. Carl (828) 551-6000 electricblustudio@gmail.com
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UNCLAIMED PROPERTY The following is a list of unclaimed property currently being held at the Weaverville Police Department. Electronics, personal items, tools, weapons (including firearms) and other miscellaneous items. Anyone with a legitimate claim in the listed property has 30 days from the date of publication to contact the Weaverville Police Department, M-F 9AM- 3PM, 828-645-5700 Items not claimed within 30 days will be disposed of in accordance with North Carolina General Statute.
military, folk art, stoneware, decoys, license plates, canes, carvings, toys, books. Call/ Text Steve 828 582-6097
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ACROSS
1 Obstinate fool
4 Co. badges, e.g.
7 Keeps burning, say
13 Apt name for a fretful fellow
14 Yogi’s accessory
15 Goes off track 16 Jabber
17 Chang or Eng Bunker, notably
19 Just managed, with “out”
21 Mix up
22 Recoils suddenly
23 ___ Haute, Ind.
25 On its way
27 Throwing a ball and grasping a pencil, e.g.
32 Grammynominated poet Nikki ___
34 Percolated
37 Balm additive
38 Observes Ramadan, say
40 Stretchiness
41 National park that’s home to the Pretty Rocks Landslide
43 Like pumpkin spice latte and peppermint mocha
45 Provider of crucial testimony
47 Unbuckled seatbelt alert
48 Zigzag
51 Solomonic figures
55 Craft drafts, for short
58 Sporty auto feature
59 Copyright wrongs
62 Sounds heard during a cuteness overload
63 Took to the sky 64 Young ‘un 65 Soccer star Messi, familiarly
Approach 67 Spot for wallowing
68 One of four featured on the Yale Nature Walk
1 To date
2 Sticking point for a gardener?
3 Celestial phenomena observed at perigees
4 Some online exchanges, in brief
5 Speaker’s spot
6 Walks or runs
7 French possessive
8 Bridge support
9 Swearword
10 Aussie’s neighbor
11 Nobel laureate Wiesel
12 Figs. with two dashes
15 Jeter in Cooperstown
18 Natural dividing line on a U.S. map, as suggested by this puzzle’s circled letters
Strongly suggested
Fig. at a
28 Really killing it, so to speak
29 Strand in a cell
30 The World Map is the largest one to date, with 11,695 pieces
31 Does some creative accounting?
32 Meander (about)
33 Saint Martin, par exemple
35 Actress Mendes 36 Torre ___ Greco, Italy
39 Celebration whose full name translates as “festival of the first day” 42 Menlo Park, N.J., famously 44 Hem, but not haw 46 Screwy 49 I, for one 50 Surrey town
