Chain Reaction: A look at locally owned franchises
Volume
25
/ Issue 31
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Joe Pellegrino
Where do locally owned franchises fit into Asheville’s economy and community? Local franchise owners and business experts offer their insights. On the cover: Brandy, left, and Robert Mills, owners of Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery, 22 Town Square Blvd. in Biltmore Park.
arts
Former Goodies bassist Alias Patrick Kelly returns to Asheville
Though he’s settled in Atlanta, Kelly looks back fondly upon his time in the Asheville music community. He started playing with The Goodies when he was 19. He says that…Smart Bets: Keep Asheville Beard
The inaugural competition and fundraiser for Xpand takes place Feb. 24 at the Hi-Wire Big Top.Smart Bets: Mike Doughty
In honor of its 25th anniversary, the Soul Coughing frontman performs the band's debut album on Feb. 23 at The Grey Eagle.The Center for Art & Inspiration opens in Hendersonville
Along with theatrical productions, the event space offers murder mystery dinners, programming for children, a Malaprop’s book store pop-up, the Artful Cup Coffee Bar and more.Smart Bets: Emily Easterly, Minorcan and Nikki and the Phantom Callers
The Asheville rocker shares the Feb. 23 Odditorium bill with Minorcan and Nikki and the Phantom Callers.Theater review: ‘The Gin Game’ at HART Theatre
The Gin Game resounds with witty humor by poking fun at the matters of aging. It then cleverly challenges our comfort-zone with deep drama, scolding us for making light of…BeLoved Asheville’s new gallery offers visibility to underserved artists
The event includes music by DJ Malinalli and light hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 p.m. followed the unveiling of the work “Rising of the Ancestors” by Harry Rivera, an artist talk…Smart Bets: We Insist!
Fresh Cut Orchestra and Melanie Charles perform Max Roach’s "Freedom Now Suite" at BMCM+AC, Feb. 22-23.food
Beer Scout: The Casual Pint and Tasty Beverage Co. take different routes to success
Owners of two Asheville bottle shops and taprooms with roots outside of the city discuss becoming part of the local brewing industry.Asheville’s complicated relationship with food franchises
Although WNC has deep love for its locally grown, independent businesses, many area restaurant and food franchises are owned and operated by proud Asheville residents.Small bites: Ending food waste in WNC
Food Waste Reduction and Recovery WNC will host its quarterly meeting in Madison County. Also: The Blind Pig presents Black Sheep; Southside Rising hosts Community Spotlight Night; 12 Bones opens…living
Family harmony: Local practitioners launch new book on parenting
Family counselors Dayna and Jim Guido will be joined by their son, Lucio, for a book celebration and signing event at Malaprop’s Bookstore and Cafe at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb.…movies
Screen scene: Local film news
**UPDATED FEB. 21** Biltmore's latest exhibit features Gilded Age costumes by Academy Award winner John Bright, White Horse hosts a rare screening of Julie Dash's "Daughters of the Dust" and…news
Asheville Archives: Royal Giants take the field, 1916
In 1916, E.W. Pearson formed the Asheville Royal Giants, the city's first black baseball team.News briefs: Waters to deliver talk on historical memory, Confederate monuments
Against the backdrop of ongoing controversy surrounding the persistence of Confederate monuments in the Southeast, UNC Asheville history professor Darin Waters will deliver a presentation on Thursday, Feb. 28, about…Pet Projects
ASHEVILLE, N.C.Evergreen science teacher wins national recognition
Jason Carter's creative instructional attitude recently earned him the honor of being named a Teacher Ambassador by the California-based National Center for Science Education. Along with nine colleagues from across…Where do locally owned franchises fit in Asheville’s economy?
Brandy Mills and her husband, Robert, say that one of their fondest memories of growing up in Asheville is of meeting friends and family at the Tastee-Freez on Patton Avenue…Local leaders tackle health impacts of structural racism
By reaching out to African-American residents in rural parts of WNC through surveys, conversations and community meetings, a new three-year, $350,000 fellowship aims to raise awareness and reduce racism in…Biz briefs: Daily service to Washington Dulles from AVL, Slow Money NC hosts gathering
Beverly-Hanks Realtors celebrated a big year with an awards ceremony Feb. 12. Mega Networking returns to the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce on Mar. 14. And the cost of renting…Finding the region’s next elected leaders
Politicos of all stripes have begun gearing up for a 2020 election that looks to be a broad moment of opportunity. In Asheville, ballots will include offices from president on…Electric city buses make public debut
Even accounting for the fossil fuels needed to generate the electricity they will use, said Council member Julie Mayfield, each vehicle will produce 54 fewer tons of annual carbon emissions…I-26 Connector construction delayed in draft plan
The I-26 Connector project, an almost $1 billion overhaul of the highway system in and around Asheville, is one of 37 Division 13 projects that have been changed in a…Transportation projects get support at Council meeting
Four items on Council’s consent agenda aimed to improve how Asheville residents move about the city — and, thanks to a resolution supporting a statewide initiative for passenger rail in…Council confronts $270 million capital funding gap
City Manager Debra Campbell called the Feb. 12 capital budget briefing “food for thought” as she encouraged Council members to focus and prioritize their objectives. “This is why we’re presenting…opinion
Letter: The hand of God?
"When I got a chance, I asked him this question: Do you believe that Franklin Graham and Sarah Huckabee Sanders really know what God wanted to happen in the 2016…Letter: Paying parking fines locally
"Parking is becoming more and more a racket in Asheville."Letter: Steps toward 100 percent renewable energy
"What could be better than using waste to generate the energy we need and saving money in the process?"Letter: Health care system’s true elephant in the room
"We’ll continue to chase our tails and flail about looking to deliver fairness and equity on par with efficiency and quality as long as profit is the driver."To the rescue
ASHEVILLE, N.C.Letter: Vance Elementary community needs a say about fencing project
"As parents, community members and taxpayers, we insist that our concerns about this project be heard and respected."