Retail done right: Local merchants contribute to Asheville culture
Volume
26
/ Issue 20
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Erin Fowler
What makes WNC the unique place we call home? Count our region’s specialty shops among the elements that propel the distinctive culture of this place — from independent bookstores to boutiques and pet stores that attract human, equine and reptilian visitors. On the cover: Morgan Caferra, left, holds Jetsun Dorji at Bagatelle Books.
arts
Locally owned bookstores flourish in the region’s fertile literary landscape
In WNC, say bookstore owners, size doesn’t matter so much as a deep well of literary history and residents and visitors who simply love to read.Kat Williams and Richard Shulman present a holiday concert
Shulman notes that a perennial favorite at the holiday shows is James Brown's "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.”Smart Bets: The Harmaleighs
The Nashville-based duo play The Grey Eagle on Dec. 15.Smart Bets: The Reel Sisters
The pipes and harp duo brings its Celtic Celebration to Isis on Dec. 15.Filmmaker Kira Bursky’s projections installation opens through Vibe of Asheville
The exhibition is open to the public on the second Wednesday of each month, December-June, starting Wednesday, Dec. 11.Smart Bets: Tony Grant
The Tyler Perry collaborator and R&B singer brings his Soulful Christmas concert to Tryon Fine Arts Center on Dec. 14.Smart Bets: Johnny Gandelsman
The Silkroad Ensemble member performs Bach’s complete cello suites on violin, Dec. 12 at BMCM+AC.food
Asheville shops liven up holiday meals with thoughtful table goods
The way one sets a table has the potential to be a secret weapon in diffusing discomfort and cultivating a sense of warmth and intimacy.Nan Chase revisits Asheville’s former restaurants
On Wednesday, Dec. 18, the North Carolina Room at Pack Memorial Library will host a launch party for the release of Nan Chase's latest book, Lost Restaurants of Asheville. The…Small bites: Deluxe opens in Woodfin
Deluxe, a cafe and wine bar, recently opened on the eastern edge of Woodfin. Also: Love Never Fails Christmas Gala returns; the winner of this year's Biscuit & Gravy Battle…living
Collaborative community effort tackles rising health inequities
From 2010 to 2018, “Our black infant mortality rate has increased from 11.7 to 15.1 deaths for every 1,000 babies born," Hannah Legerton told Buncombe County commissioners on Dec. 3.…WNC shops share tips for turning your yard into a bird-watching haven
Winter is the ideal time to begin planting and planning to create a hospitable wild bird habitat.news
Seller’s Market
ASHEVILLE, N.C.Hendersonville’s Main Street specialty shops talk business
Specialty shops line both sides of downtown Hendersonville’s Main Street. And as the city continues to grow, shop owners consider both the opportunities and future challenges of operating in the…Asheville Archives: City residents search for a taxidermist, 1955-59
Throughout much of the 1950s, Asheville residents raised the same question again and again: Where can I find a taxidermist?Biz briefs: Haywood Street construction, Beauty Bin arrives in Asheville
In honor of Xpress' Dec. 11 Specialty Shops issue, this week's biz briefs takes a look at news related to small specialty retailers — including a look ahead to sidewalk…Blame Game
ASHEVILLE, N.C.Catholic diocese to release review of sexual misconduct by year’s end
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, which represents 46 counties in Western North Carolina and six parishes in the Asheville area, announced in August that it will release a list…Sunrise Movement occupies City Hall over climate emergency
After months of haranguing City Council over the wording of a climate emergency resolution, over 40 protesters with Sunrise Movement Asheville occupied the government building on Dec. 6 to demand…Fraud effects linger in latest Buncombe County audit
During their Dec. 3 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners were told that while corrective measures to right years of financial mishandling are beginning to take hold, the county's…opinion
Letter: Reorient to love and justice
"Teachers, parents and all of us need to insist that our schools foster and support our children’s capacity to be playful, joyful, spontaneous, loving, creative and compassionate while developing their intellectual…Letter: Asheville needs to keep critical mass of artists
"If Asheville is to maintain its extraordinarily vital art scene, it needs to maintain the critical mass of artists who comprise the heart and soul of that scene."Letter: Tax policy means caring falls to good Samaritans
"I choose to believe that more of us will be moved with compassion like the good Samaritan and will go out of our way to lovingly care for others in…Letter: Sheriff has work to do on jail conditions
"Thanks for the best issue in years on Nov. 27, featuring the hateful TDA and neighborhood fascists, corruption, suppression of public comment, but most of all, hunger and cold in…