Baptism by fire: New restaurants launch during pandemic
Volume
26
/ Issue 51
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Cindy Kunst
Thai Pearl in West Asheville opened in early March — a week before bars and dining rooms across the state were shut down to slow the spread of COVID-19. Xpress looks at several new local eateries that saw their debuts revised, delayed or put on indefinite hold by the pandemic.
arts
Tourism businesses patch together local, federal funds in bid for survival
Restaurants, brewers, hoteliers, tour companies and retailers were all among the 449 named Paycheck Protection Program beneficiaries with headquarters in Asheville. At least 46 of those entities also received help…Smart Bets: Alyse Bensel
The Brevard College professor's new book is a "poetic biography" of 18th century illustrator and naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian.Smart Bets: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
The 73rd annual event makes its digital debut July 16-19.Local artist Margaret Cogswell opens her Tiny Gallery
Cogswell’s initial goals for the gallery were that she would pursue whatever she felt like making and that the space would serve as a place for her to engage directly with…Smart Bets: All the Songs We Sing
Lenard D. Moore, Jaki Shelton Green and other writers discuss the Carolina African American Writers' Collective history and read selections of their work from the 25th anniversary commemorative collection in…Smart Bets: Wortham Center Special Events Series
The limited-seating, outdoor series opens the weekend of July 17 with performances by The Moon and You, Chuck Lichtenberger and his Trio and Becky Stone.The Broadcast releases its long-delayed third album
After an extended period of focusing on touring and business matters, Asheville-based soulful rock band The Broadcast overcame a series of delays and released its third studio album, "Lost My…food
Céline and Company Catering offers distanced dining downtown
The Hideaway On Broadway pop-up restaurant features a menu from chef Austin Tisdale and wine pairings through a partnership with Metro Wines.Newly opened and nearly opened restaurants took a COVID punch in March
Restaurants that were set to debut or relaunch during the state's pandemic dining room shutdown find creative ways to persevere.living
Local resident contributes to his community through gardening
Six years ago, Roy Harris helped launch the Southside Community Garden. The initiative has taken on greater meaning in the wake of COVID-19, he says. Food insecurity is a particular…Tip of the iceberg: What’s WNC’s true rate of COVID-19?
Based on antibody tests from six areas of the U.S., the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are an additional 10 coronavirus infections for each reported…news
Gloria Pincu reflects on her battle with COVID-19
East Asheville resident Gloria Pincu lost her husband, Daniel, to COVID-19 while she also battled the disease. As she slowly regains her strength, Pincu is struggling to make sense of…Residents react to the 1964 Civil Rights Act
In the early months of 1964, residents shared their thoughts on the impending civil rights bill. Most who offered their opinions expressed a dire message of inevitable chaos if the…Wellness in brief: Buncombe debuts new foster parenting programs for high-need kids
Two new programs, High Intensity Parenting and Lifeline, will provide enhanced training and round-the-clock access to supportive resources for foster parents, including financial incentives.Board OKs large housing development in Enka
The Farm at Pond Road, to comprise 575 apartments, 80 townhomes and 32 single-family homes, will be one of the largest residential projects in Buncombe County in recent years. It…EDC report shows Buncombe investment slowdown
According to the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County's most recent annual report, the coalition attracted just $20 million in capital investment to Buncombe County in fiscal year 2019-20. That…opinion
Letter: Thanks to those who fought Atlantic Coast Pipeline
"We can all breathe easier knowing that fracked gas has suffered a significant setback!"Letter: Where is coverage of local union effort?
"I think Mountain Xpress has left this stone, this seitan brick, unturned because what’s underneath is simply too detrimental to the glorious, progressive, compassionate Asheville that uncalloused liberals like to…Letter: Depriving people of livelihoods is no solution
"Curtailing these basic rights in the name of keeping us all safe is a precedent we set at our own peril."Connector
Letter: It’s high time to expand Medicaid in NC
"We should all be calling Sen. Berger and Rep. Moore to demand a vote this summer on Medicaid expansion for North Carolina."Cover up