“I never thought I’d be selling candy bars,” restaurateur Charlie Hodge admits with a laugh. Yet PayDays and Kit Kats are among the hundreds of sundries for sale in Hodge’s newest enterprise, Bodega on Broadway.
Carolina Beer Guy: Growler refills not easy during COVID-19 pandemic
Once a staple of the craft beer scene, reusable bottles currently aren’t being accepted at numerous Asheville-area businesses.
Food trucks adapt and roll into new territory
More relaxed regulations mean food trucks can operate at apartment complexes, community centers, libraries and other locations as long as they are more than 50 feet from an occupied residence.
Cottage food businesses offer creative ways to connect with community
“We saw immediately that popcorn seemed to become a comfort food with parents sending it to their kids, friends to friends, companies to staff working remotely,” says Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn owner Ginger Frank.
Asheville Tourists give fans missing baseball a taste of the game
Pop-up concessions events at McCormick Field serve ballpark favorites such as the Tourists Dog, chili cheese dogs, bratwurst, soft serve ice cream and, because it’s Asheville, craft beer.
Asheville Strong Fund provides crisis relief for small businesses
“We are especially looking to help fund microbusinesses with sole proprietors who have really fallen through gaps in other funding,” says fund co-founder Catherine Campbell.
Restaurants convert parking lots, sidewalks and streets to open-air dining rooms
With permission from the city, businesses with private parking lots can now convert 50% of their parking area to dining. To expand onto public sidewalks, businesses must be able to maintain 6 feet of clear space for diners and pedestrians.
Restaurants institute operation standards to ensure safety of guests and staff
“Restaurant people are resilient, determined and creative,” says Anthony Coggiola, owner of The Cantina at Historic Biltmore Village. “I believe we can do this.”
Carolina Beer Guy: Local breweries enact strict protocols to protect employees from COVID-19
Wicked Weed Brewing responds to positive COVID-19 tests for employees at the Funkatorium and brewpub. Meanwhile, other local breweries screen workers daily and feel that the virus will inevitably strike their own crews.
The BLOCK Off Biltmore has closed, but its free CommUNITY Meals initiative continues
Although The Block is closed for business, owner Cam MacQueen intends to keep the CommUNITY Meals initiative going.
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 from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority to fill needs unmet by the federal loan effort.
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.
BimBeriBon’s new to-go concept takes diners on a culinary world tour
Each week the bags are themed to a different country; so far, passport stamps include Greece, Cuba, France, India, Mexico, Asia and Spain.
Fundraising dinner brings the experience to donors’ homes
The Free Clinics’ annual Sunset Dining event adapts with delivered meals and virtual entertainment.
The Grey Eagle Taqueria teams with BearWaters Brewing
The owners of the Asheville music venue are taking their taco business to Haywood County.
Asheville inn owners ship baked goods to service members
In search of a virtual volunteer opportunity, Karen and Steve Wilson rallied inns across the U.S. to join their new effort, Inn Support of Our Troops.
Local distilleries offer DIY cocktail kits for at-home mixologists
Distillers are offering all-inclusive, make-your-own-cocktail kits.
Restaurants invite guests back to dine and socialize at a safe distance
As restaurants and event spaces in Asheville have begun to reopen for on-site service, “dining out” has taken on new meaning. With many people still cautious about sitting inside a confined space, restaurants that have wide-open outdoor spaces are finding ways to use those areas wisely as they welcome back staff and customers safely. “We […]
Carolina Beer Guy: Not all breweries fully reopen
Several Asheville breweries allow exclusively outdoor seating or remain closed.
Carolina Beer Guy: Oscar Wong receives prestigious award
The Highland Brewing founder is only the 34th person in the world to receive the Brewers Association Recognition Award for outstanding contributions to the industry.