When N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper closed restaurant dining rooms in mid-March, the Kickback AVL website became “a madhouse,” says owner Jennie Townsend.
Biz briefs: Buncombe continues to see high COVID-19 unemployment, business closures
The county, North Carolina’s seventh-most populous, was fifth on the state’s list of counties by number of pandemic-related first-time unemployment insurance claimants in April. Of those claims, 21.7% were from workers in the leisure and hospitality industries, while 15.6% were from the trade, transportation and utilities sector.
Independent restaurants grapple with whether and how to reopen for in-house service
Dazed and confused might best describe the reaction from local restaurateurs to Phase 2 of the state’s COVID-19 reopening plan, with side orders of determination and ingenuity.
Carolina Beer Guy: Taprooms open with significant safety measures
Asheville-area breweries have taken numerous precautions to ensure responsible reopening.
New coffee shop owners face pandemic shortly after opening
Farewell coffee shop was open only two months before it was forced to close by COVID-19. But the owners saw the store’s roll-up window as an opportunity to stay in business.
Hominy Farm bread builds a following despite quarantine
Bread maker Eli Je Bailey debuted his business, Hominy Farm, at the River Arts District Farmers Market in February.
West Asheville restaurants reinvent their service models to meet COVID challenge
Jargon and Biscuit Head are navigating the restaurant shut-down by trying new concepts.
Carolina Beer Guy: NC taprooms allowed to reopen thanks to late-breaking guidance from Gov. Cooper
Local brewpub owners discuss the safety precautions they’re taking prior to reopening.
Meredith Leigh advises a DIY approach to sourcing meat
“A lot of my work right now is in helping people organize themselves and understand how they might create collaborative means of accessing meat,” says author, butcher, chef and instructor Meredith Leigh.
Community aid helps WNC food banks meet challenges
The impacts of COVID-19 on demand, supply and distribution for local hunger relief organizations were immediate and profound, thrusting MANNA FoodBank and its smaller partner agencies into a triage response.
Carolina Beer Guy: AVL Beer Week goes virtual
A range of online events are planned May 22-31 in lieu of in-person gatherings.
Beer Scout: Breweries focus on R & D amid COVID-19 challenges
New products continue to enter the market as local breweries strive to remain innovative.
Carolina Beer Guy: Local brewery owners miss the crowds
Across the Asheville area, brewery figures are struggling with quiet taprooms and other significant changes to the industry.
Local meat providers find increased consumer demand
As retailers face potential shortages of large-scale commodity meats, Asheville consumers look to local farms and butchers.
Chow Chow board postpones culinary festival to September 2021
“It was an extremely tough decision,” says Chow Chow board of directors president Katie Button. “We’re determined to be back better than ever next year.”
Local chefs celebrate Mother’s Day in the kitchen with their kids
“I think it’s hard for people who are used to doing it for a living, where you have to be fast,” says Sand Hill Kitchen owner and chef Jamie Wade. “I’ve really had to work on my patience, but we have a lot of time on our hands.
The Hop Ice Cream Cafe partners with #AshevilleStrong to create specialty flavors
The more collaborations, the better for everyone,” says The Hop co-owner Greg Garrison.
Luxury chocolate maker pivots from bonbon molds to face shields
“The face shields are a necessity for people putting their lives on the line,” says Refined Designs Chocolate owner Timothy Maguire. “The chocolates are a morale booster, and we’re happy to do what we can.”
Carolina Beer Guy: Fermented Nonsense and Craft Centric going out of business
Asheville’s smallest brewery and the taproom/bottle shop in which it’s housed are the first brewing industry businesses to close as a result of COVID-19 repercussions.
Asheville independent restaurants struggle to stay in business
Initially seen as a lifesaver, the Paycheck Protection Program has instead become a lead weight around the necks of many independent restaurants.
Dining Out for Life fundraiser tweaks model in response to restaurant closures
For 18 years, the Western North Carolina Aids Project has counted on the generosity of local, independent restaurants to fuel its annual fundraiser. With those restaurants struggling to stay afloat, WNCAP is hoping to return their kindness with a COVID-19 twist on Dining Out for Life. “Typically, the event model is based on participating restaurants […]
