Since she was a child, Susan Sides has had her fingers in the dirt, helping her mother with the family garden. That early experience had a profound impact, fostering a passion that continues to this day: Since its inception in 2009, Sides has worked as executive director and garden manager at the Lord’s Acre in […]
Derek Bullard was a fan of Smoothie King long before he became a franchisee. As the former owner of a healthcare company that assisted children and adolescents with mental health disabilities, Bullard spent a lot of time on the road. “They had a Smoothie King in Charleston and several in Charlotte, which is where we […]
This week kicks off Short Street Cakes’ eighth annual Day of the Dead fundraiser. Also, Vortex Doughnuts turns two, Friends of the Mountain Branch Library in Lake Lure hosts a chili cook-off, the Truckload Sale returns to French Broad Food Co-op and Lex 18 will offer Turkish coffee readings for Halloween.
Summer vacation can create more free time than some college students know what to do with. But last summer, Alex Perry and Mary Scarborough, 19-year-old sophomores at Berry College in Georgia, turned their downtime into an opportunity. The pair decided to visit and rank 30 coffee shops in the Asheville area and created a website with their results — ashevillecoffeecrawl.com. “I […]
Business leaders, nonprofit representatives, elected officials and political candidates from across Buncombe County gathered at the Biltmore Estate’s Lioncrest venue Wednesday, Oct. 28 for the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s annual meeting.
Whether you’re hunting for a bargain or looking to make some extra cash, gathering with neighbors at a local flea market could be just the ticket. Flea market regulars say the connections that form between buyers and sellers are a unique aspect of the experience, and their value can equal or exceed the monetary rewards.
Local wellness, food and art vendors converged on Pack Square Park on Sunday to celebrate all things organic and sustainable.
While tractors and mechanized farm equipment have now largely replaced draft animals, a small but passionate contingent of farmers in Western North Carolina continues to rely on them to help with the daily work around their farms and as a source of extra income at times.
In 2008, Atlanta’s Octane Coffee introduced the Thursday Night Throwdown (often referred to as TNT). The latte art competition pits barista against barista in a series of elimination rounds where judges evaluate the clarity, milk texture, level of difficulty and contrast of each beverage made until a champion is crowned. On Thursday, July 28, Vortex Doughtnuts will […]
Out-of-towners who flock to Asheville for mountain views, world-class dining and a taste of Appalachian culture probably don’t often make a point of including a drive to northwest Buncombe County on their travel itineraries. Sparsely populated rural communities like Sandy Mush, Leicester, Newfound and Alexander tend to be pretty far off the radar for tourists — and even for […]
While oversized, stinky fruit and gunpowder tea may not be on everyone’s weekly grocery list, many Ashevilleans are happy they don’t have to travel far from home to find them. Whether you have a hankering for some dragonfruit, are starting an alternative diet or just want to try a new recipe you found on the Internet, local specialty […]
What does a catchphrase like “sustainable tourism” mean here in Western North Carolina? How do you make it work at the ground level? Local businesses, organizations and public officials weigh in on what such a model might look like in the region.
As an in-and-out kind of place to grab a fresh sandwich, a jar of Lusty Monk mustard, a to-go pint of ice cream from The Hop or a couple of Buchi kombuchas (sounds like a fun night!), Lexington Corner Market will add a new facet to the mix of merchants downtown.
New eatery HenDough has maxed out its kitchen serving fried chicken and imaginative doughnuts to Hendersonville residents; Oakley Farmers Market is moving to a new location; Black Mountain Ciderworks is celebrating the release of two new drinks; and the date is set for the first Folkmoot Music Showcase and Spring BBQ.
Haywood Road institution Mama’s Fast Food has closed; Sour Fest returns to Thirsty Monk; ASAP holds its annual CSA fair; and the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department invites community members to a chili cook-off meet-and-greet.
Few crops have been as central to North Carolina’s economy and culture — or as controversial — as tobacco. Historically, its high market value and the relative ease of growing it made tobacco a staple for many Western North Carolina farmers. As late as 2002, 1,995 mountain farms grew tobacco. The crop’s prevalence, however, was […]
A fundraiser for West Asheville’s Center for Honeybee Research showcases 27 honeys of the world; Asheville Brewers Supply hosts a seminar on insurance for beer entrepreneurs; Oskar Blues Brewery and The Cheese Store of Asheville plan a tasting; the Town of Fletcher hosts its 15th annual Chili Cook-Off; and Valet Gourmet partners with another food delivery service.
In the past few months, two major chain retailers have been busy bees. Both The Home Depot and Lowe’s have begun phasing out the sale of flowering plants containing pesticides called neonicotinoids, which have been linked to declining populations of bees and other pollinators. “Right now, 80 percent of our flowering plants are neonic-free, and […]
Downtown grocery store Hopey and Co. has officially opened its newly expanded space on South French Broad Avenue.
With his expansion in the old French Broad Chocolate Lounge space, Rhubarb chef John Fleer hopes to create a new bakery, retail shop and event venue that continues his theme of celebrating local edibles.
