“It is incredible the amount of diversity Magic players have from bartenders, lawyers, teachers, baristas, kids — really it is a game that spans not just age but professions,” says Charla Schlueter, owner of Gamers’ Haunt
From CPP: Tourism economy of WNC hopes to weather the loss of October after Helene
Asheville’s tourism board is trying desperately to tell folks across the state and country that despite the devastation, they should still book a trip to the city.
Ingles reports storm losses up to $55 million
Four stores – in Swannanoa, Morganton, Newland and Spruce Pine – remain closed and are not expected to open for three to nine months.
Small towns find ways to aid businesses suffering financially after Helene
As small towns throughout Western North Carolina face an October without tourists, local nonprofits and community members are finding ways to help financially struggling businesses.
From CPP: Mill town in limbo. Helene leaves sale of closed Canton paper mill in doubt.
Tropical Storm Fred caused massive flooding in Canton in 2021. Then the mill closed, crushing the town. Now, the damage Helene wreaked on the mill and the town’s wastewater facility has the once-enthusiastic buyer — E.J. Spiritas Group — reconsidering its options.
County provides road map for Asheville restaurants to reopen
Asheville restaurants can apply to reopen for business while they are without water due to Tropical Storm Helene. But some say the process of setting up a temporary water source is a nonstarter.
From CPP: Smoky Mountain high. NC Cherokees place their bets on cannabis biz.
The Great Smoky Cannabis Company made history on April 20 by opening the first dispensary in a state where cannabis is illegal on both the medical and recreational level.
Communities throughout WNC embrace outdoor recreation projects
From Woodfin to Canton, Hendersonville to Brevard, local communities are embracing outdoor recreation as a way to drive economic growth and provide recreational opportunities for residents.
City program offers ‘carrot’ to hotel developers
Since 2021, 13 hotel projects have gone through the by-right process, with 11 committing more than $2.7 million toward city priorities, according to a newly released City of Asheville public dashboard.
Some businesses want cash, others only accept credit cards
A few Asheville businesses are riding a national wave of not accepting cash. Others say credit cards are a hassle and only accept paper money. We take a look at the pros and cons of each policy.
Confusion abounds in Buncombe about what trash can be recycled. Here’s why.
Most Buncombe County residents, and most Americans, assume that anything with a little triangular recycling symbol on it is recyclable. But that’s not the case.
Buncombe residents use millions of recyclable plastic bags a year; nearly all end up in landfills, Watchdog finds
“Based on national numbers, we think there are about 132 million plastic shopping bags [used] per year within Buncombe County,” said Anna Alsobrook, the French Broad watershed science and policy manager at MountainTrue.
Working together: Celebrating hidden gems
“A lot of times, even locals haven’t heard of these [places] or been there yet,” says Kaye Bentley, founder of Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours. She brings her guests — locals and tourists alike — to bar across Asheville.
Meet the animals in Asheville’s local businesses
Dogs, cats and fish double as coworkers at many establishments. It is Asheville after all — one of the most dog-friendly places around.
Go Local continues its mission to support independent shops
“There’s a pride in businesses that are local, independent,” says Sherree Lucas, Go Local’s executive director. “You walk into these great stores and they’re so unique in the products that they offer at such good quality.”
The Porchlight Project offers safe haven for abuse survivors
“The reason that we ask businesses to be involved is because [going to these places] is sometimes the only opportunity that people have to speak at all about what’s happening at home,” says Caitrin Doyle of Helpmate.
Working Together: Sweet, sweet friendship
One of The Hop and Lee’s One Fortune Farm’s favorite collaborations is their peach ice cream, which was released last week.
Working together: Eye-catching, business-building
“We’re a spectacle. Sometimes people are rubbernecking as we drive down the road,” says Move It Or Lose It owner Amalia Grannis.
YWCA acknowledges financial woes, closes pool
The organization cited lingering economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, shifts in funding priorities and the need for facility repairs as reasons for the shortfall.
Business, nonprofit roundup: Rhubarb to hold wedding-vendor showcase July 21
The showcase will feature more than a dozen local vendors in the industry, including photographers, florists, musicians and stationery printers.
Around the region: Post-Paper Town, people in Canton are cautiously optimistic
The Haywood County town of Canton has been without the Pactiv Evergreen paper mill for a year. How is the place that defines itself as “paper town” doing in the absence of the mill?