Asheville
Council to vote on tightening downtown development rules
After more than a year of public input and review, proposed development changes that would bring more downtown projects before Council for review will go to a vote on Tuesday, Feb. 14. The new rules also include a provision for Council to review all hotel projects with 21 rooms or more anywhere in the city.
CIBO panel explores Asheville City Council district elections
The Council of Independent Business Owners returned to the topic of district elections for seats on Asheville City Council at its monthly Issues Meeting on Feb. 10. Unsurprisingly, opinions on the wisdom of making a change were mixed.
Local businesses serve Asheville’s geekier side
These days, geeking out is hot. Asheville is home to a vibrant community of people looking to express their nerdier side, and abundant businesses to serve them: From comic books to games to movies and more, this town has it all. Across the country, the cultural partitions surrounding geekdom are being torn down: What was […]
Retail comes to the RAD
When you think of Asheville’s River Arts District, what comes to mind are probably things like painting, sculpture, pottery, glass blowing — you get the drift. But as the neighborhood continues to expand and evolve, new businesses are also popping up. In the last six months, a number of retail shops have opened in the […]
Chamber of Commerce opposes downtown development rule changes
The Asheville-Area Chamber of Commerce has added its voice to the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission in opposing proposed zoning changes that are expected to be considered by Asheville City Council at its meeting on Feb. 14.
Mannequins’ best friend: Scout Boutique owner Dema Badr retraces her footsteps in local fashion
Asheville native Dema Badr learned her earliest business lessons locally, working for her family at Asheville Discount Pharmacy and later launching her own clothing store Zakya downtown. She draws on those experiences at her latest venture Scout Boutique.
Wedge Brewing Co. is now hiring for new facility
Several front-of-house positions are open, but the deadline to apply is just around the corner.
Sweet somethings: Asheville-area indie shops offer Valentine’s Day gift ideas for the foodie at heart
Valentine’s Day gifts don’t have to stop with chocolates and flowers. Western North Carolina’s independently owned retail shops have some creative ideas for pleasing anyone’s beloved foodie.
P&Z approves 61-room downtown hotel
Asheville’s Planning & Zoning Commission voted to approve a 61-room hotel at 68 Patton Ave. and to recommend that City Council reject proposed changes to zoning ordinances that would result in more Council oversight and review of downtown and hotel development.
Former Asheville City Council member announces push for district elections at CIBO lunch
Dr. Joe Dunn, a retired dentist who lives in South Asheville, today told members of the Council of Independent Business Owners he’s launching a push for district elections for seats on Asheville City Council — and he’s planning to take his case directly to North Carolina legislators.
City Council denies 185-room hotel
City Council voted unanimously to deny the zoning request for a 185-room hotel at 192 Haywood St. at its Jan. 24 meeting. Police Chief Tammy Hooper gave an update on policing in the city in 2016.
Sentenced to hotel row
Asheville
Boned
Asheville
Minerals Research Lab cooks up cutting-edge solutions
For 70 years, the Minerals Research Laboratory on Coxe Avenue has collaborated with mining companies and educational institutions to develop more efficient processes for extracting the state’s mineral resources as well as ways to reuse potentially harmful byproducts.
Council approves annexation, hears good news about Housing Authority program
On Jan. 10., Asheville City Council approved the free downtown shuttle service offered by Slidr, a request to voluntarily annex a 4.8-acre parcel in South Asheville and an amendment to the zoning approval for the RAD Lofts housing development on Roberts Street. Council also agreed to move forward with a study of voters’ attitudes about district elections for positions on City Council.
Council likely to postpone hearing on Haywood Street hotel
The public hearing scheduled for Council’s Tuesday, Jan. 10 meeting on the zoning request for a 185-room Embassy Suites Hotel at 192 Haywood St. has a “100 percent chance” of being continued until a later Council meeting, according to Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer earlier today. No alternate date has been identified for the hearing yet, said City Clerk Maggie Burleson.
Asheville’s Development Services Department loses another director
Jason Nortz, Asheville’s most recent development services director, vacated his post in late December. Diane Meek, who formerly served as the department’s business technology project manager, was appointed interim director.
185-room downtown Embassy Suites hotel on Jan. 10 Council agenda
New year, new hotel. Asheville City Council will review its first zoning request for 2017, and it’s a big one: the proposed 185-room Embassy Suites hotel on Haywood Street, across the street from the Hotel Indigo and the Hyatt Place and next door to the Carolina Apartments.
Reality check: WNC video game designers face exciting, uncertain prospects
With game design education programs on the rise at local community colleges and UNC Asheville, and with technical innovations like increased bandwidth and virtual reality on the horizon, could this area expand its presence in the global gaming industry?
Sustainable craft
Craft brewing is a business driven by a strong sense of place, and industry people tend to be passionate about their communities. Environmental sustainability is a high priority for craft breweries of every scale, and as Asheville’s prominence as an East Coast brewing hub continues to grow, regional breweries’ efforts to protect their environment have […]