Before Bele Chere, one of Asheville’s landmark buildings got a bath.
Last year the historic S&W building was sold to an investor group from South Florida. Rumors have swirled around high-end restaurants, but nothing concrete has been announced.
Workers pressure washed years of dirt off the front of the building, and have removed trees growing in the gutters at the top of the facade.
Sources from the workers indicate that the stand-alone portion of the building will be a new location for Dunkin’ Donuts. The large dining room, with unfounded rumors of a Paula Deen location, is currently envisioned to be a larger ‘Woolworth Walk’-type space with a lunch-type restaurant. A sign with that information has been placed in the window.
Thanks for reading through to the end…
We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.
We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.
I keep hearing Apple Store rumors. Would it fit in there?
A bacon apple doughnut at 1 am is pretty awesome. Who’s with me!!?
The real problem is not what goes IN the building, but where the money goes (hint: it doesn’t stay in town).
“Investment firms” and “developers” that are not local do not have the best interests of a town in mind when they come in to do business.