“I fully support the Tourism Development Authority budget being changed so that half of its current earnings serve to offset the negative impacts of tourism.”
New Stories
Letter: Spend tourism tax money on infrastructure
“The proceeds from the tax (75% plus) should be going toward enhancing the infrastructure that the visitors and locals use.”
Letter: Advertising isn’t the only way to increase tourism
“In an area with many other needs, it seems only sensible to address these needs. Actually, everything that improves the area in any way makes tourists like the area more.”
Letter: Cut tourism promotion and reallocate funds
“My vote would be to cut tourism promotional expenditures by 90% and reallocate those funds to improve infrastructure, deal with the homeless situation and lower the exorbitant residential property taxes.”
Toy stores focus on nostalgia and mystery to appeal to a broader clientele
Along with an all-age clientele, local toy shop employees and owners say the industry has plenty of other surprises. From unusual peak seasons to unique marketing techniques, shopkeepers say in order to stay in business, they have to keep on top of trends and a whole slew of other considerations.
Buncombe schools passes new Parents’ Bill of Rights policies
After collecting a month’s worth of feedback from parents, teachers and community members, Board member Rob Elliot said the board did its best to mirror the community’s wishes in the policies while still following state law.
Council to reconsider Arden development
The Asheville City Council is slated to reconsider a zoning request for a proposed 279-unit apartment complex in Arden at its Tuesday, Dec. 12 meeting. The development was previously discussed at the Nov. 14 Council meeting but was delayed due to concerns regarding family-sized housing and renewable energy.
VIDEO PREMIERE: ‘Starts to Rain’ by Josh Phillips
The singer/songwriter’s new video was shot at Lake Eden Retreat under the direction of The Get Right Band’s Silas Durocher.
Local purveyors find new ways to introduce medical mushrooms to customers
Asheville’s wellness culture is touted nationwide for its outdoor lifestyle and fresh mountain air. But less well known are the mycological wellness opportunities — that is, medicinal mushrooms — in our refrigerators and cupboards.
Asheville’s mobile bookshops bring lit to unconventional places
“How do we bring literature to the spaces where people already are?” asks Jacqui Castle, an author and Lit Local Mini Bookshops.
Theater review: ‘Elf: The Musical’ sparkles like tinsel
‘Elf: The Musical’ returns to the Asheville Community Theatre for a second consecutive year. Also returning is actor Carson Fox in the lead role of Buddy.
County Commission approves controversial rezoning request
Despite over an hour of public comment opposed to the proposal, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to rezone 764 acres owned by Biltmore Farms adjacent to the Pratt & Whitney plant.
Merrimon Avenue specialty shops build unique communities along the road diet
Inside several specialty shops along the mile-and-a-half stretch from UNC Asheville to Beaver Lake, hawkers of shoes, homebrew equipment, crystals and haircuts continue to sell their wares and services, building community amid the slower traffic, and their opinions — like their specialties — vary widely.
Indigenous Walls Project finds local business allies
Project founder Jared Wheatley and Asheville entrepreneurs discuss the “You Are On Cherokee Land” sign initiative.