New restaurants and breweries continue to open in Black Mountain, leaving business owners cautiously optimistic about the town’s potential as a tourist destination.

New restaurants and breweries continue to open in Black Mountain, leaving business owners cautiously optimistic about the town’s potential as a tourist destination.
With COVID cases rising, Black Mountain retailers worry that the modest rebound they’ve seen this fall might fade away before the holiday shopping season can give their balance sheets a much-needed yearend boost. But several factors could work in their favor: a strong commitment from residents to support their local stores, a sense that smaller shopping districts pose less risk than crowded city centers and widespread compliance with mask-wearing and social distancing guidelines.
The Sourwood Idol competition starts the weekend event on Friday, Aug. 12, and the festival continues on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 13 and 14.