Closing a restaurant is complicated, costly and emotional say three restaurateurs who made that difficult decision in 2020 and are still navigating the after effects and determining what’s next.
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Closing a restaurant is complicated, costly and emotional say three restaurateurs who made that difficult decision in 2020 and are still navigating the after effects and determining what’s next.
Restaurants, brewers, hoteliers, tour companies and retailers were all among the 449 named Paycheck Protection Program beneficiaries with headquarters in Asheville. At least 46 of those entities also received help from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority to fill needs unmet by the federal loan effort.
Launched in mid-May, the program is a $50 million commitment to help local independent restaurants open and get back to work.
From a soon-to-open spot on Hendersonville Road to established businesses like West End Bakery, the Asheville area boasts several independent bakeries that are big on bagels.
Chef Katie Button is set to open a New York-style bagel shop downtown. And in other local food news, Asheville Pizza Co. features a French-inspired pizza created by chef Michel Baudouin, Ivory Road Café & Kitchen hosts its second pie contest and local food businesses compete for the title of Asheville Pimento Cheese Champion.