In photos: Downtown Art Walk has plenty to show as season concludes

At Artetude Gallery on Patton Ave., artist Leonid Siveriver blends mediums with his piece, “Motion.” Siveriver displayed a variety of pieces Dec. 5 during the last First Friday Art Walk of the season. (The gallery crawl series resumes again in April.) He said the idea of “Motion” came from photography — it’s a bronze casting of […]

Ben’s Tune-Up brings new convenienc­e store to South Slope

“Everybody needs sodas and cigarettes and snacks,” says Ben’s Tune-Up co-owner Meg Alt. Now, individuals who work and play downtown have an expedient means to get these items. Ben’s Penny Mart, Asheville’s newest convenience store and hangout, is scheduled to open on Friday, Aug. 15, at 195 Hilliard Ave. adjacent to Hi-Wire Brewing. The hours […]

Moving mountains: Tiger Mountain circles the block

Tiger Mountain, a popular Asheville locals’ bar, has closed the doors to its 103 Broadway location and will open just around the corner at 112 N. Lexington Ave. (formerly Emerald Lounge). Owner Sean Bickford is optimistic that the new location will be open to the public by next Friday, Aug. 15. One of Bickford’s primary goals […]

Urban Café: Tiny space, big flavors

An imaginative and affordable breakfast and lunch spot opened downtown early this month on the ground floor of the BB&T building on Pack Square. Situated in the tiny venue previously occupied by The Sandwich Company, Urban Café packs a globe-spanning range of bold flavor combinations into a compact kitchen and dining area — and offers them at what are almost fast-food prices.

French Broad Chocolate Lounge announces move to new location

“For six years, residents and visitors of our fair city have come for chocolate and fellowship to French Broad Chocolate Lounge at 10 South Lexington Avenue. This, our original location, has served us very well, despite the building’s age and unique quirks. The summer of this year, 2014, will be our last in this spot! We have signed a 10 year lease to relocate French Broad Chocolate Lounge around the corner on Pack Square! This spring, we are renovating the first floor of the historic Legal Building, formally SunTrust Bank, to be our permanent home.”

A plan for everything

Late last month, Asheville City Council passed the Haywood Road Vision Plan, a years-long effort by community members and city staff to outline the future of the corridor. It’s not a one-time event either: Such plans for different areas of the city are a main way city leaders hope to shape the Asheville of tomorrow, and it’s a plan they want to extend to more neighborhoods. Sometimes, however, these plans can also prove controversial.