Who’s setting up shop + who’s shutting their doors is information we like to dish about (see what we did there😏). Here at the office, we often wonder “what’s up with all of those businesses we announced last month,” and the list of businesses we’re keeping tabs on keeps growing. So, we figured our readers would be wondering too. Back in April, we gave you the 411 on 15+ businesses that were set to open, and most have already.
In our second round, we caught up with up 20+ businesses that are on their way for the fall to or that have recently grand opening this summer.
Recently Opened
Photo by @thewaterbirdasheville
🍸The Waterbird | Coffee, lunch and cocktails | 197 Charlotte St.
The best of both worlds: coffee by day and cocktails by night. The Waterbird opened May 26 and is a great neighborhood daytime workspace that transforms into an evening gathering space. Can you say coffee til cocktails.
🍯Beeswax & Butter | Bakery | Farmers Market/West Asheville Tailgate Market
beeswax & butter have been bringing French macarons with local + organic ingredients to AVL since April 10. You can also follow them on Facebook + Instagram for updates as they will be selling exclusively + taking special orders at the tailgate market. Bonus: They are hoping to have their own shop by 2019.
🥢WakuWaku Eatery | Japanese Restaurant | 674 Merrimon Ave. #105
Having opened May 11th, WakuWaku is a new hotspot for Japanese homestyle foods.
🥃 The Chemist | Distillery | 151 Coxe Ave.
Making its way to South Slope, The Chemist opened its tasting room doors in June and has been working on specialty cocktails ever since. Read how they got their name here.
Photo by @ashevilleclub
🍷The Asheville Club | Bar | 20 Haywood St.
The former location of Kim’s Wig Center became a craft-beer taproom on May 7 this year. The Asheville Club takes it name since it is located in the Miles Building which was once a men’s club that started in 1901 (but don’t worry, everyone is welcomed at the taproom).
🥪Lee’s Hoagie House | Sandwich shop | 1390 Sand Hill Rd., Candler
What started as a Philadelphia hoagie + cheese steak storefront shop in 1953, is now a franchise system around the country. The Candler location has been opened since April 28. Classic Philly? Um, yes please.
🍺Brouwerïj Cursus Kĕmē | Brewery | 155 Thompson St.
Cursus Kĕmē opened their doors last Friday. Brewmaster Jeffrey Horner + his wife Jessica took what once was a former tractor-trailer repair shop and turned it into a beer garden + brewery featuring custom-made equipment.
Photo by @famoustoasteryavl
🥞Famous Toastery | Gourmet better-breakfast | 4 south Tunnel Rd.
What started as a house-turned restaurant in Huntersville, N.C. back in 2005, has brought its love for breakfast + lunch to AVL. Famous Toastery cut the ribbon on this past Tuesday. A place to choose between pancakes, salads, burritos + burgers?? We’re all in.
🥗HomeGrown West | Restaurant | 219 Amboy Rd.
This local eatery has expanded into West Asheville and plans to continue making food affordable + convenient for everyone. Their West AVL location officially opened its doors on May 14.
☕Asheville Tea Company | Tea Shop | 7 Brevard Rd.
West Asheville mom, Jessie Dean, started this tea company that brings locally sourced brews to everyday tea culture in WNC. You can find Asheville Tea Company at any of these locations. The store will be a collaboration with Asheville Goods, which curates boxes of local products.
🍺One World Brewing | Brewery | 520 Haywood Rd.
The downtown location welcomed a sister location in West Asheville this summer. This second location has a 10-barrel brewhouse, taproom, full circular bar offering a range of brews + specialty drinks.
Coming Soon
Photo by @badhappypoutine
😈BadHappy Poutine | Restaurant | 354 Merrimon Avenue #50
BadHappy is expected to open July 25 at noon. Chef Tom Kern moved BadHappy Poutine from Chicago to his hometown in AVL. As Asheville’s first Poutine shop, you can think of it as fast food with a classy spin.
🍺DSSØLVR | Brewery | 63 N. Lexington Ave
Former Burial Beer Co. brewers JT Murrett + Vince Tursi have partnered with Mike Semenec to open a new brewery. Expected to open in 2019, for now DSSØLVR will begin brewing operations this year. Check them out on Instagram.
🍞Button & Co. Bagel Shop | Bagel Bakery | 32 S Lexington Ave.
You may have noticed this address is the same as Nightbell, and you are right. Chef Katie Button has made plans to turn the ground-level restaurant space into a bagel shop. More details should be coming very, very soon.
🍷Plēb Urban Winery | Winery | 289 Lyman St.
plēb is taking a vineyard to glass approach by sourcing fruit from local growers and expanding the scope of N.C. wine and is expected to open later this year.
Photo by @biscuitheadavl
🍳Biscuit Head South | Southern breakfast | 1924 Hendersonville Rd.
Joining its sister stores in West AVL + Biltmore Ave., Biscuit Head is bringing its love of Cat Head Biscuits to South AVL. The original opening was supposed to be this spring but it has now been scheduled for early this fall. Keep tabs on their progress on Instagram + Facebook.
🍎Urban Orchard | Cidery | 24 Buxton Ave
Urban Orchard is expanding the cider love to South Slope. Formally the home of ENO (Eagles Nest Outfitters) the 17,500-square-foot building will become the second home for Urban Orchard this month.
🥐RendezVous by Bouchon | French Bistro | 184 Haw Creek Rd.
An actual date hasn’t been announced, but this second Bouchon location will be in East Asheville in the Haw Creek neighborhood. Bonus: this location will be much bigger than the downtown location + eight pétanque courts.
Photo by @benandjerrysasheville
🍨Ben & Jerry’s | Ice Cream | 19 Haywood St.
The official opening date for Ben & Jerry’s hasn’t officially been announced, but is expected to open this fall. So far they are working away at building this scoop shop that will host all your B&J favorites. Did somebody say Bourbon Brown Butter??
🍯Tupelo Honey Cafe Expansion | Southern Restaurant | 12 College St.
Tupelo Honey has taken the space that once was Athena’s bar space and has turned it into a major expansion. The expansion space to set to open at the end of this month and will create more room at the bar and add extra seating.
🥤Simple Cafe & Juice Bar | Cafe & juice bar | 643 Haywood Rd.
While Simple Cafe is keeping their progress on the DL (building anticipation we see) we are eager for their grand opening. Stay tuned for more details.
🌱Green Sage Cafe | Cafe | 633 Merrimon Ave.
Green Sage already has three locations around Asheville. But wait, remember the old Atlanta Bread Co. on Merrimon Ave.?? Yeah, say hello to the soon-to-be 4th location for Green Sage Cafe. Stay tuned as progress updates are announced for the projected fall opening.
We love the classic restaurants here in Asheville – But we also love trying out what’s new here in the #828.
On top of the eateries, two new boutiques opened right downtown recently –Blu 29 + Hazel Twenty.
Is there local businesses we missed? Or maybe you have some *top secret* info on one that is soon to be announced.
Let us know by replying to this email, or leaving a comment below.
Bonus: We love to explore new businesses (check our Instagram later today for BTS of the new One World Brewing location). If you’re starting up a new restaurant, brewery, or another local biz, email us at hello@avltoday.com. We’d love to come check it out!
Happy almost Friday, Asheville. Go ahead + start planning your weekend now. (Our #PlanAhead guide may help).
