6AM City In-house

Bagels, babka, and beyond 🥯

11 places for great Jewish baked goods in Asheville
Mother AVL babka
Mother AVL’s latest babka flavor weaves together cardamom, cinnamon, and citrus zest. | Photo via Mother AVL
‘Tis the season to indulge in warm, flaky, artisan baked goods — but here in Asheville, you can’t find a superb bagel, babka, or challah loaf just anywhere.

Never schmear, though: for here are 11 stand-out bakeries and pop-ups that specialize in Jewish baked goods, just in time for Hanukkah (which kicks off Sunday, Dec. 18).

Geraldine’s, 840 Merrimon Ave. | This New York-style mom and pop bakery delivers bagels that are hefty and airy, with just the right amount of chew. Stop by early for first dibs on the wondrous pastry shelf, including hamantaschen and rugelach, plus loaves of challah.

Another pro tip: Asheville Jewish Community Center members have the option to subscribe the org’s Challah Club + receive a fresh loaf from Geraldine’s each week.

Mother AVL, 20 Artful Wy. | If sourdough is your love language, you’ll enjoy sinking your teeth into this bake shop’s tangy and artisan creations. There’s also the flagship babka, which changes throughout the seasons, from malted chocolate to cinnamon, cardamom + citrus zest.

Dogwood Cottage Baking, 175 Weaverville Hwy. | This neighborhood bakery has delightful challah and it also regularly offers classes on challah-making and other festive foods.

Bagels Rise Above Bakehouse

Rise Above says its secret ingredient is barley malt syrup.

Photo via @riseabovebakehouse

Crust Never Sleeps, 24 Sardis Rd. | Visit this new brick-and-mortar for Jewish rye bread, bialys, babka, bagels, Reuben croissants, and other sweet-and-savory goodness.

Rise Above Bakehouse, 1207 Charlotte Hwy. | The bagels, which come in flavors like salt, everything, cheddar jalapeno, and swiss + black pepper, are beloved at this sweet Fairview bakery. They also make a mean lox sandwich.

Hominy Farm | Wood-fired, sourdough knish. Need we say more? Okay we’ll continue: this dynamic baking duo, which has earned a cult-like following at area farmers markets, also makes whole wheat sourdough pita, caraway rye bread, and rumor has it: they’ll start serving rugelach in the near future.
5 MORE SPOTS
MB Haynes

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Monday, Dec. 12
  • Walking in a Winter Wonderland | Monday, Dec. 12-Friday, Jan. 6 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Grove Street Community Center, 36 Grove St., Asheville | Free | Celebrate the season with a stroll through a festive winter wonderland created by the Grove Street crafting club.
Tuesday, Dec. 13
  • Thievery Corporation | Tuesday, Dec. 13 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $55-$60 | The vibes are right with this iconic electronic duo’s genre-defying signature sounds.
  • Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award Celebration | Tuesday, Dec. 13 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Reuter Center - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville, 300 Campus View Rd., Asheville | Free | Celebrate the five finalists for the 2022 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award with readings and remarks from each author.
  • Punch Bucket Lit - A West Asheville Reading Series | Tuesday, Dec. 13 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Cellarest Beer Project, 395 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Hear Alysia Li Ying Sawchyn and Emily Paige Wilson read their original works in the contemplative company of other lit nerds and creative types.
  • Metro Economy Outlook | Tuesday, Dec. 13 | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | The Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville | $60-$80 | Analyst and economist Dr. Chris Kuehl will discuss business trends and other economic forecasts for 2023.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
  • Back of the Pack/Party Pace Club | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 6-7 a.m. | Asheville Training HUB, 95 Thompson St., Asheville | Free | Join the AVL Training Hub on an inclusive + move-at-your-own pace walk, run, or jog.
  • 1 Million Cups Holiday Celebration | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 9 a.m. | Hatch Innovation Hub, 45 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville | Free | This celebration will feature presentations from multiple local founders, gifts for audience members, and a panel discussion about how entrepreneurs can find the right help for their businesses.
Thursday, Dec. 15
  • Local Showcase: Home for the Holidays | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 6-9 p.m. | Rhubarb Event Space, 7 SW Pack Sq, Asheville | $45 | Vibe over hors d’oeuvres and drinks at this “live-action Pinterest board” demo of how to host a holiday soiree.
  • 2022 Venture 15 and Venture Asheville Honors | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 6:30 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $30-$230 | Celebrate the fastest-growing startups in Asheville at this fun-filled awards ceremony hosted by Venture Asheville.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
Highland Brewing

Make the season even merrier with the Merry Makers Market
avl-merry makers market atelier-12.12.22.jpg
The holiday edition of the monthly third-Saturday Makers Market will deck Atelier Maison & Co.'s halls with gifts for all. | Photo provided by Atelier Maison & Co.
Experience the one-of-a-kind crafts of Asheville’s artisan makers — and give a gift you know won’t be collecting dust throughout the year — at the Merry Makers Market, Saturday, Dec. 17 from noon-5 p.m. at Atelier Maison & Co.'s showroom in the Asheville Design District.

The event (a holiday version of Atelier Maison and Show & Tell Makers Market, held every third Saturday) promises the same unique selection of locally-made + sourced housewares, vintage clothing, original art, handmade crafts, jewelry, fair trade imports, and more — but with a seasonal touch, including:
  • Homegrown gifts for everyone on your list (or yourself) from dozens of local vendors and artists
  • Craft workshops
  • Food trucks offering seasonal eats + drinks, including aThoke Lay (a Burmese pop-up chef) and Chai For (serving hand-crafted Masala Chai)
Bonus: Sign up to create a lush holiday table arrangement with seasonal flowers and foliage at the Centerpiece Arrangement Workshop, hosted by Wander Floral Design on Thursday, Dec. 22 at Atelier Maison & Co.*
MORE MERRY MAKERS MARKET DETAILS

Weather
  • 55º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Announced
  • Award-winning author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates — best-known for his books “The Beautiful Struggle” and “We Were Eight Years in Power” — will visit UNC Asheville on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. for a reading and question-and-answer session. Tickets are free — but registration is required. 📖
Civic
  • Buncombe County is getting closer to finalizing a draft version of the its 2043 Comprehensive Plan and wants your perspective. Check out these opportunities for community input, which include drop-ins, Q+A sessions, and digital surveys. This feedback process will run through early February.
Biz
  • Lassonde Industries Inc., a fruit juice and beverage manufacturer, has announced a $55 million expansion for its Henderson County plant. The project includes the construction of a new facility + production line, plus an estimated 30 new permanent jobs. 🧃
Seasonal
  • Looking for a fun holiday card? Local maker Daryl Slaton — a member of Marquee Asheville’s Artsville Collective — designs cartoonish cards that incorporate augmented reality animation. See an example.
Answered
  • On Thursday, we asked how y’all would feel if the Asheville Tourists left the 828 (more context on that here). Of the 913 who answered our poll, 49.7% said “I’d be really bummed, I’m a huge fan!” See the full breakdown of responses in today’s wrap. ⚾
Eat
  • It’s time to get fired up, Asheville. Enter: The Lobster Trap’s new specialty hot sauce, bringing a delicious cayenne kick to any crab, lobster, oyster, or shrimp dish. Pro tip: It makes a great gift. Learn more + feel the heat. 🔥 *
Edu
  • UNC Asheville was recently named a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists. This is the university’s first year to receive recognition for its achievements in promoting and enabling safe + accessible bicycling on campus. Get cycling, Bulldogs. 🚲 *
Giveaway
Plan Ahead
  • Looking for a new way to ring in the new year? Celebrate NYE with a weekend trip to Columbia, SC for festive events like “Party Thru the Decades” at Chayz Lounge and Tin Roof + the Senate’s massive block party. Whatever your style, there’s something for everyone. Plan your NYE.*
Try This
  • Hot tip: You can beat the last-minute crowds and score major deals (read: up to 70% off) at 60+ stores, including Le Creuset, Coach Outlet, J. Crew Factory, and West Elm Outlet, now through the rest of 2023. Head over to the Asheville Outlets for holiday sales, photos with Santa, and best of all: gift-wrapping services.*
Travel
Correction
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
The Biltmore

Santa Hollywood is comin’ to town 🎥

Extra, extra: Christmas movie is looking for Asheville cast members
Christmas trees at Biltmore
Could Biltmore be the filming location? | Photo by AVLtoday
Lights, camera, Christmas. The first two weeks of January, filmmakers are comin’ to town to produce a new “TV Christmas movie,” according to Southeast-based company The Casting Office.

While most details about the film remain undisclosed, we do know that a casting call has been issued for background performers and that filming will take place at a certain “Estate.”

Feeling like you could make an extra special addition? Here’s how to throw your hat in the ring.
  • Read this full information sheet to make sure it’s the right opportunity for you.
  • Find (or take) two current and unedited photos: one close-up and a full-length body shot. Both should be against a plain white, neutral wall.
  • Fill out this background form.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Laura.

Editor’s pick: Last Thursday, we asked you all how you’d feel if the Asheville Tourists left the 828 — here’s how the numbers shook out.
  • 49.7% — I’d be really bummed, I’m a huge fan!
  • 21.2% — $30 million is a lot, maybe they should leave
  • 20.1% — I’m not into baseball, but it would be sad to see them go
  • 5.3% — Other
  • 3.7% — I’m indifferent
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Make your winter experience more wonderful with this seasonal event guide, here.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

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