New places we’ve got our eyes on 👀

8 new businesses opening in the Asheville area

There There is set to open in the RAD this spring. | Photo by Mindy King

Every time we look around, something new is popping up in WNC. In addition to these nine food and beverage spots, we’re also expecting (at least) eight new businesses in 2023, including a ceramics shop, several hotels, and a nonprofit birth center.

Half Light Honey | 122 Riverside Dr. | Website

Helmed by Asheville artist Samantha Carter, this ceramics and home decor brand is putting the finishing touches on a new retail shop and studio inside the River Arts District’s Cotton Mill Studios. Grand opening is slated for Saturday, Jan. 28.

There There | 20 Artful Wy. | Website

There There focuses on curating “consciously made, comforting goods” such as clothing, handmade gifts, and modern home goods. It will have great neighbors, Mother AVL and Jeffrey, as company in the River Arts District and is slated to open this spring.

The RailYard | 141 Richardson Blvd., Black Mountain | Website

Restauranteur John Richardson is launching this 1.31 acre taproom, restaurant, and community gathering space. Highlights of the space include a 6,500-sqft taproom and smashburger concept. The RailYard will also be the official home of Richardson’s nonprofit PubCorps. The property is expected to open this spring.

Lilac Health | 390 S. French Broad Ave.

The legacy of the shuttered WNC Birth Center will live on as a new nonprofit birth center. Staffed with certified nurse midwives, the space will fill the gap between those wanting a home birth and hospital birth. No opening date has been announced — follow on Instagram for update.

Tesla Dealership | 291 Sweeten Creek Rd.

The 40,148-sqft dealership has been proposed for the former site of the Asheville Ballroom and Dance Centre and would include a 130 car display area, as well as charging stations. The request will go before the city’s Technical Review Committee today, Jan. 9. We’ll keep you posted on what happens next. 👀

3 MORE OPENING DOORS

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Monday, Jan. 9

Music Movie Mondays | Monday, Jan. 9 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Grail Moviehouse, 17 Foundy St., Asheville | $15 | Watch a film screening of “Concert for George,” followed by an interactive discussion about the music of Beatles’ lead guitarist George Harrison with music journalist Bill Kopp.

Tuesday, Jan. 10

Tuesday Bluegrass | Tuesday, Jan. 10 | 6-8 p.m. | Taproom At Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | Free | The JackTown Rambles bring a blend of bluegrass, swing, and gypsy jazz to the stage.
Open House Events at Carolina Day School | Tuesday, Jan. 17-Thursday, Jan. 19 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Carolina Day School, 1345 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville | Free | Ashevillians are invited to tour Carolina Day during an upcoming Open House for an up close and personal visit to help them choose their child’s school for the 2023-24 school year.*

Wednesday, Jan. 11

Wine(Ish) Wednesday with WNC LGBT+ Networking Group | Wednesday, Jan. 11 | 6-8 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing-RAD, 284 Lyman St., Asheville | Free | Join the inaugural version of this new biweekly event series that benefits the local LGBT+ professional community.

Thursday, Jan. 12

Not Rocket Science Trivia | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Downtown Taproom, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville | Free | Get a team together and join this weekly trivia showdown.

Friday, Jan. 13

Start Fresh: The Principles of Healthy Vegan Cooking and Clean Eating | Friday, Jan. 13 | 6-9 p.m. | Asheville Mountain Kitchen, 332 E. Sondley Dr., Asheville | $90 | This cooking class focuses on principles of clean eating, including how to cook tofu, reduce inflammatory foods, and make the most out of your vegetables.
Seconds Sale | Friday, Jan. 13-Monday, Jan. 30 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | North Carolina Glass Center, 140 Roberts St. Ste. C, Asheville | Free | Find great deals on original glass artwork at the NC Glass Center.
AVL Underground Comedy: Kenyon Adamcik | Friday, Jan. 13 | 8-10 p.m. | GiGi’s Underground, 122-002 College St., Asheville | $15 | Kenyon is a regular at the Laugh Factory Chicago and Zanie’s and brings a unique perspective to the stage that has “left audiences at clubs and festivals in ruins all over the country.”

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

Weather

44º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain

Open

Old Europe has officially reopened at its new, expanded location on 18 Broadway St. Take a virtual tour of the new space, which offers a delightful array of cake, pastries, cookies, and coffee drinks. It’s open daily, from 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday through Thursdays, and 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. 🥐

Community

Asheville Parks and Recreation has released its winter and spring program guide for 2023. Highlights include a free half-year fitness center membership, Black Legacy Month, the Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games and Silver Arts Classic, recreational sports leagues, and community garden workdays.
Attention “Dancing Queens:'' This event is sure to be a real “Thriller.” The Omni Grove Park Inn is hosting Pop Legends Weekend Jan. 13- Jan. 14. On Friday, hear the transcendent sounds of ABBA, and the brilliance of Michael Jackson on Saturday. Snag individual tickets or a package. 🕺 *

Trending

We’ve got an update on that Hallmark Christmas movie. According to the Asheville Citizen-Times, Maple Street in Hendersonville will close on Friday, Jan. 27 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. to allow for filming in front of the Historic Train Depot. Learn more about “A Biltmore Christmas.” 🎬

Announced

Award-winning author and journalist Clint Smith — best known for his book “How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America” — will visit UNC Asheville on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. for a reading and Q+A session. Bonus: The event is free.*

Real Estate

The Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS will host a series of “Value Appeal Clinics” through February to help Buncombe County residents better understand their property values and community resources. The first one kicks off Thursday, Jan. 12, 4-6 p.m. at the Weaverville Public Library (41 N. Main St.). See the full schedule. 🧩

Cause

Looking to make a difference in 2023? Step one: Become a blood donor. Pro tip: January is National Blood Donor Month, which means it’s a great time to help your neighbors and save lives in our community. Schedule a donation appointment. 🩸 *

Ranked

No. 25. That’s the ranking the city of Asheville earned on Certified EO’s list of the “Top 25 Cities for Employee Ownership 2022.” (One example? AVL’s own MB HAYNES.)*

Eat

Swap bland trail mix for a nutrient-dense, tasty snack from KIND. If you’re a chocolate lover, try the Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond and Dark Chocolate Cocoa. If you want to add more protein to your diet, the Crunchy Peanut Butter is a must. Wanna try an assortment? Build your own box.*

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History

How Buncombe became a slang word for nonsense

A Bunkum stone sits in front of The Grey Stone Inn at 100 Biltmore Ave. | Photo courtesy of Flickr

According to the Oxford Language’s dictionary, the slang word ‘bunkum’ has a very Appalachian past. The word, which translates to nonsense, malarky, or all-around gibberish, reportedly traces all the way back to a particularly rambly speech made by Buncombe County congressman Felix Walker (1817-23) in the 1820s.

We double-checked with Heather South, the lead archivist at the Western Regional Archives, and it turns out that the hearsay is completely true. Congressman Walker made his infamously over-the-top speech during a discussion over the now-repealed Missouri Compromise.

Apparently, Walker lobbied to speak on behalf of his Buncombe County constituents, even though the issue at hand did not directly affect them. Despite a number of Walker’s fellow congressmen begging him to stop, he continued his speech for what bystanders described as a lengthy amount of time.

FROM THAT POINT ON...

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Laura.

Editor’s pick: Have you checked out Asheville Sports Club yet? I had a lovely experience coworking there last week —here’s a virtual tour.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read Jeff Kaplan’s predictions about the future of work, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

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