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🎉 Happy small business week

It’s small business week in Asheville

Tastee Diner
Tastee Diner celebrating a ribbon cutting with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. | Photo via @avlchamber
From our steadily growing collection of startups to our 12 area B Corps, there’s much to celebrate about Asheville’s funky, creative, and ambitious business scene. This week, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is putting small business front and center with its annual Small Business Week celebration, which runs from today, Monday, May 15 to Friday, May 19.

According to the Chamber, 96% of Asheville businesses have fewer than 50 employees, and those businesses employ over 119,000 people in Buncombe County.Talk about economic impact.

Want to join the fun? Check out these three events (advanced registration required) — and read to the “Answered” section of the newsletter for a few of AVLtoday reader’s favorite small businesses.

Policy on Tap & WomanUP In Action | Tuesday, May 16 | 3:30-5 p.m. | White Labs, 172 S. Charlotte St. | Free | Grab a beer and connect with local business leaders, including Himanshu Karvir of Virtelle Hospitality and Carla Barnard of Carla & Co. Commercial Real Estate, about how business and the larger economy impacts childcare in Buncombe County.

Smart Series: Everyone Knows Marketing Sucks | Wednesday, May 17 | 12-1 p.m. | Hatchworks Coworking, 45 S. French Broad Ave. | $15 for non-members | Got marketing woes? Strategist Sarah Benoit is here to help with a workshop on how to develop a powerful brand voice for your business.

Sky High Growth Awards | Thursday, May 18 | 4-6 p.m. | Sierra Nevada Brewing,100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River | $20-30 | This jovial reception has plenty of great bites and beers — and along the way, doles out awards to small businesses who have seen remarkable growth.
 
Events
Monday, May 15
  • The Moth Presents: Asheville StorySLAM | Monday, May 15 | 6:30 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville | $15 | The theme of this month’s storytelling event is gossip — prepare a five-minute story on the topic or listen to others’ experiences.
Tuesday, May 16
  • First Time Homebuyer Class | Tuesday, May 16 | 5:45-7:15 p.m. | EXIT Realty Vision, 101 Weaver Blvd., Ste. 101, Weaverville | Free | This class explores the basics of homeownership, including credit requirements, showings, down payment assistance, inspections, and beyond — it also includes dinner.
Wednesday, May 17
  • Open Interest Meeting: Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections | Wednesday, May 17 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Calling all history buffs: here’s your chance to get engaged with the work of local historians.
  • Intro to Tarot Workshop with Sadie Chanlett-Avery | Wednesday, May 17 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | All Bodies Movement and Wellness, 211 Merrimone Ave, Asheville | $30 | This tarot workshop is your chance to play with the cards, see sample decks, and ask lots of questions about this ancient practice.
  • The Revolutionists | Wednesday, May 17-Saturday, June 3 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | North Carolina Stage Company, 15 Stage Ln., Asheville | $10-$46 | Four badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.
Thursday, May 18
  • Plant show! | Thursday, May 18-Saturday, June 10 | Times vary | M. R. Gardens, 441 Onteora Blvd., Asheville | Free | Browse the plant nursery for native flowers and other springtime delights.
  • Gospel Ice Cream Pop-up | Thursday, May 18 | 5-9 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O’Henry Ave., Asheville | Free | Gospel Ice Cream founder Disco presents an evening of small dessert plates and fortified wines.
  • American Art + Sound: An Evening of Innovators and Innovation | Thursday, May 18 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 175 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $10-$15 | Join The Asheville Art Museum and the Moogseum for an immersive evening exploring synergies between American Art and the pioneering sound of Moog synthesizers.
Friday, May 19
  • Downtown After 5 | Friday, May 19 | 5-9:30 p.m. | Downtown Asheville, 100 Block of N.Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | Enjoy local beer, cider, wine + food while jamming to Baba Commandant and The Mandingo Band.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Coming Soon
  • Hang tight, Chai Pani fan club. The Indian restaurant’s new sister restaurant Botiwalla has announced that it will be opening “very soon” in West Asheville and that lamb burgers will be on the menu. We can’t wait to see what else this late night grill + cafe will be dishing out.
Concert
  • The Sound Effects Benefit Concert, a production of Asheville Music School and the Royal Suits, takes place at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 18 at Salvage Station. The band will cover dance hits from Whitney Houston and Beyonce to Taylor Swift. Proceeds support need-based scholarships for young musicians.
Cause
  • Area nonprofits are teaming up for a community yard sale fundraiser on Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale takes place at WNC Bridge Thrift Store and will include 15+ local nonprofits, plus plenty of great bargains. Proceeds will support participating nonprofits.
Arts
  • “You are powerful. You are loved.” That’s the message of the River Arts District’s newest mural, which the team at Campaign for Southern Equality installed last week. Stop by Summit Coffee Co. at Foundy Street to see this new work.
Try This
  • Want to learn how to use a chainsaw? Smart Feller Tree Works is offering a Chainsaw Master Class for Women on Saturday, May 27. The daylong class covers chainsaw safety, saw maintenance, basic cutting skills, and felling techniques. Call Verena Wieloch at 857-222-6463 to register or get more info.
Award
  • The 828 won big at the 2023 World Beer Cup Competition. Our top finishers included Hi-Wire Brewing, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, and New Belgium Brewing, who earned two silver medals and one bronze, respectively. (Mountain Xpress)
Travel
  • It’s time for a vacay, Asheville. Take your pick from luxurious escapes to tranquil retreats and everything in between when you book a stay in Greenville, SC. Explore your options.*
Job
  • Thinking of a career in healthcare (or already looking)? Mission Health is hosting a Career Fair on Thursday, May 18 from 4-6 p.m. at UNC Asheville’s Kimmel Arena. Speak to healthcare leaders and recruiters to discuss career opportunities in all Mission Health trades and professions. Learn more + RSVP.*
Drink
  • Ditch the hangover without having to ditch your favorite cocktail with Ritual Zero Proof Spirits. The award-winning brand makes non-alcoholic rum, tequila, gin, and whiskey so you can enjoy the ritual of having a drink without feeling icky the following day. Psst — check out Ritual’s collection of cocktail recipes.*
Biz
 
Answered

Earlier this week, we asked about your favorite small businesses. Here are the names that were mentioned the most:

Münki Food Company

This plant-based snack company makes delightful granola.

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Photo by Münki Food Company

Münki Food | This vegan snack company makes granola, trail mix, hot chocolate, and other fun treats.

The Regeneration Station | A 36,000-sqft warehouse of repurposed treasures.

All Bodies Movement and Wellness | This queer-owned, fat-positive gym has recently moved to a larger studio at 211 Merrimon Ave.

On Tour Candle Co. | Get yourself some natural soy, rock n’ roll-themed candles from this local maker.

Atelier Maison | A dreamy destination for home furnishings.

Ab-Lib Clothing | Creative, comfortable clothing is the focus at this sweet downtown boutique.

Adoratherapy | This essential oil oasis offers incredible scents and a chance to get your aura read.

Asheville Gallery of Art | Check out pieces from 30+ artists at this iconic local gallery.

Mountain Mural Tours | Explore the wide world of Asheville mural art with this tour company.

 
The Wrap
 
AVLtoday-Headshot-Laura-Hackett

Today’s edition by:
Laura

From the editor
Great news for those who have been following the news of Asheville’s three forthcoming cat cafes: House of Black Cat Magic has announced its grand opening celebration for Sunday, June 4.
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