02.01.2024

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Today’s Forecast

59º | Mostly sunny | 7% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:56 p.m.

Chill Cereal Bar dishes on future plans

Chill Cereal Bar dishes on its hopes for the future

Elijah stands behind the bar with cereal and toppings on the table in front of him.

Check out the cereals and toppings galore. | Photo via Chill Cereal Bar

Imagine mixing all your favorite cereals and piling them high with toppings like fruit, cookies, and candy. That was the idea Elijah Cox presented to his mother when he was 11 years old, suggesting the pair open up their own cereal bar. His mother, Patricia Waters, jumped on the idea, taking classes and developing a business plan with Mountain Bizworks — and by 2019, Chill Cereal Bar was born.

Business was already taking off at the time of the cereal bar’s ribbon cutting in March of 2020. But just after things were falling into place, the country went into lockdown, thwarting the fast-paced growth the pair had been trying to achieve.

“Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but having patience allows you to adapt, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward. It’s all about trusting the process and staying committed to your goals,” says Cox, now 17 years old. He’s using what he’s learned so far as a young entrepreneur to take Chill Cereal Bar to the next level.

The mother-son duo has big plans for the business’ next chapter, aiming to make the transition from pop-ups and catering events to opening a storefront this summer. “I’m showing him we can build your business and you can be your own boss,” says Waters, who is now focusing on the business full time. “So now we’re looking for a location to make Chill Cereal Bar.”

Ashley from The Hop and Patricia and Elijah from Chill Cereal Bar all stand beside each other. Ashley is holding a large container of the cream base for ice cream and Patricia is holding a container of marshmallow cereal to be added into the ice cream. — Chill Cereal Bar + The Hop create a dreamy cereal milk ice cream.
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Photo by AVLtoday

But Cox’s ambitions for his business don’t stop there. It’s a dream of his for Chill Cereal Bar to become a franchise so other kids can have the chance to be business owners just like him.

This Saturday, Feb. 3, you can find the duo at The Hop’s Merrimon location for Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, where you can top the special marshmallow cereal milk and coffee cake ice creams with all the cereal your heart desires.

To stay up to date on their journey, you can follow Chill Cereal Bar on social media.

Events

Thursday, Feb. 1

Indoor Volleyball Tournaments | Thursday, Feb. 1-Sunday, Feb. 4 | Times vary | Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, 87 Haywood St., Asheville | $150-$200 | Gather up a co-ed, male, or female team to play a round-robin of sets against other competitors — and get ready to get served (or just cheer the players on for free).
Well Played Social Club | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 6-10 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe, 162 Coxe Ave., #101, Asheville | $3 | Board games become bridges to new friendships while you collaborate, strategize, and compete.

Friday, Feb. 2

11th Annual February Sale | Friday, Feb. 2-Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 11 a.m. | Woolworth Walk, 25 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Stop by the gallery-wide sale to find beautifully imperfect paintings, photographs, pieces of glass art, and more.
First Friday: A Night of Black Storytelling on The Block | Friday, Feb. 2 | 5-7 p.m. | The Block, 39 S. Market St., Asheville | Free | This special First Friday event kicks off Black History Month with poetry reading by Kevin Evans, music by Adama Dembele, a history of hip-hop listening session with Nex Millen, community conversations, a maker’s market, and more.

Saturday, Feb. 3

Spanish Language Conversation Group | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Join this practice group geared toward intermediate-level Spanish speakers to practice your skills with discussion prompts, icebreakers, and guest speakers.
Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change’® | Saturday, Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 4 | Times vary | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $50-$60 | Join four ladies for a story of friendship set to a parodied soundtrack of hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
Mutual Benefit + Henry Toland + Julie Odell | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 3 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O’Henry Ave., Asheville | $15-$18 | Catch a set from each performer during this afternoon show.

Sunday, Feb. 4

Sunday Live: Steve Lapointe | Sunday, Feb. 4 | 2-4 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville | Free with admission | The classical pianist will dazzle your ears, bringing the artworks in the Museum’s collection and special exhibits to life.
A Birthday Tribute to Bob Marley | Sunday, Feb. 4 | 7-10 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $15-$20 | JLloyd and Jim Arrendell will bring together a stellar cast of musicians to play tunes paying tribute to the iconic reggae artist.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Holiday

It looks like tomorrow will be partly cloudy with a chance of an early spring. On Friday, Feb. 2 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Chimney Rock State Park, groundhogs Potato and Yam (lovingly nicknamed Tater and Yammy) will tell us if we can expect six more weeks of winter — plus, predict this year’s Superbowl winner. Attend in person or tune in via live stream.

Talk

Tickets for TEDxAsheville go on sale today, allowing you to secure your spot to hear talks and performances on the theme of “Meet the Moment.” The main event kicks off at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 15 at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

Eat

Master BBQ recently shared that it’s getting a new food truck — but that’s not all the exciting news. The Filipino food purveyors will be the new permanent food provider at Zillicoah Beer Co. More details will be shared soon about an opening date.

Outdoors

Can you dig it? Nathan Buchanan of Wildbud Natives is leading the Make Your Own Meadow workshop, teaching you how to plant a pocket prairie in your own backyard. Registration is required to get your hands dirty on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Buncombe County Soil and Water office (49 Mount Carmel Rd.).

Community

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But if it is broken, you can take it to the WNC Repair Cafe at the Asheville Tool Library. You can get your items — from lamps and appliances to bikes and furniture — repaired at the cafe’s first event of the year tonight, Thursday, Feb. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Edu

High school and college students have the chance to join the Land of Sky P20 Council as Student Ambassadors. Students interested in government, education, public service, and beyond will gain leadership skills as they participate in meetings, digital marketing tasks, and P20 events. Interest forms are due Thursday, Feb. 29.

Award

Zeb Powell started snowboarding at Cataloochee Ski Area as a kid — and now he’s an X Games silver medal winner. Powell took home the hardware for the snowboard knuckle huck contest in Aspen this past weekend. Watch him show off some tricks during the competition. (WLOS)

Home

This Valentine’s Day decor is making our hearts skip a beat and includes heart-shaped wreaths, neon “love” signs, heart-shaped felt garlands, and cozy red blankets.*

Home

It’s been a warm few weeks in Asheville, but we aren’t out of the winter woods just yet. Remember to protect your pipes during icy evenings to prevent expensive leaks + bursts. Check out these 7 tips from MB HAYNES to help keep that water where it belongs.*

Featured Home

Adorable cottage alert: This 1915 gem in Kerlee Heights includes the original heart pine flooring, an updated modern kitchen + a spacious yard with not one but two private sheds ready to be transformed into an office, gym, or art studio. Browse all 30+ photos here.*

The Buy

The Buy 2.01.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A gift from Six & Main’s Valentine’s Day collection for someone you love. There’s colorful chocolates, funny cards, games for couples, and lots and lots of pink.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

Need a pick-me-up? Eater Carolinas just dropped a round-up of “15 Comforting Coffee Shops in Asheville.” Check and see if your favorite spot made the list — if not, you might find it in our guide to Asheville’s coffee scene.

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