Plus, a chance for teens to learn job search skills.
 
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The Columbia Museum of Art

Today’s Forecast

67º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:51 a.m. | Sunset 6:31 p.m.
 

Sweet talk with Marble & Steel Craft Chocolates

Sweet talk with Molly Cook of Marble & Steel Craft Chocolates
Molly Cook of Marble & Steel Craft Chocolates stands in her home kitchen.
All the chocolate magic happens here. | Photo by AVLtoday
The subtle scent hits as soon as you enter Molly and John Cook’s door. It isn’t immediately apparent where it’s coming from — until you step through to the living room and turn a corner. Arranged in a large alcove, where another family might place a dining room table, the Cooks have created a confectionery kitchen. On these counters and in these molds, Marble & Steel Craft Chocolates are made.

It’s a pretty sweet story, so let’s start at the beginning.

A history that starts in Hershey

We could begin with Molly’s and John’s extensive culinary careers, but that’s not far back enough. The real beginning is generations earlier. Molly’s grandfather was a third-generation chocolatier, and Molly was born and raised two miles from Hershey, PA. She spent her early years running around the chocolate factory that her grandfather’s childhood home had been converted into — before attending pastry school and eventually working at the renowned Norman Love Confections.

John also worked at Norman Love, after culinary school and positions in ritzy hotel kitchens, and he eventually served as the company’s head pastry chef.

Rows of colorful chocolates sit on a wooden cutting board.

The confections come in all shapes and sizes.

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Photo by AVLtoday

But in 2017, the couple moved to the Asheville area to start their family. John got a job at the Omni Grove Park Inn, where he’s now executive pastry chef, and Molly had their two little ones. For Molly, chocolate was on the back burner — then, in 2020, the pandemic hit.

Around that same time, though, something else hit too: an obsession with hot chocolate bombs. “We were all kind of bored,” says Molly. “And a couple of my friends knew I used to work in chocolate, so I made some for them. Then people started messaging me from all over town. We ended up making, like, 600.”

So the hot chocolate bombs exploded (pun intended), then expanded into bonbons, which further expanded into a website and pop-ups and makers events.
What's in a name?
 
Events
Thursday, March 7
Friday, March 8
  • Art Break: Glory Samjolly | Friday, March 8 | 12-1 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville | Free with admission | The figurative painter, founder of the Black Aristocrat Art platform, and artist-in-residence at Hidden Hills will lead a talk on reinterpreting Black portraiture.
  • Kevin Andrew Gallery + Studio Grand Opening Party | Friday, March 8 | 4-8 p.m. | Kevin Andrew Gallery + Studio, 109 Roberts St., Asheville | Free | Celebrate the gallery opening with art from Shela Anmuth, Asher Bernstein, Brighton Kilgore, and Kevin Andrew, a DJ, food, and drinks.
  • 3-2-1 Boom! | Friday, March 8 | 7-10 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $10 | Come out to see The Mullet Traders and friends take on a night of long-form improv.
Saturday, March 9
  • Stitching Stuffies Repair Workshop | Saturday, March 9 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville | Children ages 7-10 will learn simple stitching techniques from experts at the WNC Repair Cafe to have their stuffed animals looking brand new.
  • Secret Late Nite Comedy Showcase | Saturday, March 9 | 9 p.m. | Catawba Brewing Company South Slope, 32 Banks Ave., Asheville | $15-$18 | Experience some covert comedy with a secret lineup of local + big city performers — who knows who might show.
Sunday, March 10
  • New Moon Circle | Sunday, March 10 | 7-9 p.m. | West Asheville Yoga Studio, 602 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $25-$35 | Return to nature with a conscious, intentional flow led by Sierra Hollister.
Events calendar here
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Arts

Events

Countdown to Art Blossoms at the CMA
Presented by an AVLtoday Partner
A colorful bouquet of flowers in a black and white vase in front of a white painting and a black painting in a museum
See (and smell) gorgeous floral interpretations of works of art, take part in various events, and support local arts education at this year’s Art Blossoms, happening March 21-24. | Photo by Victor Johnson / The Columbia Museum of Art
Spring is just two weeks away — and so is this annual exhibition, fundraiser, and event-filled weekend at the Columbia Museum of Art.

If you haven’t already marked your calendar for this year’s Art Blossoms, it kicks off with an opening night party on Wednesday, March 20, followed by four dazzling days of botanical beauty and a stacked schedule of classes, guest speakers, tastings + tours, and more.

Want a peek behind the scenes? Check out COLAtoday’s recent Q+A with Della Watkins.
All the sweet-smelling details
News Notes
Open
  • A new(ish) parking deck off Coxe Avenue, near Buxton Avenue, is now open to the public. The 1,000-space deck sat vacant for several years after construction and had to be rebuilt due to foundation issues. Now you can snag a space for $2 an hour. (WLOS)
Festival
  • Don you favorite flannel (we know you have one), and get ready to party lumber jack-style. Appalachian Mountain Brewery in Mills River is hosting Flannel Fest this Saturday, March 9 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. to channel the spirit of flannel with ax-throwing, cross-cutting, live music, vendors, food, and drinks.
Teens
  • Get a head start on the job hunt. Pack Memorial Library is hosting a free Teen Job Skills Fair on Saturday, March 23. Career development specialists will lead workshops like “Apply for the Job” with resume + cover letter tips and “Land the Job” with mock interview practice.
Edu
  • This work is all play. Angel Kaur, associate professor of neuroscience at UNC Asheville, received the 2023 Award for Education in Neuroscience from the Society for Neuroscience for her innovative teaching methods, like developing board games, as well as training other educators in her practices.
Closed
  • West Asheville’s Alley Cat Social Club closed its doors toward the end of February. The bar, which featured karaoke, music, and comedy, operated for five years. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Health
  • Buncombe County is teaming up with Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta Sororities Incorporated to host “Opioids in the Black Community: Removing the Silence” on Saturday, March 16. The community conversation will include presentations from medical experts, a panel discussion, and training. RSVP by Tuesday, March 12.
Outdoors
  • Outdoor Business Alliance and Made X Mountains are working to make the outdoors more accessible with “Approaching DEI with Intention and Action” on Wednesday, March 13 at The Mule. Tiffany Smith, CEO of Camber Outdoors, will offer outdoor industry professionals the tools + knowledge to build a space that’s equitable and inclusive.
Regional
  • Fae Nectar in Lake Lure wants to transform its grounds into a free renaissance-style fairground. The meadery has launched a Kickstarter campaign to build a village, complete with a blacksmith forge, a permanent artisan area, a pirate stage, and more. See how you can help turn that fairytale from fantasy to reality.
Award
  • Maybe we’re biased, but we love seeing local students get a nod for excellent journalism. UNC Asheville’s The Blue Banner + Headwaters won eight awards at this year’s statewide North Carolina College Media Association (NCCMA) conference. See why they won.*
Pets
  • Wonder Paws’ Omega Max Drops for dogs are veterinarian recommended, support healthy joints, and reduce itchy skin and shedding. Get 15% off with code DQMRME3N.*
 
Civic

🌳 State of the parks

Asheville Parks & Recreation shares a comprehensive plan update
Baseball field at Martin Luther King Jr. Park with the Buncombe County administration building in the center through the trees.
Recreation and amenities were at the top of survey respondents’ minds. | Photo by AVLtoday
A year ago, the City of Asheville approved funding for Recreate Asheville, a comprehensive plan meant to guide the next 10+ years of planning and decisionmaking for Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR). Since then, APR has been assessing the community’s needs to develop a plan of action.

As we near the end of the second phase, drafting plan recommendations, APR has offered an update on the state of local parks and the results of feedback sessions and surveys. So let’s dive in.

Conditions + community feedback

The presentation rated all local parks on a one-five scale, with one being “like new” and five being “unsafe or not functional.” Eighteen Asheville parks were rated a three, indicating they require investment to avoid irreversible decline, and three parks were given a four, indicating minor remaining value.
Survey says...
The Buy

The Buy 3.07.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Your favorite pair of sneakers from Nordstrom Rack’s spring sneaker edit. We’re loving the prices on pairs from Cole Haan and Lacoste.
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The Wrap
 
Molly Wilson.jpeg

Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
Does Recreate Asheville not offer you enough opportunity for outdoor-recreation-based feedback? Well, weirdly, you’re in luck. Buncombe County is also hosting the second of the community meetings for its Systemwide Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Join the conversation on Thursday, March 21.
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