Plus, a gold medal for Diatribe Brewing.
 
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Sunrise 7:33 a.m. | Sunset 7:42 p.m.

 
The secret recipe’s arrival in Asheville
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This vintage postcard shows the Sanders Court and Café in its heyday. | Photo by AVLtoday
In an odd-yet-delicious piece of history, did you know KFC’s global success has roots in Asheville?

Let’s take it back to 1930. After a string of failed business ventures, Harland Sanders (aka Colonel Sanders — although he didn’t have that title just yet) bought a roadside motel in Corbin, Kentucky. He called it Sanders Court and Café, with the combination gas station, motel, and cafe offering country ham, steak, and its soon-to-be-iconic fried chicken.

By 1939, Sanders had been dubbed an honorary Colonel and developed the (still) secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices. The original Sanders Court and Café was doing well — so well that he opened a second Sanders Court and Café here in Asheville at 375 Weaverville Hwy. Postcards for the motor court boast “tile baths, (abundance of hot water), carpeted floors, ‘Perfect Sleeper’ beds, air conditioned, steam heated, radio in every room, open all year, serving excellent food.”

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Read about all that Sanders Courts had to offer.

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Photo by AVLtoday

But just a few years later in 1942, gasoline rationing and US involvement in WWII caused a decline in tourism, ultimately leading to the location’s closure. That wasn’t the end for Sanders Court and Café, though. Locals Lee and Helen Roberts (parents of local author Terry Roberts, who grew up on the property) owned and operated the location from 1948 to ~1975, although a fire that was estimated to have happened in the winter of 1956 to 1957 closed the restaurant.

Flash forward to today and Asheville’s former Sanders Court and Café is now an apartment complex, Sander Courts. Renovated by Asheville Rentals, the apartments still have a similar look to the old motor court with small dormers on the roof. It may not be serving up fried chicken these days, but the court at least preserves the finger-lickin’ history.
 
 
Events
 
Wednesday, March 20
  • Friendship Bracelets | Wednesday, March 20 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | North Asheville Public Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville | Free | Kiddos and families can braid embroidery floss or string beads together to create beautiful bracelets.
  • Asheville Fringe Arts Festival Preview Party | Wednesday, March 20 | 6-9 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O. Henry Ave., Asheville | Free | Hang out with Fringe artists and get a sneak peek at what’s to come during the 22nd annual festival.
Thursday, March 21
  • SPARC After Dark | Thursday, March 21 | 6-9 p.m. | The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage Co., 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville | $50-$140 | Enjoy small bites, bevs, and live entertainment to help support programs from The SPARC Foundation.
  • Transcend with Tarot | Thursday, March 21, Thursday, March 28, Thursday, April 4 | 7-8 p.m. | Harvest House Community Center, 205 Kenilworth Rd., Asheville | $5, RSVP | The three-part class offers a safe space for an introduction to the world of tarot from a professional teacher.
Friday, March 22
  • Chef’s Table with Chef Jay | Friday, March 22 | 7-9 p.m. | Sage and Spice Market and Catering, 1056 Patton Ave., Asheville | $75 | Join Chef Jay Medford for a five-course gluten-free menu, including ube coconut bisque, seared sea scallops, and black sesame poi mochi.
  • Yonder Mountain String Band | Friday, March 22-Saturday, March 23 | 7 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $30-$55 | The progressive bluegrass group will take the stage for two nights of shows.
Saturday, March 23
  • March Madness Festival | Saturday, March 23-Sunday, March 24 | Times vary | Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd., Asheville | Free | Watch the tournament on the big screen with other fans — advanced registration is required for Saturday’s basketball challenges, like three-point shootouts and two-on-two games.
  • 6th Annual Volunteer Expo | Saturday, March 23 | 12-3 p.m. | Crowne Plaza Expo Center, 1 Resort Dr., Asheville | Free | The Junior League of Asheville will connect you with local nonprofits to find valuable volunteer opportunities.
  • Vintage Pop-Up | Saturday, March 23 | 1-6 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | Grab some stylish vintage threads from Soft Cowboy Trading Co. and Valley Lore Vintage.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
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History
 
March is the month of perks at the International African American Museum
A young girl stands in front of an exhibit at the International African American Museum, observing the display
History comes alive at the International African American Museum in downtown Charleston. | Photo by Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto
Ever wanted to explore the rich narratives behind African American history? At the International African American Museum in downtown Charleston, you’ll deep dive into a wealth of experiences you won’t find in textbooks.

The best part? Annual members get unlimited access for a year, exclusive event invites, and a 15% discount at the museum store and on additional tickets.

Bonus: March is Member Month, offering 10% off memberships with code IAAM24, plus member-only giveaways every Friday.
 
News Notes
 
Environment
  • The Buncombe County Fire Marshal has extended the open burning ban through tomorrow at 9 a.m. Burning of yard waste + debris and land clearing burns are prohibited, but fires contained in a pit, barbecue grill, or chiminea device smaller than three feet in diameter are allowed.
Eat
  • Chef Jacob Sessoms is bringing back his Mediterranean dinner pop-up, The Little Pickle, this Sunday, March 24 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at All Day Darling. Check out the menu of mezze, main dishes, shareable sides, and desserts — plus, fresh pita baked to order in the wood-fired oven.
Award
  • Diatribe Brewing brought home a gold medal in the Porters and Brown Ales category at the Best of Craft Beer Awards for its American Porter. Sip on the award-winning brew at its taproom, located at 1042 Haywood Rd.
Environment
  • Local foam recycling service Feed Me Foam is partnering with the City of Asheville to help residents recycle whole, clean white foam products on Saturday, March 30 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Public Works parking lot. Learn more about what you can feed to Audrey III, the foam processing truck.
Opening
  • This weekend, campgrounds and recreation opportunities in the Pisgah National Forest operated by Naventure officially open for the season. Explore campgrounds and activities like fishing and mountain biking before making reservations.
Shop
  • Spicewalla’s spring cleaning sale is underway, with 15% off all Spicewalla brand items at its Grove Arcade location and online through Sunday, March 24. We have our eye on the Fancy Finishing Salts Collection... and the Hot Stuff Chilli Collection... and the Chai Pani Masala Collection.
Drink
  • Need a midweek pick-me-up? Head to Sweet Plantain’s new walk-up coffee window for strong, quality coffee to fuel your day. Pro tip: Try the new Dulce Havana latte, a caffeinated creation that combines strong Cuban coffee with velvety-smooth milk blends + sweetened condensed milk. Order now.*
Trending
Finance
 
 
Eat
 
🍔 A burger lover’s paradise
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Get ready to sink your teeth into beautiful burgers. | Photo via Loott House
Get ready for a bun-in-a-million experience. This Saturday, March 23, AVL Food Series is hosting Burger Bliss, a family-friendly food festival showcasing bold burger creations from local chefs.

Folks from Loott House, Storm Rhum Bar, Baba Nahm, Funkatorium, Juicy Lucy’s Burger Bar and Grill, and The Madness will bring the beef, with Devil’s Foot Beverage Co. serving up local brews, cocktails, and farm-to-can craft sodas (like the Orange Peel Sparking Orange from its Soundwave Series).

Snag a VIP or general admission ticket to chow down at The Mule — prices range from $25 to $65.

While you’re gearing up for grub on Saturday, browse the schedule of upcoming monthly events from AVL Food Series. April will bring a Chef’s Experience Dinner with Chef Cleophus Hethington, and in May, The Mule will transform into Wing Wonderland.
 
The Buy
 
The Baby Shower Gift Guide. Give the gift of parenthood practicality or highchair high-fashion for the growing family in your life.
 
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The Wrap
 
Grace Powers.JPEG Today’s edition by:
Grace
From the editor
Did I order a vintage Sanders Court and Café postcard from eBay after learning about the former Asheville location? Yes. Is there an enormous amount of strange Harland Sanders lore that I wish I could’ve included in today’s story? Also yes — see: the shady elimination of a competitor and the supposed curse he put on a baseball team.
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