On Tuesday afternoon, local leaders, business owners, and community members gathered to get a glimpse of both the present and future of our city center at the Asheville Downtown Association’s (ADA) State of Downtown event.
The association presented a variety of insights gathered from its Downtown Stakeholder Survey, with participation from business owners, residents, property owners, and visitors.
Post-storm challenges
Foot traffic data from Placer.ai reports that 3.9 million people visited downtown in the last six months — a 23% decrease from the year prior.
Loss of customers and revenue topped a list of challenges, followed by utility disruptions and lack of access to financial assistance. Of downtown business owner respondents, 53% said they received no financial support, citing being denied by insurance or unable to qualify for grants.
The ADA estimates that about 40 downtown restaurants, retailers, and offices have closed or relocated as a direct result of Helene.
Ideas for an economic boost
ADA Executive Director Hayden Plemmons shared that the organization is working on a pilot program to implement a social district on the South Slope, aiming to boost foot traffic to local businesses.
Would you support a social district on the South Slope?
Social districts allow you to carry open alcoholic beverages (purchased from licensed, permitted establishments) outside, but within the district’s boundaries.
Comedy in Full Bloom | 6:30 p.m. | Botanist & Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop | $20 | Have a jolly good time during this night of laughs — your ticket includes a drink.
Bless Your Heart Trivia | 7-10 p.m. | Eda’s Hide-a-Way, Weaverville | Free | Gather a group and test your knowledge with host Harmon of Dumb Ashe Trivia.
Friday, March 21
Harlem Globetrotters 2025 World Tour | 7 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | $47+ | Bring the whole fam to see the high-flying tricks and amazing athleticism of the exhibition basketball team.
Foreign Film Fridays | 7 p.m. | Flood Gallery | Free | Bring your own snacks and drinks for a showing of Francois Truffaut’s 1959 French film, “The 400 Blows.”
Koresh Dance Company | Friday, March 21-Saturday, March 22 | Times vary | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | $22+ | Watch the contemporary dance unfold to a soundtrack of electronic symphonic music with live singing from Sage DeAgro-Ruopp.
NØLO Nonalcoholic Bottle Shop Tasting | Saturday, March 22, Saturday, March 29 | 12-3 p.m. | NØLO | Free | Taste test a selection of delicious booze-free beverages at the bottle shop inside Atomic.
The Spring Into Solar event runs now through Saturday, June 21. | Photos provided by Sugar Hollow Solar
Spring days are finally here to stay. While we’re soaking up that sweet vitamin D, Sugar Hollow Solar is harnessing the sunlight to sustainably power WNC.
From now until June 21, the local biz is celebrating Spring into Solar — a season-long commitment to education, community engagement, and making Asheville greener.
Here’s how you can get involved with the movement to protect + preserve our environment, in Asheville and beyond:
Give back with Repower WNC: Like many of us, Sugar Hollow Solar lost almost everything in Hurricane Helene. The experience inspired them to create the Repower WNC fund, and raise money to help others get + keep their lights on.
Learn: Join Sugar Hollow Solar throughout spring for educational events to discover how solar can benefit both our environment and your home or business.
Earn: Refer a friend to go solar, and score $250 for residential referrals and $500+ for commercial — and Sugar Hollow Solar will donate $50+ to Science Steve & Earthshine Nature Program.
Fresh Wood Fired Pizza West has officially reopened in its Depot Street home. The pizzeria got a facelift on the inside and out, but the slices remain the same. Chow down ASAP to offer support — during reopening week, 10% of sales will be donated to the River Arts District Artists Relief Fund.
Concert
Get your wallets ready. The Orange Peel just announced two stellar shows, with Fred Armisen taking the stage on Thursday, June 19, and Band of Horses on Sunday, June 29. Tickets for both shows go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Drink
South Slope’s Catawba Brewing shared that it will not renew its lease on Banks Avenue. The brewery will reopen in a new location here in Asheville later this spring, but for now, you can raise a final glass at the current space this Sunday, March 23.
Environment
Buncombe County is back under an open burning ban with low humidity and strong winds in the forecast. The ban is in effect through tomorrow, March 21 at 9 a.m., although it could be extended. Remember, open burning is never allowed within Asheville city limits.
Announced
You can now see if debris pickup has been completed in your area. Check out the Zone Closeout Map to see where pickup is done — if it’s been completed and you missed the March 1 deadline to place debris in right-of-ways, apply to the Private Property Debris Removal program by April 15 to remove it for free.
Civic
Buncombe County Commissioners officially made a nonbinding agreement with Harmony Housing to be the development partner for the Coxe Avenue affordable housing project. The project will provide 206 entirely affordable units and ground-floor retail space on county-owned property.
Closed
Black Mountain music venue, Silverados, announced its closure, citing challenges from Helene. “The blessing of our lives came in this venue temporarily becoming a supply center for our community with Valley Strong Disaster Relief,” owners Cory and Christen Short wrote. Share a memory of the venue on its social post.
Outdoors
Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins is bringing back its monthly Neighborhood Concert Series this Sunday, March 23 with a performance from the Barsters. But that’s not all. Enjoy a plate piled with barbecue and even get a flash tat from Taurean Tattoo.
Giveaway
To celebrate its 13-year anniversary this month, Strada is giving you the chance to earn 13 lovely local prizes, worth more than $500. Check out the rules for entry and get to commenting.
Fact: Some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster. (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. This one even offers 5% cash back on your purchases.*
Stat
Every six seconds. That’s how often a pet owner spends $1,000+ in unforeseen care costs for their fur baby. Pet insurance could cover up to 90% of these costs — find the right plan.*
Find candidates who want to work right here, right now. | Gif by 6AM City
Small business owners, employers, and hiring managers — we understand that finding the right candidate can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. That’s why we designed AVLtoday Job Board to reduce hiring barriers and seamlessly connect you with top local talent.
To get started, create an account and post your first listing for free — it takes less than five minutes. Bonus: Level up your listing with a Featured Job Post and your job will be featured right here in the AVLtoday newsletter.
If you need any more reason to head to Fresh Wood Fired Pizza, tomorrow at its Black Mountain location the pizzeria is donating a portion of sales to Bounty & Soul to help them continue to provide nutritious food to those in need.