Shop the expertly curated decor at There There. | Photo by There There
Small businesses are the lifeblood of Asheville, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, compassion, and support. It’s a culture that’s especially important as entrepreneurs continue to recover in the aftermath of Helene.
In the spirit of support (and for Small Business Week, of course), we asked local business owners to write in sharing the love for another small biz that everyone in town should know about.
Here’s what they said:
“Mattie Lou’s has been killing it since they opened. Mattie is providing high-quality goods each day after taking over a local spot, Geraldine’s, and has created an awesome, welcoming, and friendly atmosphere in her space.” — Joey’s Bagels
“Sugarcane Studios is a great alterations shop with really professional fittings, customer service, and turnaround times. Although their service is very old school, they’re reimagining tailoring in a very modern and creative way. They even make and sell their own accessories.” — Carolina Flowers
Mattie Lou’s showed out for Pi Day with this chocolate mousse beauty.
Photo via Mattie Lou’s Cafe and Bakery
"There There. Mindy has created a space and place that feels like home by hosting other small businesses for pop-ups, nonprofits, and events that bring our community together. And her shop is filled with the most glorious goods and clothing.” — The Scout Guide Asheville
Doggies at the Diamond | 6:35-9 p.m. | McCormick Field | $13+ | Bring your four-legged bestie to the ball park to meet Ted E. Bear and Mr. Moon.
Thursday, May 8
Mission Pizza Romana Pop-Up | 6-8 p.m. | Zelda Dearest | $16 | It’s a red sauce soiree with four unique omakase-style slices to pique your culinary curiosity.
ALT ASO: Cabaret | 7-9 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $50 | Immerse yourself in classic glamour in this showcase of French standards for the Asheville Amadeus Festival.
Friday, May 9
Brews and Bears | 5:30-8 p.m. | WNC Nature Center | $10+ | Come out of hibernation to stroll through the Nature Center with a beverage in hand and support the wildlife.
Latin Night: ‘90s to Today | 8-11 p.m. | Hemingway’s Cuba | Free | Head to the rooftop bar to sip on a cocktail and groove to ‘90s Latin hits.
Saturday, May 10
North Asheville Bird Walk | 8-9:30 a.m. | Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary | Free, RSVP | Join the Blue Ridge Audubon Society for an early morning guided bird-watching excursion.
Fiber Day | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Folk Art Center | Free | Learn about the process of fiber art with interactive demonstrations from textile artists — then try your hand at some of the craft activities.
BADBADNOTGOOD | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $49 | Take in the alternative jazz stylings of this three-piece band with support from Baby Rose.
Roll call. Zen Sushi is the newest addition to the S&W Market, with its stall opening today, May 7, at 11:30 a.m. Sashimi, hand rolls, and yellowtail jalapeno await — plus, there will be plenty of vegan and veggie options to try.
Coming Soon
Fitz and the Wolfe, a new cocktail lounge and music venue, is opening this summer in the Isa’s Bistro space. Three rooms will cater to different vibes: “The Showroom,” “The Den,” and “The Palm Room.” For more mysterious teasers, follow along on Instagram.
Civic
On Thursday, May 22, Buncombe County Commissioners will host the first of a series of town halls focusing on storm recovery. Head to the Koontz Intermediate School Cafeteria from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to speak to officials, access resources, and provide input.
Opening
After months of restoration work, The Grand Bohemian Asheville reopens tomorrow, May 8, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Biltmore Village hotel is once again accepting bookings, and you can also stop by Red Stag Grill for a meal or a cocktail.
Development
Mountain Housing Opportunities’ latest project is fully permitted and ready to begin construction in November. The organization will build 60 affordable single-family homes just five minutes from downtown Black Mountain. Twenty homes will each be built over three phases, with an estimated completion in spring of 2028.
Award
Seven local service workers were recognized at Explore Asheville’s second annual Heroes of Hospitality Awards Luncheon. Elvira Sanchez, housekeeping supervisor at Grand Bohemian Lodge; Fran and Taylor Montgomery, owners of Montgomery Sky Farm; and Erin Cronin, lead cook at Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ and World Central Kitchen, were among those recognized.
Edu
A group of brainy Hall Fletcher Elementary fifth graders is headed to Dallas this weekend for the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship. The school’s “Team Bot Fire” crew is ready to push the boundaries, but they need help funding their trip. You can donate to the team’s GoFundMe to show them some love on the world stage.
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Category
Arts
Back in the (RAD)dle again
Snag a last-minute Mother’s Day gift. | Photo via AVLtoday
While the River Arts District looks a bit different from a 14th-century European town square, the spirit of artistic and cultural rebirth will be just as present during RAD Renaissance this Saturday, May 10.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the upper RAD — Roberts Street, Artful Way, Clingman Avenue, and Depot Street — will transform into a lively arts festival celebrating the resilience and renewal of Asheville’s arts scene, seven months after Helene attempted to wash it away.
Here’s what to expect:
Shopping from local displaced artists and browsing open galleries
Art demonstrations and interactive classes
Local food trucks, restaurant pop-ups, and drink specials
Community flower stations to help restore the beauty of the RAD
Live music and RAD Tailgate Market vendors
The best part? The event kicks off what will become a weekly art market located in the Pine Gate Renewables parking lot, dedicated to giving displaced artists a place to showcase their work.
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Rise and shine, Asheville. Need a little pick-me-up this a.m.? We’re spilling the beans with a guide to the best drinks at local coffee shops, according to their owners.
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