One cup of coffee is rarely enough for us. | Photo by Savannah Gibson, via After/glow
City Editor Grace here. To me, a perfect Saturday involves a few simple things — an iced coffee and a few free hours to explore a perfectly curated antique shop. Luckily, there are a few places around Asheville to check off all these boxes in one place.
After spending a June stint at DSSOLVR, Shady Grove Coffee Co. is taking up residency at the newly reopened Antique Tobacco Barn beginning tomorrow, Aug. 1. Savor sips like cold brew and matcha lemonade while exploring antiques from 75+ dealers. Bonus: You can book the mobile espresso service for your next event.
Closer to the Henderson County line? Before diving into vintage finds and handcrafted goods at Garage on 25, pop into the attached All is Well Cafe for some fuel — think coffee classics, matcha, smoothies, sandwiches, and vegan pastries.
Click the button below for a full guide to Asheville’s coffee scene, from standout seasonal drinks to drive-thru joe.
A clear crossbody bag to fit all your essentials for summer concerts + future sporting events. We love this option’s adjustable strap, smooth zipper, and chic hardware.
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival 2025 | Thursday, July 31, Friday, Aug. 1, Saturday, Aug. 2 | 7-10 p.m. | Asheville High School | $7+ | You’ll see a new, curated folk performance each night of this iconic festival, now in its 98th year.
Asheville Tourists Blood Drive | 11 a.m. | McCormick Field | Free | Donate blood with the Tourists to save lives + receive an Appalachia Strong T-shirt and two tickets to a home game.*
Friday, Aug. 1
“Where the Waters Fell” | 5-9 p.m. | First Congregational Church | Free | Explore the photography exhibit by Kai Lendzion with live music, food, community connection, and a healing workshop — prints support BeLoved Asheville.
Dark Market: Asheville’s Lammas | 5:30-9 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company | Free | Celebrate the seasonal midpoint between the summer solstice and the fall equinox with 55+ artists and makers surrounded by hundreds of pillar candles that light up the night.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” | Friday, Aug. 1-Saturday, Aug. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre | Free | Watch as mystical mischief and magical mayhem unfold in the troupe’s last weekend of performances of the beloved Shakespeare comedy.
Saturday, Aug. 2
Summer Splash Water Day | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Jake Rusher Park | Free | Dive into a world of water-themed activities and beat the heat with an array of aquatic adventures.
Candlelight Flow Yoga | 5-6:15 p.m. | Happy Body Pilates | $10+ | End the week and ease your mind with gentle movement in the softly lit space.
Monday, Aug. 4
Auditions: “The Rocky Horror Show” | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Asheville Community Theatre | Free | Actors 18+ can audition to be a part of this cult classic musical, which will light up the stage in October.
Bal Harbour Shops will donate a portion of its sales to support local vendors and partner organizations. | Photo provided by Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-up
Get in, AVL — we’re going shopping. Less than two weeks remain to visit theBal Harbour Shops Access Pop-up, featuring iconic brands like Tiffany & Co., Balmain, Golden Goose, and more.
You’ll find it behind Tanger Asheville at the West Elm entrance, where 30 shipping containers have been transformed into a luxe shopping + dining destination. Pro tip: Book a table at The Whitman, an indoor-outdoor restaurant with a fun lineup of weekly events.
A portion of sales supports Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.
Little Jumbo just earned the title of one of the best bars in America, according to USA Today network journalists. Raise a craft cocktail or mocktail to the neighborhood bar’s win — and make a plan to catch some live jazz or hit the dance floor for some Saturday night groovin’.
Eat
Good Hot Fish and Potential New Boyfriend are earning their flowers once again, securing spots on Garden & Gun’s Hot List, detailing 31 of the best new restaurants to try across the South. The modern fish camp spot is also a must-try in the magazine’s new travel guide to Asheville.
Real Estate
According to a Q2 report from Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty, Asheville’s median home prices are up $47,000, while sales have significantly declined compared to this time last year. Experts attribute the slow sales period to high interest rates and ongoing Helene recovery. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Arts
New Orleans’ Fine Arts Academy and Asheville’s ArtsvilleUSA and River Arts District Artists are joining for the collaborative “A Tale of Two Cities” exhibition, capturing the shared experiences following a natural disaster. The exhibit will be shown in NOLA in September, with an AVL exhibit opening at the Ferguson Family YMCA.
Community
America’s Favorite Couple could live in Asheville. The Forests are in the Top 10 of the national competition hosted by Variety Magazine and actor Jeff Goldblum and his wife Emilie. The winning couple earns $20,000 and a spread in the magazine — cast your vote before 7 p.m. tonight, July 31.
Coming Soon
It looks like Asheville’s late-night food scene will expand soon. Hi-Wire has taken to Instagram to tease a new eatery coming to its South Slope taproom. Based on the graphic in the corner, we’re willing to bet we can welcome some high-quality hot dogs.
Shop
Period Nirvana, one of just two of the US’ period care stores, opened its doors on Haywood Road in April. And to celebrate its first few months in business, the shop is hosting a grand opening celebration tomorrow, Aug. 1 with goodie bags, sweet treats, and trivia — get all the details.
Biz
Speaking of grand openings, you can look forward to another celebration of Haywood Road businesses on Saturday, Aug. 16. Haunt, Woodland Tattoo, and Nice Time Glass welcome you to their cottage at 387 Haywood Rd. for food, drinks, music, and flash tattoos.
Try This
Love checklists and analytics? We’re hiring an Advertising Coordinator to help us shine a spotlight on our partners. We offer an amazing benefits package, including competitive 401K matching and more. Apply now and help us make mornings smarter (and snappier).
Featured Apartment
Love the outdoors? Make it part of your everyday. Nestled in the heart of West Asheville is RiverBlue — a nature-forward community featuring 24 acres of untouched greenspace, miles of trails, and breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Leases start at $1,500. Take a peek inside.*
Could your feet be comfier right now? We’ve got two summer shoe recommendations: these ultra-cushioned pillow slides and tried and true classic Crocs.*
Older Adults
Beyond bulk deals and clipping coupons, did you know several retailers offer customers 55+ hefty discounts — sometimes up to 20% off? Learn about key Senior discounts and several more savings hacks older adults should know about to continue saving and building wealth at age 50+.*
Home
Home
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The dreaded repair bill is coming... are you covered? | Photo by Choice Home Warranty
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The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Are you an artist looking for a space to show your work? Here’s a slightly unconventional option. Tiny Gallery East is looking for interested artists to exhibit in the outdoor space on Bell Road.
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