Not pictured: The shop’s gorgeous crystal chandeliers. | Photo by AVLtoday
Asheville’s coffee scene is brewing up something special with the opening of MochaBox, a new Haywood Road shop specializing in Yemeni and other Middle Eastern coffees.
Beyond the signature beverages, there’s an extensive menu of flavored lattes and matchas, plus a smoothie bar and food menu. The shop is currently open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday in the former UpCountry Brewing space.
Grace here — I tried the Turkish coffee, an unfiltered brew boiled in a pot called a cezve, and it was seriously strong and deliciously flavored with cardamom.
If that’s not enough caffeine for you, there’s another new coffee shop on the South Slope — Wheelhouse is all about “coffee, booze, country, and blues,” and will soon turn into a bar by night. Follow along on social to keep up with the live music schedule.
Biltmore Park Tree Lighting & Holiday Market | 4-8 p.m. | Biltmore Park Town Square | Free | Stroll through a Holiday Market with 35+ local vendors, festive treats, hot cocoa, and handcrafted gifts among twinkling lights and holiday magic, then gather for the Tree Lighting at 6:30 p.m.*
🎵 Holiday classics + acrobatics at Cirque de la Symphonie
Presented by Asheville Symphony Orchestra
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer isn’t the only one flying this holiday season. | Photos courtesy of Cirque de la Symphonie
You know all the words to your favorite carols, but you’ve never seen them like this: The Asheville Symphony and Cirque de la Symphonie are teaming up for an enchanting holiday show.
Grab tickets to see professional acrobats + aerialists fly through the air to classics performed by the Asheville Symphony, like:
Sleigh Ride
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Pas de Deux from The Nutcracker
O Holy Night, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, and more
An open burn ban remains in effect across Buncombe County until conditions improve. Crews across the region have responded to wildfires in Haywood County and a brush fire along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Ox Creek area. Keep up with progress using the NC Wildfire Public Viewer.
Read
Molly Irani, cofounder of Chai Pani, Botiwalla, and Spicewalla, has written a book. “Service Ready: A Story of Love, Restaurants, and the Power of Hospitality” provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Molly and her husband, Chef Meherwan Irani, turned family recipes into an award-winning culinary venture. Preorder the book before its March release.
Coming Soon
In the new year, Buncombe County libraries will begin operating on a new schedule, with 36 additional operating hours per week. The entire library system will also open earlier, at 9 a.m. See the new hours for each branch.
Announced
The 2025 Ingles SoCon Volleyball Championship bracket is out. ETSU claimed the top seed, but how will all nine teams fare?Grab tickets to the tournament at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville to find out — the first serve is this Thursday, Nov. 20.
Civic
On Thursday, Dec. 4, the City of Asheville will host a drop-in open house to share initial designs for upgrades to the Walton Street Park pool. The redesign aims to modernize amenities while preserving the character of the historic park.
Outdoors
The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy purchased 64 acres on Snowball Mountain, closing a gap between protected lands near the Blue Ridge Parkway. The high-elevation acreage protects Reems Creek headwaters, rare habitats, and scenic trails. SAHC has now conserved about 3,000 acres in the area.
Cause
The Asheville Habitat ReStore is hosting a special Silent Auction through Wednesday, Dec. 3, featuring 70+ items crafted by staff and volunteers. The auction concludes with live bidding in the ReStore’s upper showroom — proceeds support the nonprofit’s affordable housing programs.
Regional
Nina Simone’s childhood home in Tryon has been fully restored by the National Trust’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. In 2017, four artists saved the home from demolition. It’s not open to the public yet, but plans are underway to invite visitors to honor her legacy.
Community
Do you have a favorite restaurant? What about a pet-friendly spot? We want you to use your voice + passion for local biz and vote for AVLtoday’s Best. Voting ends Tuesday, Nov. 25.
Finance
Investing in exotic and classic vehicles delivers results — a Lamborghini Countach sale just generated a 14% net return for MCQ Markets investors. Diversify for $20 a share.*
The Word
Contribution: a gift to a common fund or collection. Your contribution to AVLtoday’s giving campaign helps keep this newsletter coming to your inbox each morning. If you support our hardworking team, consider contributing.
Editor’s Pick
🏃♀️ Get a running start
Runners show up and show out for this big race. | Photo via Asheville Marathon
We’re almost exactly four months out from the Asheville Marathon and Half, which means that if you want to stride across the finish line, it’s about time to get training. If you’re up for the challenge, registration is open.
Maybe you’re not quite ready to take on 26.2 miles, but still willing to lace up your sneakers and get out there, one of Asheville’s run clubs might be the perfect fit. Start strutting with the Jus’ Running or Highland Brewing run clubs tomorrow night.
Benefit’s top-rated brow pen that’s on sale for a limited time. We love that it draws on three superfine lines in one stroke, resulting in fuller-looking brows in seconds. Bonus: Get $10 off your order of at least $20 with code HSN2025 by Sunday, Nov. 30.
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.
I’ve been eager to try Turkish coffee for some time now, so I’m delighted to have MochaBox in the neighborhood. My only regret was not ordering the Khaliat al Nahl, a sweet Yemeni honeycomb bread — looks like I’ll be heading back for more.
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