On Dec. 21, Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive orderallowing the sale of to-go cocktails in the state, and since then, we’ve had a few questions about the order, as well as folks inquiring where they can purchase expertly mixed libations they can enjoy at home. So today, let’s whet our thirst for knowledge on the topic.
The governor’s order is a temporary measure slated to last through 5 p.m., Jan. 31, unless otherwise modified or extended. It is intended to both slow the spread of coronavirus by allowing the drinks to be sold to-go (thus minimizing the time folks would otherwise spend around each other) and help support the food + beverage industry.
DYK30+ states have passed similar measures since the spring? Earlier in 2020, NC lawmakers pushed for a bill that would allow restaurants to sell to-go cocktails, but the NC Senatedidn’t pass it.
Here are the details: • It allows restaurants, hotels, private clubs + bars, and distilleries to sell + deliver to-go cocktails and mixed drinks. • Customers must be at least 21, and only one drink can be ordered at a time per patron. • In order to meet the age verification, each person must be present to pick up their own cocktail or present at delivery. • For both pick up + delivery, libations must be in a closed + sealed container at all times. • Dining in but can’t finish your cocktail? No worries, you can take the rest home as long as staff seal it securely for you. • You don’t have to order food with your drink. • You won’t find any Big Gulps here — to-go cocktails must be the same size as standard mixed-drinks sold for on-site consumption. • Bizzes may be open past the state’s current modified stay at homecurfew of 10 p.m., but only for to-go orders. • Alcohol sales in NC stop at 2 a.m.
ComingSoon ○ Little Pearl Asheville(15 Peaks Center Ln.), a new eatery featuring a raw bar, burgers + beer, is slated to open Jan. 14. In addition to takeout options, they will offer a mix of indoor + outdoor dining. Peep the menu here. 🦪 ○ Rosetta Buan, founder of longtime vegetarian eatery Rosetta’s Kitchen, shared the news that she’ll be opening a brand new eatery(with a whole new concept) at 68 N. Lexington Ave. this spring. Rosetta’s will also close its UNC Asheville campus kitchenette. 🥗
Announced ○ Food truck lovers, this is for you. The town of Fletcher is hosting their first Food Truck Rodeo on Jan. 23 from 12-2 p.m. at the Bill Moore Community Park in Fletcher. The event will feature a slew of food trucks serving up pizza, burgers, deserts + more. Own a food truck?Vendor applications can still be submitted. 🚚 (WLOS)
Cause ○ Through a program with the Asheville Humane Society, needy families can get free food for their pets, but their supply is quickly dwindling as the org has given out roughly 9,500 pounds of pet food monthly since the pandemic began. Donate dry bags of dog + cat food Tues.-Sat. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Asheville Humane’s Adoption Center (14 Forever Friend Ln.). 🐾 (Asheville Citizen-Times) ○ Asheville Strong has announced a weekly meal pop-up for January + February. Feed Our City will be every Saturday at the Asheville Masonic Temple from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. January’s meal pop-up features Gypsy Queen Cuisine, meals are at no cost + will be available for safe pickup. 🍽️
Biz ○ When Kitsbow Cycling + Mountain Bike Apparel made the move to Old Fort from California in 2019, a global pandemic wasn’t in their sights. By March of 2020, the company had temporarily suspended all apparel operations + moved their focus to PPE creation. By the end of 2020, Kitsbow produced over 100,000 fabric face masks + donated over 40,000 face shields + masks to area schools + nonprofits. 🚴 (The Valley Echo)
Coronavirus ○ Check out the latest COVID-19 statsfor NC from the Department of Health and Human Services here. As of Monday afternoon, 9,890 cases and 166 deaths have been reported in Buncombe County. ○ Health officials warn hospital capacity in the state is dwindling as record numbers of patients have been hospitalized for COVID-19. Yesterday marked the third straight day of record-setting highs for both hospitalizations and test positivity rates. The White House Coronavirus Task Force has recommended residents under 40 who attended Christmas or New Year’s events should assume they’re infected and self-isolate. (News & Observer)
Arts ○ Calling all artists. The City of Asheville is looking for statements of interest for the creation of Playful Art, an interactive public art installation at South Asheville’s Jake Rusher Park. The installation should utilize existing + new site elements. Wanna take part? Get the info you need to respond by 5 p.m., Jan. 15, here. 🎨
Number ○ 10,000. The number of public school students in the state that NC education officials say can’t be accounted for. According to a recent survey by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the pandemic has caused educators to lose track of some students’ whereabouts. Officials say the problem both showcases + is exacerbated by the lack of reliable internet access students need to learn virtually. 💻 (Asheville Citizen-Times)
ForFamilies ○ For years, Mills River Presbyterian Church has kept locals occupied during the winter months with their Puzzle Fest. This year, the fest became the Puzzle Swap as families + individuals were stuck at home due to the pandemic. The church has six large bins where people can drop off + pick up a variety of kids + adult puzzles. The games are available for pickup weekly from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tues.-Thurs. 🎲 (WLOS)
State ○ The NC Agricultural Hall of Fame has added three new members, one of whom is from WNC. John Holman Cyrus, Marshall Grant and Fred Colvard of Jefferson (about two and a half hours northeast of Asheville) have been inducted. Check out their contributions to NC’s agricultural systemhere. 🌾 (Smoky Mountain News)
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Holiday ○ A New Year’s Celebration| Tues., Jan. 5 | 12:05 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The Asheville Academy for the Arts hosts Bach’s Lunch concert as a celebration for the year ahead. 🎉
ForFamilies ○ Rec N Roll| Tues., Jan. 5 | 2-4 p.m. | Klondyke, 500 Montford Ave. and Grant Center, 385 Livingston St. | Free | The Rec n Roll mobile recreation unit is a free program that offers games + activities the whole family can enjoy, weather permitting. ⚽
Trivia ○ Robert’s Totally Rad Trivia| Tues., Jan. 5 | 6-8 p.m. | French Broad River Brewery, 101 Fairview Rd. | Free | Treat yourself to a cold brew + seven rounds of pop culture trivia. 🎤
Show ○ Travis Book + Friends| Tues., Jan. 5 | 6 p.m. | 185 King Street, 185 King St., Brevard | $30+ | Travis will be joined by Kyle Tuttle + Lindsay Pruett for a night of bluegrass + more. 🎶
PlanAhead ○The Healthier + Happier Series | Wed., Jan. 6 – Wed., Feb. 17 | 4-5 p.m. | Atelier Maison + Co., 121 Sweeten Creek | Free | Join Dr. Brian Asbill as he leads discussions on taking a broader look at how to live a healthier, happier life. This is a sevenpart series taking place each Wednesday at Atelier Maison & Co.’s wellness studio. Ⓟ
Find more of this week’s local events in our January PlanAhead.
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
Let’s all take a little advice from the man who Editor Brook considers to be the G.O.A.T. when it comes to hip hop, Mr. Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. the Notorious B.I.G.
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