Small Business Saturday is next Saturday, Nov. 24. Asheville is full of awesome small businesses that make it an interesting + unique place to do life. New small businesses are opening here all the time – helping boost not only our vibes, but our economy.
This is something called the “Multiplier Effect.” #Fact - According to American Independent Business Alliance (AIBA), the multiplier effect is the boost to your local economy that results from locally-owned, independent businesses, owners and employees spending business revenue within the region. In a number of studies on AIBA’s site, a proven 48% return to the community occurs when you spend locally – vs. a 13.6% return when shopping chain retail.
In N.C. more than 97% of all businesses are considered small businesses, and 46% of the North Carolina workforce is employed by small businesses.Nationwide, small businesses employ almost half of the U.S. workforce.
We asked you on Instagram + Facebook to tell us which small businesses you would be heartbroken over if they closed; click here or on the button below to see which 15 local businesses would be your most-missed.
#ProTip: These are perfect places to shop for gifts or take the visiting fam during the holidays.
💛 9 Mile
233 Montford Ave.; 751 Haywood Rd. | 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. | This Caribbean fusion spot in Montford + West Asheville received the most shout-outs in our poll. Bring on the More Fyah + Natty Bread, please.
“feelin’ thankful for getting to absolutely •indulge• in every moment of this exceptionally warm December | lunch with a side of sunshine at my home away from home-- Nine Mile” - @thenaturalmystic
💛 Dobra Tea
78 N. Lexington Ave.; 707 Haywood Rd. | Hours vary by location | Cozy teahouse with food and snacks (West Asheville has a full food menu, downtown has pastries + baked goods) and a super knowledgeable staff.
“Coolest little tea place in downtown Asheville.” - @agreatfulyogini
💛Malaprop’s Bookstore & Cafe
55 Haywood St. | 9 a.m.–9 p.m. M-Sat; 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Sun | Open since 1984, specializing in new books, regional writing, author events + more. Bonus: Be sure to go on Small Biz Saturday for their Indie Bookstore Day.
“@malapropsbookstore is definitely my favorite thing about Asheville, and talking to other booksellers is probably just my favorite thing to do in general (aside from reading and petting furry animals, and I got to do both in the store) ❤️📚” – @bdaviswriter
💛Asheville Yoga Center
211 S. Liberty St. | 7 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Sun-Thurs, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Fri + Sat | Whether you want to take a class or dip into a full, immersive training, this yoga studio + boutique has alll the choices from restorative to power flow. They also pull in some of the biggest guest teachers in the region (like MC YOGI + Amanda Giocomini).
“My hOMe away from home this past year. Just completed my 300-hour advanced yoga teacher training! Amazing workshops, amazing teachers and amazing students! So grateful for the knowledge and the soul connections I was able to make. The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know.” - wyld.yogi
💛Frugal Backpacker
52 Westgate Pkwy | 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon-Sat; 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday | Deeply discounted camping + backpacking supplies to fuel your next outdoor adventure.
“Loki enjoying his new hiking bowl from #frugalbackpacker & I’m enjoying a cold #shivaipa in a #yetirambler, #nalgene bottle, all carried in my trusty #Deuter day bag.” - @loki_tha_husky
💛 OWL Bakery
4545, 295 Haywood Rd. | 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Tues, Wed, Sun; 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Thurs, Fri + Sat | Savory and sweet baked items; coffee + espresso bar.
“OWL BAKERY IS THE PROMISED LAND” – @dianamakescoffee
💛Duncan + York
33 N. Lexington Ave. | 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon-Thurs; Fri 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday | Local and global handmade gifts in downtown Asheville
“Shelves worth some ‘gram lovin’ if I do say so myself 🎀 #828isgreat#flashesofdelight #glitterguidexacolorstory#beauty” - @julie.leah
💛Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack
1455 Patton Ave.; 3749 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Mon–Thurs 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fri + Sat 11 a.m.–10 p.m. | Nashville-style hot chicken and Southern sides
“BY FAR, THE BEST FRIED CHICKEN I’VE EVER EATEN IN MY LIFE!!! If y’all are ever in Asheville, NC, you NEED to go here and get you some chicken.” - nick_gammal
💛Jus’ Running
523 Merrimon Ave. | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon-Sat; 1–6 p.m. Sun | Running shoes, trail maps, t-shirts + other gear
“Congratulations to our friends @jusrunningavl on 20 years of supplying local runners with great gear, support, events and more! We’re proud to print for you. #avl #loveavl #running#screenprinting” - @image420screenprinting
💛Appalachian Vintner
745 Biltmore Ave. #121 | 10:15 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon-Sat; noon–6 p.m. Sun | Thousands of craft beers + wines for sale, plus charcuterie, local bitters, chocolate + more. Bonus: There’s a small, cozy bar where you can taste staff favorites (because we all need a break when we’re shopping, right?).
“A little take home gift for the kiddo from one phenomenal store @trapasati#headybrews #ashevillebrews #asheville#appalaichianvitner” - @jillycd
💛 Chai Pani
22 Battery Park Ave. | 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.. 5–9:30 p.m. Mon–Thurs; 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri + Sat; noon–3:30 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m. Sun | Indian street food with a Southern twist
“Butter chicken, fried okra, aloo tikki. Y’all told me to come here and weren’t wrong!” - @keneatsgainesville
💛 BimBeriBon
697 Haywood Rd. | Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun 8 a.m.–2 p.m. | Gluten-free, refined sugar-free foods with espresso + wine bar
“@bimberibon has become my new favorite place to eat in Asheville. Since I’ve made a serious change to my diet in the last several months, they make it easy to have healthy meals on the go 😋” - brianaalvarezz_
💛 French Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S. Pack Sq. | 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Sun-Thurs; 11 a.m.–midnight Fri + Sat | Handmade chocolates to savor and buy as gifts. Check out their new factory + tasting room, open now at 821 Riverside Dr. Bonus: ice cream, coffee drinks, beer + wine
“When your fast is over, you go to @frenchbroadchocolates and get their drinking chocolate. #heaveninacup 🍫” - hillaryharperetienne
💛 Regeneration Station
26 Glendale Ave. B | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon-Sat; 10 a.m.–5 p.m Sun | Upcycled + vintage goods
“Thrift shopping/ treasure hunting fun. Ooooh, that blue!! 😍 #vintage #thriftstore #paintedfurniture#regenerationstation” - @hellolittlebungalow
💛Curio
2 Battery Park Ave. | 10 a.m.–7 p.m. daily | Toys + gifts in downtown Asheville
“As soon as I got to Asheville, I stopped in to 🦄Curio for the Cute and curious!! 🦄.” - @banana_squared
Our team agrees that Asheville would be a completely different city without the funky small businesses it boasts. Here’s a shout out to the local businesses that would break AVLtodays’ hearts if they closed:
Ali: Yoga classes and workshops at Pure Yoga Asheville keep me sane and feeling good physically, while my brain appreciates the great selection at Malaprop’s (I may have a slight book addiction). Elementality fuels my local, handmade jewelry obsession (the name is because they have their collection broken up by element – how cool is that?).
Audra: My closet would be terribly sad without Union His + Her Boutique. Plus, my smoothie pick-me-up addiction would come to an end if it wasn’t for Simple Cafe.
Mary: I absolutely love the Grailhouse movie theatre. There is nothing better than catching a quiet movie with a bag of Poppy’s popcorn. Also, I would be nowhere without Ultra, Odds + Flora coffee shops. ☕
Keep showing our small businesses the love they deserve by joining the conversation and tagging them in comments on our Instagram + Facebook posts. 💛
