#6 - Local, Independent Business

#6- Local Independent Businesses

   Those of us who love Asheville are fiercely protective of our local independent businesses.  We don’t want no stinkin’ chains taking over our downtown area!!  We have a very strong locally grown campaign that seems to be taking on a life of its own with posters, bumper stickers, buttons, T-shirts and events appearing all over town. It is impossible to move around without noticing the “Love Asheville – Buy Local” items everywhere. I proudly display a sticker on my own car!

Asheville Grown is a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting the independently owned businesses in our community that make our town such a unique place to live and to visit. If there were only chain stores or franchises here it would be no different than so many other places you can visit. One example is Park Ave. in Winter Park Florida my old hometown. It used to be a quaint, unique area and is now an overpriced street filled with stores you can find in any mall. One reason Asheville is constantly listed on the top 10 places to live list is because of our unique small shops and businesses.

   What all this amounts to is the “local multiplier effect” where when you spend money at a local business it begins a cycle in which those businesses then spend their money at local shops and so on.  On the other hand, big chains tend to take local money and send it to corporate headquarters draining the local community of valuable resources.  A recent survey, “The Indie City Index 2011” found that Asheville has the lowest chain store saturation of any metro area in NC.  Compared to more than 360 metropolitan areas in the entire USA with populations far larger than ours we placed in the top 15 % in independent retail activity!

   And why would you need to shop at a chain when we have so many fabulous independents to choose from?  National Geographic Traveler recently did an article they called “The Perfect Summer Weekend” and they said that everywhere they went--local shops, restaurants, bars--the staff were friendly and helpful, but not overbearing. They concluded that tourism is Asheville's bread and butter, and said we know how to show visitors a good time.

   So, buy local. It is not a new concept but one that is not often practiced or understood in many places. Especially given the American mindset in which we're entitled to get whatever we want, from wherever we want, whenever we want. By supporting Asheville Grown Businesses, we are promoting a dynamic living economy as a way of life. So,  remember to Love Asheville – Buy Local!

"Local Independent Businesses recycle more money back into the local economy and give greater support to a community’s non-profit and civic needs. They are better positioned to respond to the special needs of the community and more tied to the community’s future."
Asheville Grown

#5- City Hall

#5- City Hall

   I never knew I had any interest in architecture until I moved to Asheville.  We are so fortunate to have so many beautiful, historic buildings preserved in our downtown area and my absolute favorite is City Hall. This gem was constructed between 1926-1928 by architect Douglas Ellington. It is this flamboyant Art Deco style which Ellington brought to Asheville that perhaps remains most typical of our city. A native North Carolinian, Ellington left his signature throughout the downtown area, combining his love of color and design with his European training. Other buildings that he graced our downtown with include the First Baptist Church, the S&W cafeteria and Asheville High School.

   City Hall is constructed out of Georgia Pink marble, brick, and terra cotta and the top resembles a beautiful wedding cake.  This roof is so incredible that it is actually the logo for the city of Asheville. In fact, this eight story building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. According to Ellington, the design was "an evolution of the desire that the contours of the building should reflect the mountain background," referring to the amazing scenery that surrounds Asheville and serves as the backdrop of City Hall. On a clear, Carolina blue sky day the sight really is amazing!

   Ellington chose building materials and colors that represented the natural clay-pink shades of the local Asheville soil. The unusual octagonal roof is covered in colors from bands of terra cotta red tiles, pink marble piers and ornamental green and gold feather motifs. The interior of the building is designed in a manner typical of 1920s office buildings--the central core contains public elevators and an enclosed staircase while offices lie along the perimeter of each floor. The second floor houses the distinctive City Manager's Office and City Council Chambers. The interior of the council chambers features murals by New York artist Clifford Addams that portray the story of the American Indians and early white settlers in the area. City Hall has changed little since the 1920s and still attracts residents and visitors alike with its bold and colorful style.

   Right next door is the less than beautiful County Courthouse.  The two structures surprisingly were completed in the same year, 1928, and were to have been both designed by Ellington. As work started on the city hall building, however, local officials decided its design was too extravagant and had someone else take over the county building project. What a mistake that turned out to be! When you look at them side by side you can understand why these two buildings are now known as Asheville’s Odd Couple.

“Good architecture is like a piece of beautifully composed music crystallized in space that elevates our spirits beyond the limitation of time.” – Tao Ho

#4- Chocolate!

#4 – Chocolate!

   Since it is Valentine’s Day it seems that chocolate is the obvious choice for this week’s topic.  Of course we have a tendency to use any and every holiday imaginable as an excuse to (over?) indulge in chocolate.  Who knew that August 4^th is National Chocolate Chip Day or that December 16th is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day, or my own personal favorite, February 5^th – National Chocolate Fondue Day?! Obviously any day is a good day for the cocoa bean treat so it is a good thing we have a few outstanding shops to patronize here in Asheville!   Did you know the average American eats 12 lbs. of chocolate a year?!  Could that be where this extra weight has come from???

   Out of the ordinary choices can be found at The French Broad Chocolate Lounge.   Husband and wife team Dan and Jael Rattigan started this locally owned business in their home several years ago. Then they opened a tiny little store front in 2008 and have exploded in popularity since then. They now occupy three floors and have doubled their dining space while adding an in house kitchen.  By using local ingredients, featuring local artists and musicians, and selling local beer, coffee and ice cream they have created a sacred space for “Chocophiles.” There are a variety of options from the Aphrodisiac collection which is perfect for Valentine’s Day to the Buddha Vegan collection which, of course, is so very perfect for Asheville.

   You won’t find any boring, ordinary choices here.  Instead look for creative pairings like fig and port, lavender and honey and cabernet and anise. Not in the mood for candy? They have you covered with cakes, brownies, cookies, ice cream and beer and wine.  In the unlikely event you aren’t a chocolate lover you can buy a 6 or 12 month chocolate subscription for someone who is, like me! Besides lots of local press this business has been mentioned several times in Southern Living Magazine – not bad for a little local chocolate shop!

   To prove that Asheville is indeed the place to indulge in the sweet life, we also have another world class shop called the Chocolate Fetish.  A part of the downtown scene since 1986 this shop has been voted Best in Western NC for 12 straight years.  They also started off as a two person operation and now, 25 years later, have a full staff and a loyal following all across the country.

    In addition to all the creative flavors, this place is known for their artistic gift packages. Painters, sculptors, and musicians are drawn to Asheville for the natural beauty surrounding it and for the creative energy that buzzes through its streets. The Chocolate Fetish has their own artists that work in the medium of chocolate. The Chocolate High Heel Shoes are a great way to satisfy two fetishes at once and don’t miss out on the Smash Cakes, Chocolate Covered Strawberry trees or the Chocolate Putting Green cake for the golf lover.  These are true masterpieces.  They are so beautiful that you don’t want to eat them.  All right, maybe that is going too far, but they are amazing works of art!  

“There are four basic food groups: chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and chocolate truffles.”   ~Author Unknown

#3 - Beer!

#3- Beer!

Not just any beer, but local craft brewed beer! Asheville was voted Beer City USA in a 2010 contest and was runner up in 2009 to Portland, OR.  For a city with 74,500 people we are so lucky to have 9 breweries serving over 50 hand- crafted, tasty local brews. I often wonder how I drank beer back before this craft brew craze. As you age and evolve as a person so too must your tastes. The thought of Busch beer in a can now makes me shudder. There is a world of difference!

   In addition to the breweries and their tasting rooms other beer related businesses abound! We now have 5 local beer festivals that are spread throughout the year with Brewgrass being the granddaddy of them all. Started in 1997 it has become a tough ticket to get with all 3,500 tickets selling out months in advance, often in one day. And why not, with 40 breweries and live national and regional bluegrass bands it is a beer lover’s paradise. I have to work the event every year and I can guarantee you there is nothing sadder than a beer lover surround by all that beer and not being able to partake of any of it!

   We also have Brews Cruise which offers a behind the scenes glimpse of the ins and outs of operating a brewery and tastings at each of the four businesses visited. They provide the van and driver so nobody is trying to get behind the wheel if they overindulge on the tour.  Of course I am not sure exactly what service they provide on the "Walking Tours" - possibly a wheel barrow to transport the heartiest of partiers back to the starting point!

   Brusin' Ales is a locally owned store specializing only in craft beer with over 900 beers as well as beer related merchandise. They were voted the # 3 beer retailer in the WORLD!  Local bakeries and ice cream shops have also jumped on the beer bandwagon and now produce products made with our local offerings. Finally, another unique feature is The Beer Guy who explores the "Beer-niverse" with a weekly article in our local paper.  All of our beer mania started back in 1994 when Barley's taproom opened long before there was much of anything in our downtown area. That was followed by Highland Brewing who opened the first brewery in the basement of Barley's. How far we have come since those early days! We even have a women’s only beer group called “Asheville Beer Divas” which I plan to check out soon. To me the ultimate justice is that one of our local tap rooms has a 7 page beer menu and only 1 page of wines! Take that you wine snobs!! So stop, think and drink good locally brewed beer! There is no excuse to drink a bad beer!

“A fine beer may be judged with only one sip, but it is better to be thoroughly sure.”   Czech Proverb

#2- Malaprop's

#2 -Malaprop’s

 I confess, I am a total book nerd. Anybody who knows me knows I am NEVER without a book that I am reading. As soon as I finish one I start another - I am sure I would have a panic attack if I was book- less but really can't say for sure as this has never happened. So how lucky am I to live in a city with the best damn independent bookseller around?

   Malaprop's is the largest locally owned independent bookstore in the region and it is a true treasure! In 1982 when downtown was nothing more than a boarded up, deserted ghost town owner and founder Emoke B'Racz had the vision to see what Asheville could become and opened a store that let her showcase her addiction to literature. 

   I have been here long enough now to remember when Malaprop's was in its original location with the cafe down in the basement accessed by a long, steep staircase. Now it is all on one level and Malaprop's cafe has delicious treats from local bakeries and wonderful locally roasted coffee drinks. It is a cozy space to relax and enjoy a book of your choice. There is always something going on here from author readings many of which I have enjoyed over the years to poetry groups which I tend to avoid like the plague as I just don't understand poetry. There are also literary trivia nights and several book clubs including the Bridging Differences club that I am currently really enjoying.

   Their staff picks often point me towards titles I might never pick up on my own. The banned book section, at times both funny and sad, offers insight by drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted banned books.

   With the new e reader craze you have to wonder what will become of "old fashioned" books. I can't imagine that I am the only one out there who refuses to give up the comfort of holding an actual book in my hands. I enjoy the art on the cover, the weight of the book in my hand, the paper cuts you can get by turning a page too fast and the smell of a book. Yes, I have been caught smelling my books on more than one occasion! Doesn't everybody?

   Malaprop's has won numerous awards and honors over the years and is a very community minded business. From sponsoring races, to donating products, and serving on boards they take their commitment to the community seriously. Fortunately, the community appears pretty committed to them too!

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.  ~Paul Sweeney

#1 - Change of Seasons - Snow!

  

#1 – Change of Season’s – Snow

   These are in no particular order. It is just that we are surrounded by snow this winter so it is the first thing that comes to mind. Personally, I love snow. I guess it’s because I spent so many years living in Fl where the monotony and heat gets to you after awhile. I don’t often admit to being from Fl here in Asheville – it does not make you a popular person. Locals call people from Florida “Flor-idiots.”  After 17 years of living here I now find myself shouting that exact same phrase at folks with Fl license plates as they are driving down the middle of the road admiring our beautiful scenery at 5 miles an hour. How soon we forget….

   But back to the snow… The great thing about living here is that we will get snow and it stays around for a few days and then it is gone. This is unlike other parts of the country where the snow lingers on and on for months on end and gets dirty and disgusting. Ours does not last long enough for it to get black from cars driving on it or yellow from, well; you know what it would get yellow from! It really is the best of both worlds – we get it but don’t get sick of it. Winters are quite moderate and you are generally able to get out and enjoy them.

   This year we have had several good snow storms bringing 10 plus inches of snow and it has been wonderful! Locals have a tendency to think I am mentally ill as excited as I get over the white stuff. The main reason is that due to our steep mountain roads and lack of snow plows people just give up and stay home when we get more than a few inches. There really is nowhere to go anyway as the city has a tendency to shut down. We won’t even discuss the schools who have been known to shut down at the mere mention of the “S” word when not even a flake has been seen flying around.

   We could discuss why we seem to be getting more snow than we have in years past and why there is more of everything whether it is rain, heat, severe weather events like mud slides and tornados and melting ice caps. But that would necessitate a political discussion involving whether or not there really is such a thing as global warming and since this is not a political blog we will just stick to the main subject, which is snow!

   I look at it as an extended mini vacation. It is great to see folks cross country skiing thru our downtown, snow shoeing on the Blue Ridge Parkway, sledding on city streets and frolicking with their 2 and 4 legged children. There is a quiet that comes over the area and the views are just spectacular with the leaves missing from the trees and a coating of white on everything in sight. It is a refreshing and magical time here.

“The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event.  You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?”  ~J.B. Priestley

I Love Asheville: 52 Reasons Why I Love My City

I am NOT a creative person. I really don't feel like I have a creative bone in my body but I do love this fabulous little city I have chosen to live in.  It is stimulating mentally, physically and visually so I thought that if anything could help me develop my creative side this would be it! My hope is that on a weekly basis I will be able to list something that caused me to fall so in love with Asheville, document it with a photo and write about why it is important to me.  At the end of the year I will, hopefully, have 52 photos that show Asheville from my perspective as well as a story about why they matter to me. Wish me luck!