Cheers!

Business Shout-outs from Around Western North Carolina

Awards & Recognitions

World Atlas, ‘The Original Online Geography Resource’, named several WNC Towns in their 8 Cutest Small Towns In North Carolina article including Sylva, Bryson City, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, and Beech Mountain.

Great Smoky Mountains Association is thrilled to announce Western Carolina University professor Dr. Brian Railsback as the recipient of its 2023 Steve Kemp Writers’ Residency.

AdventHealth Hendersonville announced their newest DAISY Award winner. Misty Deblois , BSN, BSBA, works in the Emergency Department at AdventHealth Hendersonville.

Jay Cope and Chris Harrin of SemperFi Custom Remodeling have been recognized as among Pro Remodeler’s 2023 40 under 40 Winners. This prestigious award celebrates leadership, professional growth and achievement, creative problem-solving, and a passion for excellence.

North Henderson High School’s Dylan King was named the district’s Teacher of the Year.

A Carolina Village fall prevention initiative has been selected as the recipient of LeadingAge North Carolina’s 2023 Excellence in Innovation award.

For his exemplary contribution to the community through volunteer service, Mr. Chip Gould received the Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service at Blue Ridge Community College College.

Roberts & Stevens announced that attorney and firm partner Wyatt S. Stevens has been recognized by Business North Carolina’s “Power List” as one of the most influential business leaders in North Carolina.

Promotions & On The Move

Miller’s Fine Dry Cleaning, a Hendersonville business that was in place for 100 years, was purchased by Darshan Patel and is now operating as Custom Cleaners. They will provide the same services with the same staff in the same location.

Haywood County Commissioner Jennifer Best was elected as Second ViceChair of the Southwestern Commission Governing Board.

IFB Solutions, the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the country, has hired Travis Guerra to oversee its Asheville operations as the nonprofit’s new Asheville plant manager.

Girl Scout Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont has expanded their Board of Directors, adding Jenn Muckelvaney and Shay Johnson to their team.

Asheville’s Original Craft Brewery

Mike Ramos , the current Vice President of Manufacturing, has been elected to take the place of Doug Wehrkamp as Southeastern Container Inc.’s new President.

Coming Soon

Rutherfordton Town Council has approved an ordinance creating The Mint District , a ‘social district’ allowing alcoholic beverages to be carried within the designated area, which is set to open in Downtown Rutherfordton this summer.

Collab Coworking will open its first location, Collab | WVL , this summer in Weaverville.

Bear’s Smokehouse in Asheville will celebrate its grand opening in July.

B² Realty in Hendersonville will celebrate its ribbon cutting in July.

Expansions & Grand Openings

Daily Thread , a fast-growing apparel chain of apparel shops, opened a new location at Shoppes on the Parkway in Blowing Rock.

Asheville Regional Airport received $125 million in bonds from NC’s Local Government Commission to continue the airport’s expansion projects.

South Slope Pilates and All Things Wellness , a pilates-centric wellness studio, celebrated their grand opening and ribbon cutting in downtown Asheville in April.

Western North Carolina Community Health Services opened McDowell Health Center, the first Federally Qualified Health Center in McDowell County.

Burnsville’s new food truck, Hot Mess , offers breakfast options featuring local meats, eggs, and coffee as well as a variety of homemade baked goods and vegan options.

LaBella Associates , an international architecture, engineering, environmental and planning firm, has opened a new office in Asheville to extend its local presence.

Mackin Talent opened their new North American headquarters in Rutherfordton. This new space will both house Mackin Talent and Mackin Go, a co-working space to allow many other businesses to thrive.

Appalachian Mountain Brewery , Boone’s original brewery dedicated to community, philanthropy, and sustainability, has announced the grand opening of a new Mills River taproom, its first location outside of Boone.

Partnerships, Mergers & Acquisitions

Savara Hospitality and Piedmont Capital announce the acquisition of Azalea Garden Inn located in Blowing Rock. The property was purchased by a joint venture between Fairfax, Virginia based Savara Hospitality Inc. and Charlotte, North Carolina based Piedmont Capital RE, LLC.

First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, a subsidiary of Raleigh-headquartered First

Citizens BancShares, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to purchase out of FDIC receivership substantially all loans and certain other assets, and assume all customer deposits and certain other liabilities of Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, N.A .

Maximus, a leading employer and provider of government services worldwide, and IFB Solutions, a non-profit organization that provides employment, training, and services for people who are blind or visually impaired, announced the successful launch of a new joint program that integrates employees who are blind or visually impaired into the workforce.

AdventHealth Hendersonville is now partnering with the OB Hospitalist Group to provide board-certified OB/GYN’s hospitalists that offer on-site, 24-hour-aday, labor and delivery care at The Baby Place.

Devil’s Foot Beverage Company, the Asheville-based maker of farm-to-can craft sodas, has announced their partnership with BountyBev, the premier distributor of American craft beer to greater Nashville and eight middle Tennessee counties.

Anniversaries & Milestones

Celebrating its sixth anniversary, NC IDEA ENGAGE has awarded more than 325 grants and $1.6 million. NC IDEA ENGAGE has championed its mission to expand the reach of entrepreneurial communities in North Carolina by offering mostly $5,000 grants to organizations and advocates supporting entrepreneurs.

Little Pigs BBQ in Asheville celebrated its 60th anniversary. The restaurant has been family owned and independently operated since 1963.

Founded in 2015, Venture Asheville announced in April 2023 that the portfolio of startups in its mentorship-based incubator known as Elevate has raised more than $50 million in capital and generated over $100 million in revenue since its inception.

Rugby Middle School in Hendersonville celebrated its 50th anniversary. Rugby Middle School opened as Rugby Junior High School in 1973 after Vernon and Leander Johnson, of the Historic Johnson Farm, donated 40 acres of land to Henderson County Public Schools.

12 Bones Brewing celebrated its fourth anniversary in April. The company hosted a five-course dinner pairing food and beer, released five new beers, and invited the public to an outdoor picnic complete with live music, barbeque, and beer.

FernCrest Winery Tasting Room celebrated their 7th anniversary in May. They offer hand-crafted wines from their own vineyard and vineyard partners.

Pisgah Brewing Company celebrated its 18th anniversary in May. Pisgah operates an open-air outdoor bar during the summer and fall months, featuring live music on the Pisgah Brewing Outdoor Stage.

Carolina Mountain Club, the oldest hiking and trail maintaining club in the South, is celebrating one hundred years in 2023.