Asheville, NC: 2008 by Journal Communications

ASHEVILLE 2008 | IMAGESASHEVILLE.COM | VIDEO VIGNETTES

NORTH CAROLINA

Worldly Matters Restaurants serve up fare from all corners of the globe

You Knead Me Prepare to be pampered at the city’s soothing spas SPONSORED BY THE ASHEVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ASHEVILLE 2008 EDITION | VOLUME 6

NORTH CAROLINA

CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S 24 CROWN JEWEL FOR THE CITY Pack Square Park will be the city’s newest gathering spot when it debuts in 2009.

28 WORLDLY MATTERS Asheville boasts eateries that are second to none for a city this size.

THE LAST OF THE GREAT ARCADES The historic Grove Arcade is once again a thriving shopping and dining destination.

36 STUPID CREATURES, DRUMS & FLUTES Asheville entrepreneurs take creativity to new heights at their companies.

40 IT’S ONLY NATURAL This city is a hotbed for the natural and organic foods industry. ON THE COVER Basilica of Saint Lawrence Photo courtesy of Lynne Siler

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44 A TOUR FOR EVERY TASTE Whether you’re the outdoors type, a beer connoisseur or a ghost lover, there’s a tour designed just for you.

48 ROAD TRIP ANYONE? A short drive from Asheville yields any number of unique destinations – with great shopping, dining and history.

52 WORLD CULTURE MEETS COUNTERCULTURE From hip vintage clothing to Indian cuisine, Lexington Avenue is not your average thoroughfare.

56 YOU KNEAD ME Asheville’s upscale spas cater to clients looking for more than a manicure, pedicure or eyebrow wax.

60 ENTREPRENEURIAL ENERGY Homegrown companies are fond of the city’s business-friendly climate. I M AG E S A S H E V I L L E . C O M

ASHEVILLE 2008 EDITION | VOLUME 6

NORTH CAROLINA

ASHEVILLE BUSINESS 72 Wiping Up The National Wiper Alliance cleans up with a succesful business strategy.

76 Biz Briefs 81 Economic Proﬁle

D E PA R TM E NT S 16 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Asheville’s culture

63 Portfolio: people, places and events that deﬁne Asheville

91 Arts & Culture 93 Sports & Recreation 96 Health & Wellness 97 Education 98 Image Gallery 103 Community Proﬁle: facts, stats and important numbers to know

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ASHEVILLE NORTH CAROLINA

MANAGING EDITOR SUSAN CHAPPELL COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, KIM MADLOM, ANITA WADHWANI ASSISTANT EDITOR REBECCA DENTON STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN, JESSICA MOZO DIRECTORIES EDITORS AMANDA MORGAN, KRISTY WISE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT JESSY YANCEY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS KIMBERLY DALY, SHARON H. FITZGERALD, LAURA HILL, MELANIE HILL, KATHRYN ROYSTER, MELISSA STANZ REGIONAL SALES MANAGER CHARLES FITZGIBBON ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER TODD POTTER EXECUTIVE INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER PHILIP JORDAN ONLINE SALES MANAGER MATT SLUTZ SALES COORDINATOR SARA SARTIN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, WES ALDRIDGE, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, MICHAEL W. BUNCH, IAN CURCIO, BRIAN M CCORD CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR SHAWN DANIEL PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS ASST. PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR HAZEL RISNER SENIOR PRODUCTION PROJECT MGR. TADARA SMITH PRODUCTION PROJECT MGRS. MELISSA HOOVER, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, VIKKI WILLIAMS GRAPHIC DESIGN JESSICA BRAGONIER, CANDICE HULSEY, JANINE MARYLAND, LINDA MOREIRAS, AMY NELSON, CARL RATLIFF WEB PROJECT MANAGER ANDY HARTLEY WEB DESIGN RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ WEB PRODUCTION JILL TOWNSEND DIGITAL ASSET MANAGER ALISON HUNTER COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN CORY MITCHELL AD TRAFFIC MEGHANN CAREY, SARAH MILLER, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./PRODUCTION & OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHING SYBIL STEWART EXECUTIVE EDITOR TEREE CARUTHERS MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS MAURICE FLIESS PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS, JACKIE YATES RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY WALDRIP COMMUNITY PROMOTION DIRECTOR CINDY COMPERRY DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH MARKETING COORDINATOR AMY AKIN IT SYSTEMS DIRECTOR MATT LOCKE IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR NICOLE WILLIAMS SALES SUPPORT MANAGER/ CUSTOM MAGAZINES PATTI CORNELIUS OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM

Asheville magazine is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce 36 Montford Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: (828) 258-6101• Fax: (828) 251-0926 www.ashevillechamber.org E-mail: member@ashevillechamber.org VISIT ASHEVILLE MAGAZINE ONLINE AT IMAGESASHEVILLE.COM ©Copyright 2007 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member

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PLUS SEARCH OUR ARCHIVES Browse past issues of the magazine by year or search for speciﬁc articles by subject.

VIDEO 1 INSIDE LOOK Join us on a virtual tour of Asheville through the lenses of our award-winning photographers.

INSTANT LINKS Read the entire magazine online using our ActiveMagazine™ technology and link instantly to community businesses and services.

VIDEO 2 ROCK ON Watch a climber take on a 100-foot sheer face under the guidance of a pro at Chimney Rock Park.

VIDEO 3 AMERICA’S FAVORITE DRIVE

EVEN MORE Read full-length versions of the magazine’s articles; ﬁnd related stories; or read new content exclusive to the Web. Look for the See More Online reference in this issue.

Travel the Blue Ridge Parkway through North Carolina to see the breathtaking fall foliage.

A GARDENER’S PARADISE From the Outer Banks to the Great Smokies, North Carolina’s diverse climate affords us tremendous opportunities for growing plants that are indigenous to many continents.

BARBECUE: A SIMPLE SOUTHERN PLEASURE In eastern North Carolina, the pork usually comes with a vinegar-based sauce. The western part of the state serves pork doused in a sauce rich with vinegar and tomatoes. Visit Asheville for a taste of regional cuisine.

A B O U T T H I S M AG A Z I N E Asheville magazine is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is sponsored by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. In print and online, Asheville magazine gives readers a taste of what makes Asheville tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.” – Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

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ASHEVILLE

Save Money. Smell the Flowers.

Looking for ways to save money on gas and help the environment? The EPA wants to share some smart driving tips that could give you more miles per gallon of gas and reduce air pollution. Tips like making sure your tires are properly inďŹ&#x201A;ated and replacing your air ďŹ lter regularly. And where possible, accelerate and brake slowly. Be aware of your speed ... did you know that for every 5 miles you go over 65 mph, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re spending about 20 cents more per gallon of gas? If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re shopping for a new car, choose the cleanest, most efďŹ cient vehicle that meets your needs. If we each adopt just one of these tips, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d get more miles for our money and it would be a little easier to smell the ďŹ&#x201A;owers. For more tips and to compare cleaner, more efďŹ cient vehicles, visit

www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.

I M AG E S A S H E V I L L E . C O M

Almanac

Wear Comfortable Shoes Art enthusiasts: Keep the first Friday of the month open from April through October. That’s when the Friday Art Walks take place in downtown Asheville, with 31 different galleries staying open late for the public to visit. The leisurely gallery strolls are from 5 to 8 p.m., and a Downtown Gallery Guide of the sites is available at area galleries or the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Asheville Downtown Gallery Association coordinates the monthly events.

How’s the Weather?

Pick a Plant, Any Plant

Asheville does more than just talk about the weather – it gathers data about it. The World Data Center for Meteorology, Asheville is part of a global network that exchanges scientific data related to all aspects of weather. Each city under the WDC umbrella collects, catalogs and archives information, then makes the information available to international scientists on request. Asheville is also home to the National Climatic Data Center, which has the world’s largest collection of weather records, dating back more than 100 years.

You can stop and smell the roses – and hundreds of other flower varieties – at The North Carolina Arboretum. The 434-acre arboretum is devoted to cultivating the connections between plants and people. A variety of guided nature walks do just that, including the popular Glide Through Nature Segway Tour, where participants ride trails on motorized, two-wheeled vehicles. The arboretum is known for its botanically diverse bonsai collection and the annual Carolina Bonsai Expo. SEE VIDEO ONLINE | To see Segway riders in action and to learn more about bonsai at The North Carolina Arboretum, visit imagesasheville.com.

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Just Winging It The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is where famed author F. Scott Fitzgerald used to go for inspiration in the 1930s. The resort is still attracting those with an artistic bent in 2008. The Grove Park organizes an annual Decorated Birdhouse Competition that takes place in April/May. The event launches the resort’s springtime celebration, and most of the entries are remarkable works of design. It’s one of the many reasons to visit Asheville’s famed inn and spa.

Fast Facts Q The Blue Ridge Parkway includes 270 overlooks along its 469-mile route through the Southern Appalachians. The thoroughfare attracts more than 20 million travelers each year. Q Biltmore House, America’s largest home, has 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, 70-foot ceilings, an indoor bowling alley and priceless antiques. Q The North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement offers a terrific selection of programs and workshops for Asheville’s growing retirement community. Q Mount Mitchell is at an elevation of 6,684 feet, making it the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Q The Asheville area has a great reputation as a place for wellness and healing and is now ranked as a premier spa destination. Q The Asheville Urban Trail is known as an art museum without walls.

A Place To Call Home Asheville is quickly becoming a magnet for knowledge-based companies, thanks to advanced telecommunications capabilities and a great quality of life. Software developers, digital media content developers and e-business experts are drawn here because of the innovative and proactive business community. Many entrepreneurs find support at the Technology Commercialization Center at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College’s Small Business Center Incubator.

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SEE MORE ONLINE | For more Fast Facts about Asheville, visit imagesasheville.com.

I M AG E S A S H E V I L L E . C O M

Almanac

Any Day Getaway Need a rest? Asheville has a variety of accommodations ranging from luxurious hotels and cozy mountain cabins to intimate bed-and-breakfasts and campgrounds. Most hotels and B&Bs offer special packages throughout the year, including girlfriend getaways and romantic weekends. And you can even bring your beloved pet to the many places that offer pet-friendly accommodations.

Whether it’s a sold-out Bob Dylan show, a rock opera or an up-and-coming local band, The Orange Peel Social Aid & Pleasure Club is a must-see. Boasting a reputation as one of the best live music venues in the country, The Orange Peel has sold nearly half a million tickets since its reopening in 2002. The Smashing Pumpkins even picked the venue for their first nine – yes, nine – shows of the U.S. leg of their 2007 comeback tour. By the way, a “Social Aid & Pleasure Club” is a New Orleans term referring to a group that provides care, comfort, entertainment and support to its members. Living up to the name, The Orange Peel holds an average of two benefits each month.

FOXGLOVE BY JUDE STUECKER

The Sound of Music

A Fair To Remember Asheville is known for its crafts, and one of the best-known events is the biannual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, which occurs in July and October. More than 200 vendors participate, and several craft educators are available to help kids with hands-on projects. Local musicians also perform on the arena stage throughout the four-day celebration, which is held at the downtown Asheville Civic Center. The 61st-annual event will take place in 2008.

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Almanac

Asheville | At A Glance POPULATION (2006 ESTIMATE) Asheville: 72,789 Buncombe County: 222,174 LOCATION Asheville is in western North Carolina, tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Two major interstates, I-40 and I-26, intersect just outside the city limits.

Rising to the Top

BEGINNINGS Asheville was incorporated in 1797 and named in honor of North Carolina Gov. Samuel Ashe. FOR MORE INFORMATION Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce 36 Montford Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 258-6101, Fax: (828) 251-0926 www.ashevillechamber.org

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No doubt about it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Asheville consistently ranks at the top of many national lists. For example, Outside magazine recently named Asheville one of the Best Towns in America, while Cities Ranked & Rated listed Asheville No. 7 in livability among 400 metro areas in the United States and Canada. Even the Biltmore has had increased national acclaim, appearing on the list of the Top 10 Architectural Wonders compiled by Harris Interactive and the American Institute of Architects. And for pet lovers, the city was ranked third on DogFriendly.comâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national list of Top 10 Dog-Friendly Resort Areas.

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SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Take a virtual tour of Asheville at imagesasheville.com, courtesy of our awardwinning photographers.

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Almanac

Built With Style Asheville boasts one of the best collections of art deco architecture in the country, with stylish buildings from the pre-Depression heyday of the 1920s. A big reason for its art deco influence was native North Carolina architect Douglas Ellington. Ellington studied in Paris in the early 1910s, and then arrived in Asheville to share his creative genius. Some of his art deco masterpieces include Asheville City Hall, the Buncombe County Courthouse, Asheville High School, First Baptist Church of Asheville and the S&W Cafeteria on Patton Avenue.

Props to Malaprop’s In need of a good read? Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café has been satisfying bookworms for more than 25 years. The 6,000-square-foot independent bookstore hosts countless events – including book clubs, literary workshops and openmic poetry readings – and also features book signings, with notable names such as Cold Mountain author (and Asheville native) Charles Frazier, actor/author Amy Sedaris and Jill Conner Browne, who penned the Sweet Potato Queens series. If you’re looking for something out of print, check out Malaprop’s sister store, Downtown Books & News, which offers newspapers, magazines and approximately 35,000 used books.

Fabulously Funky There is something always happening in downtown Asheville – including street performers. Artists and street musicians blend with tourists and locals on a regular basis to bring an interesting vibe to the city’s streets. One of the main intersections to see all of the action is at Biltmore and Patton Avenue, in the vicinity of the Zebulon Vance Monument. And you never know what you might see – could be a juggler, fiddler or stilt walker.

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Crown

Jewel City for the

PACK SQUARE PARK WILL BE A GREEN OASIS IN THE MIDDLE OF DOWNTOWN STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

he underground utilities already have been installed, the concrete sidewalks have been poured and the roads have been paved. Now the people of Asheville will begin seeing the above-ground beauty that will eventually be Pack Square Park. Construction will continue through 2008 to complete the $22.5 million park that will grace downtown Asheville. The 6.5-acre open green space is scheduled for completion in early 2009. “Construction workers have been hauling pipes and steel around down-

town and have worked almost two years underground, and that has been driving people crazy with curiosity,” says Donna Clark, communications director for Pack Square Conservancy, which is overseeing the entire project. “But throughout 2008, people are going to see what Pack Square Park will truly be all about.” The vision of a park in Asheville’s historic central square actually dates back more than 100 years. In 1901, philanthropist George Willis Pack gave Buncombe County a plot of land for a new courthouse on College Street, with two stipulations.

The terms of the gift required the county to demolish the old courthouse, which then stood on the square, and to maintain the square as a public park forever. “There has never been an actual Pack Square Park, but there will be now,” Clark says. “The green space will be home to attractions such an amphitheater, a pavilion/visitors center with a small cafe, water fountains, a garden, courtyard plaza and a granite veterans’ monument. Three local artists have also been commissioned to add tapestry and sculpture to the project. It is going

Pack Square Park will stretch between the Buncombe County Courthouse (left) and the Zebulon Vance Monument.

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RENDERINGS COURTESY OF PACK SQUARE CONSERVANCY

The 6.5-acre Pack Square Park will be a beautiful public gathering place in Asheville’s busy downtown district when it debuts in early 2009. Right: The Zebulon Vance Monument, which was completed in 1898, is situated at one end of the new park, near the Jackson Building.

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to be incredible.” The park will encompass all of the land between the existing Zebulon Vance Monument and the two main government buildings – Asheville City Hall and the Buncombe County Courthouse. Clark says Pack Square will be a crown jewel for the entire city because there are no other sizeable parks in the downtown area. “Downtown Asheville has plenty of art, performance venues, nice hotels and great restaurants, but no open green space,” she says. “A busy park is a good morale booster, and the Asheville Parks and Recreation Department already has 70 annual events tentatively scheduled on the site once it finally opens to the public.” Pack Square Park is jointly owned by the city of Asheville and Buncombe County, and the Asheville Parks and Recreation Department will maintain the property. The entire project will be managed by the nonprofit Pack

Square Conservancy that was established in 2000. “The one and only focus of the conservancy is the park itself, and the organization will continue to function after it opens,” says Marilyn Geiselman, executive director of Pack Square Conservancy. “We were responsible for raising money for construction of the park, and we will make sure that the entire 6.5 acres remains pristine during its entire existence.” The $22.5 million for the project primarily came from six individual donors, who gave a total of $12.5 million, a figure that also includes a $3.8 million federal grant. “There have been more than 700 donors in this effort,” Geiselman says. “Many of the donations have been $25 to $50. One man at a festival gave us $2. Everything we have raised is going toward making this a dynamic park that the residents of Asheville can be proud of for generations to come.” ASHEVILLE

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SEE MORE ONLINE | To learn more about the Asheville dining scene, visit the archives at imagesasheville.com/07.

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Worldly

Matters ASHEVILLE RESTAURANTS SERVE UP FARE FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE STORY BY LAURA HILL

n evening of dining at Tupelo Honey Café might start with an appetizer of honey chipotle wings with blue cheese dressing, followed by a seared salmon fillet for dinner. Or, you could try the eatery’s famous sweet potato pancakes and homemade hot chocolate. Meanwhile, a visit to Mamacitas could include a meal of raging fajita burritos or a plate of Baja-style fish tacos with sautéed vegetables. Or, you could dig into some butternut squash soup

before enjoying seared ahi tuna or roasted quail at Savoy Restaurant & Martini Bar on Merrimon Avenue. Variety is the spice of restaurants located throughout Asheville, with eateries that are second to none for a city this size. For example, hungry diners can enjoy oysters Rockefeller and Alaskan king crab legs at The Lobster Trap, or sit down to calamari and eggplant Parmesan at Fiore’s Cottonwood Cafe. Whatever the restaurant, the specialties of the house are often too many to mention. “Asheville is a nice place to stop and smell the roses, and a great city to stop and taste some pretty amazing food,” says Eric Scheffer, owner of Savoy. “The emphasis at our restaurant

Tupelo Honey’s sweet potato pancakes are topped with whipped peach butter and spiced pecans.

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PHOTO BY IAN CURCIO

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The Lobster Trap has an open kitchen, large bar, live music and a great view of Patton Avenue. Left: A crowd gathers during lunch to eat some Mexican fare at Mamacitas in downtown Asheville. PHOTOS BY IAN CURCIO

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you can watch the cooks at work. Horizons restaurant, located in the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, is just as impressive. Soon after it opened in 1991, Horizons became a four-diamond restaurant and was presented with an award of excellence from the Distinguished Restaurants of North America. “Our forte is wines, with more than 850 in our cellar – 100 of which are half-bottles,” says Kevin Schwartz, Horizons beverage manager. “As for our menu, we pick and choose the best dishes from around the world.” One of those dishes is a seven-ounce Wagyu filet, which is exotic beef from Kobe, Japan. “It’s quite expensive, and you will be ruined for life once you eat one of these filets – you won’t ever want to order anything else,” Schwartz says. “In addition, our lobster bisque is the best you will ever try. “ Schwartz says he likes being a part of the restaurant scene in Asheville because of the excitement that the city exudes. “I just look out the window each morning and realize why I love being in Asheville,” he says. “The mountains and the changing seasons make this one of the most beautiful areas on earth. That’s probably why the restaurants here are so good. Great scenery, great attitude, great food.” PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN WARNER/WARNER PHOTOGRAPHY

is on the freshest possible product. Everything is made from scratch – the only freezers we have on site are for ice cream that we make in our kitchen.” For a comfy place to nosh on Southern food with an uptown twist, you’ll want to visit Tupelo Honey Café. The popular eatery, which has been written up in The New York Times and Southern Living, is known for items such as homemade soups, salads and desserts, and entrees that combine great Southern staples in new ways, including Pesto Grit Cakes, Cajun Skillet Catfish and Nutty Fried Chicken. The outdoor tables at the College Street restaurant draw diners for both lunch and dinner, and there’s also a bar where

Tupelo Honey Café on College Street specializes in Southern food with an uptown twist. PHOTO BY IAN CURCIO Top: Choices at Savoy include New Zealand lamb chops.

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The

Last

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Great Arcades HISTORIC PUBLIC MARKET IS ONCE AGAIN A SHOPPING AND DINING DESTINATION

STORY BY CAROL COWAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

he vision of Edwin Wiley Grove was responsible for Asheville landmarks such as the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa and the second Battery Park Hotel. But Grove did not live to see the completion of his final project, the Grove Arcade. Conceived in the early 1920s, Grove’s “city within walls” did not open until 1929, two years after Grove’s death. Nevertheless, the historic structure fulfilled Grove’s expectations, bustling with business and commercial activity for 13 years. Then, during World War II, the federal government took over the building, and it was closed to public use for a generation. Eventually, the 269,000-square-foot

The Jazzy Giraffe is the place to go for exclusive women’s apparel and accessories from international designers. Left: The Grove Arcade boasts an exciting array of shops, restaurants, food markets and regional arts and crafts.

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building was restored to its former glory and function as a public marketplace. The historically renovated Grove Arcade reopened in 2002. Today’s arcade boasts an exciting array of restaurants, specialty stores, regional arts and crafts and food markets, with offices on the mezzanine level and luxury apartments on the upper floors. “The feedback has been extremely positive,” says Ruth Summers, executive director of the Grove Arcade. “Everyone is so happy that it’s become a mixed-use building, and we think it’s a good mix.” According to the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, some 500,000 people a year walk by the corner of Battery Park Avenue and Page Avenue, where Carmel’s Restaurant and Bar serves up continental cuisine al fresco or in the romantic dining room inside the arcade. “We were very happy when Carmel’s came in,” Summers says. “We ended up – not really by plan but kind of by accident – having this wonderful restaurant row starting with Carmel’s on Page Avenue. There’s a wonderful diversity of restaurants at all different price points.” A few doors down, European-style Santé Wine Bar features light fare and local and international wines by the glass or bottle. Patio seating at umbrellacovered tables makes it a favorite local hangout, Summers says. In addition to 10 restaurants, the Grove Arcade has three food stores – a grocery, a fresh produce market and a cheese shop.

Specialty retail shops attract tourists and regulars alike. Everything from clocks and geological wonders to furniture, designer jewelry, apparel and custom-concocted bath products bring in customers in droves. The Jazzy Giraffe upscale boutique has two storefronts in the arcade – one carries shoes and accessories, and the other carries exclusive women’s apparel. Owner Donna Wright says she gets her unique items from a number of international designers. The arts, crafts, music and stories of the region are highlighted at the Grove Arcade ARTS and Heritage Gallery. Visitors can even watch area artists at work in the gallery’s studios. Additional galleries throughout the arcade feature the distinctive works of local artisans. Besides the selection of shopping and dining, the Grove Arcade building is a destination in itself. A look at the arcade’s Palladian-style architecture and Gothic ornamentation is alone worth the visit. “We have a downloadable architectural tour that gives a little history of the building and some photographs,” Summers says. “Visitors can follow it for a self-guided tour.” (You can download the architectural tour at www.grovearcade.com.) The reopening of the Grove Arcade has revitalized the Battery Hill area, bringing the former bustle of the last of the great shopping arcades back to its corner of downtown Asheville. “The area has really come into its own,” Summers says.

All About Time Clock Shoppe is one of the Grove Arcade’s many interesting stores. Above left: The Grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage Gallery features regional crafts in wood, fiber, clay and metal. Above center: The arcade, which opened in 1929, is a focal point in downtown Asheville. Above right: Resident Artist Sharon Gordon has some of her handwoven new/recycled fabrics on display at the Grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage Gallery.

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Stupid

Creatures, Drums&Flutes ASHEVILLE ENTREPRENEURS ARE THE EPITOME OF CREATIVE AND FUNKY

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STORY BY JESSICA MOZO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

ver heard the name Bonesquisher? How about Grugwick? Hellabella? Red Wetty? Squashpaste? These names may sound … well, stupid, but they couldn’t be more perfect for John Murphy’s Original Stupid Creatures. One of many creative Asheville entrepreneurs, the 31-yearold Murphy makes and sells stuffed “sock monsters.” “I had a bag of old socks that weren’t wearable anymore, but I didn’t want to throw them away,” Murphy says. “So I started making toy sock monsters out of them. I didn’t think of going into business, but people went nuts over them.” As for the Stupid Creatures name, it just came naturally. “People ask me what I do, and in describing these monsters, I say, ‘I just make these stupid creatures out of socks,’ ” Murphy says. “Then, [www.stupidcreatures.com] became my Web site.” Murphy creates the toys at his River Arts District studio and sells them via the Internet and at a handful of Asheville shops. Most of his creatures are custom jobs made from socks sent to him by clients. “Some people do it to honor a relative,” Murphy explains. “One family sent in a deceased aunt’s pair of socks and had me make five creatures from them for all the nieces. They’d rather look at a funny stuffed toy than an urn on a mantel.” Each creature takes between six and 10 hours to make. “When I get an order for a custom job, I usually stare at the socks for hours until inspiration strikes. Is there something about the sock that lends itself to a particular form?” Murphy asks rhetorically. “Then I cut them and start stitching pieces together – arms, legs, a tail, maybe horns. I stuff the creature with recycled polyester and give it a name tag.” Murphy wrote a book, Stupid Sock Creatures, that teaches readers how to make the monsters. It was published by Lark Books in 2005 and has sold nearly 60,000 copies. Billy Zanski is another Asheville entrepreneur who dances to the beat of his own drum. After studying drumming in West Africa, Zanski opened West African djembes are for sale at Skinny Beats Drum Shop & Gallery on Eagle Street. Left: Give John Murphy a sock, and you never know what kind of “stupid” creature he will make at his River Arts District studio.

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Skinny Beats Drum Shop & Gallery, where he makes and sells African djembes (pronounced jem-bay) and teaches drumming. “An African djembe is a hard, wooden drum with goat skin you play on,” Zanski explains. “I sell most of the drums to curious beginners. The drum is inviting because it’s not too

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difficult to play.” Zanski and his drumming students can often be seen and heard at the city’s weekly drum circles in downtown’s Pritchard Park. Leonard Lopatin also has carved out a musical niche in Asheville’s business sector.

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The Juilliard School graduate, professional flutist and owner of Lopatin Flute Co., is the inventor of the SquareONE flute, an instrument that defies tradition because it has square holes instead of round ones. “Lenny wanted to play on the best possible flute and thought a straight-edged air column could produce a sweeter

tone,” says Lopatin’s wife, Jackie, who also helps with marketing. “He had to learn to make flutes to test out his ideas about sound production. It took him 10 years to make his prototype.” Crafted from different materials such as stainless steel and gold, Lopatin’s flutes are catching on in the classical music world. “Classical musicians tend to be very traditional, but more are discovering the square-holed flute is a viable option,” she says. “People’s basic reaction is, ‘Wow, this is a great sound.’ ” For more information about these companies, visit www.stupidcreatures.com, www.skinnybeatsdrums.com and www.lopatinflutes.com. Billy Zanski sells African drums and teaches drumming classes at his Skinny Beats Drum Shop & Gallery. Below: Leonard Lopatin, owner of Lopatin Flute Co., invented the SquareONE flute, which has square holes rather than round ones to produce a sweeter tone.

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It’s Only

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Natural THE FARM-TO-TABLE MOVEMENT HAS DEEP ROOTS IN ASHEVILLE

STORY BY CAROL COWAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

he mother ship of Asheville’s natural foods stores, Earth Fare, had an inauspicious beginning. The grocer, known in 1975 as Dinner for the Earth, operated in a tiny storefront with hardwood floors and two cash registers. Today, the natural foods grocery has 13 stores in four states (two in Asheville), a warehouse and distribution center, 1,200 employees and $100 million in annual sales. Asheville has been known as a healing community since the 1800s, says Troy DeGroff, Earth Fare’s director of sales and marketing, so it’s been uniquely positioned to support the natural lifestyle for which it is known today. But when Earth Fare first opened, only a handful of local businesses were purveyors of organic foods. “It was a fledgling market, but this core hub provided a nexus for the natural foods market in Asheville,” DeGroff says. “The character of Asheville’s folk-food culture evolved out of Earth Fare’s passion for food. We, along with the other pioneers, helped shape the flavor of Asheville’s economy.” That evolving economy has kept up with today’s customers, who are much more savvy about what they buy and why, demanding and supporting local and organic foods and products. Earth Fare was one of the first companies to ban trans fats from its shelves, and DeGroff estimates Earth Fare gets about

Greenlife Grocery on Merrimon Avenue offers a stellar produce department and supports local growers.

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Greenlife Grocery is dedicated to providing customers with the freshest and healthiest products available. Below: Earth Fare, which started in Asheville in 1975, now has 13 stores in four states and $100 million in annual sales. Left: The Asheville area has a large selection of tailgate markets, orchards and you-pick farms.

10 percent of its products from local vendors – a high figure for a company its size. In recent years, additional organic foods businesses have taken root in Asheville’s fertile soil. Situated among a stand of trees and surrounded by a welcoming patio with café seating, Greenlife Grocery looks every bit the country store despite its prime location just one block off Interstate 240 on Merrimon Avenue. Inside, Greenlife has a deli and juice bar; meat, seafood, produce and bulk foods departments; beer and wine; personal, home and pet products; food supplements; and packaged dry goods and dairy items. The company, which opened its Asheville store in 2004, is dedicated to providing the freshest and healthiest products available – free of artificial flavors, colors, preservatives and hydrogenated oils – and supports local foods and the Asheville economy. “I can show you at least a few products on every aisle that come from local vendors,” says Misty Childs, Greenlife’s marketing director. “It could be locally made salsa, locally raised beef, herbal medicines or vegetables from local farms. About anything you’re looking for, there’s probably a local option to choose from.” Both Earth Fare and Greenlife Grocery support the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, a nonprofit organization that works to create a safe, nutritious and economically viable community-based food system. ASAP produces the Local Food Guide and the Local Food and Farm Map, publications that provide information about the numerous tailgate markets, orchards and you-pick farms in the area, and grocers and restaurants that feature locally grown foods. ASHEVILLE

Even area business incubators are going organic. “We’ve tuned up our services to support the naturalproducts and medicinal-herbs cottage industry in western North Carolina,” says Dr. Jonathan Lawrie, manager of the BioBusiness Center at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. The center offers classes on natural-product topics and access to its laboratory and equipment. Likewise, AdvantageWest, a western North Carolina economic development group, initiated Blue Ridge Food Ventures. BRFV’s “kitchen incubator” provides training and an NCDA-inspected kitchen for Asheville’s food artisans and entrepreneurs – many of whom will eventually see their edibles on the shelves of Earth Fare and Greenlife Grocery.

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Tour

for

Every Taste HOW YOU SEE ASHEVILLE CAN BE AS MUCH FUN AS WHAT YOU SEE

STORY BY KIMBERLY DALY

PHOTOS BY IAN CURCIO

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o where the locals go. It’s definitely the best way to get to know a place. In Asheville’s case, that means hitting downtown’s sidewalks, sampling the local fare and getting up close and personal with some of the city’s spookiest denizens. Whether you’re the outdoors type, a beer connoisseur, a ghost lover or you just want to explore the Asheville area, there’s a tour designed with you in mind. And the best part is that these tours take you to a different level of the city – the local level. In fact, Mark Lyons, owner of Asheville Brews Cruise, says that’s

Climb aboard a vintage trolley to see all of the city’s major sights.

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DAVID MUDD

Wes Wenking of Moving Sidewalk Tours takes visitors through Asheville on two-wheeled Segways.

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WES ALDRIDGE

LaZoom Tours entertain guests with captivating stories, outlandish comedy skits and music on a bright purple bus.

one of the main benefits of his tour to local microbreweries. “Some of the clients we’ve had really like the fact that they get to be a local for the evening,” Lyons says. “None of these places are on the beaten tourist path.” Asheville Brews Cruise takes visitors to three microbreweries: Highland Brewing Co., French Broad Brewing Co. and Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co. Guests can sample the lagers and ales, hear live music, taste the local cuisine, talk to brewers and go behind the scenes to see the inner workings of the breweries. “It’s not only a great way to connect with the brewing culture but with the local culture as well,” Lyons says. To get the view from the street, Moving Sidewalk Tours takes guests on a ride through the history and architecture of downtown Asheville on a Segway (a two-wheeled personal transportation device), seeing sights such as the City County Plaza, the Thomas Wolfe House 46

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and the Grove Arcade. The freedom to go where you want is just one attraction of the Segway tours, says Wes Wehking, vice president of operations. “This is a great way to get your bearings around town. We show you what you can do – the nightlife, restaurants, day life,” Wehking says. “We go places automobiles can’t go. You really get a feel for the city on this cool machine, with the wind in your face.” For a different kind of thrill, Haunted Ghost Tours of Asheville offers a 90minute walking tour of some well-known haunted spots. For example, guests visit the Battery Park Hotel, where in 1936 young Helen Clevenger was murdered. Ever since, people have reported strange occurrences at the building, from sightings of the murdered woman to a blood-red haze around the window of Clevenger’s old room. Joshua P. Warren, noted local author

and investigator of paranormal studies, also offers Haunted Asheville Ghost Tours by bus or foot. For a completely different perspective on the stunning landscape of the area, try a private helicopter or plane tour with Falcon AirLink. Passengers fly over the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Lake Lure, Chimney Rock Park and the Green River Gorge, or they can create a customized itinerary. Even the traditional bus tour is something special in Asheville. LaZoom Tours takes visitors on a rollicking ride through the city on an open-air purple “art bus,” with guides such as Kudzu doux-Vine and Violet LeFleur providing comic commentary and live music along the way. Passengers can even bring their own beer and wine. No matter how you choose to explore Asheville, the city’s unique local culture is waiting to reveal itself to you. It’s nice to know there are so many different ways to discover it. ASHEVILLE

Mark Lyons, owner of Asheville Brews Cruise, gives guests a taste of Asheville at three different microbreweries. PHOTO BY IAN CURCIO

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ROAD TRIP

Anyone? ANY NUMBER OF ADVENTURES CAN BE FOUND ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF ASHEVILLE

Dan Howachyn does ironworking at his studio, Black Mountain Iron Works. PHOTO BY WES ALDRIDGE

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STORY BY LAURA HILL

ith so much to see and do in Asheville, you may wonder why you’d ever want to leave town. But a short road trip yields any number of unique destinations – with great shopping, entertainment, history and dining. Nearby Hendersonville, the secondlargest downtown in western North Carolina (Asheville is first) can keep you busy for days with historic sites, great outdoor vistas and fun things to do. Its historic downtown was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. “I think our biggest attraction is our Main Street,” says Bob Williford, president of the Greater Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a walking Main Street, with nice, wide sidewalks and lots of landscaping. You can do anything, from visiting Mast General Store to having an ice cream to antiquing.” Be sure to visit the angel from Thomas Wolfe’s Look Homeward, Angel in Oakdale Cemetery on U.S. Highway 64 West. And don’t miss exhibits at the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design at the University of North Carolina Asheville Kellogg Center, or the produce, baked goods, arts and crafts and other goodies produced by local residents at

the Henderson County Curb Market. Ten miles north of Asheville lies Weaverville, population 2,500. This quaint town was a popular 19th-century resort, complete with grand hotels. Today, it still welcomes visitors to its antique shops, restaurants and B&Bs. Look for architectural antiques at Preservation Hall, where you might run across an antique mantle or the perfect old-time brass fixtures for a claw-foot tub. Hungry? Try the Weaverville Milling Co. restaurant, set in an old grain mill and famous for its North Carolina mountain trout. Brevard, long known as a vibrant arts and music community, is also home to the rare and much-admired white squirrel. In fact, the unusual critters are so treasured that an entire festival is devoted to them each year. You can try to spot one while you graze at one of the charming downtown sidewalk cafes. Don’t pass up the chance to hear great music at the Brevard Music Center, where, during its annual summer season, you might catch such names as Midori, Joshua Bell or André Watts. Brevard College’s Parker Center offers performances ranging from the Second City Touring Company to Doc Watson. Take time to explore the Crafters’ Corridor on U.S. Highway 276, between Brevard and the South Carolina state

line, where artists and craftspeople open their studios to visitors. “Drive 20 minutes west on I-40 to Haywood County, and you feel that you have entered into another world,” says CeCe Hipps, executive director of the Greater Haywood County Chamber of Commerce. “Many visitors and residents say that this is where the mountains grab you and never let go.” With its stunning outdoor setting, a visit to Waynesville is a great day trip. Its historic downtown offers fine art galleries, outstanding places to eat (try Whitman’s on Main for a pastry or sandwich) and unusual shops. On Main Street alone, you can browse for cigars (Good Ol’ Days), holiday goodies (Christmas Is … Everyday) and antiques (Olde Brick House), among many other treasure troves. Black Mountain, 15 miles east of Asheville on the shores of Lake Tomahawk, has been called “The Front Porch of western North Carolina.” A renowned center for high-quality regional arts and crafts, its charming shops and galleries are set against a beautiful mountain backdrop. Don’t miss the Town Hardware & General Store, a real, live, old-fashioned hardware store with everything from apple peelers and corncob pipes to tools, toys and modern housewares.

Above left: Spend the afternoon wandering through downtown Hendersonville’s art galleries, craft shops, antique stores and restaurants. Above right: Whitman’s on Main in Waynesville is a great place to satisfy your sweet tooth or grab a sandwich. Right: You can pick up candy, clothes and rocking chairs at the Mast General Store in Hendersonville.

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PHOTOS BY IAN CURCIO

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World Culture

Meets

Counterculture LEXINGTON AVENUE IS A HIP AND HAPPENING PLACE

STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

rom handmade paper journals to vintage clothing, French fare to Indian cuisine, Lexington Avenue is not your average thoroughfare. That is why Michel Baudouin decided in 2005 to locate his French restaurant in the heart of the Lexington Avenue district. His Bouchon bistro has been a terrific success ever since. “Lexington is an eclectic street where different types of businesses mix very well,” says Baudouin, who is the owner and chef of Bouchon, located at 62 N. Lexington Ave. “The avenue has fabulous architecture, which provides a perfect setting for my place.” Baudouin says the idea of his bistro is to offer customers the quickest trip to France they can take without ever having to leave Asheville. “I am from Lyon, France, where small mom-and-pop restaurants are called bouchons,” he says. “My place has 40 seats and a small patio in back, and the Lexington Avenue Professional glassblower Michael Hatch makes all kinds of beautiful artwork in his Lexington Avenue studio called Crucible Glassworks, such as this colorful piece.

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energy is as close to any European town that you would find in America, except for maybe San Francisco.” Baudouin says Bouchon is ideal for sipping a glass of wine while enjoying dishes such as escargot, French onion soup and the quiche of the day. “My restaurant specializes in French comfort food, and Lexington Avenue provides the ideal location for such relaxing cuisine,” he says. “I like being among the unusual and talented business owners who operate out of this most interesting section of Asheville.” Other trendy spots along Lexington Avenue include Hip Replacements, which sells vintage clothing from the 1960s and ’70s; and Izzy’s Coffee Den, known for having the best coffee in western North Carolina. There’s also TopFloorStudio, which helps companies develop interactive Web sites; and Mela Indian Restaurant, for those hungry for a plate of tandoori chicken and naan. “All the stores on Lexington Avenue are locally owned, and there is always a good chance that the owner will be on the premises whenever a customer stops in,” says Michael Hatch, owner/artist of Crucible Glassworks at 106 N. Lexington Ave. “The owner might be cooking your meal, brewing your

morning cappuccino or ringing up your sales.” In Hatch’s case, he is a professional glassblower whose storefront is his studio/gallery. In fact, customers can stop by to watch him make his colorful creations. “I like Asheville because of its vibrant crafts community, and I’ve always been attracted to the energy of downtown districts,” he says. “Lexington Avenue provides that energy here in Asheville.” Hatch says when he opened his studio eight years ago, Lexington Avenue wasn’t as vibrant as it is today. “Now, everything on the block is occupied and filled in,” he says. “Lexington has been growing with the right kind of businesses, which is really good to see.” Lexington Avenue devotees say the street epitomizes the city’s independent streak, and the motto of the Lexington Avenue Merchants Association is: “Where world culture meets counter culture.” The street also has its own festival – the Lexington Avenue Arts & Fun Festival. “My gallery/studio houses a 2,000-degree furnace that holds 200 pounds of molten glass that I shape into different vessels and sculptures,” Hatch says. “Lexington Avenue is the ideal place for a somewhat unusual business such as mine.”

Mussels, quiche and crepes are on tap at Bouchon, located at 62 N. Lexington Ave. Left: The Lexington Avenue Merchants Association helps preserve the area’s historic character while encouraging progressive development. ASHEVILLE

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You

Knead Me PREPARE TO BE PAMPERED AT THE CITY’S MANY SOOTHING SPAS

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STORY BY LAURA HILL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

en Charlton recalls a moment that sums up what her Sensibilities Day Spa is all about. “A client of ours who suffers from fibromyalgia came up to me after a massage one day and said, ‘You know, your staff people here are not just aestheticians – they’re healers, too.’ You can’t imagine how great that made me feel.” Her day spa, which has two locations in Asheville, was on the cutting edge of the health-and-beauty business when it opened eight years ago. Now Asheville boasts a number of

upscale establishments that cater to clients looking for more than a manicure, pedicure or eyebrow wax. Today’s customers are in search of holistic pampering that relieves stress and improves overall health. “People are realizing that you have to take care of yourself,” says Charlton, a former massage therapist. “Baby boomers, especially, want to stay healthy and looking good, and they realize that natural means of prevention are better than focusing on treatment.” Her day spas offer a broad array of services, from deep-tissue massages

and seaweed wraps to facials that employ organic Hungarian paprika and cooling herbs, all delivered in a soothing environment specifically designed to de-stress and relax. At Spa Theology, clients don robes and slippers, sip a cup of tea or enjoy a bit of fruit in luxurious surroundings before undergoing such exotic treatments as a Sunflower Salt Glow, Pom Fruit Fetish body treatment or River Rock Massage. “We’re more than just a day spa – we’re a destination,” says co-owner Ilana Craig. “Think of us as an escape from

Left: Sensibilities Day Spa offers an array of holistic pampering services in a soothing environment designed to de-stress and relax. Above: Shoji Retreat is a Japanese-style spa with outdoor hot tubs and sweeping mountain views.

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everyday, a sophisticated contemporary, plush venue for healing.” The Spa Theology name, she explains, is meant to signify “peace and healing, finding one’s own divinity through relaxation and finding health through the study of one’s own spirituality.” A long, long way from your mom’s

beauty parlor or your dad’s gym, today’s spas emphasize the mind-body connection. Massage, for example, is not only relaxing but also lowers blood pressure, increases circulation and helps release endorphins that enhance emotional well-being. At Shoji Retreat, massage is part of a unique approach to good health. The Japanese-style retreat offers guests relaxing soaks in hot tubs tucked inside Japanese teahouses with sweeping mountain and forest views. Customers can follow up their tub time with a massage, a sauna or a “contrast therapy” session of alternating hot and cold experiences. “It’s good for your immune system, your circulation and your skin,” says Shoji administrative coordinator Erin Scholze. “People can spend anywhere from an hour to four or five hours here, depending on what services they want.” Particularly popular, she says, is Shoji’s organic Herbal Body Wrap, in which an all-organic poultice of sea vegetables and geranium is applied to the skin during a massage, then the body is wrapped for 20 minutes while a massage therapist works on the client’s scalp and feet. The luxurious Spa at Biltmore Village offers aromatic foot soaks, warm neck wraps, hot towels, complimentary beverages, and robes and slippers to guests who enjoy nail-care services and facials in addition to body treatments, energy therapies and massage therapy. Among its special packages are the Night on the Town, which includes a Complexion Perfection Facial, Signature Biltmore Manicure, Endless Energy Pedicure, Lip Blooming Treatment, glitter to take home and a glass of champagne. Now that’s bound to make you feel better!

Spa Theology co-owner Ilana Craig says the spa is “an escape from everyday.” Right: Shoji Retreat offers a tranquil environment for healing.

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Entrepreneurial

Energy

HOMEGROWN FIRMS LIKE ASHEVILLE’S BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CLIMATE

STORY BY SHARON H. FITZGERALD PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

hat do a bowling ball, a Lava lamp, Bob Dylan harmonicas, drive-in movie speakers and a piece of the Berlin Wall have in common? They’ve all been framed in custom shadowboxes by BlackBird Frame & Art, located near Asheville’s Historic Biltmore Village. There has been the occasional Cezanne and Picasso, too, as well as artwork by 4-year-olds whose parents see them as the next Cezanne or Picasso. “Our aim is to provide a really high level of customer service and quality,” says John Horrocks, who owns BlackBird with his wife, Pat. “We want every person who comes in here to walk out happy.” The Horrocks, who moved to Asheville from Orlando, Fla., in 2002, are an example of industrious business owners who aren’t Asheville natives but now can’t imagine living anywhere else. Carol Rovello is another transplanted business owner. Her belief that Asheville is a great place to do business convinced her to launch Strategic Workplace Solutions in January 2006. Rovello spent 16 years as a human-relations consultant before closing her business and moving to Asheville. After a stint with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, she stepped out on her own again – and with gratifying results. “It’s been an interesting history that I’ve had my hand in all these years, and I love the work that we do,” she says, referring to Strategic Workplace Solutions. That work includes serving as a small company’s humanresources professional, crafting employee handbooks,

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coaching executives, studying compensation, and facilitating professional development training. It’s probably no coincidence that Strategic Workplace Solutions has an attractive and professional Web site, designed by another business owner who now calls Asheville home. In 1993, Totsie Marine and her husband, Winn King, moved from Atlanta to Asheville, and three years later, her Web-site design studio, www.totsie.com, was born. “1996 was very early in the Web world, but my husband said it was going to be a good idea,” Marine recalls. She studied Web design during the early-morning hours and at night while holding down a full-time job. “It was foresight on my husband’s part and perseverance on my part,” she says. “A year and a half ago, I got really smart and hired my husband.” King has moved www.totsie.com into rarified Web air with the use of Plone, a content-management system that allows site owners to update their sites themselves. Joe Scott understands the decision to leave Atlanta for Asheville – he did the same thing in 2003. Scott owns IntelliSound, which produces telephone music and recorded messages for callers to enjoy while they’re on hold with a medical practice, clinic or hospital. “This is an excellent opportunity to educate and inform their audience about who they are and why people need to be entrusting them with their health care,” he explains. IntelliSound employs voice talent from Los Angeles to Boston and taps into a New York music library. With eight employees plus part-time staff, IntelliSound has more than 700 clients across the country. Yet another Atlanta transplant is Jim Oliver, the founder of AvL Technologies. An engineer and product designer, Oliver says Asheville is the perfect venue for high-technology

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ventures such as his. He launched AvL in 1994 to build a lightweight positioner for a specific client’s antennas. By 1998, Oliver was ahead of the curve with his compact design, when digital technology took the stage and news-gathering vans sported satellite antennas for live feeds. Today, AvL boasts 120 employees, and its systems are positioning satellite antennas across the globe. “Our most prestigious customer is the White House,” Oliver says, “ and they get to pick the best.” Totsie Marine’s company, www.totsie.com, designs Web sites. Below: Jesse Cunningham works on a piece of artwork at BlackBird Frame & Art on Bryson Street.

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IAN CURCIO

Portfolio

Biltmore Winery’s Century wines come in decorative bottles in both a slightly sweet white and a red blend.

Bottle of Red, Bottle of White THE BILTMORE WINERY PRODUCES AWARD-WINNING WINES ON ITS 94 ACRES

he Biltmore has long attracted attention for being America’s largest home, and now it’s garnering accolades for another reason – wine. The Biltmore Winery opened in 1985 and has since won scores of medals and awards in national and international wine competitions. “In 2007, our U.S. Sauvignon Blanc was named Best U.S. Sauvignon Blanc and received a gold medal at the Beverage Tasting Institute’s World Value Wine Challenge,” says Heather Jordan, wine marketing manager at the Biltmore. “We also got a best of class gold for our Biltmore Estate Blanc de Noirs at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, and we won three golds at the first annual National Women’s Wine Competition in California,” she adds. The Biltmore’s wines are sold at the winery gift shop and distributed to groceries, wine shops and restaurants in 12 states. “Some of our most popular wines are our Century wines, ASHEVILLE

which were named for our 100-year anniversary. They were supposed to be in and out, but we kept them on because of their popularity,” Jordan says. “Century comes in a white blend and a red blend. The white is slightly sweet and comes in a decorative bottle.” Other top-selling Biltmore wines include Riesling and Château Reserve Chardonnay. “We also do a lot of sparklings that are quite popular,” Jordan adds. Tucked away on the property of the Biltmore, the winery attracts nearly a million visitors annually. Visitors can sample Biltmore’s wines, take self-guided or behind-thescenes tours and browse the winery’s expansive gift shop. “Our gift shop offers demonstrations on things like red wine and chocolate, as well as culinary demos,” Jordan says. The Biltmore vineyard spans 94 acres in a valley near the French Broad River. Harvest averages 250 tons of grapes annually. Visit www.biltmore.com for more information. I M AG E S A S H E V I L L E . C O M

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New State Park Just Rocks

and enjoy dramatic 75-mile views over Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. The park is also home to the 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls (one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River), several hiking trails, two gift shops and Sky Lounge Deli and the Old Rock Café. Thanks to its spectacular scenery, the park has doubled as a movie set several times. Scenes from the 1992 adventure film, The Last of the Mohicans, were filmed along the park’s

ant to feel like you’re on top of the world? Climb the towering 315-foot monolith known as Chimney Rock, the anchor of Chimney Rock State Park. “The park encompasses everything you want in a mountain vacation in one place – hiking, rock climbing, picnicking, great views, waterfalls,” says Meghan Rogers, public relations and events manager at Chimney Rock State Park. “You name it, you can do it here.” Chimney Rock first opened as a tourist attraction in 1902, when the Lucius B. Morse family dreamed of acquiring, protecting and sharing the natural wonder with the world. The Morse family operated the park for more than a century, and it was sold to the state in May 2007. “The state purchased the land, but we will continue to operate the park in the same manner the Morse family did for 100 years,” Rogers says. More than 250,000 visitors climb to the top of Chimney Rock each year

Cliff Trail and at the top of Hickory Nut Falls, and the 1987 blockbuster Dirty Dancing was filmed a mile down the road from the park at Lake Lure. Annual events at Chimney Rock State Park include an Easter Sunrise Service that overlooks Lake Lure. A 53-year tradition, the service has been known to attract upwards of 1,000 people. “It’s a spectacular nondenominational service, with great views, music and scripture,” Rogers says. “Afterward, we always invite people to stay for the day for free.” Visit www.chimneyrockpark.com for upcoming events and information.

DAVID MUDD

SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Watch a climber take on a 100-foot sheer face under the guidance of a pro at Chimney Rock Park at imagesasheville.com.

Hickory Nut Falls at Chimney Rock Park is one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River.

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Bamboo Pickles, Olive Oil and Gelato E “They can take their tomatoes and make tomato sauce or take their apples and make apple pies. It gives them a longer season, and they have a fresh, locally made product to sell.” The organization isn’t just for farmers. Anybody with a novel food idea can take advantage of it. “A lady makes wonderful homemade marshmallows, and we also have someone making bamboo pickles from bamboo shoots,” Surgi says. “A family from Greece bottles olive oil

here, and a Mexican family makes Mexican breads.” Several caterers and bakers also work out of the facility because they can’t legally produce food products in their home kitchens. The best part about Surgi’s job? “The tasting,” she says with a laugh. “I came by the kitchen last night and had a fresh raspberry marshmallow. And someone else gave me a raw chocolate espresso bean truffle this morning.”

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ver heard of a white chocolate pumpkin spice marshmallow? How about mustard gelato? These creative, new foods are just a sampling of many new products being developed by food entrepreneurs at Blue Ridge Food Ventures, an initiative of AdvantageWest Economic Development Group and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. “We provide a well-equipped facility and commercial kitchen for food entrepreneurs who want to try their hand with a food product but usually work other jobs and don’t have the capital they need,” says Mary Lou Surgi, executive director of Blue Ridge Food Ventures. “We also have packaging and label design help. We do a lot of hand-holding.” Blue Ridge Food Ventures began in 2002 with discussions about how AdvantageWest and the Department of Agriculture could help food entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality. “We’re known in the agriculture community because we provide opportunities for farmers to create value-added food products,” Surgi says.

Theros Extra Virgin Olive Oil is bottled and labeled at Blue Ridge Food Ventures, which is located at the Small Business Center.

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Portfolio Ghost Town in the Sky is located near Asheville in Maggie Valley.

Ride ’Em Cowboy G

host Town in the Sky isn’t your everyday amusement park. “We are the only theme park in the world carved out of the top of a mountain,” says Julie Dion, vice president of marketing for Ghost Town in the Sky. Located at the peak of Buck Mountain, 35 miles west of Asheville in Maggie Valley, Ghost Town in the Sky is a Wild West theme park that features thrilling rides, staged gunfights and bank robberies, can-can girls and dramatic mountain scenery. “Our gunfights and cowboys are a big attraction, and our chair lift is a big draw,” Dion says. “You have to ride the chair lift to get to the park. It’s one of North Carolina’s longest chair lifts and boasts beautiful views of the valley below.” Thrill-seekers flock to the park’s newest ride, the Geronimo Drop. “It takes you 4,800 feet above sea level,” Dion says. “Another not-to-miss attraction is our Gunslinger swing ride, which is on the edge of a cliff and swings you out over the side of the mountain. Tourists love experiencing that.” Ghost Town in the Sky has been a favorite family destination in Western North Carolina since it opened in 1961. A change of ownership caused the park to close in 2002, but it reopened in 2007. “Our comeback has been really successful because Ghost Town in the Sky was a landmark for 41 years before it closed,” Dion says. “We hear parents and grandparents say all the time how excited they are to bring their kids here because they remember Ghost Town in a fond way.” Instead of buying new rides, park administrators restored all of Ghost Town in the Sky’s antique rides for the reopening. “It would have been cheaper for us to buy all new rides,” Dion says, “but the nostalgia associated with the park is so strong.” ASHEVILLE

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For your insurance and ﬁ nancial needs, see State Farm Agent:

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A Century of Compassion

he Sisters of Mercy has been providing affordable medical care for the people of western North Carolina for more than a century. The organization is part of an international community of Roman Catholic women who have vowed to serve people suffering from poverty, sickness and lack of education. Sisters of Mercy began in Asheville in 1900, when three sisters opened an 18-bed tuberculosis sanatorium on French Broad Avenue. Today, the group operates three Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care Centers in Buncombe County, as well as Health Designs, a program that provides onsite medical care for business and industry, and ARP/Phoenix, which focuses on substance abuse and other behavioral health programs. “We provide basic medical care and treatment services to those who otherwise may not have alternatives and would have a hard time accessing them,” says Tim Johnston, president and chief executive officer for Sisters of Mercy Services Corp. “I enjoy knowing we’re making a big difference in the lives of people in this community who have a lot of need.” In 2006, approximately 225,000 patient visits took place at Sisters of Mercy Services Corp. health-care facilities in North Carolina. The organization is building a new facility, slated to open in 2008 that will house urgent care and medical care for business and industry on the first floor and administrative offices on the second floor. “We have survived 108 years because we continue to identify community needs and change as those needs change,” Johnston says. “Our organizational values are sacredness of life, human dignity, mercy, justice, service and excellence, and they have consistently withstood the test of time.” – Stories by Jessica Mozo

Sisters of Mercy will open a new facility on Patton Avenue in 2008.

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ASHEVILLE

Business

Wiping NATIONAL WIPER ALLIANCE PICKS UP AN INTERNATIONAL CLIENTELE

STORY BY SHARON H. FITZGERALD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

hen most folks grab a wipe to soak up a spill, they probably don’t give much thought to the wiper industry. Yet National Wiper Alliance in Asheville is a thriving enterprise,

founded in 1996 by Jeff Slosman, whose family has been in the wiper business for more than a century. “I started with the help of my wife and grandfather, who, at the time, was 85,” says Slosman, whose training ground was The Slosman Corp., which

was founded in Massachusetts in 1902 and moved to Asheville in 1935 and still exists today. “While I worked my cell phone, calling customers and vendors, they handled all the packaging of our products in a few thousand square feet of borrowed warehouse space in

Jeff Slosman founded National Wiper Alliance in 1996 with help from his wife and 85-year-old grandfather. The Asheville company makes wipes for industries ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical and food service.

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Business

one of the old tobacco warehouses,” Slosman recalls. He explains that the name of the company “stands for what the business was intended to be” – national to cover the American market, wiper as a reference for anything used for wiping or cleaning, and alliance to reflect that the company is “people working together for a common interest.” “I believed by working with my suppliers and customers that, together, we could build a successful business,” he says. Slosman was right. In the company’s first five years, it changed locations four times, each time more than tripling warehouse space. Today, National Wiper Alliance is a manufacturing, marketing and distribution operation with 34 employees, 130,000 square feet of manufacturing and inside warehouse space, and an additional 70,000 square feet of outside warehousing. And even though the firm is called National Wiper Alliance, the company works internationally these days. “Since this time last year [2006], we have exported in excess of 3 million pounds of roll goods in addition to material also converted into finished products,” Slosman says. Since its inception, National Wiper Alliance pledged to work with recycled materials. Early on, the company focused on traditional textile products, but as textile manufacturing waned in the region, the enterprise shifted its focus to nonwovens. “We work with manufacturers to find homes for their material that did not conform to its intended use, as well as material overruns or discontinued products,” Slosman explains. “We ensure that it [the material] will not find its way back into the market to compete with its intended use,” he adds, noting that the company also strives to distribute material that may have otherwise been destined for the landfill. The firm markets a vast array of wipes, from “critical/delicate” wipes when lint and dust control are important, to heavy-duty, clothlike wipes used by hospitals for patient care. ASHEVILLE

The industries served include aerospace, automotive, industrial, food service and hospitality, medical, janitorial and sanitation, institutional and government. Slosman is a third-generation Ashevillian who met his wife, Debra, when they were both in college at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. “I am very family-oriented,” he says. “One benefit of having my own business was the opportunity to be able to have both of my children at my work with me

when they were infants.” Daughter Carson is 7, and son Bennett is 4, and their special place at National Wiper Alliance has evolved from a nursery to a “kids’ room,” Slosman says. His love for his children and the Asheville area is one reason Slosman’s company exhibits a decidedly environmental bent. “We all must do our part to protect and maintain the quality of life the area offers,” he says.

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The Asheville Wine Market offers customers more than 1,000 wines and 200 beers from around the world.

A REASON TO WINE Since 1993, Asheville Wine Market has brought the world’s finest flavors to western North Carolina. “We try to represent almost all spots in the world but are particularly keen on working with small individual estates,” says owner Eberhard Heide, who travels the globe, from Argentina to Europe, in search of the most distinct wines and brews. With a dizzying selection of more than 1,000 wines and 200 beers, the Biltmore Avenue market is the region’s most comprehensive supplier of all things made from grapes and hops. Heide says French wines are customer favorites, while his hand-selected Spanish wines are popular in the diverse $20-and-under category. Beer choices range from traditional classics to funky imports and include German beers, Belgian ales and American microbrews. The market also purchases small lots of high-quality gourmet foods, including oil, pasta, sauce and more than 30 cheeses, 76

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all offered at grocery-store prices. “Whether it’s wine, cheese, food or beer, there’s a real passion involved,” Heide says. PASSIONATE ABOUT PLANTS Green thumbs or not, residents of Asheville appreciate the city’s yearround mild climate and vibrant foliage. Fortunately, the staff at B.B. Barns Garden Center is trained to help all customers – regardless of skill level – create their own green getaway. “At B.B. Barns, we are passionate about plants and people,” says Barney Bryant, co-owner of the 6-acre garden center on Sweeten Creek Road. “Our staff thrives on helping customers choose the right plant for the right location.” The retail nursery offers a wide selection of plants, including seasonal flowering annuals, Japanese maples and rare conifers, and has one of the largest selections of perennials in the southeastern United States.

Landscape services also are available, and in 2008, the center will launch its Container Gardening Division for customers with limited gardening space. The staff also hosts weekend seminars on a variety of gardening topics. A commitment to its customers earned B.B. Barns the 2006 Amazing Customer Service Award from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. THE ART OF DESIGN At 1250 Design, clients receive innovative advertising and marketing solutions delivered with creativity, passion and professionalism. “Marketing, when done right, is the single fastest way for companies to achieve their financial goals,” says Scott Smith, owner and creative director of 1250 Design. “Some firms will offer you a concept, some a style and some emphasize their technical expertise. We value all three as essential ingredients of effective communication.” The 20-year design veteran works with local, national and international ASHEVILLE

Business | Biz Briefs clients to produce corporate identity and branding strategies, advertising, Web design and collateral design, including books and packaging. While much of his expertise is in the tourism industry, Smith also is experienced in health-care and businessto-business marketing and enjoys the challenge of creating new and unusual design solutions. Working from his home office in north Asheville, Smith says his intellectual approach to design requires a lot of planning and research. “Then, and only then, does the emphasis shift to communicating an idea with a fresh and innovative visual language,” he says.

continually come back.” Located at 2100 Battery Park, the canine hot spot offers an assortment of healthful treats – including the alwayspopular carrot cake – prepared fresh daily by Three Dog’s own pastry chef. The bakery’s all-natural, oven-baked products are made with healthy, everyday items, including peanut butter, wheat flour, honey, fruits and vegetables. Prepackaged goodies also are available, as is an extensive line of unique pet accessories and furnishings. The animalfriendly store even offers a “Pity the Poor Kitty” corner for Fido’s feline friends.

COMING HOME TO ASHEVILLE The Buyer’s Market of Asheville offers homebuyers an unusual experience in the often-overwhelming world of real estate. “Traditional real-estate firms focus primarily on listing and selling property for property owners, but we do the opposite,” says Jon Corbin, president and managing partner for The Buyer’s Market of Asheville. “We are hired by buyers to go out and find the perfect property for their needs. We represent their best interests by negotiating on

DISHING IT OUT From signature dog bones to specialty birthday cakes, Three Dog Bakery serves up some of the finest in canine cuisine. “Our product line is one you wouldn’t find in big, chain retail stores,” says Tom Flora, who opened the Asheville store with his wife, Joy, in 2006. “It’s become a mainstay for locals who ASHEVILLE

PHOTOS BY IAN CURCIO

AT YOUR SERVICE For more than 40 years, the staff of Dixon Hughes has been providing dependable tax and audit services, litigation support and a wide range of business and personal advisory services. “Our success is totally dependent upon our ability to partner with clients to provide the expertise and resources that fit their specific needs and to exceed their expectations,” says Mike Crawford, member-in-charge of the western North Carolina firm, which opened in 1979. In addition to providing both individual and corporate clients expertise from highly trained certified public accountants, professional advisors also are available to assist companies with critical decision-making in the everevolving world of business. Started in 1979 by current co-CEO and North Carolina native Ken Hughes, the Asheville firm now employs more than 100 business professionals. Crawford attributes Dixon Hughes’ growth to the firm’s ability to exceed client expectations, hire the profession’s best and brightest, and partner with like-minded organizations seeking to broaden their service capabilities.

Three Dog Bakery treats pups to all-natural products, including carrot cake.

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Business | Biz Briefs their behalf to obtain the lowest possible price and best terms.” Because The Buyer’s Market of Asheville never represents sellers, the company’s 26 brokers take an unbiased look at any and all properties, including homes for sale by owner. Corbin says that saves clients more than $2 million per year, or $10,000 per transaction. The innovative approach has proven successful for the firm, which now operates its own mortgage company and has averaged a 43 percent growth in sales volume each year since 1999. IT JUST COMPUTES When vigilante viruses and disappearing data threaten to pull the plug on business, Netriplex provides backup with reliable information-technology solutions. Engineers at the Asheville data center provide server colocation, managed dedicated hosting and grid/utility computing solutions, as well as off-site data backup, anti-spam and missioncritical Domain Name Server assistance. In 2008, the company will break ground on a 50,000-square-foot data center and workplace recovery center in Biltmore Park. Jonathan Hoppe, president and chief technology officer, says the project is the result of the company’s exponential growth. With a diverse range of clients ranging from small community businesses to national corporations, Netriplex has doubled in size each year since its 1999 inception. “I credit the success to our personal touch and immense agility,” Hoppe says. “We have the ability to customize solutions to fit every single customer just the way it works perfectly for them.”

Sonja Kramers. “We also have a fabulous staff that love dogs and get to know each one personally.” Kramer says the club, which opened in 2006 on Cane Creek Road, now welcomes more than 50 furry friends every day. “Asheville is a great word-of-mouth town, and the word is spreading like wildfire,” she says. In addition to providing day-care services seven days a week, Happy Tails also offers luxury suites for overnight boarding, obedience training, grooming and bathing, and veterinary services. – Melanie Hill

Ginger naps after playtime at Happy Tails Country Club.

SOMETHING TO BARK ABOUT No bones about it – Happy Tails Country Club has quickly become the ultimate in Asheville’s doggy day-care market. With a 4,000-square-foot clubhouse and more than 11,000 square feet of fenced-in outdoor play space, Happy Tails offers canines a cage-free environment and plenty of room for dogs to do what they do best. “Our facility is extremely clean, with lots of space for dogs to play both inside and outside,” says founder and owner ASHEVILLE

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Business | Economic Profile

ASHEVILLE BUSINESS CLIMATE Asheville has both low unemployment and strong job growth. Fueling the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sound business climate are stable population growth, a healthy housing market, expanding professional services, robust small business and health-care industry growth, and a steady tourism industry.

TRANSPORTATION Air Asheville Regional Airport 684-2226 Rail Norfolk Southern Railroad Corp. provides rail lines through Knoxville, Tenn., to the west and Greenville, S.C., to the south. To the east, rail lines adjoin North Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3,600-mile rail network, approximately an hour away in Greer, S.C.

Sales & Use Tax State, 4.25%

Median household income $41,169

County, 2.5%

Per capita income, $22,946

Total, 6.75% Electricity, 3% for nonresident use Food, 2% for home consumption Manufacturing fuel and equipment, 1%

INCOME STATISTICS Households by Income (2006 estimated) Asheville Metro Less than $15,000, 15.5%

Ports Charleston, S.C., 271 miles away

$15,000-$24,999, 12.0%

Wilmington, N.C. 314 miles away

$35,000-$49,999, 17.4%

Morehead City, N.C. 390 miles away

$75,000-$99,999, 9.4%

TAXES (2007-08) (Per $1,000 assessed value) Property Tax Asheville, $.42 Buncombe County, $.53 School District (city only), $.15

$25,000-$34,999, 14.0%

$100,000-$149,999, 6.8% $150,000 and more, 3.6% Asheville City (2006 estimated) Average household income $49,320 Median household income $37,018 Per capita income, $23,263

Last revaluation, 2007

Asheville MSA (2006 estimated) Average household income $51,548

Income Tax No local income tax

Median household income $40,710

North Carolina corporate income tax 6.9%

Per capita income, $22,616

North Carolina personal income tax 6% to 8.25%, depending on income levels

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Average cost of existing home (2005), $253,926 Average cost to rent a twobedroom, 950-square-foot apartment in Asheville, $813 Average medical costs in Asheville Metro Area (2007 2nd Quarter) Dentist visit, $71 Doctor visit, $83 Optometrist, $96.23

BANKS/FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

$50,000-$74,999, 20.2%

Total in Asheville, $1.10 Total in Buncombe County $.53

COST OF LIVING

Buncombe County (2006 estimated) Average household income $52,700

Asheville Savings Bank 254-7411 Bank of America, 251-8284 Bank of Asheville, 252-1735 BB&T (Branch Banking & Trust Co.), 252-1826 Blue Ridge Savings Bank 252-1893 Capital Bank (1310 Hendersonville Rd.), 277-5001 Carolina First Bank, 253-5505 HomeTrust Bank, 259-3939 First Charter, 669-8481 First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. 257-5700 Macon Bank, 654-8002 Mountain 1st Bank & Trust 692-8070 RBC Centura Bank, 236-8750 SunTrust, 225-7911 Wachovia Bank, 232-3838

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Business | Economic Profile LABOR FORCE STATISTICS Unemployment (2006) 3.8% – Below the state and national average For Information About Employment In The Asheville Area, Contact: North Carolina Employment Security Commission Job Service Division 48 Grove St.Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: (828) 251-6200 esc.state.nc.us

weeks during the taxable year can take a North Carolina tax credit for each new job created. The credit is $750 per job created and is taken in equal installments over four years. Worker Training Tax Credit: Firms eligible for the job creation or investment tax credit can take a credit of 50 percent (up to $500 credit value for each employee trained) against eligible training expenses if the firm provides training for five or more employees. This credit is in addition to the customized Labor Training program.

Research & Development Tax Credit: The credit rewards a taxpayer only for R&D done inside North Carolina and provides a special 3 percent rate for small businesses that do R&D, a special 3 percent rate for R&D done in Tier 1-3 counties, and a graduated rate (1 percent to 3 percent) for other R&D to provide an incentive for increasing R&D done in North Carolina. It also offers a 15 percent credit for R&D done at North Carolina public and private universities.

DISTANCE TO MAJOR CITIES City, Mileage Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C., 62

Residential • Commercial • Land

Knoxville, Tenn., 113 Charlotte, N.C., 115 Columbia, S.C., 152 Greensboro, N.C., 165 Atlanta, 204 Raleigh, N.C., 240 Charleston, S.C., 268 Cincinnati, 341 Richmond, Va., 355 Birmingham, Ala., 357

A Unique and Independent Agency Since 1979

Jacksonville, Fla., 465

INCENTIVES Below is a summary of state and local incentive programs used to help eligible new and expanding industry, as applicable in Buncombe County: Investment Tax Credit: The investment tax credit equals 3.5 percent of the excess value above $2 million of machinery and equipment placed in service in Buncombe County by eligible new or expanding firms. The credit is taken in equal installments over four years after the machinery and equipment is first placed in service. Job Creation Tax Credit: Firms with at least 15 full-time employees working 40 or more

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23 Arlington St. • Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 255-7530

Visit us at: www.appalachianrealty.com Meet our agents • Browse listings • Read local real estate news

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McKinney Insurance Agency Established in 1981

The Trusted Name in Insurance in WNC for 26 Years Home • Life • Auto • Business • Personal Annuities Your Nationwide Agency – Superlatives Agency Awards & Recognition • Member of Nationwide’s Hall of Fame (one of two agencies in North Carolina)

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MCKINND@Nationwide.com If it can be covered, we can get you the RIGHT insurance with the BEST service.

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SOUTH 5 Allen Ave. Asheville, NC 28803 WEST 1056 Haywood Ave. Asheville, NC 28806

Call us First Because we’re Second to None : (828) 684-5020 • (800) 684-5020 84

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Business | Economic Profile New Research & Development Tax Credit (Alternative): This alternative R&D credit replaces the current William S. Lee Act credit and applies to all industries that do R&D. The credit rewards a taxpayer only for R&D done inside North Carolina and provides a special 3 percent rate for small businesses that do R&D, a special 3 percent rate for R&D done in Tier 1-3 counties, and a graduated rate (1 percent to 3 percent) for other R&D to provide an incentive for increasing R&D done in North Carolina. It also offers a 15 percent credit for R&D done at North Carolina public and private universities.

investment. Other criteria such as number of new jobs created, wages, etc., may also be considered in determining the grant amount.After the industry has “paid in full” its city and/or county taxes and met all other criteria as required, that industry will be paid in equal annual installments by the local government unit(s) involved. Terms, conditions and other criteria that apply are completely outlined in written policies. Obtaining copies of each policy is advised, and they are available upon request.

OTHER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Industrial Revenue Bond Financing Federal CDBG Program (through Buncombe County) North Carolina Employment Security Commission Services Ad Valorem Tax Moratorium on Pollution Control Equipment (Local) Source: Commerce Finance Center (CFC), North Carolina Department of Commerce

OTHER STATE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS State-Funded Customized Labor Training (provided through Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College) One North Carolina Fund Industrial Access Road Program Job Development Investment Grant Program (sustained annual grants to new and expanding businesses measured against a percentage of withholding taxes paid by new employees)

LOCAL INCENTIVES Buncombe County and City of Asheville In addition to the state’s package of incentives, both units of local government have also adopted written incentive policies applicable to qualified new and existing economic development projects. Tax Grants Both local governmental units have adopted incentive policies that provide for grants to be paid back to projects based primarily on their capital

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Business | Economic Profile MAJOR EMPLOYERS Company

Product/Service

No. of Employees

Mission Hospitals

Health care

Buncombe County Public Schools

Education

3,720

Ingles Markets Inc. (home office)

Food & beverage stores

2,220

Buncombe County Government

County government

1,520

City of Asheville

City government

1,260

The Charles George VA Medical Center

Health care

1,200

6,000

The Biltmore Co.

Museums and historical sites

1,060

CarePartners

Nursing and residential care

1,000

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa

Accommodations

950

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Education

900

Sonopress LLC

Computer and electronic product mfg.

730

Asheville City Schools

Education

720

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Education

650

Thermo Electron Laboratory Equipment LLC

Machinery mfg.

550

BorgWarner Turbo Systems

Transportation equipment mfg.

500

MB Haynes Corp. (division offices)

Construction

500

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Retail

500

Owen Manufacturing

Textile product mills

440

ASHEVILLE

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Home

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Garden

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Flowers

The Gardener’s Cottage 34 All Souls Crescent • Asheville, NC 28803 (Located just outside Biltmore Estate) (828) 277-2020 • Fax (828) 277-7888

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ASHEVILLE

BUNCOMBE COUNTY WORKFORCE Largest Employment Sectors Health care and social assistance, 18.1% Retail trade, 12.9% Accommodation and food services, 11.5% Manufacturing, 10.9% Education services, 7.6% Administration and waste services, 6.5% Construction, 6.0% Public administration, 4.9% Professional and technical services, 4.1% Wholesale trade, 3.2%

The Right Choice for Your Next Move

Transportation and warehousing, 3.0% Other services, except public administration, 2.6%

marketplace

Finance and insurance, 2.4%

(828) 771-2664 • www.marytoth.com

Mary Toth

Arts, entertainment and recreation, 1.7% Information, 1.4% Real estate and rental and leasing, 1.2% Unclassified, 0.7% Management of companies and enterprises, 0.6% Utilities, 0.4% Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting, 0.2% Mining, 0.1%

FOR MORE INFORMATION Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce 36 Montford Ave. Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: (828) 258-6101 Fax: (828) 251-0926 www.ashevillechamber.org

Sources: www.ashevillechamber.org, www.ci.asheville.nc.us, www.exploreasheville.com

ASHEVILLE

TUPELO HONEY CAFE DOWN SOUTH COOKIN’ WITH AN UPTOWN TWIST SERVING: Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Dinner Specials Daily • Breakfast All Day TUPELO HONEY CAFE HOURS: Tues.-Sun. 9 am-3 pm • Tues.-Thurs. 5:30 pm-9:30 pm Fri. and Sat. 5:30 pm-Midnight • Closed Mon. “Reservations Not Accepted” 12 College St. • Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 255-4404 • WWW.TUPELOHONEYCAFE.COM

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“We could not have asked for a better person to help us.” – Michael and Marie, New Hampshire

Charles Phillips Broker, REALTOR® (828) 684-4339 • Cell: (828) 551-5120 (800) 627-1939 • Fax: (828) 681-5351 charles.phillips1@coldwellbanker.com www.charlesphillips.biz

I M AG E S A S H E V I L L E . C O M

1978 Hendersonville Rd. Asheville, NC 28803

ASHEVILLE

Arts & Culture

All the Night Moves FROM THEATER TO MUSIC, THE EVENINGS ARE ALWAYS YOUNG IN ASHEVILLE

ooking for something a little different to do on a Saturday night? More than likely, Asheville’s got it covered. From world-class theater to independent films, traditional mountain music to opera, contra dancing to drumming, there’s an activity to suit any taste. Take downtown’s Diana Wortham Theatre, which offers more than 150 annual performances, including Asheville Lyric Opera productions, off-Broadway plays, acoustic performances and national dance companies. The theater is known for its diverse assortment of arts events. “We cover a broad spectrum of performing arts here,” says John Ellis, managing director of the Diana Wortham Theatre. “Almost any weekend you’ll find something fun, ranging from professional, national touring artists to avocational local artists.” Asheville Community Theatre, North Carolina Stage Company and other venues offer original screenplays and

classics. Asheville Community Theatre’s black-box theater, called 35below, offers seasonal productions in the intimate performance space. Montford Park Players theater troupe presents Shakespeare in the Park on weekend evenings during the summer and fall. People bring lawn chairs, picnics and their dogs to these outdoor performances, held at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. Shindig on the Green, a free musical festival that takes place during the summer, showcases talented local bluegrass musicians. Dozens of contemporary clubs offer live music and dancing. A few of the most popular: Tressa’s for late-night jazz and blues, The Orange Peel Social Aid & Pleasure Club for music and dancing from headliner groups such as The Smashing Pumpkins, and Jack of the Wood, the quintessential place to hear local Celtic music. “I hang out a lot at BoBo [Gallery] on Lexington Avenue and spin tunes there,”

says Bowie van Ling, director of new media at The Scully Group, a local interactive design firm. “It’s a great place that doubles as an art gallery, welcoming people late into the evenings.” For a different twist on dancing, try two popular contra dance venues – The Grey Eagle tavern and Warren Wilson College. In a city known for its arts and crafts, it’s no surprise that there are frequent art openings and art strolls here. Visitors can enjoy Friday evening’s downtown art walks, which are held bimonthly from April to October, and the biannual River District Artists Studio Strolls, which feature open studios and a chance to see the artists at work. Art, music and dance are also found at the city’s many free festivals. July’s Bele Chere is the granddaddy of them all, but for a less crowded and eclectic event, try the Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival in September. – Melissa Stanz

The musical Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver drew crowds to Asheville’s Diana Wortham Theatre. PHOTO BY IAN CURCIO

ASHEVILLE

I M AG E S A S H E V I L L E . C O M

Elevate your expectations.

When

you stay at an

Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association inn, you can be assured your hosts meet the highest standards of health, safety and hospitality. You can also be sure that you will learn all about Asheville from hosts who know it best.

1847 Blake House Inn www.blakehouse.com (888) 353-5227 1891 Cedar Crest Victorian Inn www.cedarcrestinn.com (800) 252-0310 AppleWood Manor Inn B&B www.applewoodmanor.com (800) 442-2197 Biltmore Village Inn www.biltmorevillageinn.com (866) 274-8779 Inn on Main Street www.innonmain.com (877) 873-6074

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ASHEVILLE

WES ALDRIDGE

Sports & Recreation

There’s no better place to test your geocaching skills than Asheville’s scenic forests and vibrant streets.

Caching in on Some Fun ASHEVILLE OFFERS PLENTY OF HIDDEN TREASURE FOR GEOCACHERS

he 8-year-old game of geocaching is recreation’s rising star – and Asheville is just the place to try it. Enthusiasts of all ages, abilities and interests can hunt hidden treasure from the studios of the city’s River Arts District to the breathtaking trails of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “There are caches that would require you to go on a 14-mile hike in a national forest, and there are caches you can locate while maneuvering a wheelchair around urban environments,” says Graeme McGufficke, an Asheville resident and avid geocacher who has placed the world’s second-highest number of caches. “Whatever you’re excited about, it’s here in this area.” Geocachers use Global Positioning System devices to locate hidden containers that hold logbooks and trinkets. Finders sign the logbook and, if they wish, exchange a trinket of their own for one from the cache. Although no one has taken an official count, McGufficke estimates that hundreds of Asheville residents regularly go in search of the area’s numerous caches. “Asheville is lucky because we have this couple who got into geocaching early, so it’s always been a fairly dense place for caches,” McGufficke says. “Asheville is seen by the geoASHEVILLE

caching community as something of a destination because you can come here in a weekend and find maybe 200 caches.” McGufficke’s geocaching has taken him around the world, but he still considers Asheville a prime location to play the game. In fact, one of his most memorable geocaching experiences involved hunting an Asheville cache called Tube Torcher. “It was physically challenging and mentally challenging; it definitely took you to places you wouldn’t have gone to,” McGufficke says. And that, he adds, is what makes geocaching so engaging. “It tends to take you to places you maybe wouldn’t get to on the regular tourist path,” he says. Beth Anne McPheeters of the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau agrees. In May 2007, the bureau staged the inaugural Ultimate AsheCache. The nine-week event took participants off the beaten path in search of caches holding more than $2,400 worth of Asheville-themed prizes. The event was so popular that the bureau plans to repeat it every spring. But McPheeters points out that AsheCache 2007 was about more than prizes. “A lot of the people had never done [geocaching] before and felt it was a great way to see the area,” she says. For his part, McGufficke loves the process and culture of geocaching. “There’s this pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that’s there to find,” he says, “but it’s not about the pot – it’s about the journey to get to the pot and the people you meet along the way.” For more about Asheville’s Ultimate AsheCache, go to www.exploreasheville.com. – Kathryn Royster I M AG E S A S H E V I L L E . C O M

Health & Wellness

Dr. Wendy D. Willoughby New Patients Welcome!

Creating exquisite smiles for busy families Cerec â&#x20AC;&#x201C; One Appointment Crowns Esthetic Dentistry Lumineers Soft Tissue Laser To learn more about our special patient care and premium services, please visit our Web site at: www.drwilloughby.com 192 E. Chestnut St., Ste. B Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 255-0936

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ASHEVILLE

A kind heart and a gentle touch. Do you have a loved one who needs in-home care? We have the answers you need. Our in-home caregivers can:

For a Free In-Home Assessment or an Informational Packet, Call Today! 24 hours 7 days a week (828) 274-2082 1550 Hendersonville Road Asheville, NC 28803 www.interimhealthcare.com

• Assist with personal caregiving • Run errands and cook meals • Do light housekeeping • Give medication reminders • Provide around-the-clock service if needed All employees are screened, bonded, insured and supervised by an RN. Locally Owned.

Over 40 years of Caring

questions answers

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I M AG E S A S H E V I L L E . C O M

Health & Wellness Cardiologist Brian H. Asbill chats with John Maize as he exercises at Mission Hospitals’ Heart Path Cardiac rehabilitation program.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIO MORGADO

SEE MORE ONLINE | To learn more about Mission Hospitals, visit the archives at imagesasheville.com/07.

From the Bottom of Our Hearts MISSION HOSPITALS RECOGNIZED IN NATIONAL RANKINGS

nd the award goes to: Mission Hospitals. Again. In 2006, Mission Hospitals was named one of the Top 100 Heart Hospitals in the country by Solucient, a health-care industry marketer that analyzes patient care, cost effectiveness and growth in the medical industry. Mission has been named to the prestigious Solucient list six times since 2000. “These designations are national recognition for something that we have actually been doing for 30-plus years,”

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says Dr. Harry Burton, cardiovascular surgeon at Mission Hospitals. Burton points out that the recognition reflects close work over many years between cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons. “Dating back to 1986, it was the cardiologists here who developed an echocardiology program that led to better identification of patients with mitral valve disease,” he says. “In turn, that pushed the surgeons to develop a state-of-the-art program for mitral valve

surgical repair, which is safer and better than valve replacement. Today, our valve repair program is nationally and internationally recognized. Patients come here from abroad and as far away as northern California.” Dr. William Hathaway, section leader in cardiology at Mission Hospitals, says the medical community in Asheville – and beyond – can be proud of these cardiac care awards. “Our heart program may have its roots in Asheville, but it cannot be emphasized enough how much assistance we receive from other physicians, hospitals and first providers throughout our region,” Hathaway says. “The quality care that they all provide has enabled Mission to achieve the award-winning care that has been recognized.” But cardiac care excellence isn’t the only accolade that the hospital has received. Mission, which has a Memorial hospital campus and a St. Joseph campus both in Asheville, was named in 2006 by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s Top 50 Hospitals for orthopedics. Then in 2007, U.S. News & World Report selected Mission as one of the country’s Top 50 Hospitals for endocrinology, which relates to diabetes treatment and research. “We care for as many people with diabetes as some of the nation’s largest teaching hospitals,” says Dr. Jeffrey Russell, endocrinologist at Mission Hospitals. “For example, all surgical patients at Mission now have their blood sugar levels monitored before, during and after surgery. By the time Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed, it has been progressing for many years in some patients. These screenings are helping us find many unsuspected cases.” Russell adds that Mission now has its own endocrinologist for children. “As a result, a weight management program for families of children with obesity has been established,” he says. “It is all part of our quest to help our Asheville community be as healthy as possible.” – Kevin Litwin ASHEVILLE

Education

Man, Oh Manufacturing JOBS ARE READILY AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS WHO ENTER TECHNICAL FIELDS

ASHEVILLE

person tends to stay with us and excels at their job,” says Jain Hayes, human resources manager at the Baldor-DodgeReliance branch in Asheville. “The word is starting to get out about manufacturing careers becoming popular again. Getting more local students interested in the industry is obviously essential to keep manufacturing strong in western North Carolina.” – Kevin Litwin

IAN CURCIO

hinking about a career in manufacturing? Consider this: Many skilled manufacturing jobs start at $15 an hour. Experienced manufacturing technicians earn $25 an hour and higher, and engineers with manufacturing master’s degrees easily make $60,000 a year from the get-go and quickly climb the ladder from there. Yet high-paying manufacturing jobs have been difficult for companies to fill in recent years. “There is a stigma about manufacturing, with plant closures and so forth, but if you get into the right industry, there are some can’t-miss careers out there with big pay and incredible benefits packages,” says Phil Monk, business services director for the Mountain Area Workforce Board, located on the campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. “There are amazing opportunities nowadays for skilled workers in the metal machining and engineering fields.” Monk says that many current skilled machinists in America are starting to retire, so there is a huge demand for people who have the mechanical aptitude to be good machinists. “In Asheville-Buncombe County, there is a big demand for machinists who make parts for the automobile and aerospace industries,” he says. “Case in point: Unison Engine Components is perhaps the preeminent aerospace engine component manufacturer in the United States, and they are in dire need of machinists who can make their complicated and intricate parts. Unison would employ 100 skilled machinists right now if they could find them.” Monk says skilled personnel are needed throughout the entire manufacturing industry to work on equipment such as lathes, mills and grinding machines. “Manufacturing in this country can once again become the true giant that is used to be – we just need to provide the workforce,” he says. “Asheville High School now has a good machining program in place, and Asheville-Buncombe Tech currently has 16 students enrolled in a manufacturing program. But truth be told, 200 local students could train for this industry each year and be hired just as soon as they were ready.” He adds that for students who have a desire and a natural creative bent toward the industry, manufacturing can be rewarding in several ways. “It is exciting to work with a team to design and build parts for some of the most advanced products in the world today,” Monk says. “Many of the world’s inventions come from the manufacturing industry, from the minds of machinists and designers who become great at what they do.” At Baldor-Dodge-Reliance, which makes industrial electric motors, power transmission products, drives and generators, company officials have hired several students in the past to work on metal-turning machines that primarily manufacture parts. “Whenever we hire someone for manufacturing, that

A-B Tech trains students for future manufacturing jobs.

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Image Gallery

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ASHEVILLE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

Blue Ridge Mountains

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Image Gallery

Chess players on Patton Avenue

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

Wall Street

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Image Gallery

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Lexington Avenue mural

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Community Profile

ASHEVILLE SNAPSHOT Asheville Pro Body is a city beloved for its natural scenic splendor, friendly atmosphere, rich history, lively local arts and music scene, diverse economy, entrepreneurial opportunities, mild climate, high quality of life and low crime.

CLIMATE

DRIVER’S LICENSES AND TAGS

Avg. January high temperature 45.9 F

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Avg. January low temperature 25.8 F

The Charles George V.A. Medical Center, 298-7911

Avg. January temperature

Mission Hospitals, 213-1111

Avg. July high temperature

Thoms Rehabilitation Hospital 274-2400

83.3 F

POPULATION (2006-estimate) Asheville, 72,789 Buncombe County, 222,174 Asheville MSA, 398,009

MEDIA

36.7 F

Avg. July low temperature 62.7 F Avg. July temperature, 73.6 F Avg. annual rainfall 47.07 inches Avg. annual snowfall 13.3 inches Avg. annual humidity, 57% Avg. elevation 2,165 feet above sea level up to 6,684 feet at Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.

Newspapers Asheville Citizen-Times 252-5611

GARDENING

Asheville Daily Planet 252-6565

Average First Frost Date Late October

The Homesteader, 626-3676

Average Last Frost Date Mid-April

IWANNA Inc., 274-8888 Mountain Xpress, 251-1333

Hardiness Zone for plants 6 to 7

New residents must apply for a North Carolina driver’s license within 60 days of relocating to the state. Vision and knowledge tests are required. Road tests are given at the discretion of the examiners. Apply at the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Patrol Building, 600 Tunnel Rd. (U.S. 70 East), 298-4544 or 1624 Patton Ave., 251-6065.

ATTRACTIONS/ RECREATION The Biltmore and the Blue Ridge Parkway are the area’s most famous tourist attractions. Learn more about the Biltmore by calling (800) 624-1575 or visiting www.biltmore.com. Learn more about the Blue Ridge Parkway by calling 271-4779 or visiting www.blueridgeonline.com. THIS SECTION IS SPONSORED BY

TERRY L GAHAGAN 1070 TUNNEL ROAD ASHEVILLE www.cheekinsurancegroup.com

We know home insurance. We can help you protect your home and everything in it. Call us today to discuss your coverage options.

(828) 298-4648 (888) 298-4648 Subject to availability and qualiﬁcations. The “Cupped Hands” logo is a registered service mark of Allstate Insurance Company. Allstate Indemnity Company, Northbrook, Illinois. ©2006 Allstate Insurance Company.

The area code for A sheville is 828 .

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Community Profile Appalachian Cultural Museum 262-3117 Asheville Art Museum 253-3227

Asheville Public Schools www.asheville.k12.nc.us

Pearson’s Falls, 749-3031

Blue Ridge Parkway information www.blueridgeonline.com

Asheville Botanical Gardens 252-5190

Pisgah National Forest 257-4203

Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre, 693-4178

Sliding Rock, (800) 648-4523

Asheville Historic Trolley Tours (888) 667-3600 Asheville’s Urban Trail 259-5800

Smith-McDowell House Museum, 253-9231 Southern Appalachian Repertory Theater, 689-1384 Sunset Cruises, 252-8474

Bent Creek Experimental Forest, 667-5261

Thomas Wolfe House 253-8304

Carl Sandburg Home 693-4178

Western North Carolina Farmers Market, 253-1691

Chimney Rock Park (800) 277-9611 or 625-9611

Western North Carolina Nature Center, 298-5600

Cradle of Forestry, 877-3130 Flat Rock Playhouse, 693-0731 Folk Art Center, 298-7928 Gorges State Park, 966-9099

Western Carolina University Mountain Heritage Center 227-7129

Biltmore, www.biltmore.com

Buncombe County www.buncombecounty.org Buncombe County Public Schools www.buncombe.k12.nc.us City of Asheville www.ci.asheville.nc.us Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa www.groveparkinn.com

EDUCATION Public Schools Asheville City Schools, 350-7000 www.asheville.k12.nc.us

Wheels Through Time Museum, 926-6266

Buncombe County Schools 255-5921 www.buncombe.k12.nc.us

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 436-1200

UTILITIES

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, (800) 872-4681

Cable Charter Communications (800) 955-7766

Enrollment (2006-07) Asheville 3,847 students, 407 teachers

Grandfather Mountain (800) 468-7325 or 733-4337

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino 497-8811

Buncombe County 25,533 students, 1,911 teachers

Electricity Progress Energy (800) 452-2777

Elementary Schools City – 6 County – 24

Natural Gas Public Service Co. of North Carolina, (877) 776-2427

Middle Schools City – 2 County – 7

Linville Caverns 756-4171 or (800) 419-0540

Sewer Metropolitan Sewer District 254-9646

High Schools City – 1 County – 6

Mineral and Lapidary Museum 698-1977

Telecommunications BellSouth, (888) 757-6500

Mount Mitchell, 271-4779

Water Asheville Department of Water Resources, 251-1122

Private Schools Asheville Catholic School 252-7896

Haunted Asheville Ghost Tours 216-3383 Haunted Ghost Tours of Asheville, 257-4001 Lake Lure Tours (877) 386-4255

Nantahala National Forest 257-4200 The North Carolina Arboretum 665-2492 North Carolina Stage Company, 350-9090

Asheville Christian Academy 581-2200 Asheville School, 254-6345

LINKS

Carolina Day School, 274-0757 Christ School, 684-6232

A comprehensive Web guide to Asheville, www.asheville.com

Emmanuel Lutheran School 281-8182

Pack Place 253-3227 or 257-4500

Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce www.ashevillechamber.org

Hanger Hall – A School for Girls 258-3600

(Asheville Art Museum, Colburn Gem & Mineral Museum, Diana Wortham

Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau www.exploreasheville.com

Oconaluftee Indian Village 497-2315

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Theatre, The Health Adventure, YMI Cultural Center)

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The Learning Community 686-3080 New Leaf Academy of North Carolina, 669-6510

ASHEVILLE

Rainbow Mountain Children’s School, 258-9264

Buncombe County Early College, 232-4123

St. Thomas Aquinas Academy 687-7714

Black Mountain Elementary 669-5217

Stone Mountain School 669-8639

Black Mountain Primary 669-2645

Clyde A. Erwin Middle 232-4264

Candler Elementary, 667-2439

Fairview Elementary, 628-2732

Cane Creek Middle, 628-0824

Glen Arden Elementary 654-1800

Higher Education Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, 254-1921 Brevard College, 883-8292 Mars Hill College (866) MHC-4-YOU

Career Education Center 255-5921

Enka Middle, 670-5010 William W. Estes Elementary 654-1795 Clyde A. Erwin High, 232-4251

Haw Creek Elementary 298-4022

Montreat College, 669-8012

Charles C. Bell Elementary 298-3789

South College, 252-2486

Emma Elementary, 232-4272

Hominy Valley Elementary 665-0619

Trinity Baptist Bible College 253-6458

Enka High, 670-5000

Johnston Elementary, 232-4291

University of North Carolina at Asheville, 251-6600 Warren Wilson College 298-3325 Western Carolina University 227-7100 Asheville City Schools

HIGH CEILINGS. LOW MORTGAGE.

SMART MOVE. 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms under $150,000.

Asheville City Schools Preschool, 255-5423 Asheville High School 255-5352 Asheville Middle School 350-6200 Claxton Elementary School 350-6500 Hall Fletcher Elementary School, 350-6400 Ira B. Jones Elementary School, 350-6700 Isaac Dickson Elementary School, 350-6800 KIPP Academy, 350-6910 Randolph Learning Center 350-6900 School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville 255-5362 Vance Elementary School 350-6600 Buncombe County Schools A.C. Reynolds High, 298-2500 A.C. Reynolds Middle 298-7484 Avery’s Creek Elementary 654-1810 Barnardsville Elementary 626-2290

The area code for A sheville is 828 .

Model unit now open. Quality construction • Open ﬂoorplans with 9 ft. ceilings • Whirlpool appliances • Hardiplank, brick and stone exteriors

Natural amenities • Open green space and walking trails • Pet friendly common areas • Large balconies with mountain views

Sales ofﬁce 291 Brickton Village Cir. Unit 104 Fletcher, NC (828) 654-9394 www.bricktonvillage.com Nitch Real Estate is the exclusive listing agent for Brickton Village.

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Community Profile Leicester Elementary, 683-2341 North Buncombe Elementary 645-6054

Sand Hill â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Venable Elementary, 670-5028 T.C. Roberson High, 654-1765

North Buncombe High 645-4221

Valley Springs Middle 654-1785

North Buncombe Middle 645-7944

Weaverville Elementary 645-3127

North Windy Ridge, 658-1892

Weaverville Primary, 645-4275

Oakley Elementary, 274-7515

West Buncombe Elementary 232-4282

Charles D. Owen High 686-3852 Charles D. Owen Middle 686-7739 Pisgah Elementary, 670-5023

W.D. Williams Elementary 686-3856 Woodfin Elementary 232-4287

2007 MEAN* SAT SCORES Asheville High School (City) Math, 525 Critical reading, 531 Writing, 512 Total, 1,568 Percent Tested, 76.1% Buncombe County Schools Math, 540 Critical reading, 520 Writing, 500 Total, 1,560 Percent Tested, 59.7% North Carolina Math, 509 Critical reading, 495 Writing, 482 Total, 1,486 Percent Tested, 71.0% United States Math, 515 Critical reading, 502 Writing, 494 Total, 1,511 Percent Tested, 48.0% *Mean = Arithmetic Average Source: North Carolina SAT Report 2007

RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES Ardenwoods at Averyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Creek 684-0041 Crescent View Retirement Community, 687-0068 Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community 274-1816 Givens Estate United Methodist Retirement Community, 274-4800 Heritage Hills/Lodge, 693-8292 Highland Farms Retirement Community, 669-6473 Mars Hill Retirement Community, 689-7970 Pisgah Valley Retirement Community, 667-9851 Village of Country Creek 645-4973

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LIBRARIES

Buncombe County Information, 250-4000

Driver’s License Tunnel Road, 298-4544

Black Mountain, 669-2652

Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department, 255-5000

Patton Avenue, 251-6065

Buncombe County Law Library, 250-4734

Business License (City) 259-5595

East Asheville, 298-1889

Federal Courthouse, 771-7200

Business License (NC) (800) 228-8443

Enka-Candler, 667-8153 Fairview, 628-5837

Child Support Enforcement 232-1416

Leicester, 683-8867 North Asheville, 251-4991

Employment Security Commission, 251-6200 Governor’s Western Office 251-6160 Housing Authority, 258-1222 IRS, (800) 829-1040

Oakley, 274-1007

City of Asheville 251-1122

Pack Memorial, 250-4700

Police, 252-1110

License Tag Office Tunnel Road, 252-8526

Skyland, 684-1827

Fire/Rescue, 259-5636

Smoky Park Hwy., 667-2104

Swannanoa, 686-5516

Mayor, 259-5600

Weaverville, 645-3592

Council on Aging, 258-8027

Metropolitan Sewerage District, 255-0061

www.buncombecounty.org

Court Related Matters Clerk of Court, 232-2600

Schools Asheville City, 255-5304

NUMBERS TO KNOW

District Attorney, 232-2500

Buncombe County, 255-5921

Estates and Probate, 232-2696

Social Security, 251-9941

A-B Community Relations Council, 252-4713

Jury Duty, 232-2706

State Revenue, 667-0597

Magistrate, 232-4138

Streets and Roads, 298-2741

ABC Board, 251-6192

Public Defender, 232-2595

Better Business Bureau 253-2392

Department of Transportation 298-2741

Street Signs/Addressing County, 250-4845 City, 259-5850

Personal insurance.

Kensington Place Apartments

Business insurance.

Located six miles south of the Biltmore Estate on Hwy. 25A (Sweeten Creek Road).

Same agent, same great coverage.

Joyce Boyett (828) 645-4822 174-B Weaverville Hwy. Asheville, NC 28804 joyceboyett@allstate.com

For a Lifestyle You Deserve www.allstate.com/053785

I spy something green. Everyday moments can be learning moments with your kids. For more tips, visit bornlearning.org

1, 2, 3 beds (garages available) Corporate units available

3176 Sweeten Creek Rd. Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 687-0638 (866) 232-9534 Toll-free www.kensingtonplaceapts.com

Interior Design Space Planning Furniture Flooring Maintenance 1070 Tunnel Road • Asheville, NC (828) 299-3300 • www.oeasheville.com

The area code for A sheville is 828 .

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Community Profile Water Department, 251-1122 Zoning (City), 259-5850 Zoning (County), 250-4830

SUPERLATIVES In its annual ranking of “Best Places for Business and Careers,” Forbes magazine ranked Asheville No. 23 (May 2007). Expansion Management named Asheville a 5-Star Business Opportunity Metro (August 2007).

Asheville was ranked as “Best Southern Town” in Outside magazine’s “Best Towns In America” story (August 2007). In May 2007, Cities Ranked & Rated ranked Asheville as No. 7 in its analysis of more than 400 metro areas in the U.S. and Canada. Relocate-America.com rated Asheville No. 2 in the Web site’s annual ranking of the most popular places to live for 2007 (April 2007). America’s 100 Best Places to Retire included Asheville as

one of the best cities or towns for modern retirees (April 2007). On www.virtualtourist.com, Asheville is featured as one of the “Top 10 Up-and-Coming Travel Destinations” (March 2007). The American Institute of Architects named the Biltmore on its list of Top 10 Architectural Wonders based on a public poll. The Biltmore is ranked among the Empire State Building, the White House, Golden Gate Bridge and Chrysler Building. Condé Nast Traveler’s 13th annual Gold List recognized Inn on Biltmore Estate and Richmond Hill Inn. For the Gold List, the magazine takes its 2006 Readers’ Choice Awards winners and delves deeper in the responses, rating hotels for their food, activities, service, rooms, design and location (January 2007). Southern Living (January 2007) announced its Best of the South Readers’ Choice Awards, and readers of the magazine recognized these Asheville favorites: Resort/Hotel: The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa Mountain Destination: Asheville Scenic Drive: Blue Ridge Parkway Public Gardens: Biltmore Country Inn/ Bed & Breakfast: The Red Rocker Inn Black Mountain

FOR MORE INFORMATION Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce 36 Montford Ave. Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: (828) 258-6101 Fax: (828) 251-0926 www.ashevillechamber.org

Sources: www.ashevillechamber.org, www.buncombecounty.org, www.exploreasheville.com

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ANNUAL EVENTS

January 17TH ANNUAL BIG BAND/ SWING DANCE WEEKEND The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, 252-2711

ASHEVILLE FRINGE ARTS FESTIVAL Various Asheville theaters 254-2621

16TH ANNUAL ALL THAT JAZZ WEEKEND The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, 252-2711

February 21ST ANNUAL ARTS & CRAFTS ANTIQUE SHOW AND CONFERENCE The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, 252-2711

March 20TH COMEDY CLASSIC WEEKEND The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, 252-2711

VICTORIAN EASTER CELEBRATION Smith McDowell House Museum, 253-9231

April 23RD FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS Biltmore (800) 543-2961

At St. Jude Children·s Research Hospital, we can·t. That·s why we are working every day to find cures for lifethreatening diseases that strike children everywhere. Diseases like cancer, pediatric AIDS, and sickle cell. And we won·t stop until every child is cured and every disease is defeated.

Because we can·t imagine a world without children … can you? Call 1-800-996-4100 or log onto www.stjude.org to learn how you can help.

Finding cures. Saving children. The area code for A sheville is 828 .

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Community Profile SUNSET MOUNTAIN SPRING FEATURING THE DECORATED BIRDHOUSE COMPETITION The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, 252-2711

May

26TH ANNUAL GOOMBAY! FESTIVAL Asheville-City County Plaza 252-4614

September BROWN MOUNTAIN LIGHTS FESTIVAL

21ST ANNUAL HERITAGE BALLROOM DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS

Historic Village of Linville Falls and nearby Wiseman’s View 766-6284

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, 252-2711

ASHEVILLE GREEK FESTIVAL

19TH ANNUAL SPRING HERB FESTIVAL

Asheville City-County Plaza 253-3754

WNC Farmers’ Market 253-1691

LAKE EDEN ARTS FESTIVAL Black Mountain, 686-8742

July SHINDIG ON THE GREEN Summer Saturdays on the Asheville City-County Plaza 258-6101

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

October 13TH ANNUAL CAROLINA BONSAI EXHIBITION The North Carolina Arboretum 665-2492

CRAFT FAIR OF THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS Asheville Civic Center 298-7928

November and December CHRISTMAS AT BILTMORE (ALSO CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVENINGS) Through Dec. 31 Biltmore (800) 543-2961

2008 NATIONAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, 252-2711

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Smith-McDowell House Museum, 253-9231

GROVE PARK HOLIDAY The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, 252-2711

LAKE EDEN ARTS FESTIVAL

A DICKENS CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE

Black Mountain, 686-8742

Biltmore Village, 274-8788

Asheville-City County Plaza 258-6101

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN HIGHLAND GAMES Grandfather Mountain (800) 468-7325

61ST ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR OF THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS Asheville Civic Center 298-7928

BELE CHERE Downtown Asheville 259-5800

August 80TH ANNUAL MOUNTAIN DANCE & FOLK FESTIVAL Diana Wortham Theatre 258-6101

ASHEVILLE ANTIQUES FAIR Asheville Civic Center 299-7430

ASHEVILLE QUILT SHOW The North Carolina Arboretum 258-3794

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Visit Our Advertisers Allstate www.allstate.com

Hometrust Bank www.hometrustbanking.com

Appalachian Realty Associates www.appalachianrealty.com

Interim HealthCare www.interimhealthcare.com

Arvisk, LLC www.cottagesatlandrum.com

Kensington Place Apartments www.kensingtonplaceapts.com

Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce www.lynneharty.com

Lake Toxaway Company www.laketoxaway.com

Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association www.ashevillebba.com Asheville City Schools www.asheville.k12.nc.us Asheville Savings Bank www.ashevillesavingsbank.com Asheville School www.ashevilleschool.org

If we stop to rest,so will

hundreds of promising

research

projects.

Bayada Nurses www.bayada.com

Ofﬁce Environments www.oeasheville.com

Beverly-Hanks, Inc. www.beverly-hanks.com

Peregrine Properties www.peregrineprop.com

Bill Russell – State Farm www.billrussellinsurance.com

Pisgah Valley Retirement Community www.pisgahvalley.org

One of our goals is to keep

Buncombe County DSS www.buncombecounty.org

promising research from

Buncombe County Schools www.buncombe.k12.nc.us

being shelved for lack of

Carolina Day School www.cdschool.org

funds. The money we raise

Century 21 – Mountain Lifestyles www.c21mountainlifestyles.com Charles Phillips www.charlesphillips.biz Cheek Insurance Group www.cheekinsurancegroup.com Christ School www.christschool.org Deerfield Episcopal Retirement www.deerfieldwnc.org Dixon Hughes www.dixon-hughes.com First Citizens Bank & Trust Company www.firstcitizens.com

The area code for A sheville is 828 .

McKinney Insurance Agency www.nationwide.com

Mountain Air www.mountainaircc.com

Brickton Village www.bricktonvillage.com

1.800 I’M AWARE®.

McGuire, Wood & Bissette, PA www.mwbavl.com

Baptist Retirement Homes www.brh.org

Blue Ridge Timber Frame www.blueridgetimberframe.com

Join us at komen.org or

MAHEC www.mahec.net

Mobilia www.mobilianc.com

Blackbird Frame & Art www.blackbirdframe.com

moving closer to a cure.

Maggie Valley Club www.maggievalleyclub.com

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College www.abtech.edu

Biltmore Farms, LLC www.biltmorefarms.com

through our Race keeps us

Legerton Architecture www.legertonarchitecture.com

Private Mountain Communities www.privatemountain communities.com Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc. www.progress-energy.com Realty World Marketplace www.marytoth.com Reynolds Mountain www.reynoldsmountain.com Scenic Wolf Resort www.scenicwolfresort.com Sheelah Clarkson Agency www.sheelahclarkson.com Skyloft Asheville www.skyloftasheville.com Southcliff www.southcliffasheville.com Southern Community Bank & Trust www.smallenoughtocare.com Telco Community Credit Union www.telcoccu.com The Buyer’s Agent www.ashevillehomebuyer.com The Cliffs www.cliffscommunities.com The Gardener’s Cottage The Pines Cottages www.ashevillepines.com

Givens Estates www.givensestates.org

The River Condos of Asheville www.therivercondos.com

Great Circle Homes www.greatcirclehomes.com

The Thoms Estate, LLC www.thethomsestate.com

Greenstone Construction, Inc. www.gschomes.com

Tupelo Honey Cafe www.tupelohoneycafe.com

Hickory Furniture Mart www.hickoryfurniture.com

Versant Asheville www.versantasheville.com

Holiday Inn Biltmore East www.biltmorehotels.com

Wendy Willoughby, DDS www.drwilloughby.com

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