23 minute read
Taking the leap: 828 Market on Main
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
What started out as a simple idea to open a bottle shop has morphed into a hub of culinary delights and handmade goods in downtown Waynesville.
“We wanted to have this little spot where people could get a beer or cider, maybe hear some local music,” said Carrie Griffin. “But, the whole thing has changed so much from where we were when we opened. People come in and constantly request things for us to carry, to bring things to the market that maybe nobody else is providing in the community.”
Co-owner of the 828 Market on Main, Carrie and her husband, Richie, launched the business in July 2019. The couple and their two sons moved to Western North Carolina from Charlotte four and half years ago. Initially, the relocation was for the family to finally immerse themselves in the mountain life and culture.
“Richie went to Appalachian State University and always wanted to get me in the mountains, so here we are,” Carrie noted. “And it’s been amazing to be part of this community. There’s obviously so much to do in the outdoors here. But, the whole town has been extremely welcoming of us and our market.”
Although the couple both still hold down full-time jobs elsewhere (Carrie as an event planner, Richie in medical sales), the idea for a small store initially came to fruition as a “hobby” of sorts — this platform to not only showcase local and regional items, but also promote a deep love for craft beverages, farmto-table products and artisan wares.
“There’s been such a push for shopping local in recent years. I mean, you used to hear it said a lot. But, I feel like you’re actually seeing it more and more now,” Carrie said. “And these days, that the idea of ‘local products’ is really ingrained in people, where they go to Main Street, seek out local things and support local businesses — it’s a great feeling to be part of that.”
When the Griffins arrived in Haywood County, they initially started a brand of headwear called “828 Hats.” In an effort to get the merchandise in area stores, they soon began to realize there was a niche in the business sector for a localized market in Waynesville. Thus, the wheels began to turn as to just what this new venture could and would be.
“I’ll admit that I was the nervous one about doing this. Richie’s better at taking a leap,” Carrie reminisced. “But I think if we’d never had done it, we would constantly be wondering ‘what if.’ What is we never had taken this leap? It was a huge move for us, and it’s been a great learning experience ever since.”
And when opening day rolled around, the Griffins were bowled over by the love and support by friends, family and strangers alike.
“We did a soft opening, inviting all our Charlotte friends and family, people we’d met in the community here,” Carrie said. “And we didn’t really think about anybody buying anything that first night, but we sold so many things — it was really exciting to see.” Since then, the market itself has added several features to the space, from offering a lunch menu to shaved ice, atop the sitting areas and sidewalk tables for locals and visitors to grab a meal, take a seat and watch the world swirl by the storefront.
“A woman came by the other day and noticed we had mimosas and a kid’s area. She said, ‘I feel like I just went to heaven,’” Carrie chuckled.
It’s one thing to be a new business. And it’s another thing to survive your first year in operation, let alone navigate the last couple of years amid a global pandemic that has drastically affected small businesses, more so those with a culinary focus.
“We’ve been able to move and shift direction when we need to with everything going on. With the pandemic, the to-go food items and drink selection has made it easy for customers to call in an order or just come in quickly for what they need,” Carrie said. “And we keep everything simple, where it’s all about making sure our customers want to keep coming in the door — a simple menu that rotates items and always adding new products on the shelves.”
With its third anniversary appearing on the horizon this summer, the Griffins can’t help but shake their heads in gratitude for the market and what it’s brought to the daily lives of those on both sides of the register.
“You know, just the other day, we were out to dinner and someone tapped me on the shoulder, asking if the market was still open that evening — it’s still very surreal to feel part of this incredible community,” Carrie said. “Sometimes I have to pinch myself and realize that we made this place a reality. We came together with our community and created a space for all of us to enjoy — new ideas and things are always happening here.”
— Carrie Griffin
Carrie Griffin. Hannah McLeod photos
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
There were oh so many roads, I was livin’ to run and runnin’ to live
It’s Saturday evening here at my parents’ 1840 farmhouse in Upstate New York. The temperature is hovering around 15 degrees with a wind chill ducking below zero. It’s Jan. 8 and I was supposed to be back at my humble abode in Western North Carolina on Dec. 30.
It wasn’t my plan to still be in the North Country for New Year’s Eve, let alone more than a week thereafter. But, that’s how the cards fell. And here I am. Why? Well, on Christmas night, following dinner with my family and such, I headed into downtown Plattsburgh to meet up with my best friend from high school.
Rolling up to some random dude’s house, my old teenage crony was standing in the driveway, walking through the snow and ice pack that coated the landscape. He needed a ride to the local bar where he works (he doesn’t own a car), seeing as it was too cold for him to walk that far to the establishment. I said OK in a simple act of kindness towards a kindred spirit.
Pulling into the bar parking lot, I slowed down to about 5 mph or so. As I tapped the brakes to pull into a parking spot, the truck kept going. I let go of the brake and it kept going. Just as I yanked the wheel to avoid the inevitable, my truck slid into a parked car.
Getting out of my truck, I assessed the damage. A small, somewhat insignificant dent on the parked car. My truck? Shattered bumper and front fender pushed up into the headlight. Cracked front grill. Broken brackets. Broken this, that, and the other. Shit. Dammit.
Thankfully, no injuries or totaled vehicles. I exchanged information with the owner of the parked car. We shook hands and parted ways. I said goodbye to my old buddy and immediately headed home with my tail between my legs. A once-promising night of holidays encounters and adventures had just begun, but I just couldn’t seem to enjoy it under these circumstances.
The day after Christmas, I found myself caravanning to the local body repair shop with my father. The shop was a place my family had gone to get work done for years, perhaps decades at this point. Walking into the office, the overwhelming smell of paint from the nearby spray garage wafted through the room.
The shop owner/repairman wandered outside with me to look at the truck. He took his pen and started pointing at broken pieces and mumbling to himself, then scribbling onto his notepad each and every single thing that needed to replaced.
“The whole bumper is just flimsy plastic. There’s really nothing behind the plastic shell, which is why it all shattered so easily,” he noted. I shrug in brutal acknowledgment, constantly figuring out and readjusting how much this repair bill will be with each movement by the pen at the truck, every mumble of the repairman directed towards me.
Order the parts (numerous parts) from across the country. Wait several days due to shipping inconsistences. Drop the truck off at the body shop. Wait a couple days to get it repaired and get it back. Return to the shop. Hand over most of my rainy-day fund, of which the funds were originally saved for a bucket list road trip along the Trans-Canada Highway that was to happen this summer (fingers crossed it might still).
With the truck back in my possession, all that stood in my way from finally hitting the road back to Carolina was a simple oil change. Scheduled for last Friday, I decided to go for a trail run on Thursday afternoon. Wandering down the backcountry roads of the desolate Adirondack Mountains, I parked the truck at the trailhead and jogged down the snowy path.
On the way back to the farmhouse, I put the truck into four-wheel drive due to hazardous road conditions. It was then the driver’s side front wheel started making noises. Creaking. Squeaking. Steering wheel vibration. Taking the truck out of four-wheel drive, the noises and vibration slowly dissipated.
HOT PICKS
1Internationally known storyteller Elizabeth Ellis will present a program of humorous and poignant tales at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.
2A “Foreign Film Series” will kick off at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.
3Singer-songwriter/multiinstrumentalist Alma Russ will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, at the Lazy Hiker Brewing taproom in Sylva, and also at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin.
4The “unWIND: Mommy’s Night Out” will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at the Cold Mountain Art Collective in Canton, where you can join other local mommas for a night out painting your own ceramic wine cup.
5Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host Scott James Stambaugh (singer-songwriter) at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15.
The next day, with the truck up on the rack at the mechanic shop for the oil change, the cause of the noises and vibration was discovered — a broken stabilizing bar and cracked CV axle. The pieces had been damaged for a while, pretty much going unnoticed until the noises and vibration, and until I felt something just didn’t feel right while in motion.
“Good lord, I’m surprised you were even able to drive this truck into the shop today,” the mechanic shook his head in awe. His somber tone indicated another hefty repair bill in my future before all is said and done and Carolina is once again in my fieldof-vision.
Thus, by the time you read this column, I’ll hopefully be heading down the interstate, the nose of the truck aimed for Southern Appalachia, trekking to my current home as I say goodbye to my hometown — the starting line of nothing and everything.
It’s a New Year, and another amid uncertain times of the here and now. Another fresh canvas of unknown interactions and moments ready to happily surprise you around the next corner. Though I’m starting 2022 with a pretty empty bank account, I remain optimistic in still making that lifelong dream of traveling down the Trans-Canada Highway a reality — let’s start stereo, and you have a curious, vibrant soul eager to see just what those surprises around the next corner might be. It’s a New Year, eh? Count me in.
Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.
Folk, soul at Lazy Hiker
Beloved singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Alma Russ will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, at the Lazy Hiker Brewing taproom in Sylva, and also at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin.
Based out of Western North Carolina and with her unique brand of “patchwork music” (country, folk and Appalachian styles pieced together), Russ enjoys playing guitar, banjo and fiddle. She was also a contestant on “American Idol” Season 16.
Both shows are free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com. For more information on Russ, click on almarussofficial.com.
Interested in learning the dulcimer?
The Pic’ & Play Mountain Dulcimer Players meet for in-person jam sessions at the St. John’s Episcopal Church basement fellowship hall in Sylva. The group welcomes all beginners and experienced dulcimer players, including mountain (lap) dulcimer and hammered dulcimer players. Songs played include traditional mountain tunes, hymns, and more modern music. The group meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of every month in the basement of St. John’s. Pic’ & Play has been playing together since 1995. The more experienced members welcome new players, help them navigate their instruments, and guide them through some of the basics of tuning, strumming, and playing.
The mountain dulcimer, also known as a fretted dulcimer or a lap dulcimer, is a uniquely American instrument. It evolved from the German scheitholz sometime in the early 1800s in Appalachia and was largely known only in this region until popularized more broadly in the 1950s.
For more information, call Kathy Jaqua at 828.349.3930 or Don Selzer at 828.293.0074.
• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8 to 10 p.m. every Thursday.
Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 or balsamfallsbrewing.com.
• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host a semi-regular acoustic jam with the Main
Street NoTones from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays.
Free and open to the public. For more information, click on blueridgebeerhub.com.
• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host karaoke at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, trivia at 7 p.m. on Thursdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0350 or boojumbrewing.com.
• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Limited seating. Reservations required. 828.452.6000 or classicwineseller.com.
• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.369.4080 or coweeschool.org.
• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.634.0078 or curraheebrew.com.
• Elevated Mountain Distilling Company will host an Open Mic Night 7 to 9 p.m. on
Wednesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.734.1084 or elevatedmountain.com.
• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com.
• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host Lilah
Price (singer-songwriter) Jan. 20, WNC Artist
Spotlight Open Mic Jan. 26 and
Rossdafareye (roots/soul) Jan. 28. All events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovationbrewing.com.
• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. All events are free and begin at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Innovation-brewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Alma
Russ (indie/folk) Jan. 15 and Troy Underwood (singer-songwriter) Jan. 22. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com. • Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host Alma
Russ (indie/folk) Jan. 14 and Prophets of
Time Jan. 28. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host Twelfth Fret Jan. 14, Scott James
Stambaugh (singer-songwriter) Jan. 15, Aly
Jordan (singer-songwriter) Jan. 21 and
Shane Meade (roots/soul) Jan. 22. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.
• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host Shane
Meade (soul/roots) Jan. 21. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. 828.641.9797 or nantahalabrewing.com.
• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. rathskellerfranklin.com.
• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.482.9794 or satulahmountainbrewing.com.
• Southern Porch (Canton) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.492.8009 or southern-porch.com.
• The Ugly Dog Pub (Cashiers) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.743.3000 or theuglydogpub.com.
• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.526.8364 or theuglydogpub.com.
• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host
Blackjack Country Jan. 13, Rock Holler Band
Jan. 14, Outlaw Whiskey Jan. 15, Live
Karaoke in the Smokies Jan. 20 and Carolina
Freightshakers Jan. 22. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.538.2488.
• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host Craig (singer-songwriter) at 6 p.m. Jan. 27. 828.926.7440 or valley-tavern.com.
• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends and an “Emo Night Dance Party” at 9 p.m. Feb. 12. 828.456.4750 or facebook.com/waternhole.bar.
• Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.743.6000 or whitesidebrewing.com.
On the street
Haywood Arts Regional Theatre.
HARTS kicks off winter shows
The “Winter Studio Season” will open with Wendy MacLeod’s comedy “Slow Food” at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21-22 and 2 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
Lyn Donley, Stephen A. Gonya and Ariel Killillay are featured in the production, under the direction of HART Executive Director Steve Lloyd.
This production had one prior performance, on March 13, 2020. At the time the cast expected to be able to return after a few weeks. That didn’t happen, with the cast waiting two years to bring the show back.
In recognition of the continuing increase in COVID positives, seating will be socially distanced in the same manner as created for last spring’s production of “Say Goodnight Gracie,” with parties at tables six feet apart.
The setting, a Greek restaurant in Palm Springs, on a Sunday night. A couple celebrating their anniversary have found the only place still serving, and they are starving after flying from the east coast. What they don’t realize is that they have entered a kind of twilight zone — where an overly accommodating waiter never seems to be willing to actually take their order.
Hold over performances will be the following weekend. To make a reservation, call the HART Box Office at 828.456.6322 anytime and simply leave your name, phone number, the number of tickets you need and the performance you wish to attend.
Seating is general admission, but reservations are recommended. To reserve tickets online, click on harttheatre.org.
Master storyteller in Franklin
Internationally known storyteller Elizabeth Ellis will present a program of humorous and poignant tales at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.
From the Hans Christian Anderson statue in New York’s Central Park to the Glistening Waters Festival in New Zealand, this master storyteller and award-winning author captivates listeners of all ages with her humor, honesty and Southernstyle wisdom.
Recipient of both the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Network, Ellis is a frequent favorite at the National Storytelling Festival and at the Teller-InResidence Program of the International Storytelling Center.
More than half a million children have been mesmerized by her stories during her 35-year career as a teller. Ellis will spend Friday, Jan. 14, telling stories to public school students through the Arts Council of Macon County’s Artists-in-the-Schools Program. Elizabeth Ellis.
Admission is free. Donations are welcome. Attendees should wear masks and practice social distancing. If the event must be canceled due to weather or COVID concerns, notice will be posted on both the Arts Council of Macon County and library Facebook pages. The library is located at 149 Siler Farm Road, with ample parking and handicap access.
To learn more about her, click on elizabethellis.com. This event is produced by the Arts Council of Macon County. 828.524.ARTS or arts4all@dnet.net.
arts & entertainment
Want to paint, sip craft beer?
Robin Arramae of WNC Paint Events will be continuing her fun paint nights to bring you not only a “night out” but an experience that lifts your spirits. Join others as Arramae shows you step-by-step how to paint a beginner level painting of the evening as you sip on your favorite local craft beer. This two-hour event should have you feeling better than you felt before you came. And you leave with a painting you created. Events will be held at the following locations: 828 Market on Main (Waynesville), Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva), BearWaters Brewing (Canton) and Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City). Please visit WNC Paint Events (@paintwnc) Facebook page, under “Events” for date and time of upcoming events. For pictures of previous events visit Arramae’s Instagram: @wnc_paint_events.
For pricing and to sign up, text Arramae at 828.400.9560. Space is limited. Drinks sold separately.
Sylva ‘Foreign Film Series’
A “Foreign Film Series” will kick off at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.
Each month, on the second and fourth Friday, two movies from around the globe will be shown. This program is in the Community Room and is free of charge. Masks are required in all Jackson County buildings.
To find out what movie will be shown and/or for more information, please call the library at 828.586.2016. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.
The Jackson County Public Library is a member of Fontana Regional Library. To learn more, click on fontanalib.org.
On the table
A special workshop hosted by “Uncomplicated Kitchen” will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.
The workshop will teach patrons how to build a nutritious, delicious and hearty salad that one can easily make at home. This program is in the Atrium and is free of charge, however sign-up is required as space is limited. Masks are required in all Jackson County buildings.
Uncomplicated Kitchen is a nonprofit organization based in Western North Carolina.
“We work to improve food security through educational outreach. Our mission is to teach community members how to plan meals, shop for ingredients, and cook healthy, simple and affordable recipes. We bridge the gap between the food people have access to and the tools and knowledge they have to prepare nutritious meals for themselves and their families. Whether people shop at the farmers market, grocery store, or receive food through charitable organizations, Uncomplicated Kitchen teaches our community that healthy food is affordable and simple.”
To register and for more information, call the library at 828.586.2016. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.
The Jackson County Public Library is a member of Fontana Regional Library. For more information, click on fontanalib.org.
• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. For more information on upcoming ALSO: events, wine tastings and special dinners, click on waynesvillewine.com. • A free wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday and 2 to 5 p.m. every Saturday at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075.
The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) and regional partners, including the Asheville Area Arts Council, Transylvania Community Arts Council, the Tryon Fine Arts Center, the Arts Council of Henderson County, and the Rutherford County Arts Council, have announced the 2021-2022 Artist Support Grant awardees.
Grants were provided to 25 artists in counties served by the regional consortium of Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania, also called Region 17. Haywood County artists Elaine E. Dohms, Thomas Szewc, and Garret K. Woodward were awarded grants in their respective disciplines.
The arts and entertainment editor for The Smoky Mountain News and Smoky Mountain Living magazine, Woodward has been covering the music of Western North Carolina and greater Southern Appalachia for the better part of the last decade.
A longtime friend of the late Raymond Fairchild (who passed away in 2019), an iconic world-renowned Haywood County banjoist, Woodward will use the grant funding to write a book on the life, legend and lore of one of the all-time bluegrass greats — to keep his music and memory alive for generations.
The Artist Support Grant was created in 2020 to support individual artists during the pandemic and is quickly becoming a staple for local artists. According to the North Carolina Arts Council (NCAC) website, “these grants will fund the professional and artistic development of emerging, midcareer, and established artists so they can enhance their skills and abilities to create work or improve their business operations and capacity to bring their work to new audiences.” HCAC Executive Director Morgan Beryl led the process working with the other regional arts councils and the NCAC. The process began in May with a communications program to get the word out to the art community. Applications were due by Sept. 30. This year, for the first time, participating artists used NCAC’s GoSmart! system which is an online application portal. This created consistency in application submittals, making review, award, and reporting much easier.
Beryl expressed appreciation for the juror panelists who received a small stipend by saying, “Each panelist donated considerable time to ensure a professional and equitable evaluation.”
In addition to Dohms, Szewc and Woodward, the other artist awardees representing the disciplines of craft, literature, media, music and theatre, and visual arts are from Buncombe County: Bonnie Antosh, Matilda H. B. Bliss, Georgia Deal, Daniel Despins, Mark Flowers, Beth R. Johnson, Deb Karash, Adam Lion, Mary Amelia Pate, Irene Pickens, Chad Rendel, Pearson Ripley, Frank M. Southecorvo, Peter Speer, Michael J. Stevens, Kristen Stolle, Ani Volkan, and Jessica C. White; from Henderson County: Gayle Havens; from Polk County: Linda T. Powell; from Rutherford County: Fred Mead; and from Transylvania County: Stephen Hernandez.
The Haywood County Arts Council and its regional partners congratulate the 202122 artist awardees. More information can be found at haywoodarts.org/grants-funding.
Bluegrass legend Raymond Fairchild.
• Haywood County Arts Council (Waynesville) is currently seeking one or more gallery interns with a passion for the arts and interest in learning about the administration of a small nonprofit. Send cover letters and resumes to HCAC Executive Director Morgan
Beryl at director@haywoodarts.org.
• Cold Mountain Art Collective (Canton) will host “Kids Ceramic Magnet Painting” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, which will welcome kids ages 3-12 for a creative afternoon painting their choice of three ceramic magnets from over a dozen different designs. The “unWIND: Mommy’s Night
Out” will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, where you can join other local mommas for a night out painting your own ceramic wine cup. To learn more or to sign up, click on coldmountainartcollective.com/events.
• “Thursday Painters” group will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays at The
Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Free and open to the public. All skill levels and mediums are welcome. Participants are responsible for their own project and a bag lunch. For more information, call The Uptown Gallery at 828.349.4607 or contact Pat Mennenger at pm14034@yahoo.com. See more about
Macon County Art Association at franklinuptowngallery.com and like, follow and share the Uptown Gallery on Facebook.
