The Haywood Street Congregation At Haywood Street Congregation (HSC), the Rev. Brian Combs has built a ministry of presence. Unlike many other urban ministry missions, through the past 10 years, Brian has built Haywood Street Congregation on relationships and being with people rather than doing for them.

The Bob Moog Foundation Chances are, one of your favorite tracks features a Moog synthesizer. In fact, if you’ve watched the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, you heard Moog synthesizers all over the soundtrack. Without this innovation in sound, music wouldn’t be what we know and love today. And the person we have to thank is Bob Moog.

Queen Bee and the Honeylovers Whitney Moore is the “Queen Bee” in Asheville’s most joyful swing band, and she’s thrilled to share her love of the city and its rich history through song. Each composition performed by her and her band is original, and it’s a tribute to all things Asheville. With songs titled “Beaucatcher” and “Helen’s Bridge,” it’s no doubt there’s a passion here that…

Spending the Holidays with Corner Kitchen There’s nothing quite like enjoying an evening in Biltmore Village. With shopping, beautiful sights and good drinks, it’s one of the most romantic places in Asheville.

A Matter of The Times When Chris and Ashley Faber moved to Asheville from Seattle, they were excited to bring a unique dining experience to the mountains. Using the momentum of their past experience in the service industry, it was time for them to chase their own success. With two passionate owners and a highly skilled chef, Owen Lane, Asheville is truly lucky to have…

Cultivated Cocktails Since Taylor and Leah Howard of H&H Distillery introduced new flavor to Asheville (move over, beer!), they have found tremendous success sharing their passion for craft beverages. Because of this success and some new North Carolina laws allowing more freedoms in the world of liquor, they are now offering craft cocktails in the downtown distillery. This means guests can stop in,…

It’s All Good at Allgood Coffee In February 2013, Eric Anderson unlocked the front door of the old Weaverville Fire Station, turned on the lights, and started brewing a fresh batch of coffee. Fast forward almost seven years, and the small town is hooked. Before Allgood, Eric and his wife, Anna, owned Sweetwater Coffeehouse in Sautee, Georgia. When Eric and Anna moved to WNC from Georgia, they…

Just Keep Swimming If you look past the sandals, cuffed jeans and old band tees, you might find that Asheville’s fashion scene is expanding. Among those who are influential in this shift is Nisha Evoy, a local fashion stylist with an eye for detail that accentuates each body style and personality. Nisha has been into fashion for as long as she can remember.…

The Greenhouse In a city full of rustic interiors, string lights and cozy mountain style, Noble Cider’s new restaurant, The Greenhouse, is here to shake things up. Located across from the Rankin Street parking garage, this new eatery brings lush Palm Springs vibes to the Appalachians. And not only is it a great respite from reality, but they are also serving up delicious…

Revo Niche What started as a nickname from Tony Delia’s father has now become Asheville’s favorite positivity brand: Revo Niche. Tony is on a mission to connect and inspire through Revo Niche, and his brand is unlike anything else in the industry. Not only will one of his shirts be your new favorite wardrobe staple because of how comfortable it is, but…

Camp in Style  ROCKIN' OUT  GCI Freestyle Rocker in Cinnamon, $59.99  Maybe it's time to retire the ol' camp chairs and bump up the comfort level. Unique in design and function, the Freestyle Rocker from GCI Outdoors features Spring-Action Rocker Technology for a rocking motion wherever you're posted up, whether you're in the middle of nowhere or in the backyard. No matter the…
The Ultimate Ice Cream 1

The Ultimate Ice Cream Ask a local who's been in Asheville for any amount of time where to get ice cream, and they’ll probably say “You’d love Ultimate.” Making your way through a menu from Belgian Dark Chocolate to Ultimate Sweet Cream, one could overlook their charity partnerships around fabulous flavors of the month. Their dozens of flavor offerings (available in 30-plus restaurants around town and…

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue Brother Wolf Animal Rescue has been a staple of the Asheville community for many years. Hundreds of dogs and cats have found their forever home, and many families have fallen in love with their best friend because of BWAR. As widely known and loved as it is, however, Brother Wolf recently found itself in some financial trouble. Luckily for Asheville,…
Red Maple Dental’s Mission 1

Red Maple Dental’s Mission It’s no doubt that Red Maple Dental has affected the lives—and mouths—of many people in Asheville. However, their efforts go beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains and into the humbled hilltops of Guatemala, where Dr. Shawna Hoffert and her husband, Steve, embarked on a mission to offer their services to those in a less fortunate area of our world.

Kick It into Gear It’s no secret that Asheville is home to some awesome roads and trails, and the cycling guides from The Cliffs know their way around these mountains better than most. Legends Christian Van Velde, Bobby Julrich and George Hincapie have been cycling for 30-plus years, and they’re currently the cycling guides for members of The Cliffs. The three experts know all the…

Introducing Black Bear BBQ In the late summer days of 2018, the key to Webo's BBQ was handed over to A.J. Gregson and Autumn Pittman, whose names you may recognize from their other popular restaurant, Mojo Kitchen and Lounge. The pair wasted no time once they had the space. They immediately began serving barbecue while slowly transitioning into their envisioned brand: a more eco-friendly, chef-driven restaurant with…

Heroes Among Us The hero’s journey is by far the most common arc in film and literature but is viewed less often as a real process adolescents experience as they transition into the adult world. Joseph Campbell, a 20th-century American professor and great mind of the time, explored this journey in many different cultures, concluding that the hero’s journey is an important process for adolescent…

History, Diversity and Community: The YMI’s Longstanding Place in Asheville When Anthony Thomas moved to Asheville in 1992, he couldn't have known just how much of his time he would be giving to the community. Thomas, the president and board chairman of the YMICC (Young Men’s Institute; now considered a Cultural Center), a realtor at Mosaic Realty and the general manager of Upstaff Personnel, has dedicated his life to serving…

Family Ties In 1981, Doug McKinney and his wife, Sandy, moved to Asheville to start a business in an industry they knew well: insurance. They’d been living in Atlanta by way of Greenville, South Carolina, and worked for Nationwide until they realized they wanted to start their own branch. The McKinneys took over an existing property and casualty agency and expanded it…
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Doula Rising Birth is complicated. Motherhood is difficult. Welcoming a new life into the family is challenging yet richly rewarding. As a culture, we’ve known these simple facts for a long time. So why are we just now viewing emotional birth support as a necessity to the process and not just a luxury? Chama Woydak of Homegrown Babies and Cindy McMillan of…
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Miss Asheville Pie As with many local businesses, Baked Pie Co. started with a dream—and a craving for pie. While out looking for a slice of pie and a cup of coffee, Kirsten Fuchs and her daughter realized Asheville was lacking in a good place to sit and enjoy a baked treat. Kirsten used her background in business management and found a baker,…
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Asheville’s Hot Spots of Summer  A New Way to Float  Stephan Pruitt and Hamlin Beattie are the brains behind The Brew Tub, Asheville’s newest addition to the river community. With summer in full session, people are headed to seek relief from the heat in local swimming holes and waterfalls, and these two entrepreneurs have a new twist on tubing down the French Broad River. Both…

From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Red Carpet “The world is filled with people that are gonna try to tell you who you are, but that's for you to decide, you hear me?” –Aunt Lucy, Dumplin’

An Authentic Taste of Japan If you’ve had the pleasure of visiting WakuWaku Eatery on Merrimon Avenue, you already know the amount of love and care that goes into each dish. The owner, Naomi Mikami, has poured her heart into this popular spot, and she’s excited to share a bit of her culture with Asheville. If you haven’t tried the okonomiyaki yet, finish reading this…

Holistic Health and Preventative Wellness with Dr. Erin Stafenacci If you wander into one of the many nooks of historic Biltmore Village, you might find Dr. Erin Stefanacci of Carolina Holistic Health. Walking into Dr. Stefanacci’s office, you feel an instant sense of calm. It’s unlike the traditional doctor’s office and feels much more like a spa; there's no stuffy waiting room, and warm lighting and healing energy fill…
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Monkeys and Giraffes and Lemurs – Oh My! Right outside Charlotte, N.C., lies a small town of approximately 2,700 people, some monkeys, a few lemurs and a couple giraffes. This town is called Troutman, and these delightful creatures can be found at Zootastic Park, a family-owned zoo boasting safaris and one-on-one encounters with exotic animals. Those aren’t the only animals one can find at the park, either. Ever…

RiverLink: For Nature, For You It may be hard to imagine, but Asheville wasn’t always ideal for tubing down the river with friends on a warm day. In fact, it wasn’t until the mid-1980’s when the Asheville Chamber of Commerce decided our city’s visitors needed a reason to stay longer, and the solution was river cleanup and conservation. Thus, RiverLink was born. The Founding Director,…

The New Wine in Town In a city full of breweries, a new wine shop is a welcome sight for those hunting down a healthier sip. Crocodile Wine is sure to pique the interests of wine enthusiasts as well as the casual drinker. John Hale recently opened his shop on Biltmore Avenue and is ready to introduce you to the budding world of natural wine.

Four Well-Crafted Spaces with Matt Osada In 1988, Matt Osada, just a boy at the time, helped his dad complete a room in the basement of their family home. During this project, a passion for design was lit, and that spark led him to pursue his career as a civil and environmental engineer, first for commercial spaces, now for dream homes. With 20-plus years of experience…

Aux Bar Brings Flavor Home Since its opening last year, Aux Bar has become a dining destination in downtown Asheville. Offering a creative interpretation of modern American cuisine, the menu features well-constructed dishes that push culinary boundaries. The fun, eclectic space creates a welcoming atmosphere where guests can share small and large plates like duck wings with sweet potato Buffalo sauce and braised pork cheeks…

Kitchen 2.0 Above the hustle and bustle of downtown Asheville, there’s a quiet refuge from urban life. With its 22-foot ceilings, artist-commissioned steel doors and sliding glass walls, this home is a unique, modern build by Lauren and Mike Tamayo of LMT Homes.

Crafting Inspiration Blue Spiral 1, a 15,000-square-foot gallery in the heart of downtown Asheville, presents exceptional artists and object makers. Three expansive floors allow for ample displays and extensive exhibitions. Two talented artists, Alex Bernstein and Tamie Beldue, share their work with us.

Devil’s in the Details  You ease your troubles when life's the bubbles...   Have you ever had an occasion where you wanted to go out and have a nice drink without consuming loads of sugars? The power team of Benjamin and Vashti Colvin, Jacob Baumann, Aaron Wilson and Carly Reese set out to solve this equation: how to create a healthy alternative to alcohol and…

The Potter’s Clay “Ring the bells that can still ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” –Leonard Cohen, "Anthem"

The Art of Baking Pris Maynez, Asheville’s up-and-coming baker, is quickly gaining recognition on the wedding and event scene. The Texas transplant moved to town with her husband in 2015, and after having a baby six months later, she started baking. She started with birthday cakes for kids' birthdays, and another friend asked her to make a cake and some small desserts for her…

A New Beginning In the heart of downtown Weaverville lies a beautifully constructed Japanese-style venue. The building was constructed after the previous building suffered extensive fire damage. Keelan McCoy, Cameron Patton and Ward Patton purchased this destroyed space and created a new venue set in the old building’s footprint. The space has been carefully crafted for wedding ceremonies, musical events, private dinners and unique alternatives to…

Mindfulness in Meditation “Mindfulness is the art of paying attention…when we pay attention with faith that we will be supported, then growth really is possible, our vision becomes clear, our path becomes unobstructed and we are able to see the Divine Good in every person and situation,” says Beth Farlow, a volunteer instructor at Asheville Community Yoga.  

Dobra Tea “I want people to come here for healing and wellness. This town is filled with healers, and the community needs a public space that is family-friendly, alcohol-free and a place where people are able to have a true, open-hearted experience connecting through tea,” Andrew Snavely says. 

Southern California Girls’ Getaway Dreaming about your next girls’ getaway? I’ve found the ideal place for you and your friends: Laguna Beach, California, a charming community nestled between San Diego and Los Angeles along the southern coast of Orange County. The weather is close to perfect year-round, and there are 7 miles of beautiful coastline. There are many luxurious oceanfront hotels with pampering spas, incredible…
Your Complete Holiday Gift Guide 5

Your Complete Holiday Gift Guide One of my best friends has a sixth sense for interior decorating. She's so talented, but she's not even an interior decorator. (She's actually a nurse.)  I, on the other hand, like to wing it. My apartment follows no color scheme and is basically a conglomerate of items I've bought over the years simply because they look cool. And whether the person that you're shopping for…
Not All Views Are Created Equal 2

Not All Views Are Created Equal Sean Sullivan began working on homes in 1995. He was employed with a construction company that was slowly winding down and in the stages of going out of business.  During that time, Sullivan began to work on his own, and what started with side jobs and renovations, soon became large-scale home projects. Since the company’s formation, Living Stone Design+Build has crafted…
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From Sunrise To Sundown  Ingredients  French Toast  Peanut butter drizzle

A Clean Fight  America’s Battle Against Chronic Pain  The dangers of opioid addiction are well known, and the reach of chronic pain that has led to this country’s growing opioid dependence cannot be understated. In 2017, nearly 50,000 people died of opioid overdoses, which translates to about six people per hour, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Meanwhile, the National Institutes…

Feeding the Family  Ingredients  Crumble  Filling

To Nourish and Inspire As we transition from summer into autumn, leaves falling and weather growing chilly, we are reminded that this beautiful season is one of being thankful and giving. Bounty & Soul knows these principles well.

A Guest Room for The Holiday Season During the holidays, you can always expect company. Whether it’s reserved for friends or extended family, the importance of an inviting and cozy guest room can’t be understated. There are many ways to make room welcoming. I.Dology is an Asheville based company that specializes in just that. They understand that different homes can call for a different aesthetic. It’s not just a…
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Asheville Yoga Festival From July 26-29, people from all over the country flocked to Western North Carolina for the Asheville Yoga Festival. The weekend of wellness was filled with over 80 different classes as well as workshops, panels and live music from internationally-recognized yogis, health gurus and music performers. Photography by Brittany Buckholz. 

A Distinct Taste of Asheville Downtown Asheville is host to a variety of worldly cuisines, and more often than not, you’re going to find something that will appease any and all varieties of appetites. The sheer number of restaurants can be daunting, if not intimidating, but among the the multitude of dining choices in town, those looking to grab a bite in the downtown area will…

The New Kid On The Block It's no secret that Asheville's South Slope is every beer lover's dream come true.  From Green Man Brewery to Burial Beer Co., South Slope has a variety of breweries that differ in size, shape and speciality.  Some have an in-house kitchen while others invite local food trucks to satisfy their guests' taste buds.  But beginning this October, the South Slope breweries have a…

A Charitable Smorgasbord A few years ago, a group of restaurateurs and artists decided to get together and create something positive and daring. Based around the 19th century idea of the Blind Pig– a prohibition era form of culinary escapism–The Blind Pig Supper Club is a collection of Asheville locals who care about what they do and where they live. This group consists not only of…