Downtown Asheville Blog

February 5, 2008. While taking advantage of the beautiful weather this last weekend, my wife and I were reminded how many environmentally friendly boutiques our city now has. From paint to clothes to kitchenware, this breed of stores has an eco equivalent to just about anything.

Build It Naturally, on Biltmore Avenue, is a new décor store that offers supplies such as locally made paints with no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have been linked to health problems and pollution.

Several of the stores are located on Lexington Avenue, one of the most popular shopping areas Downtown. The Natural Home has hypoallergenic beds and sheets made from organic cotton. Terra Diva and Spiritex both offer clothes made from organic cotton and other environmentally friendly fabrics. Nest Organics has children’s clothes, kitchenware and bed materials, as well as some interesting books.

Some of the toys at Enviro Depot, on College Street, are made from green materials, but the larger theme of the store fosters educational toys.

What’s nice about all of these stores is their close proximity to one another. You’ll get in enough exercise to feel good about the day, but you can leave your car in one place.

By Mark Vanderhoff, who is an Asheville Realtor. He may be contacted at Mark.Vanderhoff@ColdwellBanker.com.

February 1, 2008. For many years, folks headed downtown if they wanted to see a bluegrass show. With the opening of two new venues in 2007, however, fans are finding new places to enjoy some good ol’ pickin’.

One of those new venues, the Fletcher Feed and Seed, kicks off its February bluegrass series this weekend. Located at 3715 Hendersonville Road, the community center that occupies the former Fletcher Supply Store. Local pickers the Red Eye Ramblers will play Saturday. Future shows, in order, include Preacher and Pole Cats, Dehlia Low, and Lo-Fi Breakdown. Admission is free, but tips are encouraged.

The Fiddlin’ Pig, a barbecue restaurant, opened on Tunnel Road, just south of the tunnel near Chunns Cove Road. This is no ordinary barbecue joint, however. It also serves up bluegrass music Monday through Sunday night, and occasionally has Sunday bluegrass gospel. Bluegrass fans will find every type of style, from traditionalists to newgrass players. The barbecue and corn bread are pretty good, too.

By Mark Vanderhoff, who is an Asheville Realtor. He may be contacted at Mark.Vanderhoff@ColdwellBanker.com.

January 31, 2009. In recent years, Asheville has become known for its vibrant microbrewery scene and the fine vintages of the Biltmore Estate winery. Last week, a new bar opened in Downtown Asheville that specializes in Belgian ales, a brewing style that marries the subtleties of wine with ingredients of beer.
Called the Thirsty Monk, the pub occupies the lower level of the Purple Building on the corner of Coxe and Patton avenues. The natural stone walls of the historic building give it a European flavor deserving of its theme.

The name refers to the Trappist monks who pioneered and popularized Belgian beer styles to help support their monasteries. Belgian ales have rich, complex profiles that span a variety of flavors, from strong barley wines to fruity lambics. The bottles they come in also evoke wines rather than beers, and corks typically replace caps. They are served in wide-mouthed glasses similar to brandy snifters.

Be prepared for higher-than-usual prices – draught pints begin at $5, with prices surpassing $20. These beers were meant to be savored, however, so don’t be surprised to find yourself nursing a single bottle over a long conversation with friends.

By Mark Vanderhoff, who is an Asheville Realtor. He may be contacted at Mark.Vanderhoff@ColdwellBanker.com.