WNC Pocket Guide (2024-2025)

30th A nnual

DEFINITIVE GUIDE THE

Sharing the love

By the time you read this, our region should be further along in its recovery from Tropical Storm Helene — a natural disaster like no other to strike Western North Carolina.

So it’s with a sense of hope and determination that we’re sharing our annual readers survey — tallied, judged and compiled well before the storm — to celebrate all the outstanding facets of our area and why we love it so.

With Best of WNC winners in nearly 600 categories, there are plenty of folks to appreciate.

Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the community effort that goes into making Best of WNC happen each and every year. A big shoutout to the thousands who cast their ballots. A thank you to the Mountain Xpress staff for tallying and judging the seemingly never-ending surge of incoming votes. And a toast to the businesses that purchased thank-you ads in these pages.

As always, this year’s winners feature the latest set of Hall of Famers. This honor goes to those who have kept a momentum of excellence going for the last four or more consecutive years in a given category.

Not only are we toasting and boasting about all the wonderful people, places and things in Western North Carolina that are being recognized in this year’s Best of WNC — we’re also celebrating 30 years of Xpress.

Without further ado, we present our community’s love letter to the region — the Best of WNC.

— Xpress staff X

• PUBLISHER Jeff Fobes • BALLOT OFFICIALS Lisa Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Hinton Edgerton, Jeff Fobes, Tina Gaafary, Susan Hutchinson, Justin McGuire, Mark Murphy, Greg Parlier, Braulio Pescador-Martinez, Brooke Randle, Gina Smith, Scott Southwick, Tracy Rose, Olivia Urban, Jessica Wakeman, Lisa Watters • BEST OF WNC SUPPLEMENT DESIGN Scott Southwick • DESIGNERS Scott Southwick, Tina Gaafary, Olivia Urban • LISTINGS EDITORS Hinton Edgerton, Mark Murphy, Lisa Watters • PHOTO COORDINATORS Hinton Edgerton, Cindy Kunst, Mark Murphy • WRITERS Lisa Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Justin McGuire, Pat Moran, Greg Parlier, Tracy Rose, Gina Smith, Jessica Wakeman • AD SALES Sara Brecht, Ralph Day, Scott Mermel, Geoffrey Warren • IT & WEB, Jeff Fobes, Mark Murphy, Scott Southwick, Brandon Tilley • FRONT OFFICE/ACCOUNTING Hinton Edgerton, Amie Fowler, Mark Murphy, Lisa Watters • DISTRIBUTION Susan Hutchinson, Cindy Kunst and a fantastic team of devoted drivers •COVER PHOTO LazrLuvr by Caleb Johnson •COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick

The Best of WNC Pocket Guide is published annually by Mountain Xpress • P.O. Box 114 Asheville, NC 28802 • 828.251.1333 © 2024-2025 Mountain Xpress

x Icon Key

THE HALL OF FAME ICON

The Hall of Fame designates winners who have come out on top four years in a row, including this year (2021 - 2024)

nORTH sOUTH eAST wEST

dOWNTOWN AREA rIVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA

OUTLYING REGIONS:

na NORTH: Mars Hill, Marshall, Burnsville, Hot Springs, Weaverville

sa SOUTH: Fletcher, Brevard, Saluda, Tryon, Arden/Skyland, Hendersonville, Mills River, Flat Rock

ea EAST: Fairview, Swannanoa, Black Mountain

wa WEST: Candler, Sylva, Cullowhee, Bryson City, Canton, Waynesville, Maggie Valley

Hurricane Helene descended on Western North Carolina on

Sept. 27, 2024.

Its impact was immediate: Lives were lost; homes were washed away; roads were destroyed; businesses were devastated; communities were displaced. As this guide goes to print, our towns and cities are now in the midst of recovery. Some areas and businesses have bounced back more quickly than others. As you peruse our Best of WNC guide, please keep this in mind. Be sure to check company websites before planning your day. And please know your patronage and dollars make a huge difference for the area’s recovery.

EATS

BY CALEB JOHNSON

HEMINGWAY’S CUBA RESTAURANT & BAR

Best Restaurant With a View; second place Bar With a View, in Drinks; second place Hotel Bar, in Drinks

THERE’S no accounting for taste, the old saying goes. But everybody eats. And in Western North Carolina, we’re fortunate to have an abundance of restaurants and food makers to please any palate. This might explain why the Eats category is perennially among Best of WNC’s most popular — with this year’s Favorite Restaurant race sparking the strongest voter interest of any category.

It’s clear that a number of area businesses have earned the enduring love of locals. Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., for example, opened just three years after Best of WNC launched in 1995 and has been voted No. 1 among KidFriendly restaurants for 14 straight years. Likewise, Apollo Flame Bistro, which debuted in 1974, has continuously claimed the crown for best Greek restaurant since well before 2010, and there are 10 other businesses that have had similar 14-year runs.

But preferences and allegiances change, trusted stalwarts close, exciting new eateries open and new Best of WNC champions emerge. Tastee Diner, for instance, has been a Haywood Road fixture since 1946, but under the ownership of chef Steven Goff since 2022, it captured the top award in this year’s Late-Night Eats contest.

Let’s give a warm welcome to brand-new Hall of Fame members Bruegger’s Bagels (Bagels), Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas (Ramen), Jettie Rae’s Oyster House (Seafood) and White Duck Taco Shop – RAD (Outdoor Dining).

— Gina Smith X

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

11 YEARS IN A ROW!

EATS

CHESTNUT

Best Restaurant in Downtown (including South Slope); second place best Service; third place Restaurant Cocktail Selection

1 NINE MILE x ninemileasheville.com

n 233 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-505-3121

w 751 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9903

s Biltmore Park Town Square, 33 Town Square Blvd., Asheville 828-676-1807

2 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ

sunnypointcafe.com

w 626 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-0055

3 CÚRATE

curatetapasbar.com

d 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946

1 NINE MILE x ninemileasheville.com

n 233 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-505-3121

w 751 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9903

s Biltmore Park Town Square, 33 Town Square Blvd., Asheville 828-676-1807

2 CÚRATE

curatetapasbar.com

d 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946

3 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN vinniesitalian.com

n 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-1077

RESTAURANT IN DOWNTOWN (INCLUDING SOUTH SLOPE)

1 CHESTNUT chestnutasheville.com d 48 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-2667

2 CÚRATE curatetapasbar.com d 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946

3 CHAI PANI chaipani.com d 32 Banks Ave., Asheville 828-254-4003

RESTAURANT IN THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT

1 VIVIAN vivianavl.com r 348 Depot St., Suite 190, Asheville 828-225-3497

2 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP whiteducktacoshop.com r 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-1398

3 12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE 12bones.com r 5 Foundy St., Suite 10, Asheville 828-253-4499

RESTAURANT IN WEST ASHEVILLE

1 NINE MILE (WEST) x ninemileasheville.com w 751 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9903

2 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ sunnypointcafe.com w 626 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-0055

3 HAYWOOD COMMON haywoodcommon.com w 507 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-2542

1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN (NORTH) x vinniesitalian.com n 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-1077

2 828 FAMILY PIZZERIA 828pizzeria.com n 946 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-285-0709

3 NINE MILE ninemileasheville.com n 233 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-505-3121

RESTAURANT IN EAST ASHEVILLE

1 COPPER CROWN x coppercrownavl.com e 1011 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-505-7531

2 EAST VILLAGE GRILLE eastvillagegrille.com e 1177 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-3743

3 RENDEZVOUS ashevillerendezvous.com e 184 New Haw Creek Road, Asheville 828-348-0909

BOTIWALLA

Best New Restaurant (Opened in the Last 12 Months); third place Quick Meal; third place Takeout

RESTAURANT IN SOUTH ASHEVILLE

1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN (SOUTH) vinniesitalian.com

s 1981 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-630-8100

2 WILD GINGER PHO NOODLE BAR wildgingernoodle.com

s 1950 Hendersonville Road, Suite 12, Asheville 828-676-1827

3 POST 25 post25avl.com

sa 2155 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-676-2577

1 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ x sunnypointcafe.com w 626 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-0055

2 BISCUIT HEAD biscuitheads.com

s 417 Biltmore Ave., Suite 4F, Asheville 828-505-3449

w 733 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-333-5145

3 EARLY GIRL EATERY earlygirleatery.com

d 8 Wall St., Asheville 828-259-9292 ext. 1 BRUNCH

1 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ x sunnypointcafe.com w 626 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-0055

2 EARLY GIRL EATERY earlygirleatery.com

d 8 Wall St., Asheville 828-259-9292 ext. 1 w 444 Haywood Road, Suite 101, Asheville 828-259-9292

3 ALL DAY DARLING alldaydarlingavl.com n 102 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-505-3701

LUNCH

1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP whiteducktacoshop.com

r 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-1398

d 12 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-232-9191

sa 16 Miami Circle, Arden 828-676-1859

2 ALL DAY DARLING alldaydarlingavl.com n 102 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-505-3701

3 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK rockyshotchickenshack.com w 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-2260

QUICK MEAL

1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP x whiteducktacoshop.com r 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-1398 d 12 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-232-9191

sa 16 Miami Circle, Arden 828-676-1859

2 TACO BILLY tacobillyasheville.com w 201 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-0088

ea 117 Cherry St., Black Mountain 828-419-6336

3 BOTIWALLA botiwalla.com w 697 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-998-4250

RESTAURANT TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS TO

1 NINE MILE

ninemileasheville.com

n 233 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-505-3121

w 751 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9903

s Biltmore Park Town Square, 33 Town Square Blvd., Asheville 828-676-1807

2 CÚRATE

curatetapasbar.com

d 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946

3 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK rockyshotchickenshack.com w 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-2260

PEOPLE-WATCHING RESTAURANT

1 MELLOW MUSHROOM x mellowmushroom.com

d 50 Broadway, Asheville 828-236-9800

2 WICKED WEED BREWING wickedweedbrewing.com

d 91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-9599

3 THE NOODLE SHOP

avl.mx/dgn

d 3 SW Pack Square, Asheville 828-250-9898

RESTAURANT WITH A VIEW

1 HEMINGWAY’S CUBA RESTAURANT & BAR hemingwayscuba.com

d Cambria Hotel, 15 Page Ave., 4th Floor, Asheville 828-417-6866

2 SUNSET TERRACE avl.mx/3k8 n Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville 800-438-5800

3 PISGAH INN pisgahinn.com sa Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 408, Canton 828-235-8228

OUTDOOR DINING

1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP (RAD) x whiteducktacoshop.com r 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-1398

2 UNIVERSAL JOINT ujasheville.com w 784 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-7262

3 HAYWOOD COMMON haywoodcommon.com w 507 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-2542

NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS)

1 BOTIWALLA botiwalla.com w 697 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-998-4250 d 22 Battery Park Ave., Asheville

2 GOOD HOT FISH goodhotfish.com d 10 Buxton Ave., Asheville

3 THE SMOKIN’ ONION thesmokinonion.com w 697 Haywood Road, Asheville

ROMANTIC DINING

1 ZAMBRA x zambratapas.com d 85 W. Walnut St., Asheville 828-232-1060

2 CÚRATE curatetapasbar.com d 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946 3 JARGON jargonrestaurant.com w 715 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-785-1761

DINING/UPSCALE 1 CÚRATE x curatetapasbar.com d 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946

2 CUCINA 24 cucina24restaurant.com d 24 Wall St., Asheville 828-254-6170 3 PLANT plantisfood.com n 165 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-258-7500

RESTAURANT WINE SELECTION 1 LEO’S HOUSE OF THIRST leosavl.com w 1055 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-8017 2 ZAMBRA zambratapas.com d 85 W. Walnut St., Asheville 828-232-1060

3 AVENUE M [Closed] avenuemavl.com n 791 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-350-8181

RESTAURANT COCKTAIL SELECTION 1 THE GOLDEN PINEAPPLE goldenpineapplebar.com w 503 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-4458 2 TALL JOHN’S talljohns.com n 152 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-782-5514 3 CHESTNUT chestnutasheville.com d 48 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-2667

1 ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. x ashevillebrewing.com n 675 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-1281

d 77 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-255-4077

s 1850 Hendersonville Road, Suite A, Asheville 828-277-5775

2 CREEKSIDE TAPHOUSE creeksidetaphouse.com

e 8 Beverly Road, Asheville 828-575-2880

3 MELLOW MUSHROOM mellowmushroom.com d 50 Broadway, Asheville 828-236-9800

1 5 POINTS RESTAURANT 5pointsasheville.com n 258 Broadway, Asheville 828-252-8030

2 HOMEGROWN slowfoodrightquick.com n 371 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-4340

3 TASTEE DINER tasteedineravl.com w 575 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-2073

1 HOMEGROWN slowfoodrightquick.com n 371 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-4340

2 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK rockyshotchickenshack.com w 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-2260

sa 3749 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-3222

3 MOOSE CAFÉ eatatthemoosecafe.com s 570 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-255-0920

1 WESTVILLE PUB westvillepub.com w 777 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-225-9782

2 JACK OF THE WOOD jackofthewood.com d 95 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-252-5445

3 FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREW PUB foggymountainavl.com d 12 Church St., Asheville 828-254-3008

1 GAN SHAN WEST ganshanwest.com w 285 Haywood Road, Suite 20, Asheville 828-417-7402 2 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK rockyshotchickenshack.com w 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-2260 sa 3749 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-3222 3 BOTIWALLA botiwalla.com w 697 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-998-4250

EATS 1 TASTEE DINER tasteedineravl.com w 575 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-2073 2 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE rankinvault.com d 7 Rankin Ave., Asheville 828-254-4993

3 PIE.ZAA piezaapizzaasheville.com d 46 Millard Ave., Asheville 828-440-0400

EATS

VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN

Best Italian and Pasta; third place Favorite Restaurant; best Service and Restaurant in North Asheville; best Restaurant in South Asheville

1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP whiteducktacoshop.com

r 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-1398

d 12 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-232-9191

sa 16 Miami Circle, Arden 828-676-1859

2 5 POINTS RESTAURANT 5pointsasheville.com n 258 Broadway, Asheville 828-252-8030

3 NINE MILE ninemileasheville.com n 233 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-505-3121

1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN (NORTH) x vinniesitalian.com n 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-1077

2 CHESTNUT chestnutasheville.com d 48 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-2667

3 CORNER KITCHEN thecornerkitchen.com

s 3 Boston Way, Asheville 828-274-2439

BARBECUE

1 12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE x 12bones.com

r 5 Foundy St., Suite 10, Asheville 828-253-4499

s 2350 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-687-1395

2 LUELLA’S BAR-B-QUE luellasbbq.com n 501 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-7427

s Biltmore Park Town Square, 33 Town Square Blvd., Suite 110, Asheville 828-676-3855

3 BEAR’S SMOKEHOUSE BBQ bearsbbq.com/asheville d 135 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-505-7088

RIBS

1 12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE x 12bones.com r 5 Foundy St., Suite 10, Asheville 828-253-4499 s 2350 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-687-1395

2 BEAR’S SMOKEHOUSE BBQ bearsbbq.com/asheville d 135 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-505-7088

3 MOE’S ORIGINAL BBQ moesoriginalbbq.com s 4 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-505-8282

BURGER

1 FARM BURGER x farmburger.com d 10 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-348-8540 s 1831 Hendersonville Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-575-2393

2 BABY BULL babybullavl.com r 1 Roberts St., Asheville

3 JUICY LUCY’S BURGER BAR AND GRILL avl.mx/e0f s 620 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-277-0355

WINGS

1 HAYWOOD LOUNGE avl.mx/pry3 w 590 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-232-4938

2 EAST VILLAGE GRILLE eastvillagegrille.com e 1177 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-3743

3 FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREW PUB foggymountainavl.com d 12 Church St., Asheville 828-254-3008

828 FAMILY PIZZERIA

Best Pizza; second place Restaurant in North Asheville

FRENCH FRIES

1 BOUCHON x ashevillebouchon.com d 62 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-350-1140

2 FRENCH FRYZ frenchfryz.net sa 2109 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-684-0416

3 FARM BURGER farmburger.com

d 10 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-348-8540

3 FIVE GUYS BURGER AND FRIES fiveguys.com n 182 Merrimon Ave., Suite 60, Asheville 828-378-0330

1 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK x rockyshotchickenshack.com w 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-2260

sa 3749 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-3222

2 HOMEGROWN slowfoodrightquick.com n 371 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-4340

3 TUPELO HONEY tupelohoneycafe.com d 12 College St., Asheville 828-255-4863 HOT BAR/BUFFET

1 MELA INDIAN RESTAURANT x melaasheville.com d 70 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-225-8880

2 ANDAAZ andaazasheville.com s 28 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-552-3200

3 BLUE RIDGE ARTISANAL BUFFET avl.mx/4uw n Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville 800-438-5800

HOT DOGS

1 CELEBRITY’S HOTDOGS avl.mx/4uz s 1409 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-670-5954

1 HOT DOG WORLD hotdogworld.net sa 226 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville 828-697-0374

2 THE HOT DOG KING thehotdogkings.com ea 1487 Charlotte Highway, Fairview 828-628-1036

sa 2603 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-676-2690

1 BOUCHON x ashevillebouchon.com d 62 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-350-1140 2 RENDEZVOUS ashevillerendezvous.com e 184 New Haw Creek Road, Asheville 828-348-0909

3 ISA’S FRENCH BISTRO isasbistro.com d 1 Battery Park Ave., Asheville 828-575-9636

1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN x vinniesitalian.com n 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-1077

s 1981 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-630-8100

2 STRADA ITALIANO stradaasheville.com d 27 Broadway, Asheville 828-348-8448

3 CUCINA 24 cucina24restaurant.com d 24 Wall St., Asheville 828-254-6170

MOTHER OCEAN SEAFOOD MARKET

Best Fresh Fish Seller; third place Seafood

PASTA

1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN x vinniesitalian.com n 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-1077

s 1981 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-630-8100 2 STRADA ITALIANO stradaasheville.com d 27 Broadway, Asheville 828-348-8448

3 CUCINA 24 cucina24restaurant.com d 24 Wall St., Asheville 828-254-6170

x 828pizzeria.com n 946 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-285-0709 2 ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. ashevillebrewing.com n 675 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-1281 d 77 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-255-4077

3 PIZZA MIND pizzamindavl.com w 285 Haywood Road, Suite 10, Asheville 828-575-9181 SUB SHOP

1 SILVERBALL SUBS silverballsubs.com w 347 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-412-5281

2 JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS jerseymikes.com w 1341 Parkwood Road, Suite 103, Asheville 828-271-4612 e River Hills Shopping Center, 104A River Hills Road, Asheville 828-298-6453

3 OLD SCHOOL SUBS & DELI oldschoolsubsavl.com s 55 Sweeten Creek Road, Unit 131, Asheville 828-277-7750

SANDWICH SHOP

1 SILVERBALL SUBS silverballsubs.com w 347 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-412-5281

2 ASHEVILLE SANDWICH CO. ashevillesandwichcompany.com sa 330 Rockwood Road, Suite 103, Arden 828-676-0374

3 ROMAN’S DELI & CATERING ieatlocal.com d 75 Haywood St., Asheville 828-505-1552

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

GREEK

1 APOLLO FLAME BISTRO x apolloflamebistro.net

s 485 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-3582

w 1025 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-665-0080

2 STONEY KNOB CAFÉ stoneyknobcafe.com

na 337 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-645-3309

3 GYPSY QUEEN CUISINE gypsyqueencuisine.com

w 807 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-2758

MIDDLE EASTERN

1 GYPSY QUEEN CUISINE x gypsyqueencuisine.com w 807 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-2758

2 JERUSALEM GARDEN CAFÉ jerusalemgardencafe.com

d 78 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-254-0255

3 MR. KABAB mrkababgrill.com e 801 Fairview Road, Suite 4, Asheville 828-505-3113

TACO

1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP x whiteducktacoshop.com

r 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-1398

d 12 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-232-9191 sa 16 Miami Circle, Arden 828-676-1859

2 TACO BILLY tacobillyasheville.com w 201 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-0088 ea 117 Cherry St., Black Mountain 828-419-6336

3 TACO TEMPLE mamacitastacotemple.com n 132 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-255-8098

BURRITO

1 MAMACITA’S TAQUERIA x mamacitastaqueria.com d 77 Biltmore Ave., Suite 101, Asheville 828-255-8080

2 NEO BURRITO neoburrito.com w 1341 Parkwood Road, Suite 106, Asheville 828-772-9602

3 PAPA’S & BEER AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FAMILY RESTAURANT papasandbeerdowntown.com e 17 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-255-2204

1 EL QUE PASA elquepasa.net w 891 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-255-2227

2 TAQUERIA MUÑOZ taqueriamunoz.com w 1438 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-412-3331

3 LA RUMBA RESTAURANT LATINO larumbaavl.com e River Hills Shopping Center, 105 River Hills Road, Suite C, Asheville 828-505-2128

3 PAPA’S & BEER AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FAMILY RESTAURANT papasandbeerdowntown.com e 17 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-255-2204

LATIN AMERICAN

1 LA RUMBA RESTAURANT LATINO larumbaavl.com

e River Hills Shopping Center, 105 River Hills Road, Suite C, Asheville 828-505-2128

2 SALSA’S salsasnc.com d 6 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-252-9805

3 LIMONES limonesrestaurant.com d 15 Eagle St., Asheville 828-252-2327

3 LITTLE CHANGO littlechango.com

d 134 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-505-2758

RAMEN

1 ITTO RAMEN BAR & TAPAS x ittoramen.com

d 3 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-552-3288

sa 335 Airport Road, Suite 300, Arden 828-676-0558

w 630 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-0860

2 GAN SHAN WEST ganshanwest.com w 285 Haywood Road, Suite 20, Asheville 828-417-7402

3 HEIWA SHOKUDO heiwashokudo.net d 87 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-7761

SUSHI

1 GREEN TEA SUSHI RESTAURANT x greenteajapanese.com w 2 Regent Park Blvd., Asheville 828-252-8300

2 ZEN SUSHI zen-sushi-asheville.com n 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-225-6033

3 WASABI JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR wasabiasheville.com

d 19 Broadway, Asheville 828-225-2551

LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ

Healthiest Food; best Salad; best Vegetarian; second place Vegan; second place Veggie Burger; third place Green/Sustainability-Friendly Restaurant; third place Special Diet Options (Gluten-Free, Lactose-Free, etc.)

JAPANESE

1 GREEN TEA SUSHI RESTAURANT greenteajapanese.com

w 2 Regent Park Blvd., Asheville 828-252-8300

2 UKIAH JAPANESE SMOKEHOUSE ukiahrestaurant.com

d 121 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-470-7480

3 ICHIBAN JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR ichibanasheville.com

s 2 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-252-7885

1 THAI PEARL thaipearlasheville.com

w 747 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-412-5905

2 LITTLE BEE THAI [Closed] avl.mx/9my

d 45 S. French Broad Ave., Suite 190, Asheville

2 SUWANA THAI ORCHID suwanaasheville.com

d 11 Broadway, Asheville 828-281-8151 INDIAN

1 ANDAAZ andaazasheville.com

s 28 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-552-3200

2 CHAI PANI chaipani.com

d 32 Banks Ave., Asheville 828-254-4003

3 MELA INDIAN RESTAURANT melaasheville.com

d 70 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-225-8880

CHINESE

1 RED GINGER DIMSUM & TAPAS x redgingerasheville.com d 82 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-505-8688

2 ORIENTAL PAVILION orientalpavilionnc.com w 48 Westgate Parkway, Asheville 828-236-3839

3 GAN SHAN WEST ganshanwest.com w 285 Haywood Road, Suite 20, Asheville 828-417-7402

SOUTHERN

1 TUPELO HONEY x tupelohoneycafe.com d 12 College St., Asheville 828-255-4863 s 1829 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-505-7676

2 HOMEGROWN slowfoodrightquick.com n 371 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-4340

3 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK rockyshotchickenshack.com w 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-2260

SEAFOOD

1 JETTIE RAE’S OYSTER HOUSE x jettieraes.com n 143 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-505-4499

2 THE LOBSTER TRAP thelobstertrap.biz d 35 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-350-0505

3 MOTHER OCEAN SEAFOOD MARKET momavl.com n 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-231-5607

EATS

FARM BURGER

SALAD

1 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ x laughingseed.com

d 40 Wall St., Asheville 828-252-3445

2 APOLLO FLAME BISTRO apolloflamebistro.net

s 485 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-3582

w 1025 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-665-0080

2 NINE MILE

ninemileasheville.com

n 233 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-505-3121

w 751 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9903

3 CORNERSTONE RESTAURANT cornerstonerest.com e 102 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-236-0201

1 POSANA x posanarestaurant.com d 1 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-505-3969

2 PLANT plantisfood.com n 165 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-258-7500

3 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ laughingseed.com d 40 Wall St., Asheville 828-252-3445

VEGAN

1 PLANT x plantisfood.com n 165 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-258-7500

2 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ laughingseed.com d 40 Wall St., Asheville 828-252-3445

3 ROSETTA’S KITCHEN rosettaskitchen.com d 68 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-232-0738

VEGETARIAN

1 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ laughingseed.com d 40 Wall St., Asheville 828-252-3445 2 PLANT plantisfood.com n 165 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-258-7500

3 ROSETTA’S KITCHEN rosettaskitchen.com d 68 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-232-0738

VEGGIE BURGER

1 FARM BURGER farmburger.com d 10 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-348-8540 s 1831 Hendersonville Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-575-2393

2 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ laughingseed.com d 40 Wall St., Asheville 828-252-3445

3 THE SMOKIN’ ONION thesmokinonion.com w 697 Haywood Road, Asheville

EATS

EL KIMCHI

1 GREEN SAGE CAFE x greensagecafe.com

d 5 Broadway, Asheville 828-252-4450

n 633 Merrimon Ave., Suite A, Asheville 828-417-7859

s 1800 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-4450

2 PLANT

plantisfood.com

n 165 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-258-7500

3 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ laughingseed.com

d 40 Wall St., Asheville 828-252-3445 LOCAL-FOOD EMPHASIS

1 HOMEGROWN x slowfoodrightquick.com

n 371 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-4340

2 RHUBARB rhubarbasheville.com

d 7 SW Pack Square, Asheville 828-785-1503

HEALTHIEST FOOD

1 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ laughingseed.com

d 40 Wall St., Asheville 828-252-3445

1 PLANT plantisfood.com

n 165 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-258-7500

2 GREEN SAGE CAFE greensagecafe.com

d 5 Broadway, Asheville 828-252-4450

n 633 Merrimon Ave., Suite A, Asheville 828-417-7859

DESSERTS

1 OLD EUROPE PASTRIES oldeuropepastries.com

d 18 Broadway, Asheville 828-255-5999

2 FRENCH BROAD CHOCOLATES frenchbroadchocolates.com

d 10 S. Pack Square, Asheville 828-252-4181

n 821 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-348-5187

3 CRAVE DESSERT BAR cravedessertbar.com

d 41 N. Lexington Ave., Suite 100, Asheville 828-254-1974

COOKIES

1 CRUMBL COOKIES crumblcookies.com w 5 Westgate Parkway, Suite 130, Asheville 828-365-6543

s 1816 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-417-0696

2 MARY’S MOUNTAIN COOKIES mmcookiesavl.com d 10 Broadway, Suite 129, (on the side of the AC Hotel building), Asheville 828-424-7000

3 MORSEL COOKIE CO. [Closed] n 175 Weaverville Highway, Suite D, Asheville

ICE CREAM

1 THE HOP x hopicecreamnc.com

n 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-2224 w 721 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-5155

d The S&W Market, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville

2 ULTIMATE ICE CREAM ultimateicecreamavl.com o Wholesale Only, Asheville

3 SUNSHINE SAMMIES sunshinesammies.com

d 99 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-505-2852

FROZEN TREATS OTHER THAN ICE CREAM

1 WHIT’S FROZEN CUSTARD x whitscustard.com n 565 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-412-3038

s 1840 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-412-3042

sa 602 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville 828-595-2118

2 JEREMIAH’S ITALIAN ICE jeremiahsice.com n 705 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-4400

3 PELICAN’S SNOBALLS pelicanssnoballs.com s 2601 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-417-7776

CHOCOLATE

1 FRENCH BROAD CHOCOLATES x frenchbroadchocolates.com

d 10 S. Pack Square, Asheville 828-252-4181

n 821 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-348-5187

2 THE CHOCOLATE FETISH chocolatefetish.com

d 36 Haywood St., Asheville 828-258-2353

3 ASHEVILLE CHOCOLATE avlchocolate.com d 25 Broadway, Asheville 828-505-6609

DOUGHNUTS

1 HOLE DOUGHNUTS x hole-doughnuts.com

w 168 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-774-5667

2 VORTEX DOUGHNUTS vortexdoughnuts.com d 32 Banks Ave., Suite 106, Asheville 828-552-3010

3 DUCK DONUTS duckdonuts.com n 182 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-575-2177

BISCUITS

1 BISCUIT HEAD x biscuitheads.com s 417 Biltmore Ave., Suite 4F, Asheville 828-505-3449 w 733 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-333-5145

2 BLUE RIDGE BISCUIT CO. avl.mx/e0e ea 601 W. State St., Suite 4, Black Mountain 828-357-8501

3 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ sunnypointcafe.com w 626 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-0055

BAGELS

1 BRUEGGER’S BAGELS x brueggers.com

n 671 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-1560

s 160 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-277-1070

2 JOEY’S NEW YORK BAGELS joeysnybagels.com

sa 5829 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville 828-376-3692

sa 1500 Haywood Road, Hendersonville 828-692-1220

3 CITY BAKERY CAFÉ citybakery.net n 88 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-254-4289

BAKERY (SWEETS/DESSERTS)

1 OWL BAKERY owlbakery.com w 295 Haywood Road, Asheville n 197 Charotte St., Asheville

2 OLD EUROPE PASTRIES oldeuropepastries.com d 18 Broadway, Asheville 828-255-5999

3 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ wellbredbakery.com na 26 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-9300

BAKERY (BREAD)

1 OWL BAKERY owlbakery.com w 295 Haywood Road, Asheville n 197 Charotte St., Asheville

2 CITY BAKERY CAFÉ citybakery.net n 88 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-254-4289

3 MOTHER motheravl.com r 20 Artful Way, Asheville 828-505-1003

FRESH FISH SELLER

1 MOTHER OCEAN SEAFOOD MARKET momavl.com n 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-231-5607

2 FAIRVIEW SEAFOOD avl.mx/dzb ea 1297 Charlotte Highway, Fairview 828-337-5190

e 213 E. State St., Black Mountain 828-337-5189

3 THE CHOP SHOP BUTCHERY chopshopbutchery.com n 100 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-505-3777

FRESH MEAT SELLER

1 THE CHOP SHOP BUTCHERY chopshopbutchery.com n 100 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-505-3777

2 HICKORY NUT GAP FARM hickorynutgap.com

ea 57 Sugar Hollow Road, Fairview 828-628-1027

3 M&M MEATLOCKER mandmmeats.com

sa 321 Seventh Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-692-3558

1

49 Broadway, Asheville 828-254-9902

1 TAKEOUT CENTRAL AVL takeoutcentral.com M Asheville • 828-252-1221

2 KICKBACK AVL kickbackavl.com

d 20 Battery Park Ave., Suite 807, Asheville 828-585-6903

1 DARË VEGAN CHEESE darevegancheese.com na 12 Locust Cove Road, Weaverville 828-484-8345

2 THREE GRACES DAIRY 3gracesdairy.com na 335 Milky Way, Marshall 828-656-2195

3 LOOKING GLASS CREAMERY lookingglasscreamery.com sa 115 Harmon Dairy Lane, Columbus 828-222-0751

LOCALLY MADE CBD TREATS

1 FRANNY’S FARMACY x frannysfarmacy.com n 211 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-7105

sa 128 Henderson Crossing Plaza, Hendersonville 828-697-7300

LOCAL FOOD PRODUCT

1 POPPY HANDCRAFTED POPCORN poppyhandcraftedpopcorn. com • Asheville 828-552-3149

2 DARË VEGAN CHEESE darevegancheese.com na 12 Locust Cove Road, Weaverville 828-484-8345

3 LUSTY MONK MUSTARD lustymonk.com • Asheville 828-645-5056

CHEF

1 KATIE BUTTON (CÚRATE) x katiebutton.com d 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946

2 SILVER IOCOVOZZI (NENG JR.’S) nengjrs.com w 701 Haywood Road, Suite 102, Asheville 828-552-3880

LOCAL FOOD FESTIVAL OR EVENT

1 ASHEVILLE GREEK FESTIVAL (HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH) avlgreekfest.com n Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 227 Cumberland Ave., Asheville

1 ASHEVILLE VEGAN FEST ashevilleveganfest.com d Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville 984-600-9800

2 CHOW CHOW: AN ASHEVILLE CULINARY EVENT SERIES [Closed] chowchowasheville.com • Asheville NONPROFIT HELPING WITH HUNGER ISSUES

1 MANNA FOODBANK x mannafoodbank.org e 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-299-3663

2 BOUNTY & SOUL bountyandsoul.org ea 999 Old U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-419-0533

3 ASHEVILLE POVERTY INITIATIVE (12 BASKETS CAFE) ashevillepovertyinitiative.org w 610 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-232-2149

Designating winners who have won first place four years in a row (or more), including this year (2021 - 2024)

DRINKS

WESTVILLE PUB

Best Neighborhood Bar - West; Best Pub Grub

HITTING 30 can be rough. Many of us face the realization we can’t imbibe like we used to. So, with Xpress hitting that advanced number this year, maybe we won’t be doing shots to celebrate each of the winners. Maybe just one salut! Just one, we swear.

Some winners deserve multiple toasts, though. Highland Brewing Co., for example, reigned supreme in several Best of WNC categories, including Brewery (for its taproom & atmosphere), Family-Friendly Bar or Brewery and Bar or Brewery That Gives Back to the Community. And if you want to try what voters say is the best Local Beer (any style) in WNC, you can’t go wrong with Highland: Its Gaelic Ale made the Hall of Fame seven years ago and just keeps coming in at No. 1.

Of course, no drinks list would be complete with only alcoholic beverages on it. From coffee and tea to smoothies and mocktails, Best of WNC has you covered.

And cheers to new Hall of Fame honorees The Odd (Bar That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville and LGBTQ+ Friendly Bar); The Whale (Bar: Local Beer Selection–excluding breweries); Highland Brewing Co. (Brewery–for its taproom & atmosphere); Bold Rock Hard Cider (Cidery); BattleCat Coffee Bar (Coffeehouse for Its Vibe); Burial Beer Co. (Creative, Experimental Brewery); Burger Bar (Dive Bar) and Cold Mountain Release–Highland Brewing Co. (Favorite Local Beer Event).

— Jessica Wakeman X

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

DRINKS

ANTIDOTE

Best Upscale Bar; second place Neighborhood Bar - Downtown (including South Slope); third place Cocktails

1 THE ODD x theoddasheville.com w 1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299

2 LITTLE JUMBO littlejumbobar.com n 241 Broadway, Asheville 828-417-4783

3 THE DOUBLE CROWN avl.mx/9mu w 375 Haywood Road, Asheville

NEIGHBORHOOD BARDOWNTOWN (INCLUDING SOUTH SLOPE)

1 BURIAL BEER CO. burialbeer.com d 40 Collier Ave., Asheville 828-475-2739

2 ANTIDOTE antidote.bar d 151 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-505-2882

3 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE rankinvault.com d 7 Rankin Ave., Asheville 828-254-4993

NEIGHBORHOOD BARRIVER ARTS DISTRICT

1 CRUCIBLE avl.mx/9ww r 140A Roberts St., Asheville 828-575-9995

1 WEDGE BREWING CO. wedgebrewing.com r 37 Paynes Way, Suite 001, Asheville 828-505-2792

2 ANOCHE avl.mx/pry9 r 176 Clingman Ave., Asheville

NEIGHBORHOOD BARSOUTH

1 SHILOH & GAINES shilohandgaines.com s 700 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-412-5836

2 VOODOO BREWING CO. asheville.voodoobrewery.com sa 3578 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-0621

3 POST 25 post25avl.com sa 2155 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-676-2577

3 THIRSTY MONK BREWERY thirsty-monk-brewery.square.site s Biltmore Park Town Square, 2 Town Square Blvd., Suite 170, Asheville 828-687-3873

1 WESTVILLE PUB x westvillepub.com w 777 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-225-9782

2 THE DOUBLE CROWN avl.mx/9mu w 375 Haywood Road, Asheville

3 THE WHALE :: A CRAFT BEER COLLECTIVE thewhaleavl.com w 507 Haywood Road, Suite 10, Asheville 828-575-9888

1 LITTLE JUMBO x littlejumbobar.com n 241 Broadway, Asheville 828-417-4783

2 FRAZIER’S TAVERN avl.mx/4wd n 389 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-258-9828

3 CHARLOTTE STREET PUB & GRILL charlottestreetpub.com n 157 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-252-2948 NEIGHBORHOOD BAREAST

1 THE SOCIAL x thesocialasheville.com e 1078 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-298-8780

2 EAST VILLAGE GRILLE eastvillagegrille.com e 1177 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-3743

3 THE WHALE OUTPOST thewhaleavl.com e 2 Beverly Road, Asheville 828-505-1701

1 JENNIE LOU NELSON x avl.mx/dzu

2 JOSH MARCH (VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN) vinniesitalian.com n 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-1077

3 JAY POE (THE JOINT NEXT DOOR) avl.mx/cwf ea 1185 Charlotte Highway, Fairview 828-222-2012

3 MITCH STEWART (JETTIE RAE’S OYSTER HOUSE) jettieraes.com n 143 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-505-4499

BAR FOR LIVE MUSIC

1 JACK OF THE WOOD jackofthewood.com d 95 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-252-5445

2 THE GREY EAGLE thegreyeagle.com r 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville 828-232-5800

3 FLEETWOOD’S ROCK-N-ROLL WEDDING CHAPEL fleetwoodschapel.com w 496 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-5525

DRINKS

ANOCHE

Best Margarita; second place Neighborhood Bar - River Arts District

BAR WITH A VIEW

1 THE MONTFORD ROOFTOP BAR x themontford.com

d 199 Haywood St., Asheville 828-505-8750

2 HEMINGWAY’S CUBA RESTAURANT & BAR hemingwayscuba.com

d Cambria Hotel, 15 Page Ave., 4th Floor, Asheville 828-417-6866

3 CAPELLA ON 9 capellaon9.com

d AC Hotel, 10 Broadway, 9th Floor, Asheville 828-258-2522

BAR WITH GAMES

1 ASHEVILLE RETROCADE x ashevilleretrocade.com w 800 Haywood Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-575-9488

2 WELL PLAYED BOARD GAME CAFÉ wellplayedasheville.com d 162 Coxe Ave., Suite 101, Asheville 828-412-5788

3 THE DRAFTSMAN thedraftsmanasheville.com

d The Restoration Hotel, 68 Patton Ave., Asheville 855-568-6800

LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY BAR

1 THE ODD x theoddasheville.com w 1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299

2 BANKS AVE. avl.mx/a82 d 32 Banks Ave., Suite 101, Asheville 828-785-1458

3 O.HENRY’S ohenrysofasheville.com d 237 Haywood St., Asheville 828-254-1891

HOTEL BAR

1 CAPELLA ON 9 x capellaon9.com d AC Hotel, 10 Broadway, 9th Floor, Asheville 828-258-2522

2 HEMINGWAY’S CUBA RESTAURANT & BAR hemingwayscuba.com d Cambria Hotel, 15 Page Ave., 4th Floor, Asheville 828-417-6866

2 THE MONTFORD ROOFTOP BAR themontford.com d 199 Haywood St., Asheville 828-505-8750

2 THE ROOF theradroof.com r The Radical Hotel, 95 Roberts St., Asheville 828-412-0200

3 W XYZ BAR avl.mx/4vr d Aloft, 51 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-232-2838

DIVE BAR

1 BURGER BAR x avl.mx/9kq r 1 Craven St., Asheville 828-424-7600

2 THE DOUBLE CROWN avl.mx/9mu w 375 Haywood Road, Asheville

3 THE LAZY DIAMOND avl.mx/dgp d 98 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 866-289-5977

SPORTS BAR

1 OLDE LONDON ROAD PUB avl.mx/a6c r 270 Depot St., Asheville

2 ASHEVILLE SPORTS CLUB ashevillesportsclub.com d 137 Coxe Ave., Asheville

3 THE BIER GARDEN ashevillebiergarden.com d 46 Haywood St., Asheville 828-285-0002

1 ANTIDOTE antidote.bar

d 151 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-505-2882

2 SOVEREIGN REMEDIES sovereignremedies.com

d 29 N. Market St., Asheville 828-919-9518

3 LITTLE JUMBO littlejumbobar.com n 241 Broadway, Asheville 828-417-4783

BAR OR BREWERY THAT GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. x highlandbrewing.com

e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-299-3370

d The S&W Market, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-243-6925

2 NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO. newbelgium.com r 21 Craven St., Asheville 828-333-6900

3 WICKED WEED BREWING wickedweedbrewing.com

d 91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-9599 WINE BAR

1 5 WALNUT WINE BAR x 5walnut.com

d 5 Walnut St., Asheville 828-253-2593

2 BOTTLE RIOT bottleriot.com

r 37 Paynes Way, Suite 009, Asheville 828-505-8606

3 LEO’S HOUSE OF THIRST leosavl.com

w 1055 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-8017

LOCAL

WINERY

1 PLĒB URBAN WINERY pleburbanwinery.com r 289 Lyman St., Asheville 828-774-5062

2 BILTMORE WINERY avl.mx/9je s Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812

3 MARKED TREE markedtreevineyard.com sa 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock 828-513-3773

DRINKS

METRO WINES

1 METRO WINES x metrowinesasheville.com

n 169 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-575-9525

2 APPALACHIAN VINTNER appalachianvintner.com

s 745 Biltmore Ave., Suite 121, Asheville 828-505-7500

3 TABLE WINE tablewineasheville.com

s 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102, Asheville 828-505-8588

COCKTAILS

1 LITTLE JUMBO littlejumbobar.com n 241 Broadway, Asheville 828-417-4783

2 CULTIVATED COCKTAILS cultivated-cocktails.com

e 161 Charlotte Highway, Suite A, Asheville 828-338-9759

d 25 Page Ave., Suite 103, Asheville 828-338-9779

3 ANTIDOTE antidote.bar

d 151 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-505-2882

DISTILLERY

1 CHEMIST SPIRITS x chemistspirits.com

d 151 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-263-6943

2 CULTIVATED COCKTAILS cultivated-cocktails.com

e 161 Charlotte Highway, Suite A, Asheville 828-338-9759

d 25 Page Ave., Suite 103, Asheville 828-338-9779

3 EDA RHYNE DISTILLING CO. edarhyne.com

s 101 Fairview Road, Suite A, Asheville 828-412-5441

BLOODY MARY

1 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ sunnypointcafe.com w 626 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-0055

2 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE rankinvault.com d 7 Rankin Ave., Asheville 828-254-4993

3 DESOTO LOUNGE desotolounge.com w 504 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-255-1109

MARGARITA

1 ANOCHE avl.mx/pry9 r 176 Clingman Ave., Asheville

1 LIMONES limonesrestaurant.com d 15 Eagle St., Asheville 828-252-2327

2 MOUNTAIN MADRE mountainmadreavl.com

d 13 W. Walnut St., Asheville 828-251-8879 e 161 Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-251-8879

CIDERY

1 BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER x boldrock.com sa 72 School House Road, Mills River 828-595-9940

2 NOBLE CIDER noblecider.com w 356 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-575-9622

3 URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. urbanorchardcider.com d 24 Buxton Ave., Asheville 828-505-7243

LOCAL CIDER

1 THE VILLAGE TART CHERRY CIDER (NOBLE CIDER) x noblecider.com

w 356 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-575-9622

2 BLACKBERRY (BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER) boldrock.com

sa 72 School House Road, Mills River 828-595-9940

3 THE SPICE MERCHANT HARD CIDER WITH CHAI (NOBLE CIDER) noblecider.com

w 356 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-575-9622

BAR: LOCAL BEER SELECTION (EXCLUDING BREWERIES)

1 THE WHALE :: A CRAFT BEER COLLECTIVE x thewhaleavl.com

w 507 Haywood Road, Suite 10, Asheville 828-575-9888

e 2 Beverly Road, Asheville 828-505-1701

d 21 Buxton Ave., Asheville 828-412-3072

2 BARLEY’S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA barleystaproom.com

d 42 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-255-0504

3 THE BIER GARDEN ashevillebiergarden.com

d 46 Haywood St., Asheville 828-285-0002

BAR: UNUSUAL BEER SELECTION (EXCLUDING BREWERIES)

1 THE WHALE :: A CRAFT BEER COLLECTIVE x thewhaleavl.com

w 507 Haywood Road, Suite 10, Asheville 828-575-9888

e 2 Beverly Road, Asheville 828-505-1701

d 21 Buxton Ave., Asheville 828-412-3072

2 THIRSTY MONK DOWNTOWN thirsty-monk-brewery.square.site

d 92 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-254-5470

3 THE BLUE DOOR BOTTLESHOP & BEER HALL

thebluedoorhvl.com

sa 146 Third Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-290-4191

LOCAL ALL-ROUND BREWERY (FOR ITS BEERS)

1 BURIAL BEER CO. burialbeer.com

d 40 Collier Ave., Asheville 828-475-2739

s 10 Shady Oak Drive, Asheville 828-505-4452

2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. highlandbrewing.com

e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-299-3370

d The S&W Market, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-243-6925

3 HILLMAN BEER hillmanbeer.com

s 25 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-505-1312

LOCAL BEER (ANY STYLE)

1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. x highlandbrewing.com

e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-299-3370

d The S&W Market, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-243-6925

2 SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. sierranevada.com

sa 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River 828-708-6242

3 BURIAL BEER CO. burialbeer.com

d 40 Collier Ave., Asheville 828-475-2739

FAMILY-FRIENDLY BAR OR BREWERY

1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. x highlandbrewing.com

e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-299-3370

d The S&W Market, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-243-6925

2 NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO. newbelgium.com

r 21 Craven St., Asheville 828-333-6900

3 WHISTLE HOP BREWING CO. whistlehop.com ea 1288 Charlotte Highway, Fairview 828-338-9447 CREATIVE, EXPERIMENTAL BREWERY

1 BURIAL BEER CO. x burialbeer.com

d 40 Collier Ave., Asheville 828-475-2739

s 10 Shady Oak Drive, Asheville 828-505-4452

2 DSSOLVR dssolvr.com

d 63 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville

3 WICKED WEED BREWING wickedweedbrewing.com

d 91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-9599

1 GAELIC ALE (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) x highlandbrewing.com e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-299-3370

2 SURF WAX IPA (BURIAL BEER CO.) burialbeer.com d 40 Collier Ave., Asheville 828-475-2739 3 PERNICIOUS IPA (WICKED WEED BREWING) wickedweedbrewing.com d 91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-9599

DARK BEER 1 GREEN MAN PORTER (GREEN MAN BREWERY) greenmanbrewery.com d 27 Buxton Ave., Asheville 828-989-7453 2 NINJA PORTER (ASHEVILLE BREWING CO.) ashevillebrewing.com d 77 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-255-4077 3 OATMEAL PORTER (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) highlandbrewing.com e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370

LAGER 1 HI-WIRE LAGER (HI-WIRE BREWING) x hiwirebrewing.com s 2A Huntsman Place, Asheville 828-738-2451 2 MOUNTAIN TIME (NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO.) newbelgium.com w 21 Craven St., Asheville 828-333-6900 3 PILSNER (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) highlandbrewing.com e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370

1 BLACK ANGEL (WICKED WEED BREWING) x wickedweedbrewing.com d 91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-9599

LOCAL IPA

1 AVL IPA (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) highlandbrewing.com

e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370

2 IRON RAIL IPA (WEDGE BREWING CO.) wedgebrewing.com r 37 Paynes Way, Suite 001, Asheville 828-505-2792

3 PERNICIOUS IPA (WICKED WEED BREWING) wickedweedbrewing.com d 91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-9599

SEASONAL BEER

1 COLD MOUNTAIN (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) x highlandbrewing.com

e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370

2 CLAWHAMMER OKTOBERFEST (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) highlandbrewing.com

e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370

3 NINJABREAD MAN (ASHEVILLE BREWING CO.) ashevillebrewing.com d 77 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-255-4077

1 DAVE BYER (DIATRIBE) diatribebrewing.com w 1042 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-424-7296

2 JOE DINAN (OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.) oklawahabrewing.com sa 147 1st Ave., E., Hendersonville 828-595-9956

1 COLD MOUNTAIN RELEASE (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) x highlandbrewing.com

d 13 Rankin Ave., Asheville 828-713-5291 n 190 Broadway, Asheville 828-398-0209 2 THE DRIPOLATOR COFFEEHOUSE avl.mx/3w7

ea 221 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-0999

s 20 Gala Drive, Asheville 828-505-0961

DRINKS

DOBRA TEA

Best Place to Drink Tea

ESTABLISHMENT WITH THE BEST COFFEE

1 HIGH FIVE COFFEE x highfivecoffee.com

d 13 Rankin Ave., Asheville 828-713-5291

n 190 Broadway, Asheville 828-398-0209

n 2000 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-785-8272

2 THE DRIPOLATOR COFFEEHOUSE

avl.mx/3w7

ea 221 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-0999

s 20 Gala Drive, Asheville 828-505-0961

3 PENNYCUP COFFEE CO. pennycupcoffeeco.com

r 362 Depot St., Asheville 828-575-9495

BARISTA

1 BRITTONY MILLER (PEABERRY PRESS) peaberry-press.weebly.com

e River Ridge Business Center, 802 Fairview Road, Suite 800, Asheville 828-772-0438

2 DANTE DETILLIO (HIGH FIVE COFFEE) highfivecoffee.com

n 2000 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-785-8272

3 ASHLYN SHOLAR (BAD MANNERS COFFEE) avl.mx/dfp

w 697 Haywood Road, Suite G, Asheville

3 MADELINE MARRA (THE DRIPOLATOR COFFEEHOUSE) avl.mx/3w7

ea 221 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-0999

COFFEE ROASTER

1 DYNAMITE ROASTING CO. x dynamiteroasting.com

ea 3198 U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-357-8555

2 PENNYCUP COFFEE CO. pennycupcoffeeco.com

r 362 Depot St., Asheville 828-575-9495

d 39 S. Market St., Asheville 828-505-3609

3 PISGAH COFFEE ROASTERS pisgahroasters.com

sa 6283 Asheville Highway, Pisgah Forest 828-309-0707

PLACE TO DRINK TEA

1 DOBRA TEA dobrateanc.com d 78 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-575-2424 w 707 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-4307 e 1011 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-774-5088

2 HIGH CLIMATE TEA CO. highclimatetea.com d 12 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-505-4771

SMOOTHIES/JUICES

1 SIMPLE CAFE & JUICE BAR x simpleasheville.com w 643 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-774-5410

2 PULP + SPROUT

JUICE BAR AND VEGAN CAFE pulpandsprout.com

n 233 S. Liberty St., Asheville 828-412-5701

3 MOUNTAIN JUICERY mountainjuicery.com

s 1863 Hendersonville Road, Suite 132, Asheville 828-277-6006

3 PEABERRY PRESS peaberry-press.weebly.com e River Ridge Business Center, 802 Fairview Road, Suite 800, Asheville 828-772-0438

1 THE BUZZ thebuzzhendo.com sa 225 S. Grove St., Hendersonville 828-388-7979

2 LITTLE JUMBO littlejumbobar.com n 241 Broadway, Asheville 828-417-4783

3 THE MULE AT DEVIL’S FOOT BEVERAGE CO. devilsfootbrew.com s 131 Sweeten Creek Road, Suite 10, Asheville 828-357-7601

1 ASHEVILLE DISPENSARY x avldispensary.com w 919 Haywood Road, Suite 111, Asheville 828-335-2696

2 SOVEREIGN KAVA ashevillekava.com d 268 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-505-8118

3 FRANNY’S FARMACY frannysfarmacy.com n 211 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-7105 KAVA BAR

1 SOVEREIGN KAVA x ashevillekava.com d 268 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-505-8118

2 ELEVATED KAVA LOUNGE elevatedkava.com w 747 Haywood Road, Suite 200, Asheville 828-412-3548 d 122 College St., Suite 002, Asheville 828-412-3350

3 VINTAGE KAVA vintagekava.com na 141 Reems Creek Road, Weaverville 828-484-8186

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

LAZRLUVR

All-Round Favorite Band; second place Rock

IF a member of WNC’s artistic sphere has consistently been recognized as the best — for multiple years, even — is that something to celebrate? Absolutely! And when it comes to repeated wins in the Best of WNC poll, a party is most definitely in order — particularly for Echo Mountain Recording Studio (Recording Studio), Blue Spiral 1 (Local Art Gallery) and The Orange Peel (Indoor Music Venue), which have held down the top spot in their respective categories for 14 consecutive years.

On the flip side, 2024 was the year that certain other established entertainers finally broke through to claim the No. 1 spot. That includes Walker Astin (Bass Guitarist) who now joins fellow hardworking bandmates Sam Frame (Percussionist/Drummer) and Brad Curtioff (Keyboardist/ Pianist), who successfully defended their first-place titles this year, as did their Lazrluvr band (All-Round Favorite Band).

The steady rise in author readings and poetry groups prompted this year’s addition of the Local Literary Event category, won by Punch Bucket Lit. Likewise, Karaoke Night joined the ballot, with the people selecting Burger Bar as the debut champ.

And please make some space on the dance floor for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024, winners who’ve reigned for four consecutive years: Firecracker Jazz Band (Jazz) and DanceClub Asheville (Place to Take Dance Classes or Lessons).

— Edwin Arnaudin X

1 AVL FEST avlfest.com

Various Locations, Asheville

2 LEAF FESTIVAL theleaf.org

ea 377 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain 828-686-8742

3 DOWNTOWN AFTER 5 ashevilledowntown.org d North Lexington Avenue, Asheville 828-251-9973

INDOOR MUSIC VENUE

1 THE ORANGE PEEL x theorangepeel.net d 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-398-1837

2 THE GREY EAGLE thegreyeagle.com r 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville 828-232-5800

3 SALVAGE STATION salvagestation.com

r 466 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-407-0521

OUTDOOR MUSIC VENUE

1 SALVAGE STATION x salvagestation.com

r 466 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-407-0521

2 RABBIT RABBIT rabbitrabbitavl.com

d 75 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-398-1837

3 THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO. highlandbrewing.com e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370

INTIMATE MUSIC VENUE/ LISTENING ROOM

1 ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR avl.mx/bra r 122 Riverside Drive, Suite D, Asheville

2 LITTLE JUMBO littlejumbobar.com n 241 Broadway, Asheville 828-417-4783

3 FLEETWOOD’S ROCK-N-ROLL WEDDING CHAPEL fleetwoodschapel.com w 496 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-5525

RECORDING STUDIO

1 ECHO MOUNTAIN RECORDING STUDIO x echomountain.net d 14 N. French Broad Ave., Asheville 828-232-4314

2 DROP OF SUN STUDIOS dropofsun.com w 821 Haywood Road, Suite 121, Asheville 828-774-5083

3 CITIZEN VINYL citizenvinyl.com d 14 O. Henry Ave., Asheville

OPEN-MIC-NIGHT VENUE

1 WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN whitehorseblackmountain.com ea 105 Montreat Road, Black Mountain 828-669-0816

2 SOVEREIGN KAVA ashevillekava.com d 268 Biltmore Ave.,

avl.mx/bv7 • Asheville

2 HOPE GRIFFIN hopegriffinmusic.com • Asheville

3 ANDREW THELSTON BAND andrewthelston.com • Asheville

VOCALIST (SINGER)

1 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES x avl.mx/bv7 • Asheville

2 HOPE GRIFFIN hopegriffinmusic.com • Asheville

3 RAPHAEL GRAVES (LAZRLUVR) lazrluvr.com • Asheville GUITARIST

1 ERIC CONGDON ericcongdon.com • Hendersonville

2 ANDREW THELSTON (ANDREW THELSTON BAND) andrewthelston.com • Asheville

3 OLIVER BINNS (KARMA DOGS) Asheville BASS GUITARIST

1 WALKER ASTIN (LAZRLUVR) lazrluvr.com s Hendersonville

2 ZACK PAGE avl.mx/xmasjbu

3 ALEX DEUTSCH (THE DEATHBOTS) avl.mx/dyp PERCUSSIONIST/DRUMMER

1 SAM FRAME (LAZRLUVR) lazrluvr.com • Hendersonville

2 JEFF LOTT avl.mx/e05 sa Music Academy of WNC, 1430 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville 828-693-3726

3 RIVER GUERGUERIAN guerguerian.com n Odyssey Community School, 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville 828-301-6605

KEYBOARDIST/PIANIST

1 BRAD CURTIOFF (LAZRLUVR) lazrluvr.com • Asheville

2 ANDREW J. FLETCHER firecrackerjazz.com • Asheville 828-348-4672

3 CARRIE MORRISON carriemorrisonmusic.com • Asheville

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ACOUSTIC/FOLK

1 RISING APPALACHIA risingappalachia.com • Asheville

2 HOPE GRIFFIN hopegriffinmusic.com • Asheville

3 BEN BALMER benbalmer.com • Asheville AMERICANA/COUNTRY

1 ASHLEY HEATH AND HER HEATHENS ashleyleeannheath.com • Asheville

1 STEEP CANYON RANGERS steepcanyon.com

2 FANCY AND THE GENTLEMEN fancyandthegentlemen.com • Asheville 828-222-0757

3 RISING APPALACHIA risingappalachia.com • Asheville BLUES

1 PEGGY RATUSZ avl.mx/cy8 • Asheville 828-301-6768

2 ASHLEY HEATH AND HER HEATHENS ashleyleeannheath.com • Asheville

3 MR. JIMMY mrjimmymusic.com • Asheville 312-953-2534 FUNK

1 YO MAMA’S BIG FAT BOOTY BAND x bootyband.com • Asheville

2 EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS empirestrikesbrass.com • Asheville 828-620-1606

3 LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES avl.mx/bv7 • Asheville JAZZ

1 FIRECRACKER JAZZ BAND x firecrackerjazz.com • Asheville 828-628-9169

2 ASHEVILLE JAZZ ORCHESTRA ashevillejazzorchestra.org • Asheville

3 THE CORE avl.mx/e0y • Asheville

OLD-TIME/BLUEGRASS

1 STEEP CANYON RANGERS x steepcanyon.com

2 BALSAM RANGE balsamrange.com w Haywood • 336-909-1921

3 PRETTY LITTLE GOAT prettylittlegoat.com •

RYAN RNB BARBER avl.mx/dyx • Asheville 828-691-5256

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

LEEDA “LYRIC” JONES

Best Lyricist (Songwriter); best R&B/Soul; best Vocalist (Singer); third place Funk; third place Hip-Hop

ALL-ROUND FAVORITE BAND

1 LAZRLUVR lazrluvr.com • Hendersonville 828-642-0008

2 STEEP CANYON RANGERS steepcanyon.com

3 RISING APPALACHIA risingappalachia.com • Asheville DJ (NONRADIO)

1 LIL MEOW MEOW (ANNELISE KOPP) avl.mx/e2h • Asheville 828-215-4006

2 GANYMEDE ganym3d3.com • Asheville

3 DJ MOLLY PARTI mollyparti.com • Asheville 828-423-0339 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT REPAIR COMPANY

1 THE GUITAR WITCH REPAIRS avl.mx/dxi • Asheville 828-785-3794

2 HEYDAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS & REPAIR heydaymusic.net d 108 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-0402

3 ACOUSTIC CORNER acoustic-corner.com ea 105-F Montreat Road, Black Mountain 828-669-5162

MUSIC-RELATED NONPROFIT

1 LEAF GLOBAL ARTS x theleaf.org d 19 Eagle St., Suite 120, Asheville 828-686-8742

2 GIRLS ROCK ASHEVILLE girlsrockasheville.org o Asheville • 919-889-2628

3 103.3 ASHEVILLE FM ashevillefm.org w 864 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-348-0352

ARTS/CRAFTS

FAIR

OR EVENT

1 THE BIG CRAFTY x thebigcrafty.com d Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St., Asheville

2 CRAFT FAIR OF THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS southernhighlandguild.org d Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St., Asheville 828-523-4110

3 UNCOMMON MARKET ASHEVILLE uncommonmarketasheville.com r 1 Foundy St., Asheville 828-545-0708

STUDIO STROLL/ DRIVING TOUR

1 RIVER ARTS DISTRICT (RAD) STUDIO STROLL x riverartsdistrict.com r Asheville • 828-552-4723

2 WEAVERVILLE ART SAFARI weavervilleartsafari.com na Weaverville

3 TOE RIVER ARTS STUDIO TOUR toeriverarts.org n Yancey and Mitchell Counties 828-765-0520

CRAFT SCHOOL OR PLACE TO LEARN A CRAFT

1 PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFT x penland.org ea 67 Doras Trail, Bakersville 828-765-2359

2 JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL folkschool.org wa 1 Folk School Road, Brasstown 828-837-2775

3 A-B TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE abtech.edu s 340 Victoria Road, Asheville 828-398-7900

1 BLUE SPIRAL 1 x bluespiral1.com d 38 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-251-0202

2 MARQUEE

marqueeasheville.com r 36 Foundy St., Asheville 828-989-1069

3 MOMENTUM GALLERY momentumgallery.com d 52 Broadway, Asheville 828-505-8550

CRAFT-ORIENTED GALLERY

1 SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS CRAFT GUILD x southernhighlandguild.org e Folk Art Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 382, Asheville 828-298-7928

2 MARQUEE marqueeasheville.com r 36 Foundy St., Asheville 828-989-1069

3 NEW MORNING GALLERY newmorninggallerync.com s 7 Boston Way, Asheville 828-274-2831 FIBER ARTIST

1 JAN WESCOTT (JANI WOVENS) avl.mx/dx4 • Asheville 828-767-9348

JEWELRY ARTIST/DESIGNER

1 JEFFREY BURROUGHS (THE JEWEL OF ASHEVILLE) jeffreyburroughs.com r 20 Artful Way, Suite 101, Asheville 646-986-0478 d Gallery Melange, 67 Biltmore Ave., Suite 20, Asheville 828-782-1110 METAL ARTIST OR BLACKSMITH

1 DAVID EARL TOMLINSON (DYNAMIC METAL WORK) avl.mx/dza • Asheville 828-337-3241

2 THE BEARDED BLACKSMITH (STEVE SCHROEDER) avl.mx/dzc • Marshall GLASS ARTIST

1 BILLY GUILFORD & GEOFF KOSLOW (LEXINGTON GLASSWORKS) lexingtonglassworks.com r 81 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-348-8427

2 MICHAEL HATCH (CRUCIBLE GLASSWORKS) Crucibleglassworks.com na 60 Clarks Chapel Road, Weaverville 828-645-5660

3 JENNA ASHCRAFT ashcraftglass.com o Asheville

1 KONRAD SANDERS (KGS BUILDING) avl.mx/dxq • Asheville MURAL

1 GUS CUTTY x guscutty.com • Asheville

2 KATHRYN CRAWFORD kathryncrawfordart.com • Asheville

3 IAN WILKINSON ianthepainter.com • Asheville PAINTER/ILLUSTRATOR

1 CALLIE FERRARO (CALLIE FINE ART) calliefineart.com r Wedge Studios, 129 Roberts St., Studio 2B7, Asheville 239-989-8621

POTTER/CERAMIC ARTIST

1 ROB AND BETH MANGUM (MANGUM POTTERY) mangumpottery.com na 16 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-4929

2 AKIRA SATAKE (AKIRA SATAKE CERAMICS) akirasatake.com r 191 Lyman St., Studio 165, Asheville 828-231-9750

2 MELISSA WEISS melissaweisspottery.com o Asheville

3 ASHLEY LIEB (HONEY CREEK POTTERY) honeycreekpottery.weebly.com • Asheville 816-769-7505

3 SARAH VEKASI (SARAH SUNSHINE POTTERY) sarahsunshinepottery.com ea 105 Cherry St., Black Mountain 828-333-1884

Wow! We are so grateful for this surprise win; we’ve been working hard since our celebration started in Scandals parking lot decades ago to take our festival to the next level year after year, and you noticed! We’re proud to celebrate our local, diverse queer and allied community each year.

blueridgepride.org

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE BIG CRAFTY

1 CAROL SPAGNUOLA (CAROL SPAGS PHOTOGRAPHY) carolspags.com r 109 Roberts St., Asheville 828-713-4485

2 NICOLE MCCONVILLE nicolemcconville.com w 418 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-782-7131

3 SHEILA MRAZ

sheilamraz.com • Asheville 828-550-4663

1 BENJAMIN WALLS benjaminwalls.com d 38 Broadway, Asheville 877-989-2557

1 NATHAN RIVERS CHESKY nathanchesky.com • Asheville 828-776-3629

2 STEPHAN PRUITT stephanpruittphotography.com d 22 S. Pack Square, Suite 302, Asheville 828-712-4669

3 SHEILA MRAZ sheilamraz.com • Asheville 828-550-4663

NONPROFIT (NOT MUSIC) THAT SERVES THE ARTS

1 OPEN HEARTS ART CENTER openheartsartcenter.org d 217 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-505-8428

2 BLACK MOUNTAIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS blackmountainarts.org ea 225 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-0930

MOVIE THEATER

1 GRAIL MOVIEHOUSE x grailmoviehouse.com r 17 Foundy St., Suite 20, Asheville 828-239-9392

2 THE CAROLINA CINEMARK ASHEVILLE avl.mx/3n9 s 1640 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-8811

3 FINE ARTS THEATRE fineartstheatre.com d 36 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-232-1536

THEATER COMPANY

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE x ashevilletheatre.org d 35 E. Walnut St., Asheville 828-254-1320

2 MONTFORD PARK PLAYERS montfordparkplayers.org n 92 Gay St., Asheville 828-254-5146

3 NORTH CAROLINA STAGE COMPANY ncstage.org d 15 Stage Lane, Asheville 828-239-0263

ACTOR (ANY GENDER)

1 SCOTT TREADWAY x avl.mx/dyz a Flat Rock

1 STEWART/OWEN DANCE stewartowendance.org d 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-581-9285

2 TERPSICORPS THEATRE OF DANCE terpsicorps.org w 69 Cranford Road, Asheville 828-761-1371

3 THE ASHEVILLE BALLET ashevilleballet.com n 4 Weaverville Highway, Asheville 828-252-4761

PLACE TO TAKE DANCE CLASSES OR LESSONS

1 DANCECLUB ASHEVILLE x danceclubasheville.com n 9 Old Burnsville Hill Road, Suite 3, Asheville 828-423-0886

2 UPHORA DANCE FITNESS uphoradance.com w 1501 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-417-7171

3 THE ASHEVILLE BALLET ashevilleballet.com n 4 Weaverville Highway, Asheville 828-252-4761

IMPROV GROUP/COMEDY TROUPE OR SERIES

1 REASONABLY PRICED BABIES avl.mx/bxx • Asheville

2 LAZOOM: HEY ASHEVILLE! CITY COMEDY TOUR lazoomtours.com d 76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932

3 ASHEVILLE IMPROV COLLECTIVE [Closed] n 174 Broadway, Asheville

LOCAL COMEDY SHOW/ NIGHT/EVENT

1 ASHEVILLE COMEDY FESTIVAL ashevillecomedyfestival.com d Various Locations, Asheville

2 LAZOOM lazoomtours.com d 76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932 COMEDIAN

1 PETEY SMITH-MCDOWELL (DISCLAIMER LOUNGE) avl.mx/9x5 d 31 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-255-7777

2 HILLIARY BEGLEY avl.mx/a8k • Asheville

KARAOKE NIGHT

1 BURGER BAR avl.mx/9kq r 1 Craven St., Asheville 828-424-7600

2 THE DOUBLE CROWN avl.mx/9mu w 375 Haywood Road, Asheville

2 THE SOCIAL thesocialasheville.com e 1078 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-298-8780

3 ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY [Closed] d 28 Broadway, Asheville TRIVIA NIGHT EMCEE

1 ROBERT BENNETT (TOTALLY RAD TRIVIA) avl.mx/dyw • Asheville 828-280-5437

2 BILLY NESBIT avl.mx/dz9 • Asheville

3 KIPPER SCHAUER (DJ KIPPER) avl.mx/a8r • Asheville

3 MITCH FORTUNE (MITCH’S TOTALLY RAD TRIVIA) avl.mx/bxy • Asheville 828-239-9903

DRAG PERFORMER/GROUP

1 DIVINE HOLEBURN (DIVINE THE BEARDED LADY) avl.mx/dvy • Asheville 828-333-7247

2 ASHEVILLE DRAG BRUNCH ashevilledragbrunch.com d Asheville • 828-333-7247

3 GANYMEDE ganym3d3.com • Asheville

LOCAL AUTHOR

1 RON RASH ronrashwriter.com w Cullowhee • 828-227-7264

2 WILEY CASH wileycash.com • Asheville

3 DAVID JOY avl.mx/dvx • Tuckasegee

LOCAL POET

1 LEE STOCKDALE leestockdale.com • Asheville

2 ALLAN WOLF allanwolf.com • Asheville 828-772-7474

3 EDDIE CABBAGE avl.mx/dw0 • Asheville

LOCAL LITERARY EVENT

1 PUNCH BUCKET LIT punchbucketlit.org

2 ASHEVILLE PRISON BOOKS TRIVIA avl.mx/duo

Hurricane Helene damaged or destroyed many WNC businesses. Some areas and industries have bounced back more quickly than others. Be sure to check company websites before visiting the winners listed in this guide.

OUTDOORS

ART LOEB TRAIL

WITH crystal clear water tumbling 60 feet into an inviting collecting pool, Looking Glass Falls is a sight to behold, but there’s more to the popular hiking destination than meets the eye. The falls get their name from nearby Looking Glass Rock, where frozen sheets of water glisten in the winter sun like a mirror. The photogenic falls also starred in Hacksaw Ridge, a 2016 World War II drama directed by Mel Gibson.

But no one had to share these bits of trivia with Best of WNC voters to whet their enthusiasm for the falls. They chose this Pisgah Forest Hall of Famer as best Waterfall for the seventh year in a row. (Sliding Rock, our voters’ choice for best Swimming Hole, is just a short drive up the road. Visiting both makes a great day trip.)

Other returning favorites in the Outdoors category include five Hall of Fame winners: Black Balsam Knob (Day Hike Trail) for six consecutive years; French Broad River (Place to Relax on the Water) for six years in a row; Craggy Gardens (Picnic Spot) for eight years running; Cataloochee Ski Area (Ski Resort) for 11 consecutive years; and Navitat Canopy Adventures (Canopy Tour/Zip Line) for 13 years running — or is that zipping? Be sure to check ahead before making plans — for example, the Blue Ridge Parkway took a heavy hit from Tropical Storm Helene, and many miles of the scenic road in WNC remained closed as of late October 2024.

— Pat Moran X

BACKPACKING TRAIL/ OVERNIGHT HIKE

1 ART LOEB TRAIL

avl.mx/3s7 sa Pisgah Forest

2 APPALACHIAN TRAIL FROM HOT SPRINGS TO MAX PATCH appalachiantrail.org na Hot Springs • 828-254-3708

3 BLACK BALSAM KNOB

avl.mx/bwo

sa Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 420, Balsam Grove

DAY HIKE TRAIL

1 BLACK BALSAM KNOB x avl.mx/bwo

sa Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 420, Balsam Grove

2 BEARWALLOW MOUNTAIN

avl.mx/e03

sa 4854 Bearwallow Mountain Road, Hendersonville

2 CRAGGY GARDENS

avl.mx/6cf ea Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 364.4-367.6, Black Mountain 828-775-0976

3 GRAVEYARD FIELDS

avl.mx/dwy

sa Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 418.8, Canton 828-348-3400

EASY HIKE TRAIL (FOR KIDS, ELDERS, LIMITED MOBILITY)

1 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM TRAILS ncarboretum.org s 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492

2 CATAWBA FALLS avl.mx/6e5 ea 3074 Catawba River Road, Old Fort 828-257-4200

3 CRAGGY GARDENS TRAIL avl.mx/6cf ea Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 364.4-367.6, Black Mountain 828-775-0976

WALK - IN OR NEAR ASHEVILLE

1 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM ncarboretum.org s 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492

2 BEAVER LAKE thelakeviewpark.org n 1292 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-225-6648

3 RIVER ARTS DISTRICT (THE RAD GREENWAY) riverartsdistrict.com r Asheville

OUTDOOR GEAR AND APPAREL SHOP

1 SECOND GEAR secondgearwnc.com r 99 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-258-0757

2 REI CO-OP rei.com s Biltmore Park Town Square, 31 Schenck Parkway, Asheville 828-687-0918

3 BLACK DOME MOUNTAIN SPORTS blackdome.com e 140 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-251-2001

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL

1 BENT CREEK EXPERIMENTAL FOREST avl.mx/dv4 s 1577 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-667-5261

2 RIDGELINE TRAIL dupontforest.com sa DuPont State Forest, Cedar Mountain 828-713-2368

CANOPY TOUR/ZIP LINE

1 NAVITAT CANOPY ADVENTURES x navitat.com na 242 Poverty Branch Road, Barnardsville 828-626-3700

2 THE GORGE ZIPLINE thegorgezipline.com sa 166 Honey Bee Drive, Saluda 828-383-0269

3 ASHEVILLE TREETOPS ADVENTURE PARK (ADVENTURE CENTER OF ASHEVILLE) ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com w 85 Expo Drive, Asheville 828-225-2921

PICNIC SPOT

1 CRAGGY GARDENS x avl.mx/6cf ea Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 364.4-367.6, Black Mountain 828-775-0976

2 BILTMORE ESTATE biltmore.com s Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812

3 PINK BEDS avl.mx/dyr s Pisgah Forest • 828-877-3265

CAMPING SPOT

1 DAVIDSON RIVER CAMPGROUND avl.mx/6df sa 1 Davidson River Circle, Pisgah Forest 828-577-4558

2 LAKE POWHATAN RECREATION AREA & CAMPGROUND avl.mx/dxs s 75 Wesley Branch Road, Asheville 828-577-7278

3 HOT SPRINGS CAMPGROUND nchotsprings.com na 315 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-7676

OUTDOORS

CRAGGY GARDENS

Best Picnic Spot; second place Day Hike Trail

SKI RESORT

1 CATALOOCHEE SKI AREA x cataloochee.com

wa 1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley 828-926-0285

2 BEECH MOUNTAIN RESORT beechmountainresort.com

na 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain 828-387-2011

3 SUGAR MOUNTAIN RESORT skisugar.com na 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain 828-898-4521

PLACE TO RELAX ON THE WATER

1 FRENCH BROAD RIVER x avl.mx/e06

2 LAKE JAMES avl.mx/8by

ea 2229 Lake James State Park Road, Nebo 828-544-6800

3 LAKE LURE townoflakelure.com ea Lake Lure • 828-625-9983

SWIMMING HOLE

1 SLIDING ROCK

avl.mx/e04

sa Pisgah National Forest, 7851 Pisgah Highway, Brevard

2 SKINNY DIP FALLS avl.mx/7uy

sa Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 417, Canton 828-348-3400

WATERFALL

1 LOOKING GLASS FALLS x avl.mx/wordcaop

sa U.S. Highway 276, Brevard 828-877-3265

2 TRIPLE FALLS avl.mx/7v0

sa DuPont State Forest, Cedar Mountain 828-877-6527

3 CATAWBA FALLS avl.mx/6e5 ea 3074 Catawba River Road, Old Fort 828-257-4200

RAFTING COMPANY

1 ZEN TUBING zentubing.com n 608 Riverside Drive, Asheville 855-936-8823 s 1648 Brevard Road, Asheville 855-936-8823

2 NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER noc.com

wa 13077 U.S. Highway 19 W., Bryson City 828-785-5082

na 9825 U.S. Highway 25, Marshall 828-785-4850

3 FRENCH BROAD OUTFITTERS frenchbroadoutfitters.com n 704 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-505-7371

1 CARRIER PARK avl.mx/dvm w 220 Amboy Road, Asheville 828-259-5800

2 RIVER ARTS DISTRICT (THE RAD GREENWAY) riverartsdistrict.com r Asheville

3 FOUNDATION ASHEVILLE SKATEPARK (FOUNDY) foundationasheville.com r 47 Foundy St., Asheville 828-225-5509

OR CONSERVATION

1 ASHEVILLE GREENWORKS ashevillegreenworks.org w 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville 828-254-1776

2 MOUNTAINTRUE mountaintrue.org d 29 N. Market St., Suite 610, Asheville 828-258-8737

3 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN HIGHLANDS CONSERVANCY appalachian.org n 372 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-0095

SHOPPING

REVOLVE MERCANTILE BUY+SELL+TRADE

Best Clothing: Used or Vintage (for-profit store); second place Asheville-Style Clothes

SOME shops so thoroughly reflect the Asheville area’s character — through a certain quirkiness or independent spirit — that it would be surprising not to see them featured among the Best of WNC winners. Take the iconic Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe (Bookstore–New), for example, or the hip-but-friendly Harvest Records (Record-CD Store), both boasting more than 11 consecutive years in the Hall of Fame. Tropical Storm Helene put many businesses to the test, including the cavernous Antique Tobacco Barn (Antique Store), also a multiple-year Hall of Famer, and The Regeneration Station (TRS), winner of the Store That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville. TRS — which has aimed for sustainability in a fun atmosphere — is also a Hall of Famer for Used Furniture Store (for-profit store) and winner in Refurbished or Upcycled Goods. As these and other businesses forge ahead, be sure to check a shop’s status before making plans.

In addition, there are other lesser-known but likewise fantastic shops that deserve attention, too. Like Emote, a queer-owned secondhand shop on Haywood Road that debuted in the No. 1 slot for Asheville-style clothes, and Acoustic Corner, coming in first this year for Musical Instrument Store. And no gift-shopping foray would be complete without a visit to Whist, voted the best Gift Shop for 10 consecutive years.

And don’t forget to hit up Asheville Area Habitat For Humanity’s ReStore, named best nonprofit place to buy used furniture for 11 straight years.

Please also give a warm welcome to new Hall of Fame honoree YZ Asian Market (International/Specialty Food Store).

— Jessica Wakeman X

SHOPPING

e 800 Fairview Road, Suite EE, Asheville 828-761-2002

SHOPPING

SHOE STORE

1 TOPS FOR SHOES x topsforshoes.com d 27 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-6721

2 DISCOUNT SHOES OF ASHEVILLE discountshoesofasheville.com s 1263 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-667-0085

3 GB SHOES housershoes.com

e 83 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-808-2062

JEWELRY STORE

1 SPICER GREENE JEWELERS x spicergreene.com

d 121 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-253-1805

2 ELEMENTALITY myelementality.com e 4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 220, Asheville 828-299-4751

3 MARTHALER JEWELERS marthalerjewelers.com sa 3578 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher 828-676-1625

MALL-STYLE MARKET

1 MARQUEE marqueeasheville.com r 36 Foundy St., Asheville 828-989-1069

2 THE REGENERATION STATION regenerationstation.com s 26 Glendale Ave., Asheville 828-505-1108

3 GROVE ARCADE grovearcade.com d 1 Page Ave., Asheville 828-252-7799 ALL-ROUND GROCERY STORE

1 INGLES MARKETS x ingles-markets.com

See ad on page 67 for locations

2 PUBLIX SUPER MARKET publix.com

s 1830 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-6287

na 165 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville 828-658-1020

3 TRADER JOE’S traderjoes.com n 120 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-5078

LOCAL GROCERY DELIVERY OR CURBSIDE PICKUP

1 INGLES MARKETS ingles-markets.com

See ad on page 67 for locations

2 MOTHER EARTH FOOD motherearthfood.com w 29 Hawk Hill Road, Asheville 828-275-3500

3 WALMART walmart.com

e 125 Bleachery Blvd., Asheville 828-298-8092

1 ALDI x aldi.com

e 480 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 844-476-1074

w 1344 Patton Ave., Asheville 844-476-1071

na 58 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville 844-476-1073

2 HOPEY AND CO. hopeyandcompany.com e River Ridge Shopping Center, 800 Fairview Road, Suite 111, Asheville 828-255-5228 e 3018 U.S Highway 70, Suite 1, Asheville 828-669-8988

3 TRADER JOE’S traderjoes.com n 120 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-5078

HEALTH FOOD STORE

1 EARTH FARE earthfare.com w 66 Westgate Parkway, Asheville 828-255-2999

1 FRENCH BROAD FOOD CO-OP frenchbroadfood.coop d 90 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-255-7650

2 WHOLE FOODS MARKET wholefoodsmarket.com n 70 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-5440 e 4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-239-9604

3 WEST VILLAGE MARKET & DELI westvillagemarket.com. w 771 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-225-4949

INTERNATIONAL/ SPECIALTY FOOD STORE

1 YZ ASIAN MARKET x avl.mx/9sn w 22 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-785-1653

2 ASIANA MARKET avl.mx/duz s 1968 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-585-2362

3 RADHA INDIAN GROCERS avl.mx/prwr w 813 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-505-1991

CONVENIENCE/ CORNER STORE

1 THE HOT SPOT hotspotcstore.com w 103 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-258-2619

2 WEST VILLAGE MARKET & DELI westvillagemarket.com. w 771 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-225-4949

3 GAS-UP avl.mx/6bv w 405 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-5589

SHOPPING

WYVERN’S

Best Game Store

NEW FURNITURE STORE

1 TYSON FURNITURE CO. x tysonfurniture.com

ea 109 Broadway, Black Mountain 828-669-5000

2 DAVIS HOME FURNITURE davishomefurniture.com

s 100 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-785-1452

3 PENLAND’S FURNITURE penlandsfurniture.com

ea 2700 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-686-5561

USED FURNITURE STORE (FOR-PROFIT STORE)

1 THE REGENERATION STATION x regenerationstation.com

s 26 Glendale Ave., Asheville 828-505-1108

2 ATOMIC FURNISHING & DESIGN atomicfurnishings.com

s 124 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-774-5441

3 LULU’S CONSIGNMENT ilovelulus.net

sa 3699 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher 828-687-7565

USED FURNITURE STORE (NONPROFIT STORE)

1 ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE x avl.mx/e08

s 31 Meadow Road, Asheville 828-254-6706

na 61 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville 828-484-9432

2 WNC BRIDGE FOUNDATION THRIFT STORE & ESTATE SALES ASHEVILLE wncbridge.org s 75 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-575-2509

3 FOUR SEASONS HOSPICE HOME STORE avl.mx/e09

1 COLTON MATTRESS x coltonmattress.com

s 848 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-299-4445

2 MATTRESS FIRM mattressfirm.com

e 83 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-296-9955

n 825 Merrimon Ave., Suite D, Asheville 828-253-4256

2 MATTRESS MAN mattressmanstores.com

e 80 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-782-3453

s 229 Airport Road, Suite 2, Arden 828-827-9797

3 ENZA HOME FURNISHINGS & MATTRESS GALLERY ehasheville.com sa 25 Long Shoals Road, Asheville 828-844-8100

ANTIQUE STORE

1 ANTIQUE TOBACCO BARN x atbarn.com e 75 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-252-7291

2 THE REGENERATION STATION regenerationstation.com s 26 Glendale Ave., Asheville 828-505-1108

3 SWEETEN CREEK ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES sweetencreekantiques.net s 115 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-277-6100 PAWN SHOP

1 ALAN’S JEWELRY & PAWN x alanspawn.com w 1186 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-254-8681 e 736 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-4440

wa 510 Paint Town Road, Cherokee 828-554-0431

2 FINKELSTEIN’S finkelsteinspawn.com d 21 Broadway, Asheville 828-253-7731

SHOPPING

REFURBISHED OR UPCYCLED GOODS

1 THE REGENERATION STATION regenerationstation.com s 26 Glendale Ave., Asheville 828-505-1108

2 ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE avl.mx/e08 s 31 Meadow Road, Asheville 828-254-6706

na 61 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville 828-484-9432

PICTURE FRAMER

1 FRUGAL FRAMER x frugalframer.com

d 95 Cherry St., N., Asheville 828-258-2435

sa 200 Julian Shoals Drive, Arden 828-687-8533

2 BLACKBIRD FRAME & ART blackbirdframe.com

d 365 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-225-3117

3 MICHAELS michaels.com

e River Hills Shopping Center, 111A River Hills Road, Asheville 828-299-0183

FLORIST/PLANT SHOP

1 FLORA & FORAGE x florabotanicalliving.com

w 428B Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-8888

2 POLLEN COFFEE & FLOWERS pollenavl.com

d 45 S. French Broad Ave., Suite 150, Asheville

3 PALM + PINE palmandpine.com

w 178B Westwood Place, Asheville 828-505-2232

BOOKSTORE - NEW

1 MALAPROP’S BOOKSTORE/ CAFE x malaprops.com

d 55 Haywood St., Asheville 828-254-6734

2 FIRESTORM BOOKSTORE CO-OP firestorm.coop w 1022 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-255-8115

3 BARNES & NOBLE barnesandnoble.com e Asheville Mall, 3 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-296-7335

BOOKSTORE - USED

1 MR. K’S USED BOOKS, MUSIC & MORE x mrksusedbooks.com

e River Ridge Market Place, 800 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-299-1145

2 DOWNTOWN BOOKS & NEWS dbnbooks.com d 67 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-253-8654

3 BAGATELLE BOOKS bagatellebooks.com w 428C Haywood Road, Asheville 828-774-5585

RECORD/CD STORE

1 HARVEST RECORDS x harvest-records.com w 415 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-2999

2 STATIC AGE RECORDS avl.mx/69r d 110 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-3232

3 EARTH RIVER RECORDS earthriverproductions.com n 101 Stone Ridge Blvd., Asheville 828-519-9063

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE

1 ACOUSTIC CORNER acoustic-corner.com ea 105-F Montreat Road, Black Mountain 828-669-5162

2 GUITAR CENTER guitarcenter.com e 4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 430, Asheville 828-298-0131

2 HEYDAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS & REPAIR heydaymusic.net d 108 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-0402

3 TEMPO MUSIC CENTER tempomusichendersonville.com sa 244 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-693-8276

GAME STORE

1 THE WYVERN’S TALE thewyvernstaleavl.com n 347 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-7887

2 ORBIT DVD orbitdvd.com w 781 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-251-1337

3 GAMERS HAUNT gamershaunt.com n 211 Merrimon Ave., Suite 241, Asheville 828-251-1500

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

SHOPPING

1 MORGAN’S COMICS x morganscomics.com w 600 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-4003

2 COMIC ENVY comicenvy.com n 333 Merrimon Ave., Suite A, Asheville 828-252-7600

3 ORBIT DVD orbitdvd.com w 781 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-251-1337

1 WHIST x whistshop.com w 444 Haywood Road, Suite 102, Asheville 828-252-5557

2 L.O.F.T. (LOST OBJECTS FOUND TREASURES) loftofasheville.com d 53 Broadway, Asheville 828-259-9303

3 PROVISIONS MERCANTILE provisionsmercantile.com w 728 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-3900

1 OCTOPUS GARDEN SMOKE SHOP x octopusgardensmokeshops.com w 1062 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-232-6030

1 VAVAVOOOM BOUDOIR BOUTIQUE x vavavooom.com d 57 Broadway, Asheville 828-254-6329

2 BOUTIQUE ROYALE: LINGERIE & GIFTS boutique-royale.com s 117 Sweeten Creek Road, Suite 30, Asheville 828-560-0036

3 BEDTYME STORIES avl.mx/dv3 sa 2334 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-684-8250

BIKE SHOP

1 LIBERTY BICYCLES x libertybikes.com s 1378 Hendersonville Road, Suite G, Asheville 828-274-2453

2 EPIC CYCLES epiccyclesnc.com ea 102 Sutton Ave., Black Mountain 828-669-5969 s 1240 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-665-7744

e 1269 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-8880 n 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-2883 ADULT TOYS, LINGERIE & NAUGHTY THINGS STORE

2 MOTION MAKERS BICYCLE SHOP motionmakers.com s 878 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-633-2227

w 36 Allen St., Asheville 828-586-6925

3 GRAVELO WORKSHOP: BICYCLES & COFFEE gravelo-workshop.com n 793 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-209-8798

1141 Tunnel Road  E

828-298-3514

• Asheville

225 Charlotte Highway E

828-298-2160 • Asheville

29 Tunnel Road  E

828-253-1528

• Asheville

550 Highway 9  E

828-669-6700 • Black Mountain

2299 U.S. 70 E

828-686-5410

• Swannanoa

915 Merrimon Ave.  N

828-253-1326 • Asheville

499 Weaverville Road  N

828-645-4521 • Asheville

140 Weaver Blvd.  N

828-645-2902 • Weaverville

1865 Hendersonville Road  S 828-274-0804

• Asheville

780 Hendersonville Road S 828-274-1174

• Asheville

301 Long Shoals Road  S 828-681-5173 • Arden

352 Airport Road  S 828-684-6335 • Arden

2901 Hendersonville Road  S 828-684-8858 • Fletcher 1572 Sand Hill Road  W 828-665-2861 • Candler

863 Brevard Road  W

828-665-0787 • Asheville

669 Haywood Road W 828-259-9268 • Asheville

151 Smokey Park Highway W 828-667-9306

• Asheville

7 New Leicester Highway W 828-253-2005 • Asheville

575 New Leicester Highway  W 828-254-3496 • Asheville

3338 Boylston Highway  W 828-891-3260 • Mills River

THANK

SHOPPING

1 NEWBRIDGE TIRE CENTER x newbridgetirecenter.com n 1475 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-255-8005

2 DISCOUNT TIRE discounttire.com

e 105 Bleachery Blvd., Asheville 828-318-0949

sa 54 Airport Road, Arden 828-708-6022

3 JAN DAVIS TIRE STORE jandavistire.com

d 209 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-253-5634

1 PRESTIGE SUBARU x prestigesubaru.com e 585 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-630-7028

2 APPLE TREE HONDA honda.appletreeautomobiles.com

sa 242 Underwood Road, Fletcher 828-585-3044

3 FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA OF ASHEVILLE ashevilletoyota.com

s 777 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-585-5825

PROFESSIONAL & HOME SERVICES

LIBERTY BICYCLES

Best Bike Repair; best Bike Shop, in Shopping section

PERHAPS you’re a first-time visitor — or one of the more than 6,700 newcomers who the Census Bureau estimates have moved to our eight-county corner of Western North Carolina between 2022 and 2023. Whatever your situation, you’re bound to find the collective wisdom shared by the Best of WNC voters in our Professional & Home Services section well worth a look.

From all things home-related — from buying or building one to painting or cleaning one — to other essential services such as car care, computer repair and accounting work, this section contains a wealth of information about the best people for the job at hand. Now that is something to celebrate!

Be sure to take special note of our Hall of Famers, those winners who’ve captured voters’ loyalty for four years or more in a row — along with another esteemed group, those who have taken top honors for a decade or more. In the latter category, fist bumps go to Henco Reprographics (Print Shop); Austin CPA, PC (Accountant/CPA Firm); Xpertech Car Care (Car Repair); Charlotte Street Computers (Computer Repair); The Matt & Molly Team from Keller Williams Realty (Real Estate Agent); Liberty Bicycles (Bike Repair); MB Haynes Electrical (Electrical/Electrician Company); Gentry Service Group (Heating/Cooling Company); Terminix (Pest Control Service); Two Men and a Truck (Moving Company) and Swannanoa Cleaners (Dry Cleaner).

— Tracy Rose

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

X

PROFESSIONAL & HOME SERVICES

ACCOUNTANT/CPA

FIRM

1 AUSTIN CPA, PC x austincpapc.com

d 301 W. Haywood St., Asheville 828-785-1556

2 ACCOUNTING SPECIALISTS OF ASHEVILLE acctspecialists.com

n 394 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-774-5455

3 LEGGAT TAX AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE

avl.mx/dxw

w 9 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-254-7680

PLACE TO HAVE YOUR TAXES PREPARED

1 AUSTIN CPA, PC x austincpapc.com

d 301 W. Haywood St., Asheville 828-785-1556

2 H&R BLOCK hrblock.com

w 891 Patton Ave., Suite H, Asheville 828-232-6757

d 204 Executive Park, Asheville 828-254-0321

3 AVL TAX PROFESSIONALS avltaxpros.com

s 856 Sweeten Creek Road, Suite C, Asheville 828-277-4177

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

1 KEVIN PASARILLA (NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT CO.) kevinpasarilla.nm.com

n 138 Charlotte St., Suite 200, Asheville 828-253-0712

2 CHRISTINA SIMPSON (OPPENHEIMER & CO.) avl.mx/wordcap4

s 10 Brook St., Suite 290, Asheville 828-251-7923 LAW FIRM

1 GOOSMANN ROSE COLVARD & CRAMER, PA x grcclaw.com

d 77 Central Ave., Suite H, Asheville 828-258-0150

s Biltmore Park Town Square, 2 Town Square Blvd., Suite 350, Asheville 828-258-0150

na 68 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-258-0150

2 MCGUIRE WOOD & BISSETTE LAW FIRM mwblawyers.com

d 48 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-254-8800

3 THE VAN WINKLE LAW FIRM vwlawfirm.com

d 11 N. Market St., Asheville 828-484-1037

REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY

1 KATHERINE VAN MARTER (VAN MARTER LAW) vanmarterlaw.com

r 183 Bartlett St., Suite 110, Asheville 828-417-3251

2 GEORGE F. “GREG” GOOSMANN (GOOSMANN ROSE COLVARD & CRAMER, P.A.) grcclaw.com

d 77 Central Ave., Suite H, Asheville 828-258-0150

s Biltmore Park Town Square, 2 Town Square Blvd., Suite 350, Asheville 828-258-0150

3 VERONICA H. COLVARD (GOOSMANN ROSE COLVARD & CRAMER, P.A) grcclaw.com n 77 Central Ave., Suite H, Asheville 828-258-0150

1 KELLER WILLIAMS PROFESSIONALS

kellerwilliamsasheville.com d 86 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-254-7253

2 MOSAIC COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE REALTY mymosaicrealty.com d 60 Biltmore Ave., Suite 210, Asheville 828-202-9821

3 NEST REALTY ASHEVILLE nestrealty.com/asheville n 339 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-318-8313 REAL ESTATE AGENT

1 THE MATT & MOLLY TEAM (KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY) x themattandmollyteam.com d 86 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-210-1697

2 SONA MERLIN (APPALACHIAN REALTY ASSOCIATES) appalachianrealty.com n 23 Arlington St., Asheville 828-255-7530 INSURANCE AGENT

1 CHAD MCKINNEY (MCKINNEY INSURANCE) mckinneyagency.com s 5 Allen Ave., Asheville 828-684-5020

2 REBECCA SANDOVAL (STATE FARM INSURANCE) avl.mx/dyu n 6 Colonial Place, Asheville 828-252-8222

1 T.P. HOWARD’S PLUMBING CO. x tphowardsplumbing.com

ea 90 Number 9 Road, Fairview 828-628-1369

2 FOUR SEASONS PLUMBING callfourseasons.com

s 30 Bella Way, Asheville 828-490-7905

2 MB HAYNES PLUMBING mbhaynes.com

w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141

3 ALL ABOUT PLUMBING & SEPTIC allaboutplumbingnc.com

sa 5521 Old Haywood Road, Suite 1, Mills River 828-232-8156 ELECTRICAL/ELECTRICIAN COMPANY

1 MB HAYNES ELECTRICAL x mbhaynes.com w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141

2 POWER TO THE PEOPLE avlp2p.com M Asheville • 828-551-9843 HEATING/COOLING COMPANY

1 GENTRY SERVICE GROUP x gentryservice.com

ea 100 Buckeye Access Road, Swannanoa 828-581-4045

2 MB HAYNES HEATING & COOLING mbhaynes.com w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141

3 HORIZON HEAT & AIR horizonheatac.com sa 1581 N. Allen Road, Hendersonville 828-882-2098

PEST CONTROL SERVICE

1 TERMINIX x trustterminix.com e 232 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-253-3816 w 396 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-820-8659 sa 77 McCall St., Flat Rock 828-786-4878

2 DODSON PEST CONTROL dodsonbros.com wa 1739 Smokey Park Highway, Candler 844-501-5088

3 GIBSON PEST CONTROL gibsonpest.com s 20 Rosscraggon Road, Asheville 888-680-8451

MOVING COMPANY

1 TWO MEN AND A TRUCK x twomenandatruckasheville.com sa 240 Rutledge Road, Fletcher 828-355-6058

2 COLLEGE HUNKS HAULING JUNK & MOVING ASHEVILLE collegehunkshaulingjunk.com sa 6 Celtic Drive, Unit B1, Arden 828-439-0728

CONSTRUCTION FIRM (DESIGN AND/OR BUILD)

1 MODERN MOUNTAIN BUILDERS modernmountainbuilders.com r 109 Roberts St., Suite 5D, Asheville 828-484-6213

HOUSE PAINTERS

1 BIONIC MAN PAINTING CO. x bionicmanpainting.com w 57 Salola St., Asheville 828-215-7772

ROOFING COMPANY

1 JOHN MCCLUNG ROOFING johnmcclungroofing.com M Asheville • 828-582-4165

2 BALKEN ROOFING balkenroofing.com ea 101 W. Buckeye Road, Swannanoa 828-628-0390

SUGAR HOLLOW SOLAR

PRINT SHOP

1 HENCO REPROGRAPHICS x hencorepro.com

d 54 Broadway, Asheville 828-253-0449

n 1445 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-552-3671

2 PRINTVILLE printville.net

d Grove Arcade, 9 O. Henry Ave., Suite 116, Asheville 828-225-3777

s 224 Old Airport Road, Fletcher 828-348-5126

3 828 PRINTING & GRAPHICS 828printingandgraphics.com o Asheville • 828-216-0955 CELLPHONE SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE WNC MOUNTAINS

1 VERIZON x verizon.com

e 242 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-573-1403

e Asheville Mall, 3 S. Tunnel Road, Suite B-01, Asheville 828-299-8889

w 159 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville 828-668-5811

2 T-MOBILE t-mobile.com

w 771 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-281-3229

e 129 Bleachery Blvd., Suite T, Asheville 828-296-0417

3 AT&T att.com

e 4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 17, Asheville 828-298-1833 COMPUTER REPAIR

1 CHARLOTTE STREET COMPUTERS x charlottestreetcomputers.com n 252 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-225-6600

2 ONECLICKFIX COMPUTER REPAIR oneclickfix.com n 438 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-318-8558

3 CHRISTOPHER’S

christopherscomputers.com n 549 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-670-9800

1 XPERTECH CAR CARE x xpertechcarcare.com e 1295 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-298-3612

2 MOSTLY IMPORT AUTO REPAIR autorepairasheville.com d 253 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-253-4981

3 MIKE BYER AUTO & TRUCK REPAIR mikebyerauto.com s 1274 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-258-0548 PLACE TO GET YOUR OIL CHANGED

1 VALVOLINE INSTANT OIL CHANGE vioc.com s 1276 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-274-3085 n 663 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-251-2666 s 1254 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-277-7976

2 XPERTECH CAR CARE xpertechcarcare.com e 1295 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-298-3612

3 TAKE 5 OIL CHANGE take5.com w 285 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville 828-761-0906

BIKE REPAIR

1 LIBERTY BICYCLES x libertybikes.com s 1378 Hendersonville Road, Suite G, Asheville 828-274-2453

2 FIND YOUR LINE BICYCLE SHOP findyourline.bike w 359 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-585-7289

3 EPIC CYCLES epiccyclesnc.com ea 102 Sutton Ave., Black Mountain 828-669-5969

GREEN BUILDER

1 JAG CONSTRUCTION jaggreen.com e 33 Mineral Springs Road, Asheville 828-252-4205

1 WRIGHT’S CARPET & FLOORING wrightscarpet.com

ea 1800 U.S. 70 Highway, Swannanoa 828-414-2792

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SALES AND INSTALLATION

1 SUGAR HOLLOW SOLAR sugarhollowsolar.com

e 2 Miller Road, E., Asheville 828-776-9161

1 BEN WEAVER (LEAVE IT TO WEAVER) x leaveittoweaver.net

M Weaverville • 828-301-4725

HOME INSPECTION SERVICE

1 AMERICAN EAGLE HOME INSPECTIONS americaneaglehomeinspection.com M Asheville • 828-589-0252

HOME CLEANING SERVICE

1 GREEN HOME CLEANING x greenhomecleaning.com M Asheville • 828-505-7320

JUNK REMOVAL SERVICE

1 COLLEGE HUNKS HAULING JUNK & MOVING ASHEVILLE collegehunkshaulingjunk.com

sa 6 Celtic Drive, Unit B1, Arden 828-439-0728

2 JUNK RECYCLERS junkrecyclers.net M Asheville • 828-707-2407

DRY CLEANER

1 SWANNANOA CLEANERS x swannanoacleaners.com d 165 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-253-3691 n 712 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-252-3676

s South Forest Shopping Center, 780 Hendersonville Road, Unit 4, Asheville 828-274-7550

2 ASHEVILLE CLEANERS

avl.mx/dum n 230 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-2364

3 QUICK AS A WINK CLEANERS

avl.mx/7v6 s 750 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-253-2331

Hurricane Helene damaged or destroyed many WNC businesses. Some areas and industries have bounced back more quickly than others. Be sure to check company websites before visiting the winners listed in this guide.

PERSONAL SERVICES

ANANDA HAIR STUDIO

ABOUT 150 years ago, Asheville and Western North Carolina experienced a health-related tourism boom as our region was touted as a restorative retreat from steamier, swampier climes in nearby South Carolina and Georgia. During that Gilded Age, the cool mountain air and hikes in our hardwood forests were praised for promoting fitness and relaxation.

You could say that tradition continues with WNC’s current reputation as a personal services hotspot — except that today, those services extend beyond traditional spa treatments to include artistic personal adornment, self-expression through hair and nails, local body products and more. In two centuries, modes of travel may have morphed from horseback to stagecoach to railway to Interstate 40, but at the journey’s end, it’s still all about whatever makes you feel good.

This year, like last, the two most hotly contested categories in our Personal Services section are Hair Salon and Hairstylist. Check out the winners. The Esthetician bracket, reintroduced last year due to popular demand, is back for a second inning. In the Eyebrow Shaping category, new this year, Rosie Brow + Waxing Studio, took the honors.

Five Hall of Famers return, including Zen Ink (Tattoo Parlor/Studio for five years), American Nails AVL (Nail Salon for five years), Bella Fine Jewelry & Piercing (Piercing Studio for seven years), The Local Barber & Tap (Barbershop for eight years running) and The Spa at Omni Grove Park Inn (Spa for an impressive 14 years).

— Pat Moran X

n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

1 THE SPA AT OMNI GROVE PARK INN x avl.mx/554 n 290 Macon Ave., Asheville 800-438-5800

2 SAUNA HOUSE saunahouse.com

d 230 Short Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-505-6393

3 SHOJI SPA & RETREAT shojispa.com e 96 Avondale Heights, Asheville 828-299-0999

ESTHETICIAN

1 MAJESTY BOSWELL (HUNNY ESTHETICS) hunnyesthetics.com s 76 Glendale Ave., Suite 302, Asheville 828-573-4842

2 SARAH YOUNG (EVOKE VITALITY) evokevitality.com d 125 S. Lexington Ave., Suite 102A, Asheville 828-222-0281

EYEBROW SHAPING

1 ROSIE BROW + WAXING STUDIO rosiebrows.com n 1 Zillicoah St., Asheville 828-295-2064

HAIR SALON

1 ANANDA HAIR STUDIO anandahair.com

d 22 Broadway, Asheville 828-232-1017

r 37 Paynes Way, Asheville 828-236-2444 n 308 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-678-2444

2 WINK SALON ilovewink.com s 18 Brook St., Suite 103, Asheville 828-277-4070

3 WILLOW’S DREAM willowsdream.com d 64 Broadway, Asheville 828-225-5922

HAIRSTYLIST

1 AMY GROOMS ROSE lovewolfandrose.com • Asheville 828-337-0061

2 SKIP FELLERS (NEON MOON SALON) theneonmoonsalon.com w 880 Haywood Road, Asheville 770-856-1730

3 CAITLIN FRINK (SALON DRAGONFLY) salondragonfly.net d 115 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-253-3977

PERSONAL SERVICES

1 THE LOCAL BARBER & TAP x barberandtap.com d 84 W. Walnut St., Unit B, Asheville 828-232-7005 w 315 Haywood Road, Suite 115 828-412-3285

2 ASHEVILLE BARBER CO. ashevillebarbercompany.com n 839 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-575-9494

3 JONNY’S BARBER SHOP jonnysbarbershop.com d Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Suite 116A, Asheville 828-367-9780

1 JONNY KATZMAREK (JONNY’S BARBER SHOP) jonnysbarbershop.com d Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Suite 116A, Asheville 828-367-9780

2 JEREMY SAVAGE (SAVAGE HAIR STUDIOS) avl.mx/dx5 r 109 Roberts St., Asheville 828-712-9048

3 MARCUS WOODY (THE OUTPOST BARBER) theoutpostbarber.com e 2 Beverly Road, Asheville 828-793-3086

1 AMERICAN NAILS AVL x americannailsavl.com w 1341 Parkwood Road, Suite 104, Asheville 828-255-5525

2 LUCKY DICE NAIL STUDIO luckydiceavl.square.site s 76 Glendale Ave., Suite 203, Asheville 828-505-2645

3 HANDS ON SPA handsonspaashevillenc.com n 640 Merrimon Ave., Suite 105, Asheville 828-255-4540

NAIL TECHNICIAN

1 THANG CHU (AMERICAN NAILS AVL) americannailsavl.com w 1341 Parkwood Road, Suite 104, Asheville 828-255-5525

2 CHANCEY FURNAS (LUCKY DICE NAIL STUDIO) luckydicenailstudio.glossgenius.com s 76 Glendale Ave., Suite 203, Asheville 828-505-2645

2 PRETTY TONY (CASEY MILLER) avl.mx/dyt w Union Hill Salon, 526 Haywood Road, Asheville

3 VICKY NGUYEN (HANDS ON SPA) handsonspaashevillenc.com n 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-255-4540

TATTOO PARLOR/STUDIO

1 ZEN INK x zeninkasheville.com r 352 Depot St., Suite 110, Asheville 828-505-4456

2 HOT STUFF TATTOO hotstufftattoos.com w 416 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-251-6040

3 THISTLE AND PEARL TATTOO thistleandpearltattoo.com n 107 Merrimon Ave., Suite 310, Asheville 828-424-7880

TATTOO ARTIST

1 MARTINA ZAGO (GIRL & GOBLIN) girlandgoblin.com w 610 Haywood Road, Asheville

2 RIVER DAWN (SPIRIT ALCHEMY) spiritalchemytattoo.com n Beaver Lake Office Plaza, 959 Merrimon Ave., Suite 5, Asheville

3 KRIS ROBERTS (GREENHOUSE) avl.mx/dzv n 15 Zillicoa St., Asheville 828-606-9873

PIERCING STUDIO

1 BELLA FINE JEWELRY AND PIERCING x bellapiercing.com d 51 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-301-1711

2 DIAMOND THIEVES diamondthieves.net w 1060 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-225-3845

3 ZEN INK zeninkasheville.com r 352 Depot St., Suite 110, Asheville 828-505-4456 LOCAL BODYPRODUCTS MAKER

1 CARA MAE SKIN CARE caramaeskincare.com o Asheville • 828-280-5659

KIDS

ARTSPACE CHARTER SCHOOL

Best Art Education Program; best School (Precollege)

LIKE kids themselves, a number of winners in this year’s Kids section have jumped around on their way to the top.

Take the hotly contested Preschool category, which sees Rainbow Community School (2022’s winner) recapturing the crown from last year’s champion, Odyssey Community School.

Then there’s Asheville Community Movement (2022’s gold medalist), which retakes top honors for Gymnastics Program from last year’s winner, The Little Gym of Asheville.

Likewise, the N.C. Arboretum snatched Kid-Friendly Hike laurels from Catawba Falls (winner in the previous two years). Catawba Falls’ trails reopened in May 2024 after a two-year closure for multiple improvements but, four months later, faced temporary closure due to Tropical Storm Helene. So the category may be up for grabs again next year.

We also applaud our Hall of Famers, those who have clinched their titles for four years or more in a row — along with another elite bunch, those who have reigned supreme for a decade or more. A high five to Dancing Bear Toys for Toy Store (14 years), WNC Nature Center for Daytrip for Kids (12 years), Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts for Martial Arts Program (12 years) and Parents Night Out Program (10 years), and ABC Pediatrics of Asheville for Pediatric Practice–General Medicine (12 years).

And let’s put our hands together for the newest addition to the Hall of Fame, Launch Trampoline Park (Place for Birthday Parties).

—

Tracy Rose X n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

KIDS

RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Best Preschool; second place Art Education Program; second place School (Precollege); third place After-school Program

SCHOOL (PRECOLLEGE)

1 ARTSPACE CHARTER SCHOOL artspacecharter.org ea 2030 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-298-2787

2 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL rainbowcommunityschool.org w 574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264

3 ODYSSEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL odysseycommunity.org w 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville 828-259-3653

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS x martialartsasheville.com e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

2 Y AFTERSCHOOL IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (YMCA OF WNC) ymcawnc.org/childcare n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-251-5910

3 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL rainbowcommunityschool.org w 574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264 PRESCHOOL

1 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL rainbowcommunityschool.org w 574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264

2 ODYSSEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL odysseycommunity.org w 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville 828-259-3653

3 SHALOM CHILDREN’S CENTER (ASHEVILLE JCC) jcc-asheville.org n 236 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-253-0701

CHILD CARE OR DAY CARE SERVICE

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS martialartsasheville.com

e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

2 SHALOM CHILDREN’S CENTER (ASHEVILLE JCC) jcc-asheville.org n 236 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-253-0701

3 VERNER CENTER FOR EARLY LEARNING vernerearlylearning.org e 2586 Riceville Road, Asheville 828-298-0808

ART EDUCATION PROGRAM

1 ARTSPACE CHARTER SCHOOL x artspacecharter.org ea 2030 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-298-2787

2 RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL rainbowcommunityschool.org w 574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264

MUSIC TEACHER

1 MEG NOVAK (ARTSPACE CHARTER SCHOOL) artspacecharter.org

ea 2030 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-298-2787

2 LAURA BLACKLEY (RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL) rainbowcommunityschool.org w 574 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-258-9264

3 RIVER GUERGUERIAN guerguerian.com n Odyssey Community School, 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville 828-301-6605

DAYTRIP FOR KIDS

1 WNC NATURE CENTER x wildwnc.org e 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville 828-259-8080

KID-FRIENDLY HIKE

1 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM ncarboretum.org

s 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492

2 BEARWALLOW MOUNTAIN avl.mx/e03

sa 4854 Bearwallow Mountain Road, Hendersonville

2 CRAGGY PINNACLE TRAIL (CRAGGY GARDENS) avl.mx/bwy

ea Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 364.4-367.6, Black Mountain 828-775-0976

OVERNIGHT CAMP

1 CAMP CEDAR CLIFF x campcedarcliff.org

e 5 Porters Cove Road, Asheville 828-450-3331

2 YMCA CAMP WATIA ymcacampwatia.org

wa 5030 Watia Road, Bryson City 828-209-9600

DAY CAMP

1 CAMP CEDAR CLIFF campcedarcliff.org

e 5 Porters Cove Road, Asheville 828-450-3331

2 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS martialartsasheville.com

e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

3 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY MOVEMENT ashevillecommunitymovement.com n 812 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-6060

PLACE FOR INDOOR FUN

1 LAUNCH TRAMPOLINE PARK launchtrampolinepark.com sa 24 Walden Drive, Arden 828-651-0280

2 MOUNTAIN PLAY LODGE mountainplaylodge.com

sa 3389 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-2120

3 ASHEVILLE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE (AMOS) ashevillescience.org

d 43 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-254-7162

PLACE FOR OUTDOOR FUN

1 WNC NATURE CENTER x wildwnc.org e 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville 828-259-8080

2 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM ncarboretum.org

s 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492

3 CARRIER PARK avl.mx/dvm w 220 Amboy Road, Asheville 828-259-5800

PLAYGROUND

1 CARRIER PARK avl.mx/dvm w 220 Amboy Road, Asheville 828-259-5800

2 LAKE LOUISE PARK avl.mx/e0a na Lake Louise Drive, Weaverville 828-645-7116

3 THE PARK AT FLAT ROCK flatrockparkfoundation.org

sa 55 Highland Golf Drive, Flat Rock 828-697-8100

MUSEUM

1 ASHEVILLE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE (AMOS) ashevillescience.org d 43 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-254-7162

2 ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM ashevilleart.org

d 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville 828-253-3227

3 HANDS ON! CHILDREN’S MUSEUM handsonwnc.org

sa 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-697-8333

PLACE FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES

1 LAUNCH TRAMPOLINE PARK x launchtrampolinepark.com

sa 24 Walden Drive, Arden 828-651-0280

2 MOUNTAIN PLAY LODGE mountainplaylodge.com

sa 3389 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-2120

3 CHUCK E CHEESE chuckecheese.com

e River Hills Shopping Center, 104 River Hills Road, Asheville 828-299-3750

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS x martialartsasheville.com e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

2 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY MOVEMENT ashevillecommunitymovement.com n 812 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-6060

3 YMCA OF WNC ymcawnc.org/programs n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-3990

1 CENTER STAGE DANCE STUDIO x centerstageavl.com s 38L Rosscraggon Road, Asheville 828-654-7010

2 ASHEVILLE DANCE THEATER ashevilledancetheater.com e 802 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-298-0258

3 BALLET CONSERVATORY OF ASHEVILLE balletconservatoryofasheville. wordpress.com n 6 E. Chestnut St., Asheville 828-255-5777

ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY

MOVEMENT Best Gymnastics Program; second place Parents Night Out Program; third place Day Camp

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY MOVEMENT

ashevillecommunitymovement.com n 812 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-6060

2 THE LITTLE GYM OF ASHEVILLE tlgashevillenc.com

s 10 Crispin Court, Suite 104, Asheville 828-747-2239

3 HAHN’S GYMNASTICS hahnsgymnastics.com

sa 18 Legend Drive, Arden 828-684-8832 MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS x martialartsasheville.com

e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

2 DRAGON PHOENIX dragonphoenix.org

n 51 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 109, Asheville 828-423-2868

TEAM-SPORTS PROGRAM

1 ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION (ABYSA) x abysa.org

e 593 Azalea Road E., Asheville 828-299-7277

2 HIGHLANDS FOOTBALL CLUB (HFC) abysa.org

e 593 Azalea Road E., Asheville 828-299-7277

KIDS CLOTHES

1 THE LITTLEST BIRDS x thelittlestbirds.com

e Asheville Mall, 3 S. Tunnel Road, Suite G-08, Asheville 828-253-4747

2 WEE TRADE weetradecarolinas.com

sa Davis Event Center, 761 Boylston Highway, Fletcher

3 ONCE UPON A CHILD onceuponachild.com e 104 River Hills Road, Unit D&E, Asheville 828-707-8097

1 DANCING BEAR TOYS x dancingbeartoys.com e 518 Kenilworth Road, Asheville 828-255-8697

2 O.P. TAYLOR’S optaylors.com sa 16 S. Broad St., Brevard 828-883-2309 sa 418 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-384-4958

2 SPARKY’S TOYS & GIFTS sparkystoyshop.com w 726 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-2711

3 SASSAFRAS ON SUTTON sassafrasonsutton.com ea 108 Sutton Ave., Black Mountain 828-419-0677

3 THE LITTLEST BIRDS thelittlestbirds.com e Asheville Mall, 3 S. Tunnel Road, Suite G-08, Asheville 828-253-4747

BAKERY FOR BIRTHDAY CAKES

1 PUBLIX SUPER MARKET publix.com s 1830 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-6287

na 165 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville 828-658-1020

sa 635 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville 828-694-4440

2 SHORT STREET CAKES shortstreetcakes.com w 225 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-4822

3 MCFARLAN BAKERY mcfarlanbakery.com

sa 309 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-693-4256

PEDIATRIC PRACTICEGENERAL MEDICINE

1 ABC PEDIATRICS OF ASHEVILLE x abcasheville.com s 64 Peachtree Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-277-3000

2 FRENCH BROAD PEDIATRICS frenchbroadpeds.com n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 117, Asheville 828-348-8232

3 MOUNTAIN AREA PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES, PA mountainareapeds.com e 500 Centrepark Drive, Asheville 828-254-4337

PEDIATRIC PRACTICE - DENTISTRY

1 GREAT SMILES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS greatsmiles.com s 10B Yorkshire St., Asheville 828-274-9220

n 94 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 102, Asheville 828-274-9220

ea 50 Bowman Drive, Waynesville 828-274-9220

2 ASHEVILLE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY ashevillepediatricdentistry.com s 70 Peachtree Road, Suite 130, Asheville 828-277-6788

3 DR. DENNIS R. CAMPBELL babytoothdoc.com s 430 McDowell St., Asheville 828-417-3828

ORTHODONTIST

1 TIMOTHY SCANLAN (TS ORTHODONTICS) tsorthodontics.com s 76 Peachtree Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-270-7638

2 KEITH BLACK (BLACK ORTHODONTICS) kblacksmiles.com s 5 Yorkshire St., Suite A, Asheville 828-532-5922

3 JEFFREY ROEDER (ROEDER ORTHODONTICS) roederorthodontics.com s 22 Medical Park Drive, Asheville 828-274-2500

PETS

RUFF LIFE

DOG TRAINING SERVICES

Best Trainer/Training Center; second place Pet Day Care Facility; second place Pet Kennel

IF Western North Carolina mirrors the U.S., then 66% of households here have a pet, and if we track with the rest of the South, then we’re spending about $673 a year on those beloved companions, according to recent statistics compiled by MarketWatch.

Judging from the number of dog-friendly breweries, veterinarians, pet day care centers, groomers, kennels and other services geared toward our faithful sidekicks, that figure doesn’t seem to be a stretch. Pet love runs so deep here that we can even boast about our American Museum of the House Cat, based in Sylva.

Those who take care of our furry friends include several repeat standouts. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue once again led the pack by holding onto the title of best Animal Shelter/ Rescue Organization for an impressive 14-year streak. Other Hall of Famers with notable runs include Animal Hospital of North Asheville (Veterinary Services) for 11 consecutive years; Patton Avenue Pet Co. (Pet Supply Store) for 11 years running; and Happy Tails Country Club (Pet Kennel) for seven years in a row.

Please give a hearty welcome to the newest Hall of Famers. This year, Wagbar (Outdoor Place to Take Your Pet and Pet-Friendly Bar or Brewery) and Tim McMullan of Pinnacle Animal Hospital (Veterinarian) earned that distinction.

— Justin McGuire X n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

1 ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF NORTH ASHEVILLE x

ahna.net

n 1 Beaverdam Road, Asheville 828-253-3393

2 CHARLOTTE STREET ANIMAL HOSPITAL

charlottestreetanimalhospital.com

n 208 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-900-9161

3 THE PET VET ON PATTON petvetonpatton.com

w 2 Hansel Ave., Asheville 828-232-9990

VETERINARIAN

1 TIM MCMULLAN (PINNACLE ANIMAL HOSPITAL) x pinnacleanimalhospital.com

sa 200 Julian Lane, Suite 240, Arden 828-676-2332

2 BRETT YOUNG (WNC VETERINARY HOSPITAL) wncveterinaryhospital.com

sa 2 Pond St., Arden 828-684-3531

3 SUSAN WOOTTEN (ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF NORTH ASHEVILLE)

ahna.net

n 1 Beaverdam Road, Asheville 828-253-3393

ALTERNATIVE PET HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

1 LAUREL DAVIS (SUNVET ANIMAL WELLNESS) sunvetanimalwellness.com

d 251 Haywood St., Suite A, Asheville 828-254-2221

PET SUPPLY STORE

1 PATTON AVENUE PET CO. x pattonavenuepet.com

d 109 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-255-7737

w 1388 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-505-8299

s 582 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-575-9282

2 PETSMART petsmart.com

e 150 Bleachery Blvd., Asheville 828-298-5670

sa 3 McKenna Road, Arden 828-681-5343

3 ASHEVILLE PET SUPPLY ashevillepetsupply.com n 1451 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-252-2054

1 HAPPY TAILS COUNTRY CLUB x happytailscc.com

ea 1984 Cane Creek Road, Fletcher 828-628-8510

wa 2040 Sand Hill Ext., Candler 828-628-8510

2 RUFF LIFE DOG TRAINING SERVICES rufflifeavl.com

s 95 Thompson St., Asheville 828-365-8244

3 BUCKEYE KENNELS ashevillekennels.com

ea 790 Buckeye Access Road, Swannanoa 828-299-9500

PET DAY CARE FACILITY

1 HAPPY TAILS COUNTRY CLUB happytailscc.com

ea 1984 Cane Creek Road, Fletcher 828-628-8510

wa 2040 Sand Hill Ext., Candler 828-628-8510

2 RUFF LIFE DOG TRAINING SERVICES rufflifeavl.com s 95 Thompson St., Asheville 828-365-8244

3 BARKMORE PARK Barkmorepark.com e 10 Hemphill Road, Asheville 828-785-1721

GROOMING

1 PAWSITIVITY PET SPA pawsitivitypetspa.com w 1388 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-505-8278

2 HAIR OF THE DOG PET SALON hotdavl.com s 1451 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-274-4155

3 SOMETHING TO BARK ABOUT somethingtobarkabout.co e 875 Tunnel Road, Suite C, Asheville 828-298-0633

TRAINING

s 95 Thompson St., Asheville 828-365-8244

HEATHER POLECHIO (MINDFUL MUTZ TRAINING &

mindfulmutz.com M Asheville • 828-230-6389 3 THE DOG DOOR dogdoorcanineservices.com d 1 Battle Square, Suite A, Asheville 828-656-8305 PET SITTING/ DOG WALKING SERVICE

WNC PET CARE LLC wncpetcare.com s 94 Aurora Drive, Asheville 828-333-2992 3 MANDY HIGDON Asheville • 828-788-3795

1 BROTHER WOLF ANIMAL RESCUE x bwar.org s 31 Glendale Ave., Asheville 828-505-3440

ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY ashevillehumane.org w 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville 828-761-2001 3 MOUNTAIN PET RESCUE mountainpetrescueavl.org wa 7 Old Pisgah Highway, Suite 200, Candler

1 WAGBAR x wagbar.com na 320 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-333-9765 2 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM ncarboretum.org s 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492 3 CARRIER PARK avl.mx/dvm w 220 Amboy Road, Asheville 828-259-5800 3 FRENCH BROAD RIVER PARK avl.mx/dwx w 508 Riverview Drive, Asheville 828-259-5800

WAGBAR x wagbar.com na 320 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-333-9765

HIGHLAND BREWING CO. highlandbrewing.com e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-299-3370

The S&W Market, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-243-6925

HILLMAN BEER hillmanbeer.com s 25 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-505-1312

UNIQUELY ASHEVILLE

FLEETWOOD’S ROCK-N-ROLL WEDDING CHAPEL

Best Place to Get Married; third place Intimate Music Venue/Listening Room, in Arts & Entertainment section; third place Bar for Live Music, in Drinks section

MY, oh my, how you’ve changed in 30 years, Asheville. What once was a sleepy little mountain town in the early ’90s (when Xpress first launched) now draws millions visitors from around the country and beyond — reaching 12.5 million in 2021 alone.

Coupled with that growth has been a veritable explosion in the area’s hotel sector, with hotel rooms nearly doubling from 4,874 in 1992 to 9,034 in 2022, according to the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority.

While out-of-towners help support the restaurants, art galleries, boutiques and music venues that residents love, many Ashevilleans seem to have a love-hate relationship with the tourism industry.

This year, voters said the Biggest Threat to Asheville’s Uniqueness lies in becoming strictly a tourist town. And short-term rentals and tourists, as a pair, snagged third place in the category. According to voters, the Worst Thing to Happen to Asheville in The Last 12 Months was … you guessed it, more hotels. Meanwhile, affordable housing was named the No. 1 need for every part of the city (and a new Hall of Famer for West Asheville).

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Asheville-based nonprofit BeLoved Asheville again earned Hall of Fame honors as Nonprofit That Improves Asheville and Nonprofit That Serves the Underprivileged. “Keep Asheville Weird” also snagged Bumper Sticker or Slogan accolades for the 14th consecutive year.

And let’s whoop it up for new Hall of Famers Kim Roney (Local Politician), West Asheville (Neighborhood), Biltmore Estate (Place to Pretend You’re a Tourist) and Highland Brewing Co.’s Event Center (Venue to Book a Party or Event).

— Brooke Randle X

1 WEST

1 MONTFORD AVE. n 2 HAYWOOD ROAD w 3 KIMBERLY AVENUE n LOCAL ASHEVILLE

1 BILTMORE ESTATE x biltmore.com s Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812

2 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM ncarboretum.org s 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492

3 LAZOOM lazoomtours.com

d 76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932

LOCAL CITY TOUR

1 LAZOOM: HEY ASHEVILLE! CITY COMEDY TOUR x lazoomtours.com

d 76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932

2 GHOSTED: HAUNTED COMEDY TOUR (LAZOOM) lazoomtours.com

d 76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932

3 GRAY LINE TROLLEY TOURS graylineasheville.com n 36 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-251-8687

PLACE TO TAKE YOUR ECCENTRIC FRIENDS

1 THE ODD x theoddasheville.com w 1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299

2 RIVER ARTS DISTRICT (THE RAD) riverartsdistrict.com r Asheville

3 DRUM CIRCLE AT PRITCHARD PARK avl.mx/a3n d 67 Patton Ave., Asheville

PLACE TO PRETEND YOU’RE A TOURIST

1 BILTMORE ESTATE x biltmore.com s Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812

2 ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN

3 LAZOOM lazoomtours.com

d 76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932

PLACE TO CONNECT WITH NATURE WITHIN ASHEVILLE CITY LIMITS

1 BOTANICAL GARDENS x ashevillebotanicalgardens.org n 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd., Asheville 828-252-5190

2 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM ncarboretum.org s 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492

3 WNC NATURE CENTER wildwnc.org e 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville 828-259-8080

HISTORIC/ INTERESTING BUILDING

1 BILTMORE HOUSE x biltmore.com s Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812

2 GROVE ARCADE grovearcade.com d 1 Page Ave., Asheville 828-252-7799

3 OMNI GROVE PARK INN avl.mx/3te n 290 Macon Ave., Asheville 800-438-5800 VENUE TO BOOK FOR A PARTY OR EVENT

1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. EVENT CENTER x highlandbrewing.com e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-299-3370 PLACE TO GET MARRIED 1 FLEETWOOD’S ROCK-N-ROLL WEDDING CHAPEL fleetwoodschapel.com w 496 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-5525

2 BILTMORE ESTATE biltmore.com s Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812

3 HAIKU I DO haikuido.com s 26 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-412-3939 HOTEL

1 OMNI GROVE PARK INN x avl.mx/3te n 290 Macon Ave., Asheville 800-438-5800

2 THE RADICAL theradicalavl.com r 95 Roberts St., Asheville 828-412-0200

3 THE RESTORATION therestorationhotel.com d 68 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-220-0368

UNIQUELY ASHEVILLE

WEST ASHEVILLE

Best Neighborhood

B&B OR SMALL BOUTIQUE HOTEL

1 ZELDA DEAREST zeldadearest.com d 150 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-514-2489

HOLIDAY EVENTWINTER/SPRING

1 WINTER LIGHTS AT THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM x ncarboretum.org s 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492

2 NATIONAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION avl.mx/a8y n Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville 800-438-5800

3 CHRISTMAS AT BILTMORE biltmore.com s Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812

HOLIDAY EVENTSUMMER/FALL

1 BLUE RIDGE PRIDE FESTIVAL avl.mx/e0d d Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville 828-820-3993

2 SHINDIG ON THE GREEN avl.mx/dz7 d Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville 828-258-6101

3 NC APPLE FESTIVAL ncapplefestival.org sa 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-697-4557 LOCAL HERO

1 KIM RONEY

kimroney4asheville.com w 30 Westgate Parkway, Suite 341, Asheville 828-771-6265

LOCAL VILLAIN

1 CHAD NESBITT avl.mx/dvo • Asheville 828-515-0445

2 ESTHER MANHEIMER avl.mx/cvb d 70 Court Plaza, Asheville 828-259-5600

3 CHUCK EDWARDS edwards.house.gov sa Hendersonville • 828-435-7310

LOCAL POLITICIAN

1 KIM RONEY x kimroney4asheville.com w 30 Westgate Parkway, Suite 341, Asheville 828-771-6265

NONPROFIT THAT IMPROVES ASHEVILLE

1 BELOVED ASHEVILLE x belovedasheville.com e 32 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-571-0766

2 MANNA FOODBANK mannafoodbank.org e 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-299-3663

3 ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ashevillehabitat.org s 33 Meadow Road, Asheville 828-251-5702

NONPROFIT THAT SERVES

1 BELOVED ASHEVILLE x belovedasheville.com e 32 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-571-0766

2 MANNA FOODBANK mannafoodbank.org e 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-299-3663

3 ABCCM (ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN MINISTRY) abccm.org w 20 Twentieth St., Asheville 828-259-5300

ACTIVIST GROUP FOR CIVIC/POLITICAL ACTION

1 BELOVED ASHEVILLE belovedasheville.com e 32 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-571-0766

LOCAL FUNDRAISING EVENT

1 DINING OUT FOR LIFE (WNCAP) avl.mx/dk8 s 554 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-252-7489

2 DINE TO BE KIND (ASHEVILLE HUMANE

avl.mx/prx5 w 16 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville 828-761-2001

2 KELLER WILLIAMS FASHION VICTIMS BALL avl.mx/dxp • Asheville

BUMPER STICKER OR SLOGAN ABOUT ASHEVILLE

1 KEEP ASHEVILLE WEIRD x

2 ASHEVILLE CAT WEIRDOS ashevillecatweirdos.org

3 ASHEVILLE: CESSPOOL OF SIN

88.7 WNCW

ALTHOUGH

Asheville Watchdog has seemingly left no stone unturned in covering HCA Healthcare-owned Mission Hospital, the hospital’s “failings,” as voters put it, earned it the distinction of Most Underreported Story in the past year. And for Most Important Local News Story? Mission Hospital wins again.

Speaking of Asheville Watchdog, the online outlet’s John Boyle took home his 13th straight title as best Local Print Reporter by a landslide, having started his run with the Asheville Citizen Times. Since Boyle doesn’t have a physical paper to autograph anymore, we’d like to suggest he use this Best of WNC edition to keep his rabid fans satisfied.

Over on television, Jason Boyer of WLOS News 13 scored his first win as WNC’s favorite Local TV Personality/Announcer. And WLOS News 13 itself took home both best Local News Source and Local News Website for the sixth straight year.

Earning the most votes in any media category, 88.7 WNCW claimed the top spot as Local Radio Station (noncommercial). Meanwhile, 98.1 The River earned first place for Local Radio Station (commercial) for the second straight year. And voters tapped Amanda and Eddie Foxx from the 99.9 Kiss Country morning show as Local Radio Personality/Announcer for the eighth year running.

Closer to home, the beloved New York Times crossword puzzle entered the Hall of Fame with its fourth consecutive nod as voters’ Favorite Feature in Xpress.

— Greg Parlier X

LOCAL RADIO STATION (COMMERCIAL)

1 98.1 THE RIVER 981theriver.com w 1190 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-259-9695

2 99.9 KISS COUNTRY 99kisscountry.com w 13 Summerlin Road, Asheville 828-257-2700

3 WMIT 106.9 THE LIGHT thelightfm.org e 3 Porters Cove Road, Asheville 828-285-8477

LOCAL RADIO STATION (NONCOMMERCIAL)

1 88.7 WNCW wncw.org sa Isothermal Community College, 286 ICC Loop Road, Spindale 828-287-8000

2 103.3 ASHEVILLE FM ashevillefm.org w 864 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-348-0352

3 BLUE RIDGE PUBLIC RADIO bpr.org d 73 Broadway, Asheville 828-210-4800

LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY/ANNOUNCER

1 AMANDA FOXX AND EDDIE FOX x 99kisscountry.com w 99.9 Kiss Country, 13 Summerlin Road, Asheville 828-257-2700

2 HELEN CHICKERING (BLUE RIDGE PUBLIC RADIO) bpr.org d 73 Broadway, Asheville 828-210-4800

3 COUSIN TL (ASHEVILLE FM) Sadly, Tony Allen (Cousin TL) passed away. avl.mx/cv8 w 864 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-348-0352

LOCAL TV PERSONALITY/ ANNOUNCER

1 JASON BOYER (WLOS) wlos.com s 110 Technology Drive, Asheville 828-684-1340

LOCAL PODCAST

1 THE OVERLOOK podavl.com o Asheville • 828-214-7828

LOCAL PRINT PUBLICATION OTHER THAN XPRESS

1 ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES x citizen-times.com d 14 O. Henry Ave., Asheville 800-672-2472

2 THE LAUREL OF ASHEVILLE thelaurelofasheville.com sa 323 N. Main St., Suite 1, Hendersonville 828-670-7503

LOCAL PRINT REPORTER

1 JOHN BOYLE (AVL WATCHDOG) x avlwatchdog.org o Asheville • 828-423-0534

LOCAL NEWS SOURCE

1 WLOS NEWS 13 x wlos.com s 110 Technology Drive, Asheville 828-684-1340

2 ASHEVILLE WATCHDOG (AVL WATCHDOG) avlwatchdog.org n 825 Merrimon Ave., Suite C-175, Asheville 828-423-0534

3 MOUNTAIN XPRESS mountainx.com d 2 Wall St., Asheville 828-251-1333

EVENTS INFORMATION SOURCE 1 AVLTODAY avltoday.6amcity.com

Asheville 2 MOUNTAIN XPRESS mountainx.com d 2 Wall St., Asheville 828-251-1333

103.3

AVLTODAY avltoday.6amcity.com o Asheville 2 WAX - WEST ASHEVILLE EXCHANGE (FACEBOOK) avl.mx/1bk o

WLOS NEWS 13 wlos.com s 110 Technology Drive, Asheville 828-684-1340

ASHEVILLE WATCHDOG (AVL WATCHDOG) avlwatchdog.org n 825 Merrimon Ave., Suite C-175, Asheville 828-423-0534

HEALTH & WELLNESS

GILLESPIE DENTAL ASSOCIATES

Best Dental Practice

WESTERN

North Carolina pretty much started health-driven tourism with the country’s first sanatorium in 1875 (or 1871, depending on your sources). The mountain air was just what the doctor ordered — and still does.

We’ve been celebrating good health ever since.

In fact, we’ve absolutely run with it, spawning wellness businesses that tend to everything from aches and pains (massage) to what we eat (health-food stores) to peace (yoga).

And they do it well (pardon the pun). There are six diverse businesses that have notched at least 10 years of “best-ness.” In fact, you’ll notice that some of the best local practitioners have us covered from birth to death, spanning Asheville Women’s Medical Center to Groce Funeral Home, both taking up residence on the best-est lists.

In between, there is Asheville Community Yoga, voted the best spot for yoga for 14 years running, and the YMCA as the best gym or place to work out, also for 14 years running, and many others.

Be sure to check out the inaugural winners in our new categories for the section this year: Emergency Room, Membership Health Care Provider and Nutritionist.

And let’s give a warm round of applause for the newest entrants into the Hall of Fame: AdventHealth Hendersonville (Hospital) and Sona Pharmacy + Clinic (Pharmacy/Drugstore).

— Lisa Allen X

HEALTH & WELLNESS

1 RUSTAN ADCOCK (THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS) fhconline.com

d 206 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-8681

2 JASON F. GOLDIE (THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS) fhconline.com

d 206 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-8681

2 MARK LENDERMAN (THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS) fhconline.com

d 206 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-8681

3 EMILY DIZNOFF (OUR FAMILY DOCTOR) ourfamilydoctorasheville.com s 43 Oakland Road, Asheville 828-252-2511

1 LAUREN KEELY CARLISLE (FRENCH BROAD PEDIATRICS) x frenchbroadpeds.com

n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 117, Asheville 828-348-8232

2 JOHN D. TEMPLETON (FRENCH BROAD PEDIATRICS) frenchbroadpeds.com n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 117, Asheville 828-348-8232

3 JOHN S. PASCHALL (ABC PEDIATRICS) abcasheville.com

s 64 Peachtree Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-277-3000

1 THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS fhconline.com

d 206 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-8681

wa 1219 Smokey Park Highway, Candler 828-258-8681

sa 2161 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-258-8681 2 MOUNTAIN AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (MAHEC) mahec.net s 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-257-4400 n 218 Elkwood Ave., Asheville 828-257-4747 3 OUR FAMILY DOCTOR ourfamilydoctorasheville.com d 43 Oakland Road, Asheville 828-252-2511

HEALTH

1 LANTERN HEALTH lanterndpc.com d 84 Coxe Ave., Suite 240, Asheville 828-552-5757 s 11 Crispin Court, Suite E106, Asheville 828-348-6917

ERIN HEATH (NUTRITIOUS THOUGHTS) nutritious-thoughts.com sa 1612 Asheville Highway, Suite 1, Hendersonville 828-333-0096 2 LEIGH HIERONYMI (NO BULLSHIT FIT) nobullshitfit.com o Asheville • 828-276-2353

HEALTH & WELLNESS

WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTER

1 ASHEVILLE WOMEN’S MEDICAL CENTER x ashevillewomens.com

d 143 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-9191

sa 310 Long Shoals Road, Suite 202, Arden 828-687-2955

2 LAUREL OB/GYN laurelobgyn.com

s 41 Oakland Road, Suite 200, Asheville 828-253-5381

3 MAHEC OB/GYN SPECIALISTS mahec.net

s 119 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-771-5500 MATERNITY CARE/SERVICE

1 ASHEVILLE WOMEN’S MEDICAL CENTER ashevillewomens.com

d 143 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-258-9191

sa 310 Long Shoals Road, Suite 202, Arden 828-687-2955

2 MAHEC OB/GYN SPECIALISTS mahec.net

s 119 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-771-5500

3 LAUREL OB/GYN laurelobgyn.com

s 41 Oakland Road, Suite 200, Asheville 828-253-5381

1 ADVENTHEALTH HENDERSONVILLE x adventhealth.com

sa 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville 855-774-5433

2 PARDEE HOSPITAL pardeehospital.org

sa 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville 828-696-1000

3 MISSION HOSPITAL (HCA) missionhealth.org

s 509 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-213-1111 EMERGENCY ROOM

1 ADVENTHEALTH HENDERSONVILLE adventhealth.com

sa 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville 855-774-5433

2 PARDEE HOSPITAL pardeehospital.org

sa 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville 828-696-1000

3 MISSION HOSPITAL (HCA) missionhealth.org

s 509 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-213-1111

URGENT CARE/ WALK-IN CLINIC

1 MERCY URGENT CARE mercyurgentcare.org

w 1201 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-252-4878

e 1272 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-210-8325

s 1833 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-1462

2 NOVANT HEALTH-GOHEALTH URGENT CARE gohealthuc.com n 674 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-348-7418

w 349 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-463-3238

3 PARDEE URGENT CARE pardeehospital.org sa 2695 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-694-2350

PLACE TO GET MEDICAL CARE WHEN UNDEROR UNINSURED

1 WNC COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES (MINNIE JONES HEALTH CENTER) x wncchs.org d 257 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-285-0622

2 MOUNTAIN AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (MAHEC) mahec.net s 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-257-4400 n 218 Elkwood Ave., Asheville 828-257-4747

THERAPIST OR COUNSELING CENTER

1 ALL SOULS COUNSELING CENTER allsoulscounseling.org n 35 Arlington St., Asheville 828-259-3369

2 JAMES COLVIN MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST jamesccolvin.com e 2524 Riceville Road, Asheville 828-424-7941

DENTAL PRACTICE

1 GILLESPIE DENTAL ASSOCIATES x drtimgillespie.com n 36 Orange St., Asheville 828-252-9351

2 MARKS FAMILY DENTISTRY northashevilledentist.com n 94 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 101, Asheville 828-255-8447

3 ZOE DENTAL zoedental.com s 10-A Yorkshire St., Suite 110, Asheville 828-348-1275

Hurricane Helene damaged or destroyed many WNC businesses. Some areas and industries have bounced back more quickly than others. Be sure to check company websites before visiting the winners listed in this guide.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

FRANNY’S FARMACY

Best Place to Buy CBD Products; best Locally Made CBD Treats, in Eats section; third place CBD Drinks/Health Elixirs, in Drinks section

1 MARK A. KNOLLMAN (KNOLLMAN DENTAL) x drknollman.com e 600B Centrepark Drive, Asheville 828-254-5677

2 M. SCOTT PEELE (ASHEVILLE DENTAL WELLNESS) ashevilledentalwellness.com sa 1825 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville 828-274-4747

3 TIM GILLESPIE (GILLESPIE DENTAL ASSOCIATES) drtimgillespie.com n 36 Orange St., Asheville 828-252-9351 EYE CARE SPECIALIST/ SERVICE

1 ASHEVILLE EYE ASSOCIATES x ashevilleeye.com s 8 Medical Park Drive, Asheville 828-623-0186 s 2001 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-623-0186 sa 2311 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville 828-623-0186

2 ENVISION EYECARE myenvisioneyecare.com n 181 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-254-6757

3 TUNNEL VISION tunnelvisionasheville.com e 4 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-298-6500

CHIROPRACTOR

1 DAN MARTIN (RADIUS CHIROPRACTIC) x radiuschiropractic.com e 1011 Tunnel Road, Suite 110, Asheville 828-333-4447

2 DEREK KASTEN (ONE LOVE CHIROPRACTIC) onelovechiropractic.com n 959 Merrimon Ave., Suite 201, Asheville 828-505-1584

3 J. ANYA HARRIS (CRYSTALIGN CHIROPRACTIC) crystalignchiro.com d 218 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-552-3111

ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC

1 EAST ACUPUNCTURE WELLNESS BOUTIQUE eastacupuncturewb.com ea 2296 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-458-4139

2 ALCHEMY ASHEVILLE alchemyasheville.com n 62 Clayton St., Asheville 828-575-9419

3 SUSTAINABLE HEALTH ACUPUNCTURE acupuncture-in-asheville.com n 36 Clayton St., Asheville 828-333-4614

HEALTH & WELLNESS

ACUPUNCTURIST

1 LIZ ROSEMAN (SUSTAINABLE HEALTH ACUPUNCTURE) acupuncture-in-asheville.com n 36 Clayton St., Asheville 828-333-4614

2 ASHLEY KUPER (EAST ACUPUNCTURE WELLNESS BOUTIQUE) eastacupuncturewb.com ea 2296 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-458-4139

3 LEX KEKLAK (LEX ACUPUNCTURE) lexacupuncture.com s 25 Reed St., Suite 210, Asheville 828-575-8988

ASSISTED-LIVING COMMUNITY

1 GIVENS ESTATES x givensestates.org s 2360 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-274-4800

2 DEERFIELD EPISCOPAL RETIREMENT COMMUNITY deerfieldwnc.org s 1617 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-1531

3 GIVENS HIGHLAND FARMS givenshighlandfarms.org ea 200 Tabernacle Road, Black Mountain 828-669-6473

HOSPICE

1 FOUR SEASONS fourseasonscare.org sa 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock 828-692-6178

2 CAREPARTNERS (MISSION HEALTH) avl.mx/bwv

s 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-277-4800

3 JOHN F. KEEVER JR SOLACE CENTER (CAREPARTNERS) avl.mx/dxm

s 21 Belvedere Road, Asheville 828-210-3150

MORTUARY/FUNERAL SERVICES

1 GROCE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE x grocefuneralhome.com w 1401 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-252-3535

e 856 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-4416

sa 72 Long Shoals Road, Arden 828-687-3530

2 ASHEVILLE AREA ALTERNATIVE FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES ashevilleareaalternative.com n 702 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-258-8274

3 ANDERS-RICE FUNERAL HOME andersrice.com

w 1428 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-254-3511

PHYSICAL THERAPY CLINIC

1 PHYSIO PHYSICAL THERAPY AND WELLNESS

physiownc.com

n 660 Merrimon Ave., Suite C, Asheville 828-348-1780

w 1308 Patton Ave., Suite B, Asheville 828-348-1780

2 MOVEMENT FOR LIFE PHYSICAL THERAPY

movementforlife.com n 858 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-552-4217

s 20 Gala Drive, Suite G104, Asheville 828-484-4200

3 FYZICAL ASHEVILLE fyzical.com e 4 S. Tunnel Road, Suite 440, Asheville 828-785-4700

PHYSICAL THERAPIST

1 GRACIE GARRETT (PHYSIO PHYSICAL THERAPY AND WELLNESS)

physiownc.com

n 660 Merrimon Ave., Suite C, Asheville 828-348-1780

w 1308 Patton Ave., Suite B, Asheville 828-348-1780

2 DAN CARMACK (BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE) breakthroughperformanceavl.com d 752 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-407-0368

sa 12 Glenn Willow Drive, Suite 67, Arden 828-338-3974

3 CLARA STROUD (THE EVERYDAY ATHLETE) theeverydayathletephysicaltherapy.com d 150 Coxe Ave., Suite 102, Asheville 828-248-0566

3 CODY KENLY (THE PT CODE) avl.mx/dvr w 70 Westside Drive, Asheville 240-812-2708 FITNESS STUDIO WITH CLASSES

1 HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE hotyogaasheville.com e 802 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-299-7003

2 SCORCH FITNESS scorchfitavl.com r 408 Depot St., Suite 160, Asheville 828-575-9010

3 BEER CITY CROSSFIT beercitycrossfit.com w 70 Westside Drive, Asheville 828-275-8100

HEALTH & WELLNESS

ASHEVILLE WOMEN’S MEDICAL CENTER

Best Maternity Care/Service; best Women’s Health Center

PHYSICAL TRAINER

1 GRIFFIN WHITE (MIND MUSCLE FITNESS) mindmusclefitness.com w 11 Ridgeway Ave., Asheville 310-487-7886

2 PRESTON JEFFERSON (ASHEVILLE FIT TRIBE) ashevillefittribe.com w Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Road, Asheville 984-204-0591

3 ALEX LEMBECK avl.mx/e2g MASSAGE THERAPIST

1 MICAH HAINES (URBAN EXHALE MASSAGE) urbanexhalemassage.com d 68 N. Lexington Ave., Suite 207, Asheville 828-301-2113

2 CASSIE BUTLER (ASHEVILLE PERFORMANCE BODYWORK) sadhanamassage.org s 25 Reed St., Suite 203A, Asheville 828-771-6261

3 SHELBY FRANKLIN avl.mx/cwx d Asheville • 904-624-4419 GYM OR PLACE TO WORK OUT

1 YMCA OF WNC x ymcawnc.org/programs n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-3990 d 30 Woodfin St., Asheville 818-210-9622 s 3 Town Square Blvd., Asheville 828-651-9622

2 PLANET FITNESS planetfitness.com w 153 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville 828-633-6492 sa 2623 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-676-2116

3 HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE hotyogaasheville.com

e 802 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-299-7003

YOGA STUDIO

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA x ashevillecommunityyoga.org n 8 Brookdale Road, Asheville 828-255-5575

2 HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE hotyogaasheville.com e 802 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-299-7003

3 ASHEVILLE YOGA CENTER youryoga.com n 211 S. Liberty St., Asheville 828-254-0380

YOGA TEACHER

1 HEATHER NEWMAN (HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE) hotyogaasheville.com e 802 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-299-7003

2 MICHAEL GREENFIELD (ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA) ashevillecommunityyoga.com n 8 Brookdale Road, Asheville 828-255-5575

3 BRITTANY KLACH (HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE) hotyogaasheville.com e 802 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-299-7003

MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO

1 ASHEVILLE SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS x martialartsasheville.com e 800 Fairview Road, Suite D2, Asheville 828-505-4309

2 DRAGON PHOENIX dragonphoenix.org n 51 N. Merrimon Ave., Suite 109, Asheville 828-423-2868

HEALTH & WELLNESSFOCUSED NONPROFIT

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA ashevillecommunityyoga.org n 8 Brookdale Road, Asheville 828-255-5575

2 YMCA OF WNC ymcawnc.org/programs n 40 N. Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-3990 d 30 Woodfin St., Asheville 818-210-9622

HEALTH & WELLNESS

PLACE TO CENTER YOURSELF

1 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA x ashevillecommunityyoga.org

n 8 Brookdale Road, Asheville 828-255-5575

2 URBAN EXHALE MASSAGE urbanexhalemassage.com

d 68 N. Lexington Ave., Suite 207, Asheville 828-301-2113

3 HOT YOGA ASHEVILLE hotyogaasheville.com

e 802 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-299-7003

3 SAUNA HOUSE saunahouse.com

d 230 Short Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-505-6393

PHARMACY/DRUGSTORE

1 SONA PHARMACY + CLINIC x sonapharmacy.com

e 805 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-298-3636

2 CVS PHARMACY cvs.com

n 612 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-4350

w Westgate Shopping Center, 24 Westgate Parkway, Asheville 828-253-2872

3 WALGREENS walgreens.com e 91 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-232-4042

PLACE TO BUY SUPPLEMENTS, VITAMINS & HERBS

1 FRENCH BROAD FOOD CO-OP x frenchbroadfood.coop d 90 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-255-7650

2 SONA PHARMACY + CLINIC sonapharmacy.com e 805 Fairview Road, Asheville 828-298-3636

3 EARTH FARE earthfare.com w 66 Westgate Parkway, Asheville 828-255-2999

PLACE TO BUY CBD PRODUCTS

1 FRANNY’S FARMACY x frannysfarmacy.com n 211 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-7105 sa 128 Henderson Crossing Plaza, Hendersonville 828-697-7300

2 APOTHECA apotheca.org d 85 Patton Ave., Asheville 980-759-3534 w 1078 Patton Ave., Asheville 980-759-3534

3 ASHEVILLE DISPENSARY avldispensary.com w 919 Haywood Road, Suite 111, Asheville 828-335-2696

OUR MISSION

To build community and strengthen democracy by serving an engaged, thoughtful constituency at the local level – where the impact of citizen action is greatest. We report on local events, regional issues and the area’s vibrant artsand-culture scene –independently, fairly and in-depth.

We partner with the community to create an ongoing civic dialogue. We offer exceptional and affordable media opportunities for local businesses, professionals and nonprofit groups to promote their offerings to the community.

since 1994

WORK & BUSINESS

STATE EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION

WHEN it comes to Work & Business, voters have consistently maintained that health care is the best Employment Sector to Work In — and have for six years running. It’s also the largest employment sector in a cluster of counties that includes Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood and Madison, per the N.C. Department of Commerce, which calls it “Health Care and Social Assistance.”

Voters have stuck to their preferences in other categories in this section as well. Let’s toast the French Broad Food Co-op, voted best Co-op/Employee-owned Business; the State Employees Credit Union, chosen as best Credit Union; and Mountain BizWorks, for being there for small shops and startups, as illustrated by capturing the most votes for a Support Organization for Entrepreneurs and New Businesses. These three Hall of Famers have each earned No. 1 status for a dozen years running.

And kudos to MB Haynes, winner of the top spot for Business that Gives Back to the Community.

Despite a wide field of contenders, the crown for Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville goes, once again, to LaZoom. Zany, silly and so Asheville-weird, congratulations are in order for earning the top spot for the second year in a row.

And please give a warm round of applause to the newest member of the Hall of Fame: First Bank (Bank/Financial Services for Small Business).

—

Lisa Allen X n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)

1 LAZOOM

lazoomtours.com

d 76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932

2 MADAM

madamclutterbuckets.com

d 21 Battery Park Ave., Suite 101, Asheville 828-552-3013

1

2

themattandmollyteam.com

d 86 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-210-1697

3 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. highlandbrewing.com

e 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-299-3370

x frenchbroadfood.coop d 90 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-255-7650 2

BOOKSTORE CO-OP firestorm.coop w 1022 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-255-8115

1 FIRST BANK localfirstbank.com

d 11 Church St., Asheville 828-250-8430

e 10 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-298-8193

n 778 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-5402

2 FIRST CITIZENS BANK firstcitizens.com

d 108 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-257-5700

e 1201 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-257-5850

3 HOMETRUST BANK htb.com

d 10 Woodfin St., Asheville 828-254-8144

CREDIT UNION

1 STATE EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION x ncsecu.org

d 1 Oak Plaza, Suite 101, Asheville 828-225-2900

s 20 All Souls Crescent, Asheville 828-274-4200

n 701 Broadway, Asheville 828-253-8009

2 TELCO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION telcoccu.org

e 36 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-252-6458

w 710 New Leicester Highway, Asheville

3 SELF-HELP CREDIT UNION self-help.org

s 391 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville 828-255-0809 BANK/FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESS

1 FIRST BANK x localfirstbank.com

d 11 Church St., Asheville 828-250-8430

e 10 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-298-8193

n 778 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-5402

2 HOMETRUST BANK htb.com

3 MB HAYNES CORP. mbhaynes.com w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141 BANK

d 10 Woodfin St., Asheville 828-254-8144

s 1825 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-277-4300

3 FIRST CITIZENS BANK firstcitizens.com

d 108 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-257-5700

SUPPORT ORGANIZATION FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND NEW BUSINESSES

1 MOUNTAIN BIZWORKS x mountainbizworks.org

d 153 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-253-2834

Hurricane Helene damaged or destroyed many WNC businesses. Some areas and industries have bounced back more quickly than others. Be sure to check company websites before visiting the winners listed in this guide.

FARM, YARD & GARDEN

SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY GARDEN

ABUNDANT local produce, lively tailgate markets and gardening in the great outdoors are a few perks of living in Western North Carolina. Demonstrating our area’s love for these pursuits, Best of WNC voters show up en masse each year to cast votes for their favorite local businesses and organizations in the Farm, Yard & Garden polls.

Plenty of Hall of Famers held onto their titles in 2024, such as 14-time Farm to Visit winner Hickory Nut Gap Farm and 10-year Mulch Supplier champion Asheville Mulch Yard. But there were some new developments, too. Southside Community Farm edged into first place this year in the Community Garden category, pushing last year’s reigning Peace Gardens & Market into second place. And while Grandad’s Apples ’N Such maintained its three-year winning streak in the Orchard category, Barber Orchards in Waynesville made a comeback, rolling into the No. 2 slot after not appearing in the top three since 2020.

As for organizations that champion WNC’s agricultural industries, voters doubled down on last year’s top three. In the Nonprofit Supporting Farms/Farmland Preservation category, Hall of Famer Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project took in first place, followed by Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy in second and Bounty & Soul in third.

Toss some biodegradable confetti for new Hall of Fame inductees Fifth Season Gardening Co. (Garden Supply Store) and Smart Feller Tree Works (Tree Service). — Gina Smith X

1 NORTH ASHEVILLE TAILGATE MARKET x northashevilletailgatemarket.com n UNCA, Parking Lot P28, 3300 University Heights, Asheville 828-484-6296

2 WNC FARMERS MARKET

avl.mx/a7o w 570 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-253-1691

3 WEST ASHEVILLE TAILGATE MARKET

westashevilletailgatemarket.com w 718 Haywood Road, Asheville

ROADSIDE FARM STAND

1 FLYING CLOUD FARM x flyingcloudfarm.net

ea 1860 Charlotte Highway, Fairview 828-768-3348

2 HONEY MAN Asheville

2 JOHNSON FAMILY FARM

johnsonfamilyfarmnc.com

AGRICULTURE (CSA) FARM

1 HICKORY NUT GAP FARM x hickorynutgap.com

ea 57 Sugar Hollow Road, Fairview 828-628-1027

2 FLYING CLOUD FARM

flyingcloudfarm.net

ea 1860 Charlotte Highway, Fairview 828-768-3348

FARM TO VISIT

1 HICKORY NUT GAP FARM x hickorynutgap.com

ea 57 Sugar Hollow Road, Fairview 828-628-1027

2 FLYING CLOUD FARM

flyingcloudfarm.net

sa 1202 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville 828-484-2522 COMMUNITY

ea 1860 Charlotte Highway, Fairview 828-768-3348

3 DARNELL FARMS

darnellfarms.com

wa 2300 Governors Island Road, Bryson City 828-488-2376

FARM, YARD & GARDEN

ORCHARD

1 GRANDAD’S APPLES ‘N SUCH grandadsapples.com

sa 2951 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville 828-685-1685

2 BARBER ORCHARD

barberorchardsfruitstand.com

wa 2855 Old Balsam Road, Waynesville 828-456-3598

3 JUSTUS ORCHARD justusorchard.com

sa 187 Garren Road, Hendersonville 828-974-1232

COMMUNITY GARDEN

1 SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY GARDEN southsidecommunitygarden.org

s 133 Livingston St., Asheville 828-280-0575

2 PEACE GARDENS & MARKET urbanpeacegardens.org w 47 Bryant St., Asheville 828-301-0166

3 BLACK MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY GARDEN avl.mx/dvi

ea 99 White Pine Drive, Black Mountain GARDEN SUPPLY STORE

1 FIFTH SEASON GARDENING CO. x fifthseasongardening.com

e 4 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-412-3200

2 B.B. BARNS bbbarns.com

sa 3377 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-650-7300

3 REEMS CREEK NURSERY reemscreek.com

na 76 Monticello Road, Weaverville 828-645-3937 NURSERY (TREES, SHRUBS)

1 REEMS CREEK NURSERY x reemscreek.com

na 76 Monticello Road, Weaverville 828-645-3937

2 B.B. BARNS bbbarns.com

sa 3377 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-650-7300

3 PAINTER’S GREENHOUSE paintersgreenhouse.com

ea 734 Roy Moore Road, Old Fort 828-668-7225

MULCH SUPPLIER

1 ASHEVILLE MULCH YARD x ashevillemulchyard.com

sa 1230 Glen Bridge Road, SE, Arden 828-273-1417

ea 2425 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-707-1615

na 326 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-484-8131

2 THE MULCH LADY (RIVERSIDE STUMP DUMP) themulchlady.com n 620 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-251-5777

sa 5055 Old Haywood Road, Mills River 828-712-4758

3 LOWE’S lowes.com e 89 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-3788

TREE SERVICE

1 SMART FELLER TREE WORKS x smartfellertreeworks.com M Asheville • 828-545-5503

2 ROYCE’S TREE SERVICE roycestreeservice.com M Asheville • 828-768-2747

3 HEARTWOOD TREE heartwoodtree.com e 1315 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-231-6008

LANDSCAPING SERVICE (OTHER THAN LAWN CARE)

1 B.B. BARNS x bbbarns.com sa 3377 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-650-7300 NONPROFIT SUPPORTING FARMS/FARMLAND PRESERVATION

1 ASAP (APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT) x asapconnections.org d 306 W. Haywood St., Asheville 828-236-1282

2 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN HIGHLANDS CONSERVANCY appalachian.org n 372 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-0095

s 26 Lodge St., Asheville 828-277-6222

3 BOUNTY & SOUL bountyandsoul.org

ea 999 Old U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-419-0533

Smart Feller Tree Works LLC Thanks all the folks who voted us #1 and we look forward to caring for your trees!

YOU ARE THE BEST!

SMALL TOWNS

COUSINS CUBAN CAFE

I’VE seen it all in a small town Had myself a ball in a small town. — John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp may be from Indiana, but his classic paean to small-town life could easily be about Western North Carolina. Visitors may find their love for all things small town especially sweet this year as our region continues to recover from Tropical Storm Helene.

Since the storm’s effects were not uniform, readers are advised to scope out each locale ahead of time. Some towns were up and running shortly after the storm — in Haywood County, for example, Waynesville’s Main Street businesses and Apple Festival were already welcoming visitors in mid-late October.

Keeping in mind those local conditions, you can take advantage of the collective wisdom of Best of WNC voters to plan a day trip and soak up some of the agreed-upon best that these small towns have to offer. From shops and restaurants to cultural events and other attractions, there’s plenty to see and experience in these small-town gems.

— Xpress staff X

OUTLYING REGIONS:

na NORTH: Mars Hill, Marshall, Burnsville, Hot Springs, Weaverville

sa SOUTH: Fletcher, Brevard, Saluda, Tryon, Arden/Skyland, Hendersonville, Mills River, Flat Rock

ea

EAST: Fairview, Swannanoa, Black Mountain

wa WEST: Candler, Sylva, Cullowhee, Bryson City, Canton, Waynesville, Maggie Valley

SWANNANOA & BLACK MOUNTAIN

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

1 TOWN HARDWARE & GENERAL STORE x townhardware.com 103 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-7723

2 WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN whitehorseblackmountain.com 105 Montreat Road, Black Mountain 828-669-0816

3 THE TRAILHEAD thetrailheadrestaurant.com

207 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-357-5656

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 LOUISE’S KITCHEN x louisesblackmtn.com 115 Black Mountain Ave., Black Mountain 828-357-5446

2 BLUE RIDGE BISCUIT CO. avl.mx/e0e 601 W. State St., Suite 4, Black Mountain 828-357-8501

3 OPEN OVEN BRUNCH & BAKERY openovenblkmtn.com 102 Church St., Black Mountain 828-357-8553

LUNCH RESTAURANT

1 COUSINS CUBAN CAFE cousinscubancafe.com 108 Broadway Ave., Black Mountain 828-357-5513

2 THE TRAILHEAD thetrailheadrestaurant.com 207 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-357-5656

3 VERANDA CAFÉ & GIFT verandacafeandgifts.com 119 Cherry St., Black Mountain 828-669-8864

DINNER RESTAURANT

1 THE TRAILHEAD x thetrailheadrestaurant.com 207 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-357-5656

2 THE PURE & PROPER thepureandproper.com 114 E. State St., Black Mountain 828-230-7972

3 THE BUSH FARMHOUSE bushfarmhouse.com 15 S. Ridgeway Ave., Black Mountain 828-357-5367

COFFEE & SWEETS

1 THE DRIPOLATOR COFFEEHOUSE x avl.mx/3w7 221 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-0999

2 DYNAMITE ROASTING CO. dynamiteroasting.com 3198 U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-357-8555

3 RECESS COFFEE & BAKED GOODS recesscoffeenc.com 107 Black Mountain Ave., Black Mountain 828-222-4619

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

1 LOOKOUT BREWING CO. lookoutbrewing.com 103 S. Ridgeway Ave., Black Mountain 828-357-5169

2 THE TRAILHEAD thetrailheadrestaurant.com 207 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-357-5656

3 BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING blkmtnbrewing.com 131 Broadway Ave., Black Mountain 828-357-5010

SMALL TOWNS

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN x whitehorseblackmountain.com 105 Montreat Road, Black Mountain 828-669-0816

2 PISGAH BREWING CO. pisgahbrewing.com

2948 U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-669-0190

3 SILVERADOS silveradoswnc.com

2898 U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain

RETAIL STORE

1 TOWN HARDWARE & GENERAL STORE x townhardware.com

103 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-7723

2 SASSAFRAS ON SUTTON sassafrasonsutton.com 108 Sutton Ave., Black Mountain 828-419-0677

3 SEVEN SISTERS CRAFT GALLERY sevensistersgallery.com 119 Broadway Ave., Black Mountain 828-669-5107

ART GALLERY

1 SEVEN SISTERS CRAFT GALLERY x sevensistersgallery.com 119 Broadway Ave., Black Mountain 828-669-5107

2 RED HOUSE STUDIO AND GALLERY svfalarts.org 101 Cherry St., Black Mountain 828-669-0351

3 BLACK MOUNTAIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS blackmountainarts.org 225 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-0930

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

1 LEAF FESTIVAL x theleaf.org

377 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain 828-686-8742

2 SOURWOOD FESTIVAL avl.mx/bw2

201 E. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-2300

3 ART IN BLOOM avl.mx/9nw

Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-0930

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 MONTREAT TRAILS & PARK x montreat.org • Montreat 540-797-2334

2 LAKE TOMAHAWK avl.mx/bx6 401 Laurel Circle Drive, Black Mountain 828-669-2052

3 WARREN WILSON COLLEGE CAMPUS TRAILS warren-wilson.edu 701 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa 828-771-2000

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK

1 BLACK MOUNTAIN OLD DEPOT x olddepot.org 207 Sutton Ave., Black Mountain 828-669-6583

1 MONTREAT COLLEGE montreat.edu 310 Gaither Circle, Montreat 828-669-8012

2 SWANNANOA VALLEY MUSEUM & HISTORY CENTER history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org 223 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-9566

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT

1 BOUNTY & SOUL x bountyandsoul.org 999 Old U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-419-0533

2 BLACK MOUNTAIN HOME FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES blackmountainhome.org 80 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain 828-686-3451

3 SWANNANOA VALLEY CHRISTIAN MINISTRY svcmblackmountain.org 101 N. Ridgeway Ave., Black Mountain 828-669-9404

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR TOWN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

1 WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN whitehorseblackmountain.com 105 Montreat Road, Black Mountain 828-669-0816

SMALL TOWNS

LUNCH RESTAURANT

1 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA x bluemountainpizza.com 55 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-658-8778

2 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ wellbredbakery.com

26 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-9300

3 YELLOW MUG COFFEE LOUNGE yellowmugcoffeelounge.com

113 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-484-8844

1 YELLOW MUG COFFEE LOUNGE yellowmugcoffeelounge.com 113 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-484-8844

2 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ wellbredbakery.com 26 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-9300

3 TOMMY’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

247 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-658-3221

1 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ x wellbredbakery.com 26 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-9300

2 TWISTED LAUREL twistedlaurel.com 10A S. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-2700

3 STONEY KNOB CAFÉ stoneyknobcafe.com 337 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-645-3309

DINNER RESTAURANT

1 STONEY KNOB CAFÉ stoneyknobcafe.com 337 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-645-3309

2 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA bluemountainpizza.com 55 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-658-8778

3 GLASS ONION glassonionasheville.com 18 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-8866 COFFEE & SWEETS

1 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ x wellbredbakery.com 26 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-9300

2 YELLOW MUG COFFEE LOUNGE yellowmugcoffeelounge.com 113 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-484-8844

3 ALLGOOD COFFEE allgood.coffee 10 S. Main St., Weaverville 828-484-8663

SMALL TOWNS

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

1 ELUVIUM BREWING CO. x eluviumbrewing.com 11 Florida Ave., Weaverville 828-484-1799

1 SALT FACE MULE BREWING CO. saltfacemule.com 450 Weaverville Highway, Asheville 828-484-7474

2 LEVELLER BREWING CO. levellerbrewing.com 25 N. Main St., Weaverville MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA x bluemountainpizza.com 55 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-658-8778

2 EDA’S HIDE-A-WAY edarhyne.com 1098 New Stock Road, Weaverville 828-713-2831

3 RIVERSIDE RHAPSODY BEER CO. riversiderhapsody.com 995 Riverside Drive, Woodfin 828-575-2370

RETAIL STORE

1 TESSA’S SHOP AROUND THE CORNER avl.mx/dz5 55 N. Main St., Suite B, Weaverville 828-606-2541

2 EARTH RIVER RECORDS earthriverproductions.com 101 Stone Ridge Blvd., Asheville 828-519-9063

2 MARSHALLS marshalls.com 43 Northridge Commons Parkway, Weaverville 828-519-7889

2 THE COTTAGE DOOR thecottagedoorconsignment.com 155 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville 828-484-2518

ART GALLERY

1 MANGUM POTTERY mangumpottery.com 16 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-4929

2 ARTISANS ON MAIN avl.mx/7yu 14 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-658-9617

3 MIYA GALLERY miyagallery.com 20 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-658-9655

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

1 ART IN AUTUMN avl.mx/7zg Main Street, Weaverville

2 WEAVERVILLE ART SAFARI weavervilleartsafari.com • Weaverville

3 MUSIC ON MAIN WEAVERVILLE visitweaverville.com South Main Street, Weaverville 828-645-7116

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 LAKE LOUISE PARK x avl.mx/e0a Lake Louise Drive, Weaverville 828-645-7116

2 MAIN STREET NATURE PARK avl.mx/6cc 25 U.S. 19 Business, Weaverville 828-645-7116

3 BEAVER LAKE thelakeviewpark.org 1292 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-225-6648

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK

1 VANCE BIRTHPLACE x avl.mx/7zi 911 Reems Creek Road, Weaverville 828-645-6706

2 MILL WHEEL AT LAKE LOUISE avl.mx/dy3 Across from Lake Louise, Weaverville

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR TOWN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

1 UPGRADES TO LAKE LOUISE

2 EDA’S HIDE-A-WAY edarhyne.com 1098 New Stock Road, Weaverville 828-713-2831

SMALL TOWNS

MARSHALL & MARS HILL

ZUMA COFFEE

Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town; best Breakfast Restaurant; best Coffee & Sweets; second place Lunch Restaurant

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

1 ZUMA COFFEE zumascoffee.com

7 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-1617

2 MAD CO. BREW HOUSE madisoncountybrewing.com

45 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-8600

2 OLD MARSHALL JAIL HOTEL oldmarshalljail.com

33 Bailey’s Branch Road, Marshall 828-649-5259

3 CAMDEN’S COFFEE HOUSE camdenscoffeehouse.com

40 N. Main St., Mars Hill 828-680-1246

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 ZUMA COFFEE zumascoffee.com

7 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-1617

2 THE WAGON WHEEL avl.mx/a7c

390 Carl Eller Road, Mars Hill 828-689-4755

3 CAMDEN’S COFFEE HOUSE camdenscoffeehouse.com

40 N. Main St., Mars Hill 828-680-1246

LUNCH RESTAURANT

1 ZADIE’S MARKET zadiesmarshall.com 33 Baileys Branch Road, Marshall 828-575-7605

2 ZUMA COFFEE zumascoffee.com 7 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-1617

3 STACKHOUSE AMERICAN EATERY & PUB stackhouserestaurant.com

37 S. Main St., Mars Hill 828-680-1213

DINNER RESTAURANT

1 STAR DINER x stardinerwnc.com 115 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-9900

2 STACKHOUSE AMERICAN EATERY & PUB stackhouserestaurant.com 37 S. Main St., Mars Hill 828-680-1213

3 THE ORIGINAL PAPA NICK’S theoriginalpapanicks.com 15 College St., Mars Hill 828-689-8566

3 ZADIE’S MARKET zadiesmarshall.com 33 Baileys Branch Road, Marshall 828-575-7605

Hurricane Helene damaged or destroyed many WNC businesses. Some areas and industries have bounced back more quickly than others. Be sure to check company websites before visiting the winners listed in this guide.

1 ZUMA COFFEE zumascoffee.com

7 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-1617

2 CAMDEN’S COFFEE HOUSE camdenscoffeehouse.com

40 N. Main St., Mars Hill 828-680-1246

3 MEADOWSWEET CREAMERY meadowsweetcreamery.com

37 Library St., Mars Hill 828-680-0085

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

1 MAD CO. BREW HOUSE x madisoncountybrewing.com 45 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-8600

2 MAL’S BAR avl.mx/cwp 121 S. Main St., Marshall

2 MARS THEATRE BREWING CO. chimneyrockbrewing.net

70 N. Main St., Mars Hill 828-680-1284

3 OLD MARSHALL JAIL HOTEL oldmarshalljail.com

33 Bailey’s Branch Road, Marshall 828-649-5259

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 MAD CO. BREW HOUSE madisoncountybrewing.com 45 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-8600

2 MARS THEATRE BREWING CO. chimneyrockbrewing.net 70 N. Main St., Mars Hill 828-680-1284

3 MAL’S BAR avl.mx/cwp 121 S. Main St., Marshall RETAIL STORE

1 PENLAND & SON’S DEPARTMENT STORE avl.mx/7zj 50 S. Main St., Marshall 828-649-2811

2 THE QUILL + HONEY thequillandhoney.com 18 S. Main St., Mars Hill 828-778-8821

3 OF WAND AND EARTH ofwandandearth.com 20 S. Main St., Marshall 828-649-8365 ART GALLERY

1 MARS LANDING GALLERIES marslandinggalleries.com 37 Library St., Mars Hill 828-747-7267

2 FLOW BODY + HOME flowmarshall.com 14 S. Main St., Marshall 828-649-1686

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

1 MERMAID PARADE AND FESTIVAL x avl.mx/cwt Main Street, Marshall 828-649-7889

2 ART ON THE ISLAND ARTS FESTIVAL avl.mx/3sf Blannahassett Island, Marshall 828-649-1301

3 FIRST FRIDAYS MARS HILL avl.mx/dww Downtown, Mars Hill 864-905-5405

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 BLANNAHASSETT ISLAND x avl.mx/a80 Blannahassett Island Road, Marshall 828-680-9031

2 BAILEY MOUNTAIN PRESERVE avl.mx/cl9 889 Forest St., Mars Hill 828-689-1381

3 LAUREL RIVER TRAIL avl.mx/dxu Intersection of U.S. Highway 25 & N.C. Highway 208, Marshall CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK

1 MADISON COUNTY COURTHOUSE avl.mx/a8v 2 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-2200

2 OLD MARSHALL JAIL oldmarshalljail.com 33 Bailey’s Branch Road, Marshall 828-649-5259

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT

1 COMMUNITY HOUSING COALITION OF MADISON COUNTY chcmadisoncountync.org 798 Walnut Creek Road, Marshall 828-649-1200

SMALL TOWNS

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

1 HOT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA x nchotsprings.com

315 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-7676

2 BIG PILLOW BREWING bigpillowbrewing.com

25 Andrews Ave. N., Hot Springs 828-539-1939

3 BLUFF MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS

avl.mx/7zl

152 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-7162

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 SMOKY MOUNTAIN DINER avl.mx/dz3

70 Lance Ave., Hot Springs 828-622-7571

LUNCH RESTAURANT

1 THE GREY EAGLE TAQUERIA AT BIG PILLOW BREWING greyeagletaqueria.com

25 Andrews Ave. S., Hot Springs 828-539-1939

2 SMOKY MOUNTAIN DINER avl.mx/dz3

70 Lance Ave., Hot Springs 828-622-7571

3 SPRING CREEK TAVERN thespringcreektavern.com

145 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-0187

DINNER RESTAURANT

1 IRON HORSE STATION RESTAURANT x theironhorsestation.com

24 S. Andrews Ave., Hot Springs 828-622-0022

2 SPRING CREEK TAVERN thespringcreektavern.com

145 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-0187

3 THE GREY EAGLE TAQUERIA AT BIG PILLOW BREWING greyeagletaqueria.com 25 Andrews Ave. S., Hot Springs 828-539-1939

COFFEE & SWEETS

1 ARTISUN GALLERY & CAFE avl.mx/dul 16 Andrews Ave., S., Hot Springs LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE 1 BIG PILLOW BREWING x bigpillowbrewing.com 25 Andrews Ave. N., Hot Springs 828-539-1939

2 SPRING CREEK TAVERN thespringcreektavern.com 145 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-0187

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 BIG PILLOW BREWING bigpillowbrewing.com 25 Andrews Ave. N., Hot Springs 828-539-1939 RETAIL STORE

1 BLUFF MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS avl.mx/7zl

152 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-7162

1 HOT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA nchotsprings.com 315 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-7676

2

2

3

1

& SPA nchotsprings.com 315 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-7676

2

SMALL TOWNS

BURNSVILLE

1 HOMEPLACE BEER CO. homeplacebeer.com

321 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-9068 BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 PIG & GRITS

pigandgrits.com

620 W. Main St., Burnsville

828-536-0010

2 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFÉ appalachianjavaburnsville.com

8 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-682-0120

3 LIL’ SMOKY’S avl.mx/dxx

702 E. Main St., Burnsville 828-682-6802 LUNCH RESTAURANT

1 GARDEN DELI garden-deli.com 107 Town Square, Burnsville 828-682-3946

2 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFÉ appalachianjavaburnsville.com 8 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-682-0120

2 PIG & GRITS pigandgrits.com 620 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-0010

3 HOMEPLACE BEER CO. homeplacebeer.com

321 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-9068

DINNER

RESTAURANT

1 HOMEPLACE BEER CO. homeplacebeer.com 321 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-9068

2 PIG & GRITS pigandgrits.com 620 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-0010

3 CARRIAGE HOUSE SUNDRIES carriagehousesundries.com 7 S. Main St., Burnsville 828-678-7071 COFFEE & SWEETS

1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFÉ x appalachianjavaburnsville.com 8 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-682-0120 LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

1 HOMEPLACE BEER CO. x homeplacebeer.com 321 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-9068

2 BIRDFOOT birdfootllc.com 10 Orchard St., Burnsville

3 SNAP DRAGON avl.mx/e0b 107 Town Square, Burnsville 828-682-3946

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 HOMEPLACE BEER CO. homeplacebeer.com 321 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-9068

2 PARKWAY PLAYHOUSE parkwayplayhouse.com 202 Green Mountain Drive, Burnsville 828-682-4285

RETAIL STORE

1 SOMETHING SPECIAL GIFT SHOP x avl.mx/55a 12 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-682-9101

2 MONKEY BUSINESS TOY SHOP avl.mx/dy4 12 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-682-9101

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

1 MOUNT MITCHELL ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR yanceychamber.com 106 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-682-7413

2 TOE RIVER ARTS STUDIO TOUR toeriverarts.org • Yancey and Mitchell Counties 828-765-0520

ART GALLERY

1 TOE RIVER ARTS GALLERY toeriverarts.org 102 W. Main St., Burnsville

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 MOUNT MITCHELL STATE PARK avl.mx/7zo 2388 N.C. Highway 128, Burnsville 828-867-4000

2 CAROLINA HEMLOCKS RECREATION AREA avl.mx/dvl 8516 U.S. Highway 80 S., Burnsville 828-675-5509

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK

1 NUWRAY HOTEL nuwray.com 102 Town Square, Burnsville 828-678-7070

1 TOWN SQUARE (BURNSVILLE) yanceychamber.com 101 Town Square, Burnsville

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT

1 YANCEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY x yanceyhumanesociety.org 211 Kind Hearts Way, Burnsville

SMALL TOWNS

HENDERSONVILLE, FLAT ROCK & MILLS RIVER

1 OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. oklawahabrewing.com 147 First Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-595-9956

2 MILLS RIVER BREWING CO. millsriverbrewingco.com 336 Banner Farm Road, Mills River 828-483-0480

3 MAST GENERAL STORE (HENDERSONVILLE) mastgeneralstore.com 527 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-696-1883

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 ARABELLA BREAKFAST & BRUNCH x arabellabreakfastandbrunch.com 536 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-595-2449

2 HENDOUGH CHICKEN & DONUTS hendough.com 532 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville 828-595-2885

3 POP’S DINER (HENDERSONVILLE)

avl.mx/dys

860 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-693-1035

LUNCH RESTAURANT

1 MOUNTAIN DELI mountaindelinc.com 343 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-693-0093

2 FLAT ROCK VILLAGE BAKERY avl.mx/dgk 2710 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-693-1313

3 THE ORIGINAL HANNAH FLANAGAN’S PUB AND EATERY theoriginalhannahflanagans.com 300 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-696-1665

DINNER RESTAURANT

1 SHINE shinehvl.com 202 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-692-0062

2 POSTERO postero-hvl.com 401 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-595-9676

3 WEST FIRST WOOD-FIRED westfirstwoodfired.com 101B 1st Ave. W., Hendersonville 828-693-1080

COFFEE & SWEETS

1 BLACK BEAR COFFEE CO. x blackbear.coffee 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-692-6333

2 MCFARLAN BAKERY mcfarlanbakery.com 309 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-693-4256

3 FLAT ROCK VILLAGE BAKERY avl.mx/dgk 2710 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-693-1313

1 OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. oklawahabrewing.com 147 First Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-595-9956

2 MILLS RIVER BREWING CO. millsriverbrewingco.com

336 Banner Farm Road, Mills River 828-483-0480

3 BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER boldrock.com 72 School House Road, Mills River 828-595-9940

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. oklawahabrewing.com 147 First Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-595-9956

2 FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE flatrockplayhouse.org 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-693-0403

3 MILLS RIVER BREWING CO. millsriverbrewingco.com 336 Banner Farm Road, Mills River 828-483-0480

RETAIL STORE

1 MAST GENERAL STORE (HENDERSONVILLE) x mastgeneralstore.com 527 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-696-1883

ART GALLERY

1 ART MOB STUDIOS & MARKETPLACE artmobstudios.com 124 Fourth Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-693-4545

2 THE GALLERY AT FLAT ROCK galleryflatrock.com 2702A Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-698-7000

3 CONTINUUM ART COLLECTIVE continuumartnc.com 147 First Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-435-3300

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

1 NC APPLE FESTIVAL x ncapplefestival.org 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville 828-697-4557

2 ART ON MAIN acofhc.org Main Street, Hendersonville 828-693-8504

3 RHYTHM & BREWS avl.mx/9pu South Main St., Hendersonville 828-233-3216

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 CARL SANDBURG HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE x nps.gov/carl 1800 Little River Road, Flat Rock 828-693-4178

2 DUPONT STATE FOREST dupontstaterecreationalforest.com Staton Road, Cedar Mountain 828-713-2368

3 THE PARK AT FLAT ROCK flatrockparkfoundation.org 55 Highland Golf Drive, Flat Rock 828-697-8100 CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK

1 CARL SANDBURG HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE x nps.gov/carl 1800 Little River Road, Flat Rock 828-693-4178

2 JUMP OFF ROCK (JUMPOFF) laurelpark.org/parks 4501 Laurel Park Highway, Laurel Park 828-693-4840

2 OLD HENDERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE hendersoncountymuseum.com 1 Historic Courthouse Square, Hendersonville 828-694-1619

3 FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE flatrockplayhouse.org 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock 828-693-0403

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT

1 BLUE RIDGE HUMANE SOCIETY x blueridgehumane.org 88 Centipede Lane, Hendersonville 828-692-2639

2 SAFELIGHT safelightfamily.org 317 N. Washington St., Hendersonville 828-693-3840

3 HENDERSONVILLE PRIDE hendersonvillepride.org • Hendersonville

3 HOPE COALITION elementsofhope.org 101 S. Grove St., Hendersonville 828-388-7979

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR TOWN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

1 ECUSTA TRAIL (BETWEEN HENDERSONVILLE & BREVARD) ecustatrail.org • Brevard 828-490-1854

2 ASTROSAUCE avl.mx/dv1

Hurricane Helene damaged or destroyed many WNC businesses. Some areas and industries have bounced back more quickly than others. Be sure to check company websites before visiting the winners listed in this guide.

SMALL TOWNS

185 KING STREET

Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town; best Music/Entertainment Venue; third place Local Bar/Brewery/Watering Hole

BUSINESS

1 185 KING STREET 185kingst.com 185 King St., Brevard 828-877-1850

2 THE HUB AND PISGAH TAVERN thehubpisgah.com 11 Mama’s Place, Pisgah Forest 828-884-8670

3 O.P. TAYLOR’S optaylors.com 16 S. Broad St., Brevard 828-883-2309

1 MORNING SOCIAL morningsocialbrevard.com 170 King St., Brevard 828-877-3773

2 THE SUNRISE CAFE thesunrisecafebrevard.com 273 N. Broad St., Brevard 828-884-3331

3 BREVARD DINER brevarddiner.com

42 Asheville Highway, Brevard 828-966-3552

LUNCH RESTAURANT

1 THE SQUARE ROOT squarerootrestaurant.com 33 Times Arcade Alley, Brevard 828-884-6171

2 THE SUNRISE CAFE thesunrisecafebrevard.com 273 N. Broad St., Brevard 828-884-3331

3 PESCADOS BURRITOS pescadosburrito.com 265 N. Broad St., Brevard 828-884-5559

DINNER RESTAURANT

1 THE SQUARE ROOT x squarerootrestaurant.com 33 Times Arcade Alley, Brevard 828-884-6171

2 THE FALLS LANDING EATERY thefallslanding.com 18 E. Main St., Brevard 828-884-2835

3 VESCOVO vescovobrevard.com 175 King St., Brevard 828-885-7630 COFFEE & SWEETS

1 CUP & SAUCER cupandsaucernc.com 36 E. Main St., Brevard 828-884-2877

2 BRACKEN MOUNTAIN BAKERY brackenmountainbakery.weebly.com 42 S. Broad St., Brevard 828-883-4034

3 THE VELVET CUP COFFEE TRUCK thevelvetcupcoffeetruck.com 11 Mama’s Place, Pisgah Forest 828-565-1252

1 OSKAR BLUES BREWERY oskarblues.com 342 Mountain Industrial Drive, Brevard 828-883-2337

2 ECUSTA BREWING ecustabrewing.com 451 Ecusta Road, Brevard 828-966-2337

3 185 KING STREET 185kingst.com 185 King St., Brevard 828-877-1850

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 185 KING STREET x 185kingst.com 185 King St., Brevard 828-877-1850

2 BREVARD MUSIC CENTER brevardmusic.org 349 Andante Lane, Brevard 828-862-2100

3 OSKAR BLUES BREWERY oskarblues.com 342 Mountain Industrial Drive, Brevard 828-883-2337

RETAIL STORE

1 D.D. BULLWINKEL’S OUTDOORS x ddbullwinkels.com 60 E. Main St., Brevard 828-862-4700

2 O.P. TAYLOR’S optaylors.com 16 S. Broad St., Brevard 828-883-2309

2 THE HUB AND PISGAH TAVERN thehubpisgah.com 11 Mama’s Place, Pisgah Forest 828-884-8670

ART GALLERY

1 NUMBER 7 ARTS number7arts.org 2 W. Main St., Brevard 828-883-2294

2 LUCY CLARK GALLERY & STUDIO (BREVARD) lucyclarkgallery.com 51 W. Main St., Brevard 828-884-5151

3 RED WOLF GALLERY redwolfgallerync.com 8 E. Main St., Brevard 828-862-8620

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

1 WHITE SQUIRREL FESTIVAL x avl.mx/dwt Downtown Brevard, Brevard 828-884-3278

2 BREVARD MUSIC CENTER SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL brevardmusic.org • Brevard 828-862-2105

3 WHITE SQUIRREL ARTISANS MARKET avl.mx/dwu Various Locations, Brevard

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST x avl.mx/6aw Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest 828-257-4200

2 DUPONT STATE FOREST dupontstaterecreationalforest.com Staton Road, Cedar Mountain 828-713-2368

3 LOOKING GLASS FALLS avl.mx/wordcaop U.S. Highway 276, Brevard 828-877-3265

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK

1 BREVARD MUSIC CENTER brevardmusic.org 349 Andante Lane, Brevard 828-862-2100

2 SILVERMONT MANSION silvermont.org 364 E. Main St., Brevard 828-884-3166

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT

1 SAFE, INC. OF TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY safetransylvania.org 515 N. Broad St., Suite 1, Brevard 828-885-7233

2 ECUSTA TRAIL (BETWEEN HENDERSONVILLE & BREVARD) ecustatrail.org • Brevard 828-490-1854

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR TOWN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

1 ECUSTA TRAIL (BETWEEN HENDERSONVILLE & BREVARD) ecustatrail.org • Brevard 828-490-1854

2 IMPROVE DOWNTOWN STREETS AND SIDEWALKS

SMALL TOWNS

WAYNESVILLE, MAGGIE VALLEY & CANTON

BEARWATERS BREWING CO. Best Local Bar/Brewery/Watering Hole; third place Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

1 MAST GENERAL STORE (WAYNESVILLE) mastgeneralstore.com 63 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-452-2101

2 BOOJUM BREWING CO. boojumbrewing.com 50 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-246-0350

3 BEARWATERS BREWING CO. bearwatersbrewing.com 339 Park St., Canton 828-492-0220 4352 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828-944-0009 BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 BEACH MOUNTAIN DINER beachmountaindiner.com 429 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville 828-246-6800

1 JOEY’S PANCAKE HOUSE joeyspancake.com 4309 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828-926-0212

1 BOOJUM BREWING CO. TAPROOM x boojumbrewing.com 50 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-246-0350

2 J-RO’S BURGERS AND SUBS jrosburgers.com 384 Main St., Canton 828-492-0015

2 THE PATIO BISTRO patio-nc.com 26 Church St., Waynesville 828-454-0070

2 THE BUTTERED BISCUIT butteredbiscuitnc.com 1226 Dellwood Road, Waynesville 828-246-6446 LUNCH RESTAURANT

3 BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL blueroostersoutherngrill.com 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde 828-456-1997

DINNER RESTAURANT

1 THE SWEET ONION RESTAURANT sweetonionrestaurant.com 39 Miller St., Waynesville 828-456-5559

2 BOOJUM BREWING CO. TAPROOM boojumbrewing.com 50 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-246-0350

3 SOUTHERN PORCH southern-porch.com 449 Main St., Canton 828-492-8006

1 ORCHARD COFFEE orchardcoffeeroasters.com 39 Depot St., Waynesville 828-246-9264

2 PAPERTOWN COFFEE papertown.coffee 119 Main St., Canton 828-492-0993

3 PANACEA COFFEE CO. panaceacoffee.com

66 Commerce St., Waynesville 828-452-6200

LOCAL BAR/BREWERY/ WATERING HOLE

1 BEARWATERS BREWING CO. bearwatersbrewing.com 339 Park St., Canton 828-492-0220 4352 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828-944-0009

2 BOOJUM BREWING CO. TAPROOM boojumbrewing.com 50 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-246-0350

3 FROG LEVEL BREWING CO. froglevelbrewing.com 56 Commerce St., Waynesville 828-454-5664

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 FROG LEVEL BREWING CO. froglevelbrewing.com 56 Commerce St., Waynesville 828-454-5664

2 HAYWOOD ARTS REGIONAL THEATRE (HART) harttheatre.org 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville 828-456-6322

2 THE GEM BAR AT BOOJUM BREWING boojumbrewing.com 50 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-246-0350

3 THE SCOTSMAN PUBLIC HOUSE scotsmanpublic.com 37 Church St., Waynesville 828-246-6292

RETAIL STORE

1 MAST GENERAL STORE (WAYNESVILLE) x mastgeneralstore.com 63 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-452-2101

2 SASSAFRAS ON MAIN sassafrasonmain.com 196 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-246-6222

ART GALLERY

1 TWIGS & LEAVES GALLERY twigsandleaves.com 98 N. Main St., Waynesville 828-456-1940

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

1 FOLKMOOT USA x folkmoot.org 112 Virginia Ave., Waynesville 828-452-2997

2 HAYWOOD ARTS REGIONAL THEATRE (HART) harttheatre.org 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville 828-456-6322

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 LAKE JUNALUSKA x avl.mx/dxr 91 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska

2 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY blueridgeparkway.org 828-670-1924

2 CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN PARK chestnutmountainnaturepark.com 2153 Asheville Highway, Canton 828-648-2363

3 CATALOOCHEE SKI AREA cataloochee.com 1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley 828-926-0285

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT

1 SARGE’S ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION sarges.org 256B Industrial Park Drive, Waynesville 828-246-9050

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR TOWN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

1 CANTON MILL CLOSING Canton

Designating winners who have won first place four years in a row (or more), including this

SMALL TOWNS

PHOTO COURTESY OF INNOVATION BREWING

INNOVATION BREWING

Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town; best Local Bar/Brewery/Watering Hole

BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN

1 INNOVATION BREWING innovation-brewing.com 414 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-9678

2 CITY LIGHTS BOOKSTORE citylightsnc.com

3 E. Jackson St., Sylva 828-586-9499

3 MAD BATTER KITCHEN madbatterkitchen.net

617 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-3555

BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

1 LUCY IN THE RYE (SYLVA) lucyintherye.com

612 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-4601

2 CITY LIGHTS CAFÉ citylightscafe.com

3 E. Jackson St., Sylva 828-587-2233

3 THE COFFEE SHOPPE avl.mx/dxl

385 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-2013

3 WHITE MOON CAFE whitemoonnc.com

545 Mill St., Sylva 828-331-0111

LUNCH RESTAURANT

1 MAD BATTER KITCHEN madbatterkitchen.net

617 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-3555

2 LULU’S ON MAIN lulusonmain.com

678 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-8989

3 LUCY IN THE RYE (SYLVA) lucyintherye.com 612 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-4601

DINNER RESTAURANT

1 DALAYA THAI CUISINE dalayathai.com 1084 W. Main St., Sylva 828-477-4945

2 LULU’S ON MAIN lulusonmain.com 678 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-8989

3 ILDA ildainsylva.com 462 W. Main St., Sylva 828-307-2036

COFFEE & SWEETS

1 WHITE MOON CAFE x whitemoonnc.com 545 Mill St., Sylva 828-331-0111

2 CITY LIGHTS CAFÉ citylightscafe.com 3 E. Jackson St., Sylva 828-587-2233

3 BAXLEY’S CHOCOLATES baxleyschocolates.com

546 W. Main St., Sylva 828-631-3379

1 INNOVATION BREWING x innovation-brewing.com 414 W. Main St., Sylva 828-586-9678

2 LAZY HIKER BREWING CO. lazyhikerbrewing.com

617 W. Main St., Sylva 828-349-2337

3 INNOVATION STATION innovation-brewing.com 40 Depot St., Dillsboro 828-226-0262

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT VENUE

1 LAZY HIKER BREWING CO. lazyhikerbrewing.com

617 W. Main St., Sylva 828-349-2337

2 BRIDGE PARK PROJECT avl.mx/e0c 76 Railroad Ave., Sylva 828-586-2719

RETAIL STORE

1 CITY LIGHTS BOOKSTORE citylightsnc.com

3 E. Jackson St., Sylva 828-586-9499

2 SNAKE SONG

avl.mx/dz4 610 W. Main St., Sylva 828-631-1802

CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT

1 GREENING UP THE MOUNTAINS greeningupthemountains.com West Main Street, Sylva 828-554-1035

2 MOUNTAIN HERITAGE DAY avl.mx/dy7 Western Carolina University, 1 University Way, Cullowhee 828-227-7211

LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

1 CULLOWHEE GREENWAY (JACKSON COUNTY GREENWAY, TUCKASEGEE GREENWAY)

avl.mx/cv9 342 Old Cullowhee Road, Cullowhee 828-293-3053

2 PINNACLE PARK avl.mx/a99 2110 Fisher Creek Road, Sylva

3 BRIDGE PARK PROJECT

avl.mx/e0c 76 Railroad Ave., Sylva 828-586-2719

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL LANDMARK

1 JACKSON COUNTY HISTORIC COURTHOUSE / PUBLIC LIBRARY avl.mx/a8l 310 Keener St., Sylva 828-586-4055

2 JUDACULLA ROCK judacullarock.com 552 Judaculla Rock Road, Cullowhee 828-293-3053

LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT

1 CORNBREAD & ROSES COMMUNITY COUNSELING cbrcounseling.org 1294 Savannah Drive, Sylva 828-283-0235

1 SYLVA PRIDE sylvancpride.org • Sylva