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Welcome Serving the Greater Asheville, Hendersonville, Brevard, Lake Lure & Waynesville Areas

TO WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

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Sustaining Farmers and Community

Folkmoot USA WAYNESVILLE’S CULTURAL HUB

Little Chango

GREGARIOUS BY NATURE, GLUTTONOUS BY CHOICE

The Reynolds Mansion Hillman Brewery Pisgah Climbing School

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RELOCATION RELOCATION made easy

In partnership with the Hanna family of relocation companies, Relocation Horizons, Inc. provides industry-leading relocation services to companies throughout the country and across the globe. Our clients have access to a wide range of support services to help their employees relocate as efficiently as possible. We’re proud to provide the following domestic and foreign relocation services to our clients’ employees: • Temporary Housing • Shipment of Household Goods • Relocation Allowance • Tax Gross-Up Assistance • Final Travel Assistance • Lease Break Penalty Coverage • Invoicing and Tax Reporting For more information about our relocation services, we invite you to contact our team today!

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INTRODUCTION | Welcome We also believe WELCOME TO WESTERN that everyone NORTH CAROLINA should have the

W Gary Scott

opportunity to “Choosing the right real estate company of to assist you enjoy the quality with this area lifeexploring for which ouris important.” Neal Hanks Jr., President region has become famous.

Neal Hanks Jr.

Welcome. It is our privilege to introduce you to this beautiful region we

call home. Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks has deep roots in Western North Carolina and global reach backed by our parent company, Howard Hanna, and we believe the best way to discover the incredible quality of life here is to experience it first-hand. We are confident that when you do, you will understand why most who do so never want to leave. As you begin exploring area communities, it is important to choose the right real estate company to assist you. You will certainly benefit by choosing the best, and in Western North Carolina, that choice is Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks. As part of the number one real estate firm in the Carolinas, and backed by Howard Hanna, the #1 family-owned real estate company in the country, together we closed over $40 billion in sales volume in 2025. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, seasoned investor, or relocating across the country, Howard Hanna’s full suite of services, mortgage, insurance, title, and an award-winning relocation division backed by 500+ offices across 15 states, means every step of your homeownership journey is handled by one trusted team.

CLIENT SERVICES (800) 210-0321 toll free

ASHEVILLE

300 Executive Park, Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 254-7221

ASHEVILLE, BILTMORE AVE.

40 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 571-0744

ASHEVILLE, NORTH

820 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 251-1800 Client Services 866.858.2257 toll free

ASHEVILLE, SOUTH

Downtown Asheville One Town Square Blvd., Suite 140 300 Executive Park Asheville, NC 28803 Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 684-8999

800.868.7221 toll free BLACK MOUNTAIN 828.254.7221 706 NC Highway 9, North Asheville Black Mountain, NC 28711 820 Merrimon Ave. (828) 419-0444 Asheville, NC 28804 800.277.2511 toll free BREVARD, 828.251.1800

DOWNTOWN

6 East Main St., Brevard, NC 28712 South Asheville (828) 877-6006 1 Town Square Blvd, Ste. 140 Asheville, NC 28803

BREVARD, SOUTH 800.868.8999 toll free 7737 Greenville Hwy., Brevard, NC 28712 828.684.8999 (828) 877-4490 Hendersonville

512 NorthBURNSVILLE Main St. Hendersonville, 28792NC 28714 369 West US 19-E, NC Burnsville, 800.868.0515 toll678-9944 free (828) 828.697.0515

FLETCHER

At Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks, we also believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the quality of life for which our region has become famous. Hundreds of Western North Carolina organizations strengthen the communities we call home. Our ongoing commitment is why we are actively engaged in the communities in which we live and serve, and we remain committed to doing our part to help our neighbors recover and rebuild, now and in the long term.

Waynesville 4005 Hendersonville Rd., Fletcher, NC

We look forward to the opportunity to connect you with the many attributes, organizations, and individuals that make Western North Carolina such a wonderful place to call home. It is our hope you will find the information contained here to be useful for your exploration.

LAKE LURE 828.625.8846 1518 Memorial Hwy., Lake Lure, NC 28746 Beverly-Hanks (828) 436-5120

Warm regards,

74 North Main 28732 St. Waynesville, NC484-3130 28786 (828)

800.849.8024 toll free 828.452.5809 HENDERSONVILLE 512 N. Main Lake LureSt., Hendersonville, NC 28792 109 Arcade (828) St. 697-0515 Lake Lure, NC 28746

Mortgage Services

30 Town Blvd., Ste. 202 NAISquare BEVERLY-HANKS Asheville, NC Park, 28803 300 Executive Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 210-3940 828.775.9179

NAI Beverly-Hanks SALUDA Commercial 153 East Main St., Saluda, NC 28773 410 Executive Park (828) 749-3504 Asheville, NC 28801

Neal Hanks, Jr. President, Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks Real Estate

Gary Scott President, Howard Hanna Allen Tate President, Howard Hanna Virginia

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EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

828.210.3940 WALNUT COVE

REALTY

630 Long Shoals Rd., Arden, NC 28704 (828) 684–5151

WAYNESVILLE

74 North Main St., Waynesville, NC 28786 (828) 452-5809

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Welcome | CONTENTS

Locales Asheville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

32 Black Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Arden & Mills River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Hendersonville & Flat Rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Fletcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Haywood County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Rutherford County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Yancey County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Polk County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Transylvania County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Jackson County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Weaverville & Barnardsville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Features

72 Outdoor Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Arts & Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Cuisine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Beverages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Higher Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Resources

60 Useful Numbers & Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88 WNC Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Above: Overmountain Vineyards.

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Welcome to Western North Carolina

ISSUE 20 • 2026

On the Cover:

John Amoss Morning Tree Hand-printed mokuhanga on hand painted 100% Kozu washi, 12x16 inches tanukiprints.com

PUBLISHED BY:

Proud to Serve & Be A Part of Western North Carolina

Publisher

Scott McLeod

Associate Publisher Greg Boothroyd

Advertising

Maddie Woodard Amanda Bradley

Editorial

Garret K. Woodward Content and Editing

Design

Micah McClure Jack Snyder

Photos Provided by: VisitNC.com

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Local Expertise. Global Advantage. Local businesses help form the foundation of Western North Carolina, and it has been a privilege to support both independent entrepreneurs and national brands as they establish and grow their presence here. In the wake of Hurricane Helene,

our team has remained actively engaged—helping businesses, nonprofits, and service providers identify new opportunities, relocate efficiently, and continue serving our communities. Since 1976, owners, tenants, and investors have trusted NAI Beverly-Hanks to represent hundreds of commercial real estate properties each year. Our deep roots in the region, combined with decades of market insight, position us to guide clients through every stage of the real estate lifecycle with confidence and clarity. Additionally, through our affiliation with NAI Global, we extend that expertise far beyond Western North Carolina. With more than 6,000 professionals and 375 offices worldwide, we provide clients with direct access to markets across the country and around the globe—streamlining acquisitions, dispositions, and investment strategies with efficiency and reach.

When it comes to commercial real estate in Western North Carolina, experience and local knowledge matter. Connect with NAI Beverly-Hanks to see how our platform, and our people, can work to your advantage.

828.210.3940 naibeverly-hanks.com 300 Executive Park, Asheville, NC 28801 10

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Welcome | ASHEVILLE

Cosmopolitan Country ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

ithin this renowned city are six distinct areas — Downtown, Biltmore Village, South Asheville, North Asheville, River Arts District, and West Asheville — each as unique as the people and places that inhabit them. Billed as a place where “altitude affects attitude,” Asheville is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and is just a short car ride to the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s been renowned as a place to retreat and take in natural wonders since the 1800s. These days, Asheville is firming up its reputation as a culinary center with a rapidly evolving food scene. The city has over 250 independent restaurants and numerous farmers markets. Outdoors enthusiasts find no shortage of activities in Asheville, whether it’s hiking, biking and climbing, paddling and fishing on the French Broad River and local lakes, careening through the trees on a zip line, or golfing at one of the area’s renowned courses. Asheville is such an outdoors destination that a few years ago Outside magazine named it “Best Southern Town” for outdoor adventures.

2025 SALES Buncombe County MEDIAN $ PRICE. . . . . . .

485,000 128 PERCENT OF LISTING PRICE. . . . . . . . 94% NUMBER OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . 3,383 AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET. . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Welcome | ASHEVILLE

Downtown WNC’S CULTURAL HUB IS A UNIQUE DESTINATION

AGENT’S CHOICE:

he heart of the city, downtown Asheville is a cultural mecca. For several years, Asheville was voted the “top small-city arts destination” in the country, just one of many labels this vibrant, evolving district has been tagged with. Downtown is full of galleries and shops displaying all manners of art, from traditional mountain crafts to more modern creations.

“WNC truly has it all, from great shops and local artists to the truly amazing natural playground of hiking, rock climbing, and more waterfalls then one can count to swim in. You can never get bored living here.”

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— Alex Leer, Biltmore Park office Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks

The Asheville Art Museum, which has helped anchor the arts scene for decades, recently underwent a major expansion. The Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center hosts exhibits, talks and workshops that celebrate the legacy of the college, a noted avantgarde institution in operation from 1933-1957. Some of the area’s biggest art events take place in Asheville. In July and October, the Harrah’s Cherokee Center is home to the fourday Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, which has taken place for more than 75 years. At the event, hundreds of local and regional craftspeople fill the center, offering their creations of clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood and jewelry. The Big Crafty has exploded in popularity in recent years. Held in July and December at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center, it’s a kind of community bazaar, with quirky handmade crafts, local food and beer and live music. The performing arts also flourish in Asheville, with numerous venues

hosting music, readings, theatre and comedy on a nightly basis. The Harrah’s Cherokee Center is the largest venue, with both a 7,600-seat arena and the 2,400-seat Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. The center hosts everything from performances by the Asheville Symphony Orchestra to touring groups like Tame Impala and Billy Strings to the Southern Conference (SoCon) basketball tournament. Each December, the longtime Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam rolls into the Harrah’s Cherokee Center for a special fundraising concert for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and BeLoved Asheville. Recent performers at the Xmas Jam have included Alison Krauss, Tyler Childers, Grace Potter, Brothers Osborne, Dave Grohl and Margo Price, amongst other marquee acts. More intimate performances take place at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, a 500-seat venue that is part of a downtown cultural and educational center, Pack Place, and the recently opened S&W Market, an intricate food hall in the historic Asheville former S&W Cafeteria building constructed in 1929. n

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Welcome | LOCALES Lighting the Fuse | 1925 ‘ASHEVILLE SESSIONS’ A century ago, a record producer from New York City headed into Western North Carolina in search of the sound of Southern Appalachia. Landing in downtown Asheville, Ralph Peer set up a recording space in the former George Vanderbilt Hotel and set into motion a series of field recordings that would forever change the course of American music. “Peer was the producer responsible for releasing the earliest commercial recordings of the genre that came to be known as country music,” said Ted Olson, professor of Appalachian Studies at East Tennessee State University. “Once Peer identified a market for recordings of ‘hillbilly music,’ he sought out new artists who performed that type of music to record for sale to customers.” Known as the “Asheville Sessions,” the 1925 recordings have been mostly unknown to music lovers and historians alike. But with Olson and the help of Rivermont Records, the sessions have finally received their due — something 100 years in the making — with the recent release of “Music from the Land of the Sky: The 1925 Asheville Sessions.” “I hope that listeners will comprehend Appalachia’s profound importance in the evolution of country music,” Olson said. “And that listeners will identify Asheville’s vital role as a catalyst for fostering positive cultural change within this misunderstood region.” Peer was a producer for OKeh Records, a New York label which, beyond releasing popular melodies and dance tunes, was leaning into niche areas of music and often-neglected segments of the recordbuying public. This included European recordings for immigrant communities and early jazz selections for Black audiences. In 1924, Peer crossed paths with

Bascom Lamar Lunsford during an OKeh recording session in Atlanta. Now regarded as a cultural icon of Western North Carolina, Lunsford was a talented musician and promoter in the Asheville area — and it was he who drew Peer to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Coming to Asheville in August 1925, Peer put the word out in local newspapers looking for musicians to come share their

songs, with the finished product being a wax recording. After 10 days, 60 wax recordings had been created at the hotel, located nowadays next to the Harrah’s Cherokee Center and Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. The recordings were primitive by modern standards. A musician would have a large recording horn placed in front of them, and engineers would cut grooves into warm wax — the result a mix of melody and background noise, with

imperfections being the true beauty of the recordings when heard a century later. A slew of local musicians participated, including Lunsford, Henry Whitter, Kelly Harrell, Wade Ward, Ernest Stoneman, J.D. Harris, and more. Vaudeville performer Ernest Miller and the hotel’s house jazz band were also captured. The essence of the recordings is their variety — gospel, blues, folk, jazz — which exposed the depth of talent living in these mountains. When Peer finished, he brought his findings back to the label, with many of the melodies eventually being manufactured into records sold across the country. And yet, the sessions would become overshadowed by the seismic musical discovery Peer made when he headed to Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia in 1927. Known as the “Big Bang of Country Music,” the Bristol Sessions captured the first recordings of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers — the “Father of Country Music,” who had lived in Asheville prior to Bristol — sparking a musical revolution across America. With the initial discussion about an album project starting in 2017, Rivermont Records and the North Carolina Arts Foundation spent the better part of a decade gathering and remastering the 1925 recordings for their 100th anniversary. Grammynominated producer and sound engineer Bryan Wright breathed new life into the songs, with 28 tracks selected for the final album. “People should realize that the Asheville Sessions yielded the earliest commercial recordings from Appalachia, and that those sessions truly were groundbreaking,” Olson said. “The release of this album might well deepen, and even correct, general awareness of the region’s music history.” n

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Welcome | LOCALES Capturing Magic | ECHO MOUNTAIN Twenty years ago, Jessica Tomasin became the manager of the brand-new Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville. This year, she became the owner, a poignant symbol for a wellearned anniversary. “Echo was built on heart and community, rather than pure commerce, so reaching 20 years feels both surreal and incredibly meaningful,” Tomasin said. “In some ways, it feels like it just flew by, even as the music industry, and especially the world of studio production, has changed so dramatically.” A worldrenowned facility, Tomasin has overseen countless acclaimed acts come through the door — Widespread Panic, Greensky Bluegrass, The Avett Brothers, Steve Martin, etc. — of the picturesque historic church turned into a recording studio of the highest caliber. That discography also includes innumerable local/regional artists whose music soothes minds and souls. “There’s something sacred about watching an artist toss their heart into the air and trust that it will be caught,” Tomasin said. “My role has always been to protect that moment, to make sure the artist can forget everything else and simply be present with what they’re creating.” Wandering into the studio, one is immediately struck by the beauty and grandeur of the old church, this aweinspiring building filled with painted glass windows and aged dark wood, the latter ideal in soaking in sonic tones.

“As for the magic of the church itself, thousands of songs have been born inside those walls,” Tomasin said. “Along with them have come thousands of fears, breakthroughs, late-night laughs, and quiet, transformative moments.” Early on, Tomasin vividly remembers when the Avetts came into Echo Mountain to record their 2007 breakthrough album, “Emotionalism.”

“We all knew, even then, that it was going to be a big record — for them, and for us,” Tomasin said. “We were all so young, and we were all rooting for each other. In many ways, we still are. They’re just one example of so many people who were coming of age, creatively and personally, during those early years at Echo.” With Echo Mountain regarded as a pillar of the rich, vibrant music scene in Asheville — a scene which Rolling Stone magazine continually notes as “one of the hottest live music cities in America” — Tomasin is well aware of the role her business plays in that ecosystem, and the greater city itself. “It has always been important to me that Echo Mountain be more than a recording studio, that it also be a resource for the local community,” Tomasin

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said. “It’s a place where Asheville’s creative scene intersects with the wider world. Over the years, we’ve hosted events with MusiCares to support the music community, collected resources for the fire department, [and] partnered with numerous nonprofits.”

With Echo Mountain’s 20-year mark now proudly being celebrated, the studio and its staff are right back at it, capturing magic in real time as artists from across the country and around the globe head for this haven of creativity and compassion found only in the mountains of Southern Appalachia. “When I think about all the albums, all the relationships, and all the moments that happened in that space that had nothing to do with recording, it feels like life,” Tomasin said. “We didn’t just make music — we created and we held stories. That place has shaped who I am in profound ways, and I’m incredibly proud to have been part of it.” And for Tomasin, what remains is simply one thing: gratitude. “I truly believe I was put on this earth to be a steward for artists, to help them create something powerful that can move and help others,” Tomasin said. “When a song comes alive right in front of you, it feels like witnessing something holy. And after 20 years, it still does.” n

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Welcome | ASHEVILLE

Biltmore Village

HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE, UNIQUE SHOPPING

ne of the most unique shopping experiences in the South, Biltmore Village is home to high-end boutiques, open-air restaurants, locally owned retailers and other points of commercial and residential interest. Built as a community entrance for the renowned Biltmore Estate, the village is filled with tree-lined streets, historic homes and majestic architecture.

Nearby is the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately-owned home in the country. The legacy of its owner, the late George W. Vanderbilt, the elaborate estate was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and completed in 1895. Today the 250-room, French renaissance-style house and the 8,000-acre grounds are open to guests for tours, with dining options and outdoor activities available on the grounds. The gardens, stables, restaurants, winery and hotels all help make this North Carolina’s top tourism destination, with more than a million people now visiting each year. Featuring a tasting room and tours, the estate’s Biltmore Winery is also one of the largest in the Southeast. n 20

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Welcome | LOCALES Appalachian Ales | HILLMAN BEER

In the depths of Biltmore Village in Asheville, Hillman Beer on Sweeten Creek Road has become a haven for craft ale lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and simply those who stumble upon the spot happily by happenstance. “It’s instantly rewarding [seeing everyone in the taproom],” said Johanna Quinn, general manager at Hillman. “It just makes work more fun when we’re that busy. And sometimes you can get emotional, especially during Oktoberfest, knowing that so many people had a great time.”

Asheville and take the leap at brewing beer as a career. The process started small, with the brothers testing out recipes (many with a German focus in terms of flavor and style) in a garage and giving away samples to friends and family to get feedback. The results were very positive, onward to a brick-and-mortar facility. “Greig lived in Germany for a while serving with the military,” Quinn said. “And Brad would come [visit and] taste beer over there, [which] is how we have such a German influence. I grew up in Germany,

[focuses] on the guest experience.” “We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we’re serious about what we do,” Quinn said. “We do have a passion for it, but we like to have fun with it, as well.” In terms of the robust and everevolving Asheville and WNC craft beer scene, Quinn views the current, vast landscape as not only filled with incredibly talented brewers and delicious, award-winning products, it also has become a pillar of the culture in this region in just the few decades of its existence.

A family-owned brewery, Hillman Beer opened in Asheville in April 2017. With the Hillman brothers (Brad and Greig) launching the business, it has grown and shifted with the moving target that is the craft beer industry, all atop the continual evolution of Asheville itself. In July 2020, Hillman Beer opened its second location just down the road in Old Fort. “[Before the brewery], Greig was living here in Asheville and Brad was in New York City,” Quinn said. “Brad was bartending and had a tiny home brew set up in his tiny apartment in Brooklyn. He started bringing [beer] to family gatherings and [Greig] said, ‘[We] should open a brewery in Asheville. I’m telling you, your beer is going to sell well.’” So, Brad decided to relocate to

and I think our beer is pretty spot-on for the German styles.” With a thick thread of German beer running through Hillman, there are “of course IPAs for the crowd favorites and the American styles.” The variety of ales presented is ideally complemented by the bier garden format of the property, something that parlays itself into an array of culinary options. “It’s upscale pub food with a more comforted, elevated touch,” Quinn said. “And we strive to make almost everything in-house. We don’t buy pre-padded burgers or anything like that. We mix them, season them, everything like that. We don’t just ‘buy it,’ we add some sort of personal touch to it.” According to Quinn, Hillman “definitely

“Everybody’s getting more established,” Quinn noted. “And I think that Asheville will still keep getting the recognition for it just because of that. We all kind of push and challenge each other, and there’s a great culture across the board.” When asked about what she loves about Asheville and greater Western North Carolina, Quinn can’t help but talk at-length about what makes these mountains and its inhabitants so unique, special, and cherished. “I do feel like we kind of live in a bubble, where sometimes I go visit other cities and go, ‘Oh, this isn’t nearly as cool as Asheville,’” Quinn chuckled. “It’s just the culture and the people around here. And that’s why I’m going to keep calling it home for a very long time.” n

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Quartzite Granite Quartz Marble Fine Cabinetry

62 Communications Drive

Waynesville

Hours By Appointment

www.sss-tops.com

828.452.4747

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Welcome | ASHEVILLE

South Asheville

FAST-GROWING AREA KEEPS HUMMING ALONG

radling the lower section of Asheville is a vast area of people, places and things, this vibrant intersection of residential beauty and commercial amenities. Known as the South Asheville district, the landscape is a blend of mountain scenery and modern businesses.

South Asheville also features the very popular Biltmore Park property. Consisting of a unique commercial/urban core design, Biltmore Park is home to an array of residential options, with the town square filled with numerous restaurants, cafes, spas, health clubs, boutiques and gathering spots. Consumers and residents alike enjoy catching a flick at the Regal Biltmore Grande & RPX movie theater or perusing world-class retailers like REI, LOFT and Barnes & Noble. Alongside these stores are also plenty of local, independent restaurants like Luella’s Bar-B-Que, Fork Lore, and Nine Mile. n

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Welcome | LOCALES The Culinary Dance | POSANA For Chef Peter Pollay, there’s just something so seamless and vibrant whenever he walks into his kitchen and sees his employees engage in this culinary orchestra of sorts — all working together, all connecting in this hectic moment of a restaurant in the midst of a dinner rush. “There’s really nothing like it. I enjoy seeing the dance they do,” Pollay said. “And it’s just amazing what could get done, and what they do. It looks like they’re choreographed because they know exactly what they need to do at what time. They set the pace with their tables. It’s really amazing to see.” Co-owner of Posana with his wife, Martha, the couple oversees two locations in Biltmore Park and downtown Asheville. With a menu hovering around contemporary American cuisine, Posana was founded in 2009 by the couple as a way to bring together “seasonal, local ingredients and genuine hospitality.” For Pollay, what’s transpired with Posana is a true dream come true for him. “This is what I’ve been doing since college,” Pollay said. “I’ve always enjoyed [cooking].” Originally from Chicago, Pollay’s culinary journey started while as a student at Arizona State University in the late 1980s. During his sophomore year, he moved off campus and into a house with several friends. According to Pollay, “there were no good restaurants around, not even good fast food.” “Then, this place called Costco opened up near us,” Pollay chuckled. “I became a member, started buying a lot of food and just cooking [for my roommates]. And I did that the rest of my college career.” At the time, Pollay would graduate with a degree in political science. And even though he was looking at law school as a possible next step, he also felt this deep urge within to maybe pursue this emerging passion for cooking, something he first learned from his mother and now

was making his own. “I called up my father and told him what my plan was and what I wanted to do,” Pollay said of his decision to dive into the culinary arts. “And he was like, ‘You know, if that’s really what you want to do, let me call a friend and I’ll see what he says.’”

That friend was Larry Levy, a legendary entrepreneur and co-founder of Levy Restaurants, which is now regarded as one of the biggest catering companies for sports and entertainment in the United States. Levy told Pollay if he wanted to pursue a career as a chef, to come work for him first in order to get more experience in the field before going to the Culinary Institute of America. Pollay quickly found himself immersed in the organized chaos of the former City Tavern in Chicago. After six months, Pollay asked the head chef for a letter of recommendation for the CIA. The chef said if he wanted to get one from him, then Pollay would first have to spend one full season working in the restaurants in Comiskey Park (the former home of the Chicago White Sox). “And it was eye-opening,” Pollay noted. “It’s just unbelievable the amount of food you have to prepare [for the stadium]. Feeding thousands of people each day? It’s crazy, and it was an amazing experience.” From there, Pollay attended and graduated from CIA, only to bounce from coast to coast working in the culinary industry in a variety of roles. Destinations spanned from New York to Los Angeles,

Chicago to Las Vegas. Along the way, he met Martha and started a family. Around that time, the couple found themselves at a meditation retreat in Black Mountain. “We felt really good walking around Asheville,” Peter said. “We felt comfortable, like this would be a great place for our next steps. And it would be a great place for our daughter — and if we have any more children — to grow up. So, we moved here in July 2003, [and] we’ve been here ever since.” By 2009, Posana opened its doors. A Sanskrit/Hindi term meaning “nourishment,” Posana was the perfect moniker for what the Pollays had in mind. Not only for the plates served, but also the ethos among those who either enter the establishment or simply those uplifting the business itself. “I think it kind of describes what we do naturally,” Pollay said. What Posana does naturally is demonstrate a keen focus on quality ingredients from local farmers by “offering a seasonal, sustainable, gluten-free menu.” Both locations have become pillars of the bustling culinary scene in Asheville and greater Western North Carolina — a local realm that has garnered numerous accolades from the James Beard Foundation in recent years. “[Our staff] Chef Peter Pollay & wife/ co-owner Martha Pollay are doing whatever they can to give our guests a great experience,” Pollay said. “And they also know Martha [and I are] around. We hang out, we get to know people. And to see the amount of people that come in here, that are adding to the energy of this place? I just get a kick out of it.” n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Creative Components | Asheville Guitar Pedals In West Asheville, on a bustling Haywood Road, is Asheville Guitar Pedals. Since it opened its doors in 2024, the cozy, shotgun-style space has become a “one stop shop” for musicians on that side of the city and beyond, whether you’re a professional or someone looking to maybe find a new passion. “We wanted to be that local music shop you can go to,” said co-owner Tripp Shaw. “You can walk in here and just have a full store to shop.” Wandering the store, there’s an array of guitars, basses, and mandolins hanging on the walls waiting to be plucked or taken home. Several amplifiers are showcased. Shelves are filled with fresh strings and all sorts of instrument accessories, shelves are also filled with handmade components by AGP. Featuring a handful of signature guitar pedals, Shaw and his business partner, Kenny Clark, aim to offer world-class products made in Asheville, all with hometown customer service. For Shaw, the company initially started out of his own personal curiosity when he was looking to either tweak or clone particular pedals he was finding and using from national manufacturers. “So, I started building pedals and something clicked,” Shaw said. “And I hadn’t felt that in my life, where I knew what I wanted to do. It’s like, ‘Okay, I want to try to sell these online so we can get some momentum here.’”

That epiphany to build and sell his pedals occurred in 2020, with the company being formed in 2023, and the brick-and-mortar shop coming to fruition not long after. With no real background in electronics, Shaw’s interest in tinkering with pedals and building his own comes from a deep, genuine love for playing music — onstage with a band or merely for personal enjoyment at home. “I’ve always been interested in how equipment works and what people think about the equipment,” Shaw said. “[People] get really emotional about certain Tripp Shaw amps, pedals, and stuff that always interests me, and then the idea of being able to change a sound by just swapping out a component is really addictive.” Among the many items AGP offers, there’s the flagship “Purr Machine” fuzz overdrive, “Stasis” reverb, “Follower” digi delay, “Octonaut” red LED octave, and “Rat King” distortion pedals. “Now we’ve gotten everything down to such a level that we know there’s no

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problem with our pedals, and we’ll always have great customer service — I want you to be taken care of,” Shaw said. For Shaw, launching the business in Asheville was a no-brainer. Aside from Rolling Stone recently naming the city one of the hottest live music spots in the country, there’s also an enormous ecosystem of musicians inhabiting this area. Not to mention the countless marquee acts from seemingly every genre rolling through Asheville to perform at one of the numerous venues across the city. “I thought [AGP] would work in Asheville because of two things,” Shaw noted. “The people here actually do what they say and they really support local businesses, and then the other thing is there’s so many musicians here. So, there’s a lot of creativity already, and I just wanted to add to that.” On any given day, when someone walks out of AGP with a new pedal from Shaw, it’s not lost on him how meaningful that interaction is, and will remain as the company grows and its reputation spreads around the music scene. “At first, it was kind of weird, but now I really love it,” Shaw said. “Because you want to make a pedal to absurd standards if you start selling them to somebody, and because you don’t want it to break down — it’s a big deal for us to sell [the pedals directly] to a person [at the store].” n

Welcome | ASHEVILLE

West Asheville

A QUIRKY COMMUNITY WITH A UNIQUE VIBE

uite possibly the fastest growing area in the city, West Asheville has become a haven for an assortment of small businesses.

From cafés and breakfast nooks (Biscuithead, Sunny Point Café, The West End, Early Girl Eatery) to restaurants (Leo’s

House of Thirst, The Admiral, West Asheville Lounge & Kitchen, Haywood Common, Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack), music venues (Fleetwood’s, The Odd, AyurPrana Listening Room) to breweries (Oyster House, Diatribe, All Sevens, One World West), and everything in between, the area offers a warm welcome to the possibilities of niche commerce. The section is known for its “neighborhood friendly” image, where you’ll see just as many baby strollers and joggers moseying down the sidewalks as patrons heading toward a concert or lunch date. n

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Welcome | ASHEVILLE

River Arts District THE ARTISTIC HUB OF DOWNTOWN

walkable showcase of the Southern Appalachian arts scene is the River Arts District (RAD), an ever-expanding complex of studios and galleries near the French Broad River that’s also becoming one of Asheville’s culinary and entertainment hubs.

The Grey Eagle, a nationally-renowned music venue in the RAD, brings in top talents from around the region and across the country, and has bubbled up to become one of the most popular spots in the Southeast for live entertainment. Brewing some of the finest craft beer in the region, The Wedge is tucked behind the dozens of artists showcased in the Wedge Studios. All of this is near numerous restaurants (The Bull & Beggar, Master BBQ AVL, All Souls Pizza) and recreational areas (French Broad River Park and Carrier Park). New Belgium Brewing Company, one of the largest craft beer companies in the country (based out of Fort Collins, Colorado), has their $140-million east coast production facility along the French Broad River in the heart of the RAD. With live music regularly offered on the patio and side lawn, the property also borders the French Broad River Greenway. n

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Welcome | LOCALES Everything You See | RACHEL KLECKER CLEGG When Rachel Klecker Clegg was a little kid growing up in Ohio, she was heavily influenced by her grandmother, an architect and painter, as well as her parents, both of whom were very “supportive of making art.” All of this ultimately led Clegg to becoming an artist herself later in life. “[My parents] would take my siblings and me to museums to see art, and I remember my mom telling me, ‘Rachel, everything you see, someone imagined and designed,’” Clegg said. “She wasn’t just referring to the art on the walls — she meant everything.” With a home studio in Black Mountain and a studio gallery space within the Wedge Studios in the River Arts District in Asheville, Clegg has become an acclaimed contemporary visual painter in the city and greater Southern Appalachia — her style a swirling blend of natural beauty and creative vision. “Paint is my chosen medium because it is accessible and offers an opportunity to explore color,” Clegg said. “With oil, there is a buttery texture and saturation of color that best match the feeling I’m trying to convey through making art.” Within her artistic landscape, her attitude, and approach to the canvas, Clegg has “found the best way I learn is through doing, pure trial and error.” “It’s like when you first move to a city, a great way to get to know it is to get lost and then find your own way home,” Clegg said. For Clegg, this journey of self and of art was sparked in elementary school. “That’s when I started to understand that art was something that I could study,” Clegg said. “In school, my favorite times of the day were recess and art class. Those were the times, as kids, we were on our own with our imaginations. I discovered that since art was a recognized subject, daydreaming was legit with the adults.” And although Clegg has always had one foot in the creative realms, as an adult

she became an architect for a landscape firm. As much as that professional field did scratch the creative itch and offer up welcomed challenges of size and scope, Clegg “had been working long hours in a high-performance, high-stress environment for several years.” Cue the 2008 economic downturn, which led to the firm laying off several staff members, including Clegg.

“When I stopped working there, I realized I had been giving all my creative energy to build other people’s ideas. Nothing left in the tank for my own ideas,” Clegg said. “That’s not a bad thing, I just needed balance. I made a conscious decision to use this as an opportunity to springboard into something else. I started painting again and eventually started my own landscape architecture business.” Aside from running her own company, Clegg dove headlong into painting, with her heart and soul radiating these deep, genuine sentiments of love and appreciation for the universe around her, specifically the natural world, with a series of paintings emerging that focused solely on trees. Of which, the series kicked off with an ode to a white ash tree Clegg came across on a work project. “The project’s general manager mentioned that it would likely be the last time they use this wood because the

emerald ash borer is killing broad swaths of the species,” Clegg said. “I felt the tragedy of that and thought, I need to paint the ash tree. I needed to reconcile our current unbalanced relationship with our trees.”

When Clegg enters the creative mindset, she finds the space itself “is portable, [where] ideas arrive both spontaneously and are cultivated.” With the canvas before her ready for her inspiration and intent, Clegg is “completely focused on work. It’s like being submerged in water or wearing noise-cancelling headphones — my senses are honed toward creating something.” “This same feeling comes over me when I’m out in nature and get awestricken,” Clegg said. “It happened yesterday morning, walking out after the snowfall, standing under a large pine tree, watching the snow blow off its needles. The sun was shining, the clouds were gone, and I was watching pine needles dance and powder swirl against the blue sky.” n

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North Asheville

ICONIC NEIGHBORHOODS AND HISTORIC HOMES

ith a large focus being placed on the rest of the city, North Asheville has been working behind the scenes, creating a steady stream of new, small business and eccentric development. Once overlooked, it is rapidly becoming a hot spot for retail and commercial businesses looking to stake out their own piece of land to pursue and cultivate their dreams.

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With downtown in the rearview mirror, North Asheville soon opens up to larger residential properties, many along the shimmering Beaver Lake. Home to the beloved Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary, the lake offers walking trails and recreational opportunities. This area is also home to the University of North Carolina at Asheville and its over 2,900 students. Offering a slew of workshops and classes for seniors and retirees, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNC Asheville has become a beacon of education in the region. n

Welcome | LOCALES Southern Hospitality | THE REYNOLDS MANSION For Paul and Mirlin Manshon, coming to Asheville and owning a historic bed and breakfast became something of a dream come true for the couple. “I’d always heard such great things about Asheville,” Paul said. “[My wife and I] were working in the hospitality industry, but also wanting to take a step back, and do something on a more personal scale.” Cue The Reynolds Mansion in North Asheville, one of just a handful of brick homes built before the Civil War in Western North Carolina that’s survived to the present day. The inn was constructed in 1847 as the private residence for “Colonel” Daniel Reynolds and his family, whose grandson, Robert Rice Reynolds, would later serve as a U.S. Senator in the 1930s. In 1972, the property was restored and transformed into a bed and breakfast by Fred and Helen Faber. Initially known as the “Old Reynolds Mansion,” the location became a haven for travelers to these mountains, with the building eventually listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1984.

Paul and Mirlin Manshon “[When we looked for an inn], we wanted it to be a historic property, to have some gardens and grounds, and wanted it to be tied to the community,” Paul said. “And this property checks all of those boxes.” Since its inception, The Reynolds Mansion has become part of the growth of Asheville, both physically and culturally, in recent decades. “Culture can’t be engineered, it’s

something that almost develops organically,” Paul said. “And it develops organically because so many different types of people and points of view are allowed to coexist in a particular locale or location. And it almost feels in Asheville as if this is happening or has happened or continues to happen organically.” By 2019, the Manshons put down roots here and purchased the bed and breakfast — a long-held aspiration now coming to fruition in real time. “We’re in proximity to downtown [Asheville], but we’re not in downtown. We have neighbors, but there’s a feeling of privacy,” Paul said of the property. “[The mansion] is a step back in time, where you can appreciate the time period, but not be so far removed from the action or amenities of downtown.” Peeling back the layers of the Manshons’ hospitality background, the duo has extensive training and experience in the industry. An acclaimed chef for many years, Paul also developed and operated several restaurants and luxury resorts, with Mirlin working in guest services. Their combined love of hospitality took the couple to numerous corners of the world for work. “For the first half of my career, I cooked for a living,” Paul noted. “And then, progressed to running kitchens at the corporate level. After that, I kind of made my way into the brand side of food and beverage.”

Beyond the cozy, soothing for the heart and soul ambiance at the inn, the Manshons also offer a homemade four-course breakfast for their guests. It’s a time and space that not only allows Paul’s culinary talents and Mirlin’s guest services skillset to shine, it’s also an opportunity to genuinely connect. “We don’t want our guests to be at arm’s length, we want our guests to feel comfortable, to feel at home,” Paul said. “[With breakfast], the whole idea is intentionally slowing you down. We don’t want it to feel like you’ve got to rush, [all] in order to accommodate the conversation going on at the table.” Whenever the Manshons host guests at the inn, it remains a deep joy. “It’s the communal aspect of it,” Paul said. “We’re all just people, and the idea is after you’ve stayed with us or after you’ve been around us, you should come away feeling a little bit better about your experience, about your time spent.” For the Manshons, running The Reynolds Mansion has been an incredibly worthwhile endeavor, one which attracts folks from across the country and around the globe, ultimately justifying their path in life on a daily basis. “You must be someone who is willing to interact with people, listen to people, talk to people, get to know them, and share time with them,” Paul said. “We made a choice to go into hospitality, and that’s kind of always been our thing.” n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Buncombe County WEAVERVILLE | BARNARDSVILLE

eaverville and Barnardsville, two of the oldest communities in Buncombe County, pride themselves in being communities that attract artists and adventurers. The Weaverville tourism website doesn’t mince words in describing its allure: “Weaverville and the Reems Creek Valley have been a beacon to yearning souls since pioneers began settling in what was

still Cherokee territory in the 1700s. The natural beauty of the area, the healthful climate, and its proximity to Asheville’s urban attractions have made Weaverville the perfect small town.” Weaverville has earned a reputation for keeping its neighborhoods clean and green. The town has received Tree City USA certification every year since 1990, and in 2009, the Arbor Day Foundation named it the top Tree City in the state. The town maintains Lake Louise Park, a perfect spot for family and community events, exercise, and romantic strolls, with picnic tables and shelters, grills, a playground, and a walking trail. A walk downtown reveals a variety of local craft breweries, offering flavors from classic traditional to historical English styles and

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farmhouse Belgian beers. The number of eateries and shops is impressive, with favorites on Main Street like Blue Mountain Pizza, Well-Bred Bakery & Café, The Glass Onion, Main Street Grill, Twisted Laurel, Mangum Pottery Studio & Gallery, and Eluvium Brewery. In the nearby community of Alexander is the Alexander Bike Park, with six miles of intermediate single-track trails in two loops. The short loop is 1.1 miles with variable terrain. The long loop consists of 5 miles of tighttwisting single track with moderate climbs. The park also has a dual slalom downhill track that will challenge even the most experienced riders. From Weaverville, it’s just a 15-minute drive to the scenic views of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the town is home to Reems Creek Golf Course, a semi-private course designed in part by Hawtree & Sons, British architects who specialize in crafting classic Scottish-style links. Local galleries and studios showcase the work of jewelers, painters, potters, glass artists, sculptors, and fiber artists. In September, there’s Art in Autumn, which fills Main Street with arts and crafts. In May and October, there’s the Weaverville Art Safari, a free, self-guided studio tour featuring faceto-face encounters with dozens of area artists and craftspeople. Ten miles northeast of Weaverville is Barnardsville, a bucolic community set amidst rolling hills, pastures, and mountain farms. Like Weaverville, it is home to folks who enjoy a relaxed environment and to a substantial number of professional artists. It’s also home to Navitat Canopy Adventures, which takes customers on one-of-a-kind treetop adventures. The company opened in 2010 and has constantly expanded its offering of zipline adventure experiences. Locals are proud of the Big Ivy Community Center, which was initially organized by residents and has evolved into a vibrant hub of activity. Every October, the center hosts Mountain Heritage Day, featuring local cuisine, crafts, music, and exhibitions on traditional mountain living. The center’s grounds are also home to the Big Ivy Historical Park, which is dedicated to preserving local heritage. The centerpiece of the park is a pre-Civil War cabin and a replica of a one-room schoolhouse that was built in the 1890s. Barnardsville is full of farms, so fresh, local food is literally a part of the landscape. There are numerous community-supported agriculture organizations and weekly farmers markets at the Old Barnardsville Fire Station. Residents often end up buying all of their seasonal produce from their neighbors. n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Buncombe County BLACK MOUNTAIN

he town of Black Mountain claims a history of art, education, and fellowship, while looking to the future as a vibrant and energetic community in the eastern part of Buncombe County. Located under the gaze of some of the oldest peaks in the country, Black Mountain enjoys proximity to rivers, trails, mountain vistas and some of the region’s most notable worship communities. Part of Black Mountain’s appeal is its proximity to Interstate 40, allowing residents to easily take jaunts to Asheville or Charlotte. Black Mountain features a hearty selection of 40-plus independent restaurants, breweries, shops, art galleries, and numerous antique

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AGENT’S CHOICE:

“Living in Western North Carolina means enjoying an active, outdoor lifestyle while also being involved in our local community. ” — Scott Russell, Black Mountain office Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks

Welcome | LOCALES Attitude of Gratitude | WUNDERLAND RESORT On the outskirts of Old Fort, not far over the Eastern Continental Divide from Black Mountain, along the quaint Curtis Creek Road, is the entrance to Wunderland Resort — a brand new “immersive nature retreat” for folks passionate about the outdoors and wellness. “These days, [I’m] asking these kinds of things: how can we have a deeper appreciation for life, unplug from our ‘connected’ world, get and stay healthier, and generally feel more alive?” said Wunderland owner Shawn Verbrugghe. And his solution? “Mine is simple: to create amazing experiences and promote sustainability to make our world a cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable place to be.” The 35-acre property houses an array of lodging options, from themed glamping pods to villas, van/RV pads to primitive campsites — all alongside several amenities: a spring-fed swimming pond, cold plunge, sauna, community kitchen, fire circle, event space, private family-style bathrooms, and much more. Group offerings also can include yoga classes, guided hikes, and off-site excursions. “My hope is that our guests literally feel a sense of wonder when they arrive. My goal is to invisibly guide them — through intentional art and spatial design — to more deeply connect, play, and feel more alive while they’re with us,” Verbrugghe said. “I hope people walk away with a renewed sense of well-being, a deeper appreciation for staying in nature, and maybe even a notion to live a simpler, more sustainable, and unplugged life.” With a “pick your own adventure book” kind of mentality, Wunderland provides a seemingly endless platform for disappearing into all aspects of Mother Nature here in our backyard of Western North Carolina, whether on the property itself or wandering around to nearby havens for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, trail running, and more. “We’re coining it ‘Nature’s playground for your soul,’” Verbrugghe said. “My biggest takeaway right now is that people truly love it. Our story and the intentionality that’s gone into the design and build has literally brought people to tears right in front of me.” For Verbrugghe, Wunderland is the culmination of “a lifetime of learning

and trying to understand how the world works and really getting to know myself.” Over the last 15 years, he worked professionally in areas aimed at reversing climate change, while also continuing to develop unique experiences for people — including The Conundrum, a former immersive escape room in Asheville, and the Amazing Pubcycle tours in the city. “When we moved to Asheville, I knew

tangible reality. “This process has been completely transformational for me and quite humbling. The fact that I get to utilize my love and understanding of sustainable building, experiential design, outdoor adventure, and preserving nature is an honor. This project [is] something truly unique.” With “Phase One” completed and booking now underway, two more phases

I would someday create a sustainable community. [But, I] just wasn’t sure how or when — it always seemed overly daunting to me,” Verbrugghe reflected. “Then it happened: a week before we knew what COVID was, the big corporation I worked with for six years canned half our team, including me. It was a blessing. I knew I wouldn’t go back into that world, but I had no clue what I was going to do.” Verbrugghe then began a deep dive into sustainability practices — regenerative agriculture, septic/waste composting, syntropic food forestry, conscientious land development, AI-based industrial energy solutions, and more. “While looking carefully for the right one to plug into that fit my lifestyle, experience, and interest, I built energyefficient houses and learned a good bit about the short-term rental market here. All the while, I continued learning, teaching, and promoting the awareness of sustainability for businesses,” he said. At that juncture, Wunderland started to come into focus — an avenue of possibility that would finally bridge Verbrugghe’s varied passions, skillsets, and experiences. In 2025, the hopeful vision became a

are soon to come. “Phase Two” will be a ridgetop overlander site with mountain views “designed for off-road vehicles [incorporating] an optional bouldered access road for true 4x4 enthusiasts.” For “Phase Three,” a handful of “hobbit-style” villas will be constructed. “I spent two years researching the industry to find out what the gaps were and what people are seeking. Privacy, unique stays, and improved sustainability were the top three,” Verbrugghe noted. “The bolt-on to those was to have an outdoor event space that can accommodate overnight stays, like weddings, retreats, and business meetings.” As a long-time tour operator, Verbrugghe is well-versed in going above and beyond when it comes to someone’s immersion in a unique, enriching experience — and that genuine intent shines through at Wunderland. “Watching people interact with the space and each other on the property is utterly surreal,” he said. “It’s such a gift to see and an honor to be part of. I’m truly grateful that our work here is translating into something people can actually feel.” n

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Stay, Play & Get Away

Championship Golf Course Sunday Brunch Stay & Play Accommodations Memberships BOOK NOW LaurelRidgeExperience.com ◆ 828-452-0545 49 Cupp Lane, Waynesville, NC 28786

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dealers. Beloved establishments include White Horse, The Pure & Proper, Black Mountain Pizza & Alehouse, Pisgah Brewing, Foothills Butcher Bar, Black Mountain Natural Foods, and Lookout Brewing. With a population of more than 8,400, Black Mountain has a vibrant, but quaint commercial center. It breathes with a particular kind of mountain energy, embracing both its natural surroundings and a tastefully configured, small-town urban core, centered around the old rail depot that gave the town its name. Part of Black Mountain’s vitality can be attributed to its draw as a place to gather, consult, and worship. Popular retreats and conference centers include the Blue Ridge Assembly, Christmount, and Ridgecrest. Nearby is Montreat, a small community that was home to renowned evangelist Billy Graham. The community also includes the Montreat Conference Center and Montreat College, the site of a major speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965. The valley’s historic feel is enhanced as home of the avant-garde Black Mountain College, located next to Lake Eden from 1933-57, where titans of 20th Century art — Merce Cunningham, John Cage, Buckminster Fuller, Willem and Elaine de Kooning, and Josef and Anni Albers, among others — taught a generation of artists and thinkers. Outdoor recreation is one of Black Mountain’s hallmarks. Hiking trails abound, including the comfortable bank-side trail at the 10-acre Lake Tomahawk. The Black Mountain Golf Course, run by the town, features a whopping 747-yard par 6, one of the longest holes in America. Black Mountain hosts the 40-mile Mt. Mitchell Challenge in February, one of the toughest foot races in the country. Montreat College and nearby Warren Wilson College offer concerts, theater productions, and dances. The valley is also home to Givens Highland Farms Retirement Communities, the N.C. State Veterans Nursing Home, and the Black Mountain Veterans Park. Every August, The Sourwood Festival fills downtown Black Mountain with entertainment for both adults and children. More than 30,000 people turn out for the festival. The town is also home to the LEAF Festival, an inter-generational celebration of world culture, live music and art that takes place on the site of the old Black Mountain College, with a stunning array of rolling hills, lakes, streams, and mountain beauty on hundreds of acres of comfortable camping grounds. n

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Welcome | LOCALES

N.C. Arboretum’s Winter Lights show has become an annual tradition.

Buncombe & Henderson Counties ARDEN | MILLS RIVER | SKYLAND

heavyweight in American craft brewing put Mills River on the map in 2014, when Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. opened its $200 million, 217-acre facility in the rural community, right next door to the Asheville Regional Airport.

As one of the pioneers of the craft beer industry, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is a leader in their field and maker of some of the finest microbrews for over 40 years. Based out of Chico, California, the company’s East Coast headquarters in Mills River hosts brewery tours, a restaurant, and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating for a heavy rotation of live music events. Despite the arrival of the national brewery, the communities of Arden and Mills River still offer a lot of room to roam. The South Buncombe area is also home to the North Carolina Arboretum, an extraordinary public garden that adjoins the Blue Ridge Parkway. The 434-acre Arboretum has 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, hosts one of the most unique bonsai collections in the country, and stages a steady stream of exhibits on subjects ranging from mountain quilts to rare plants.

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Nearby is the Bent Creek Research and Demonstration Forest, a federal facility that’s part of the Pisgah National Forest, and the Lake Powhatan Recreational Area, which together offer dozens of mountain trails and lakeside camping sites. A favorite Arden locale is Jake Rusher Park, a huge public park with playgrounds and a walking area. One of the play areas includes several castle-like structures, so some locals call the facility “Castle Park.” One of Arden’s most historic structures is the Blake House Inn Bed & Breakfast, which was built as a summer retreat in 1847. The house is a rare example of Italianate architecture with Gothic Revival influences. It has been restored and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. Mills River Park opens at dawn and closes at dusk and offers a 1.2-mile multi-use trail, a dog park, playground with sunshade, swings, restroom facilities, picnic shelter, tennis/ pickleball courts, handicapped accessible fishing pier, and canoe/kayak launch. The town of Mills River is also in the design phase for the Mills River Valley Trail, a new path along N.C. 280 creating a safe route for walking and biking, and linking the heart of Mills River to the French Broad River. Another nearby community, Skyland, is home to scores of additional eateries and shops and more recreation facilities. The county-run Zeugner Center has a heated indoor pool, measuring 35-by-75 feet, that hosts water exercise classes and open swim times for the public. A major attraction in the Skyland area is Biltmore Park Town Square, a modern towncenter-style development boasting smart growth, green living, and reduced driving. The development links condominium living with shopping, restaurants, cafés and gathering spots, spas and health clubs, and businesses and employers. Storefronts include national retailers like LOFT and REI, as well as Barnes & Noble. The 300-acre Lake Julian and surrounding park in Skyland offer picnicking spots, boating, fishing, and a playground. The lake has an abundance of fish, including bass, brim, catfish, crappie, and tilapia. Anglers can fish from the shore and, for a small fee, from privately owned or rented boats. The park also rents paddle boats and canoes, and provides free use of a pontoon boat for people with disabilities, senior citizens, and student groups. On the shore, there’s a sand volleyball court and horseshoe pits. The park is open year round, though the hours vary with the seasons. In addition to the regular offerings, Lake Julian is center stage for special annual events, including fireworks displays on July 4, fishing tournaments, and the Winter Festival of Lights. n

Blake House Inn Bed & Breakfast.

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Welcome | LOCALES

Henderson County

HENDERSONVILLE | FLAT ROCK | ETOWAH | LAUREL PARK

enderson County is a gem nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Widely known for its abundance of apples and as the final home of poet Carl Sandburg, this popular destination offers history, agriculture, and an array of culinary, musical, and leisure experiences. Established as the southern gateway into the Blue Ridge, completion of the Buncombe Turnpike in 1827 began a period of cultural and economic expansion for the region.

Hendersonville is nothing short of a playground for cool exploration and warm Southern hospitality, grounded by an authentic small-town experience. It’s the careful balance of creative innovation and classic tradition that makes the area so intriguing. Few downtowns can 40

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“Hendersonville stands out for its balance of charm, culture, and livability. It’s a place where visitors feel welcomed, experiences feel authentic, and the pace of life invites you to slow down and stay awhile!” — Ali Thomas, Hendersonville office Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks boast such a concentration of attractions, especially museums. The Henderson County Heritage Museum is housed in the historic old courthouse, built in 1905. The Mineral and Lapidary Museum on Main

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Welcome | LOCALES Marking the Moment | SPICER GREENE JEWELERS In the depths of downtown Hendersonville, a boutique store recently opened on Main Street, one which kicks off this next, bountiful phase of a beloved Western North Carolina business currently in the midst of its 100th anniversary celebration — Spicer Greene Jewelers. “Hendersonville felt like a natural extension of who we are,” said co-owner Eva-Michelle Spicer. “It’s a community that values relationships, craftsmanship, and local business in a way that mirrors our roots in Asheville.”

experience to a place that felt aligned with our values, where we could become part of the community, rather than just do business in it,” Eva-Michelle said. “It’s our ‘first’ second location, but we are just getting started.” The journey of Spicer Greene Jewelers began in Asheville in 1926, when E.O. Wick left his position with Tiffany & Co. in New York City and decided to pursue a more peaceful existence by moving to the mountains of Western North Carolina, where he launched a jewelry repair business on Wall Street.

Eva-Michelle Spicer Much like its prominent Asheville headquarters on the bustling Patton Avenue, the Hendersonville store offers the same quality experience for those seeking that special piece of jewelry, including the “Diamond Bar,” “Watch Bar,” estate jewelry and curated collections, and buy/sell/upgrade services. “When someone chooses a piece of jewelry, they’re choosing a symbol they’ll carry with them for years, sometimes generations,” Spicer said. “Knowing that Spicer Greene played a small part in that story is so meaningful. Those moments remind me why we do what we do — it’s incredibly rewarding.” And now with the Hendersonville branch, Spicer Greene Jewelers looks at the store as not only a place for loyal customers and those simply curious to wander into, it’s also an extension of the brand itself, which harbors an “appreciation for quality, trust, and personal connection.” “We wanted to bring the Spicer Greene

In 1942, Paul Greene (Eva-Michelle’s grandfather) became an apprentice at the shop, learning to not only repair jewelry, but also make unique custom pieces. By 1953, Greene was made a full partner, with the business now called Wick & Greene. Two decades later, Paul’s son, Michael, came onboard. In 2014, Eva-Michelle Spicer (née Greene) was brought into the fold with her husband, Elliott Spicer, who hails from Spicer Jewellery in Canada. “The road behind us is long and meaningful,” Eva-Michelle said. “We have a century of adapting, listening, and showing up for our community through moments of celebration and challenges alike.” Throughout the four generations of the company, Spicer Greene Jewelers has carefully and meticulously evolved, always refining and redefining what it means to not only be in the jewelry industry, but also be a key player in the local/regional business sector — this sense of pride that’s been well-earned.

“That history gives us confidence, but it doesn’t make us complacent. The horizon feels exciting with new technology, new experiences, and new beginnings,” EvaMichelle said. “With a century of history, we are continuing to grow in thoughtful, modern ways. We’re not chasing trends, we’re building something that lasts.” Spicer Greene Jewelers also has a longtime commitment to giving to local charities. It’s a practice that became even more elevated when, in 2011, the Greene family launched the Paul P. Greene Charitable Endowment, which aids “young entrepreneurs with big dreams like Mr. Greene’s.” “When a business becomes woven into the fabric of a community, it carries an obligation to operate with integrity, humility, and consistency,” Eva-Michelle said. “Each generation of owners in this company came to the helm with a slightly different vision, but the one thread that connects our entire history is our commitment to this region and to our community.” Being a native of Asheville and greater Western North Carolina, Eva-Michelle is well-aware of how “these mountains shaped me.” For her, “there’s a sense of grounding here — of place, of people, of perspective,” which coincides with the values she was raised on: authenticity, hard work, and community. “Choosing to stay [in Asheville], to bring my husband here, to raise my family here, and to invest in this region as a business owner feels natural,” Eva-Michelle said. “This isn’t just where Spicer Greene does business, it’s home.” So, just what is it about the jewelry business that remains so intriguing for Eva-Michelle and the generations of family members who came before her? “As I’ve become more involved in all aspects of the business, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the artistry behind fine jewelry and the relationships built around it,” Eva-Michelle said. “What I love most is the intersection of emotion, craftsmanship, and storytelling — every piece represents a moment, a memory, or a promise.” n

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Street offers geologic highlights from near and far. Also downtown are Hands On!, a free educational museum for children, the Historic Hendersonville Train Depot, and The Appalachian Pinball Museum — housed in a former music theater — featuring over 50 pinball machines alongside classics like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. Downtown bustles with special events throughout the year. In summer, free Monday Night Street Dances bring traditional mountain music to Main Street, where visitors can watch or join in. Music on Main Street, a weekly Friday night concert series, showcases diverse local live music. The biggest event of the year is the North Carolina Apple Festival, held every Labor Day weekend for more than 75 years, celebrating the county’s major crop alongside local foods, crafts, and entertainment. Local foods get a boost at the Henderson County Curb Market, a farmers market held downtown three days a week during warmer months and once a week in winter. With a true local focus, vendors must be county natives and all items must be either handmade or locally grown. Nearby Flat Rock, once known as “The Little Charleston of the Mountains,” has long been a resort escape for Southerners fleeing summer heat. It is home to the Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theater of North Carolina, where varied performances draw around 100,000 visitors each year. Flat Rock is also home to the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, where the renowned poet lived out his last 22 years. The estate, named “Connemara,” welcomes visitors to explore everything from Sandburg’s 10,000-volume library to his wife Lilian’s award-winning goat farm. Lilian was instrumental in the move to Western North Carolina, finding the Flat Rock property in 1945 and later arranging to deed it to the National Park Service. The arts scene thrives here as well. The Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021, stages frequent performances and runs both music education programs and a youth orchestra. The Center for Craft, Creativity, and Design, based at a 50-acre facility in Hendersonville, contributes through craft and design research, exhibitions, public art projects, and conferences that draw artists from across the country. A popular attraction is the Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, rated the top gem mine in North Carolina by TripAdvisor. What started as a childhood dream for eight-year-old Elijah Cloer has grown into a thriving business where visitors can mine for gems, browse the gift shop, picnic beside a creek, and interact with goats and free-roaming chickens. Hendersonville manages a wide array of local parks integrated

into a comprehensive greenways plan. Highlights include Patton Park, one of the larger facilities, with two baseball fields, a football and soccer field, basketball and tennis courts, pavilions, walking trails, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and a skate park. The two-mile Oklawaha Greenway Trail connects several parks throughout town. Boyd Park offers tennis courts and miniature golf, while Toms Park features more than 20 shuffleboard courts. The town is also uniquely situated for outdoor adventure. Nearby Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest are among the most popular hiking and mountain biking destinations in the region, with the Blue Ridge Parkway and numerous mountain lakes and rivers close at hand. Just five miles from downtown is Jump Off Rock, a scenic overlook steeped in Cherokee legend. Eight miles out, Holmes Educational State Forest offers trails, picnic areas, and a managed forest environment full of azaleas, rhododendron, and wildflowers. Henderson County’s ties to traditional mountain culture are on display at Historic Johnson Farm, a former farm and tourist retreat established in the late 19th century. The centerpiece is a house built from Henderson County handmade bricks, surrounded by MEDIAN preserved outbuildings including a $ PRICE. . . . . . . 445,000 blacksmith shop, barn, and cottage. AVERAGE DAYS Added to the National Register of ON MARKET. . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Historic Places in 1987, the 15-acre site PERCENT OF LISTING PRICE. . . . . . . . 94% is now run by the county school system NUMBER and offers heritage education programs OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,917 including farm tours, nature walks, and classes. A renovated boarding house is home to the Heritage Weavers & Fiber Artists, dedicated to preserving local textile arts. The Mountain Farm & Home Museum rounds out the agricultural heritage experience, packed with relics like a 16-foot water wheel, grain reapers, threshing machines, antique tractors, and tools from 19th-century rural life. The cornerstone of higher education in Henderson County is Blue Ridge Community College, a two-year school serving more than 15,000 students annually with 100 programs of study and one of the largest continuing education programs in the state, with special emphasis on technical fields like nursing, engineering, and automotive technology. From its vibrant downtown to its storied forests and farms, Henderson County offers something for everyone — a place where mountain tradition and modern creativity exist in perfect harmony. n

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Welcome | LOCALES Cultivating Community | ASAP

With a mission “to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food,” the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) recently crossed over the 30-year mark since its inception. “We want to keep farmers farming,” said ASAP Executive Director Molly Nicholie. “And we do that by working both with farmers, offering training and resources around business planning and marketing, as well as in the community broadly — working to drive demand for local food, connect people with farmers and farm experiences, and remove barriers around buying local food.”

evolution and growth of ASAP is not only a point of pride, it’s also an emphasis on the vital need and crucial importance of what the nonprofit aims to do, and ultimately does for our community. “ASAP was founded with the idea that the more people who are engaged in the solution, the better we’ll be able to effect change and create a more transparent, equitable, and resilient food system,” Nicholie said. “People decide to support local farms and food for a lot of reasons: health, environmental protection, local economy, food security, taste, etc. We want to make it easy for everyone to participate in building a better food system.” Beyond the loss of the tobacco

One of the guiding strategies of ASAP is the “Theory of Change,” which is “essentially a map or logic model explaining how and why a desired social change is expected to happen.” In terms of ASAP, that means by “creating transparent and local food systems [this] will increase community wellbeing, build resilient economies, and support environmental sustainability.” “We can really geek out on ‘Theory of Change’ models,” Nicholie said. “But, the short answer is that the idea of bringing people in as participants in the local food movement over time — and then incrementally growing that participation — is baked into all of our programs and planning.”

With around 18 staff members, ASAP covers the massive agricultural landscape of Western North Carolina. Initially started in 1995 as a grassroots organization to protect the farming community when tobacco stopped being the “cash crop,” ASAP looked to find solutions for farmers and increase public awareness of the importance of locally-sourced produce and meats. “Crisis points in our community have also been challenges for farms,” Nicholie said. “Seeing those solutions working, especially over the long term, definitely feeds purpose and passion.” By 2002, ASAP became a nonprofit. For Nicholie, who has been part of the organization for 20 years, seeing the

industry in the 1990s and other obstacles throughout the last three decades — whether it be economic recessions or changes in consumer taste and buying patterns — ASAP has remained a bastion for the farming community, especially during COVID and in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. “During COVID, there were so many people in our community who were suddenly facing food insecurity. At the same time, many farms had lost market outlets like restaurants,” Nicholie said. “ASAP was able to connect farms with feeding sites, and support those agencies in purchasing local food. [To that], we used a similar model after Hurricane Helene.”

Looking ahead, Nicholie and the rest of the ASAP staff remain steadfast in their deeply-held ethos and daily undertaking in helping local farmers and the greater agricultural community of WNC — this two-way street of people, places, and things that make up the rich, vibrant culture of these mountains. “ASAP’s core services are designed to help farmers strengthen their businesses,” Nicholie said. “[Our] work lies in strengthening community assets and building farmer capacity — long game objectives that go beyond single challenges. ASAP is established in the farming food community, and we’ll continue to adapt our programs to fit current needs.” n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Souther Williams Vineyard.

Henderson County FLETCHER

letcher sits in the middle of just about everything in Western North Carolina, close enough to be a jumping-off spot for any adventure, while also nestled in right near the Asheville Regional Airport for quick access to everywhere else. Fletcher is uniquely positioned for national and international travelers, and it has an ever-expanding footprint of things to do that might make you stick around. The biggest draw of all is the weeklong Western North Carolina Mountain State Fair, held each September at the WNC Agricultural Center, just across the street from the airport. The Agricultural Center’s 87-acre multi-use facility hosts events year-round, including horse and livestock shows, professional conferences, classic-car events, and trade shows. Several large events are held regularly in the Davis Event Center, a 45,000-squarefoot arena that’s outfitted with huge exhibit spaces and an onsite restaurant. Fletcher has expanded its health and recreation initiatives, implementing a greenways master plan to make the community friendlier for walkers and bicyclists. The town is planning a network with 13 miles of trails. Two local parks offer opportunities for exercise and enjoyment:

The 60-acre Fletcher Community Park features playgrounds, picnic areas, walking trails, and baseball and soccer fields, and Kate’s Park, adjacent to the Fletcher Library, has playgrounds, trails, and an outdoor grilling area. Bluegrass lovers flock to the Feed and Seed, a church and music venue located in the old feed and supply building that has been a landmark for 100 years. The church focuses on serving the community, and it hosts top-notch Appalachian music every weekend. The Feed and Seed is family oriented, offering RC Cola and Moon Pies, popcorn, and coffee. There’s no cover charge, either. One of the newest additions to Fletcher is the opening of Two Trees Distilling. Using the finest quality grains, pristine mountain water and advanced techniques, the distillery has won several awards for its unique products, including its popular salted caramel and peanut butter whiskies. As well, whiskey aficionados and the curious alike can visit the tasting room seven days a week at its facility on Continuum Drive. The town is also home to Diamond Brand Gear, maker of legendary wall tents, as well as hiking and camping gear. Community celebrations, from free concerts to parades, take place throughout the year. Many annual highlights are staged in the fall. Pickin’ in the Park, a bluegrass-infused get-together in September, turns Fletcher Community Park into a center of mountain music, local food, and kids’ activities. The town is also currently developing a downtown area called the heart of Fletcher district to support small retail businesses, professional offices, restaurants, and a new Town Hall complex. n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Haywood County

WAYNESVILLE | CANTON | MAGGIE VALLEY | LAKE JUNALUSKA | CLYDE

aywood County is a popular destination for visitors and those seeking a thriving-yet-quaint home in the mountains.

The community offers miles of scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and vacation cabin rentals in Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Canton, and Clyde. Haywood is home to the Cataloochee Valley, one the most remote parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is where elk were successfully reintroduced in 2001. The majestic creatures can be sighted in the valley throughout the warm months, and can also be frequently seen wandering through Maggie Valley. Downtown Waynesville’s bustling Main Street is a pedestrian’s dream, with working art studios, fine restaurants, breweries, a coffee

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“Haywood County stands out for its mountain character and sense of community, with charming towns, the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway views, local arts, volunteer efforts, and endless outdoor recreation — all without losing that true small-town warmth.”

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— Michelle McElroy, Waynesville office Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks

Welcome | LOCALES Cultural Connection | FOLKMOOT USA A longtime and beloved nonprofit cultural organization located in Waynesville, Folkmoot USA has recently switched to year-round programming, all while other avenues of revenue and possibility within its large facility and cultural footprint are now being explored. “Folkmoot is growing. Rooted in the traditions that built it and expanding into something even more inclusive, creative, and connected,” said Folkmoot Board Chair Peter Christian. “We’re reimagining cultural programming that reflects, serves, and involves our entire community of Haywood County and surrounding areas.”

doesn’t just showcase cultures, it creates real human connection,” Christian said. “It’s a place where people from completely different backgrounds come together, share a meal, exchange stories, and realize how much we have in common.” That initial gathering in 1984 brought in groups from England, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Turkey, Mexico, Puerto Rico, India, and also performers from the continental United States. “When Folkmoot thrives, culture, connection, and community thrive. It keeps us rooted and open, local and global,” Christian said. “And it reflects who we are at our best: a small town with

post-9/11, post-COVID world. Since the early 2000s, travel has not only become increasingly expensive (especially when booking/hosting international groups); it also has become more difficult to acquire foreign visas atop rising insurance costs. And yet, Folkmoot was able to hold on. Last year, the Folkmoot Board created a three-year strategic plan to aid in this transition and transformation of the organization from an annual festival to a year-round entity as it navigates the future. This encompasses ever-evolving community outreach. “Today, that means offering affordable concerts, hands-on art and dance

Meaning “meeting of the people,” Folkmoot was created in 1984 by local surgeon Dr. Clinton Border. Border was inspired by the folk festivals he interacted with while traveling through Europe in the 1970s. “Over 40 years, that vision has grown into one of the Southeast’s flagship international events,” Christian said. “Long before ‘global citizenship’ became part of the mainstream, Folkmoot was fostering intercultural understanding through person-to-person connection.” Border believed in the power and importance of cultural exchange and also knew the value Folkmoot could bring to the people of Western North Carolina. The inaugural festival was held in Waynesville in 1984 to coincide with North Carolina’s 400th anniversary. “Folkmoot is special because it blends global vision with small-town soul. It

an open heart and an outward-looking spirit.” In the decades since its inception, Folkmoot has hosted upwards of 200 groups from around 100 countries. Each group would not only perform at the Friendship Center in Waynesville; they’d also appear at venues around Western North Carolina during their visit. “At its core, Folkmoot’s strength comes from two things,” Christian said. “Radical hospitality — welcoming everyone, whether it’s hosting international dancers or offering studio space to a local artisan — and people who show up: volunteers, teachers, performers, and neighbors who’ve kept it going for decades through sheer heart and commitment.” Even though Folkmoot grew in popularity and scope in the 1980s and 1990s, a lot of things started to affect the health and wellbeing of the festival in a

workshops, studio space for local creatives, and free community events,” Christian said. “We partner with local schools, nonprofits, and artisans to bring cultural experiences directly to Haywood County — building something that’s not just for tourists, but for the people who live here every day.” The plan includes several key points: “keeping the Friendship Center vibrant and financially sustainable, deepening our programming to reflect the diverse interests of our community, and building strong partnerships both locally and internationally.” “Now, we’re opening the door to a new chapter,” Christian said. “Folkmoot recognizes that moving forward will require adaptive leadership, fresh ways of communicating, and the courage to continue shifting from a festival model to a full cultural ecosystem.” n

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roastery, gift shops, a bakery, and more. The first Friday of each month, residents and visitors enjoy Art After Dark, a gallery stroll with meetthe-artist events and a street party atmosphere. A couple blocks away is the Waynesville Recreation Park, with walking trails, tennis courts, a dog park, volleyball courts, a skate park, an 18-hole disc golf course, catch-and-release trout stream, recreation center with an indoor pool, water park for kids, full-sized basketball court, and a variety of classes. Hazelwood Village has maintained its own identity and evolved into a revitalized retail district to the west of Waynesville, including pottery studios, a welcoming coffee shop, a breakfast diner, a bustling bookstore, gourmet food offerings, and Hazelwood Soap Company, a Haywood County family-owned business producing MEDIAN small-batch offerings of homemade $ PRICE. . . . . . . 395,000 soaps and lotions. AVERAGE DAYS Hazelwood is where you can also ON MARKET. . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 find the Folkmoot Friendship Center, PERCENT OF LISTING PRICE. . . . . . . . 92% headquarters for an international NUMBER dance and music festival held every OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . 1,043 July and home to artisans and concerts throughout the year. Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center first opened its doors at Stuart Auditorium in 1913. The conference center is historically connected to The United Methodist Church and open to the public year-round for conferences, group retreats, recreation, weddings, reunions, family events and vacations. It offers the public 2.5-mile and 4-mile paved loops around the lake and a seasonal public pool. Canoe and stand-up paddle boards are available for rent and accommodations are available at the historic Lambuth Inn and the renovated Terrace Hotel. Waynesville is also home to Haywood Regional Arts Theatre, a

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playhouse with two indoor stages that offers productions all year. Sharing grounds with the theater is the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts in the historic Shelton House, featuring 19th century pottery, quilts, baskets, and woodworking. Just 10 miles away is Maggie Valley, a mountain delight that rolls out the welcome mat to visitors year after year. From spring to autumn, the valley welcomes motorcyclists from around the country who come to traverse the Blue Ridge Parkway, motor through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and enjoy the camaraderie of other riders who make an annual trek to visit the Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum, which houses some of the world’s finest historic motorcycles. Cataloochee Ski Area offers delightful snowboarding and skiing, and typically is one of the first resorts in the eastern United States to open each year. Nearby is the Cataloochee Ranch, with cabins, horse stables, and restaurant atop a 5,000-foot mountain. The town of Canton is a snapshot of a classic Southern mill town, with unique and beautiful bungalows and buildings still intact in the core of downtown. The downtown district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and its crown jewel is the Imperial Hotel. Originally crafted as a stately home, it includes the Southern Porch, a family-owned restaurant offering excellent food, a diverse menu, and friendly service. Just down the street on the banks of the Pigeon River is Currents Tavern, a new restaurant and tavern that features a cozy interior and welcoming outdoor seating. Clyde, a hamlet that lies between Canton and Waynesville, can boast as its own the oldest structure in Haywood County. The ShookSmathers House, home to the Shook Museum, was built around 1820, with additions and renovations made for decades, producing the finished product we see today. The home’s attic chapel played host to many storied circuit preachers over the years, many of whom have left their mark in the collection of signatures that decorate the chapel’s walls. n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Tis’ the season | BOYD MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS TREE FARM decided to plant some seedlings on Normally, when storied Haywood the old homestead, a hobby of his that County musician Darren Nicholson gets eventually parlayed itself into a chooseinterviewed, he’s either talking about an and-cut family business that’s now upcoming gig or a new album coming become a tradition for countless families down the pipeline. But, today, he’s talking from Western North Carolina and beyond, about all things Christmas trees. with some “Well, the beauty is in customers the eye of the beholder,” coming all Nicholson said when asked the way from about how to pick the perfect Kansas and tree for the holidays. “It South Florida. depends on what your house “It’s the is, too. Some people have a vibe of getting certain corner that they put into the [the tree] in, so they’re looking holiday spirit,” for a skinny tree. And then, Nicholson said. some people like a real full Darren Nicholson “There’s just tree.” such an energy there. It’s a really magical You see, for the last 15 years or so, place. There’s something that’s so serene Nicholson has happily spent his free time about that property.” during the holiday season working at the This annual gathering of the Boyd Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm in family and their close friends has become Waynesville. An iconic Western North something of true sense of pride for all Carolina business, the farm is located involved, either dealing with customers on a 175-acre property in the Jonathan directly on the farm or simply working Creek area of Haywood County. To note, hard behind the scenes. According to the company recently celebrated its 25th Nicholson, he estimates the farm sells anniversary. upwards of 6,500 trees each season, with “I’ve done a little bit of everything here, countless more dotting the property, from doing media [interviews] to tagging ready for next year. trees, working on the farm to going up in “It’s a group of friends and family that the field and cutting them down myself,” have been doing this for a lot of years,” Nicholson chuckled. Nicholson said with a humble tone. “And The farm property itself has been part it never stops.” of the Boyd family for well over a century. Beyond the choose-and-cut, the farm In 1984, Dan Boyd, who was “a local also hosts regular appearances from dentist with a passion for the outdoors,” Santa Claus, offers hot chocolate to had a real interest in Fraser fir trees. He

customers to warm up on those snowy days in search of the perfect tree, and sets up a sleigh for folks to hop into and snap that photograph that’ll be placed on the fridge or sent in a Christmas card. “We don’t just sell Christmas trees, we sell a memory, you know?” Nicholson said. “It’s no secret that people can buy Christmas trees at a lot of places, but the people who come to Boyd Mountain come because it’s an event here, [one] where they spend the whole day. We’re selling an experience.” So, why the Fraser fir? “It’s the Cadillac of Christmas trees,” Nicholson said. “It’s the one tree that has that really amazing evergreen smell. And it has the rubbery [needles and limbs] that are resilient and perfect for holding ornaments. The kicker is it’s the most resilient — after you cut it fresh, it will stay green for a long time.” And as the Boyd Mountain crew ready themselves for opening day of the Christmas tree season each November on the farm, Nicholson can’t help but hold a deep sense of gratitude — for not only the memories being created on the property, but also the serenity of self, and of place, only found in WNC. “The holidays are about love and community, that time [each year] of reflection and gratitude,” Nicholson said. “It’s not just about getting a tree, it’s about all the other things that happen when you come to Western North Carolina. You’re supporting the community, and that’s a wonderful thing.” n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Madison County MARS HILL | MARSHALL | HOT SPRINGS

adison County offers visitors and residents a taste of small-town heritage, outdoor exploration, and a timeless tradition of musical history recognized around the world.

The county seat, Marshall, population 800, is some 20 miles north of Asheville. The town, shoehorned between peaks on the banks of the French Broad River, suffered extensive damage in 2024 from Hurricane Helene and is working hard to rebuild. The community remains an enclave of artists, galleries, and studios. Stroll down Marshall’s Main Street and you’ll find books, cafes, galleries, antique shops, eateries, and a coffee shop that hosts weekly jam sessions for true bluegrass and mountain music fun.

Marshall High Studios is located in the historic schoolhouse built in 1925 for the high school. Perched on a 10-acre island in the French Broad River, the building suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Helene in September 2024 but has re-opened with working artists back on site. Renovations are continuing and more studio space is opening as Madison County repair work is ongoing. The facility has MEDIAN $ attracted artists in all media: painting, PRICE. . . . . . . 440,250 textiles, jewelry, sound recording, yoga/ AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET. . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 movement, ceramics, photography, PERCENT OF design, writing, massage, print making, LISTING PRICE. . . . . . . . 92% music, and fiber. NUMBER The Depot, a converted railroad OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 station, is a popular Marshall community performance venue each Friday night as locals strike up a soundtrack of traditional bluegrass and country music. There’s

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Welcome | LOCALES Harnessing Your Passion | FLOW GALLERY In the heart of downtown Marshall, just a couple doors down from the bustling corner of Main Street and Bailey’s Branch Road, sits the Flow Gallery — this intersection of culture and society in the small mountain community. “We’re here to provide an outlet for local artists to sell their work, but we also made it that the craftsmanship needed to be high-end,” said gallery co-owner and woodworking artist Connie Molland. “And [the works] needed to fit into the kinds of things that the people coming into our shop would be interested in buying, [which] is part of the business sense — settle into who you are and what you’re trying to accomplish.” Before moving to Marshall and greater Madison County in 2008, Molland and her husband called Indianapolis home for 25 years. To preface, Molland grew up in a woodworking family, but didn’t pursue anything in that creative realm due to a “fear of power tools.” That all changed in 2003 when her husband gifted her a woodworking class at the Indianapolis Art Center. “What I loved about [the class] is that not only was I learning what I was making, I was learning what other people were doing,” Molland reminisced. “And I was seeing how they approached their projects — it opened my eyes.” For that first project, Molland “made a coffee table [that’s] still sitting in my living room.” Once that was completed, Molland became hungry for the craft of woodworking. She kept taking classes and soaking up all the knowledge and techniques that she could — this art form now a pillar of her existence. “[With wood], all of my senses get used,” Molland said. “Every wood has a different smell to it, and that wakes up the brain. And the feel of [wood], the smoothness and the look of it. I love the visual of how [different kinds of wood] works together — I let the wood tell me what it wants.” And when the gallery opened in 2010, Molland admits she came into the fold, at least initially, more for her business sense than her woodworking skills. “I’m a business major, and if you think about artists, typically they aren’t so keen on the business side,” Mollard chuckled. “And I’m an extrovert by nature, and

a lot of artists are not, so [Flow] was a really cool fit for me to use the skills I brought, just the customer service aspect and I enjoy talking with people, doing marketing, putting on events and things like that.” At any given time, Flow showcases around 70 Western North Carolina artisans, and from a variety of mediums — glass to fiber, metal to painting, photography to pottery, clothing to wood. Mollard estimated about 40% of Flow’s business comes from Marshall locals, another 30% from people in and around Asheville, with the rest being visitors from outside the area.

doing, challenging themselves, as well as enjoying the process, [which] doesn’t happen by just cranking it out.” Mollard points out the practice of “slow craft” seamlessly mirrors the genuine attitude and sacred ethos of Marshall itself, this tightly-knit community that runs at its own pace, and does so happily. “The town is kind of like that — step back, slow down, and enjoy,” Mollard said. “As so, Flow is part of that whole idea of ‘slow down, enjoy the process, find joy in what you’re doing’ and continue to hone your craft. And we try to get our artists to kind of hone their work and enjoy the process of trying

“So, we’re not selling to tourists necessarily,” Molland said. “A lot of our sales are to local folks, who want to support the artists, as well as support a local business, and get something beautiful.” Those sentiments dovetail into a big theme at Flow, which is the “slow craft” movement that aims to showcase artisan goods that aren’t mass-produced. “Our gallery focuses on artists who are doing their craft with love in every step, and they’re not just cranking it out,” Mollard said. “We want them to really lean into the work that they’re

something new.” Beyond the many hats Molland proudly wears in Marshall — resident, artist, business owner — she’s also the treasurer of the Downtown Marshall Association. Molland takes a lot of pride in her community, whether it be running a business, supporting her neighbors, or simply planning out the annual Mermaid Parade & Festival, the beloved event attracting thousands. “We [all] want to be part of [Marshall],” Mollard said humbly. “And we don’t want to change it, just add to it, and be part of this amazing community.” n

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also plenty of music at the town’s regular French Broad Fridays, a series of free outdoor concerts. Nightlife comes alive at favorite local spots like the Old Marshall Jail Hotel and Mal’s, both live music bastions in the community. The Madison County Arts Council, also on Main Street, presents traditional and contemporary art exhibitions. The entire county offers outdoor sports for all enthusiasts, whether you want a rafting trip, a cycling adventure along country roads, or an invigorating horseback ride. East of Marshall is the town of Mars Hill, a small community big on mountain traditions. Mars Hill University, a private liberal arts school with an enrollment of more than 1,100 students, contributes significantly to the character of the town. Founded in 1856, the school is one of the oldest educational facilities in Western North Carolina. The university’s Rural Life Museum preserves and presents artifacts of traditional Appalachian communities, while the Weizenblatt Art Gallery shares visiting exhibitions and student and staff works. Mars Hill hosts two long-running festivals celebrating craft, music, and dance: the Heritage Festival and the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Music Festival. Both occur the same weekend in October. The university is also home to the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, founded in 1975 to become one of the region’s top theater draws. There are around 2,000 residents within Mars Hill town limits, and it sits close to Interstate 26, offering quick access to Asheville to the south or Tennessee to the north. Hatley Pointe Mountain Resort opens each winter in northern Madison County, with 54 acres of terrain for skiers and snowboarders. Throughout the year, the Ebbs Chapel Performing Arts Center’s 250-seat theater hosts musical performances ranging from classical to the traditional. About 15 miles northeast of Marshall is the resort town of Hot Springs, which is also nestled next to the French Broad River and features the Appalachian Trail winding its way through town on Bridge Street. Each April, the town hosts a weekendlong Trailfest, a celebration of all things Appalachian Trail, complete with live music, local foods, and athletic events. Hot Springs got its name from the extraordinary natural mineral springs constantly heated above 100 degrees, and it is home to the 100-acre Hot Springs Resort and Spa, which dates to before the Civil War. Downtown Hot Springs is lined with cafés, coffee shops, and gift stores, though many say the real action is in the surrounding waters and ridges, renowned for biking, fishing, kayaking, and tubing. n 52

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Rutherford County

LAKE LURE | BAT CAVE | CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE | GERTON

utherford County offers the peace and quiet of scenic country roads, punctuated with spectacular views, an abundance of outdoor activities, a temperate climate, and a unique ecosystem. The expansive Hickory Nut Gorge and the towns of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village were devastated by Hurricane Helene in September 2024 but have undergone a remarkable renaissance in the time since that natural disaster. State highway 64, the primary route through the gorge, reopened in the spring of this year after being closed for more than a year. Chimney Rock State Park has also recently reopened, and local business owners

say they are excited and hopeful that visitors will return. “Now that it’s going to be open, you can use that route to come and see us, and it’s just so exciting, and I hope that everyone takes advantage of that opportunity and come see us and come see Lake Lure when that’s ready and just come see the progress,” Riverwatch Grill General Manager Shelly BanzMcCormack told WLOS news. Rutherford County The town of Lake Lure is open for MEDIAN $ business and the lake itself has been PRICE. . . . . . . 280,000 cleared of debris and is expected to AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET. . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 open by Memorial Day 2026 or soon PERCENT OF after. LISTING PRICE. . . . . . . . . 91% Four small townships are in the NUMBER gorge: Gerton, Bat Cave, Chimney OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 684 Rock Village, and Lake Lure. Each has

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its own particular charms, but a common thread that benefits them all is the famed biodiversity of the area. Hickory Nut Gorge, home to 14 rare animal species and 36 rare plant species, is a haven for biologists, geologists, and birders. It’s studded with streams and stunning rock formations, as well as Hickory Nut Falls, a waterfall with a 404-foot drop that’s one of the biggest in the region. The falls made a big splash on the big screen, serving as the

setting for a fight scene in the 1992 film “The Last of the Mohicans.” The crown jewel is the 6,892-acre Chimney Rock State Park. A climb up the stairs to the top of 315-foot-tall Chimney Rock (or elevator ride) is rewarded with panoramic views as far as 75 miles on some days. The park has a network of trails and ample opportunities for bouldering and rock climbing, along with a rich history that gives it deep ties to the region. n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Downtown Burnsville.

Yancey County BURNSVILLE | MOUNT MITCHELL

ancey County boasts more than 600 working artists, including renowned glassblowers, metalsmiths, basket makers, painters, paper makers, potters, quilters, sculptors, and weavers. It is also home of the largest telescope in the Southeast dedicated to dark sky research and recreational activities. Combine the highest mountain peaks in the eastern United States with a growing and vibrant town center in Burnsville and you get premier alpine settings, rolling farmland, and experiences that go above and beyond. The county is bordered by Tennessee to the north, while the southern border follows the Blue Ridge Parkway. Burnsville is the county seat, with 1,638 town residents. The county, with 11 townships, has a population close to 19,000. Asheville is just 35 miles to the southeast, and Johnson City, Tennessee, is 50 miles to the north. An ongoing $25 million fiber optic upgrade is making fast and reliable internet access available throughout much of the community.

AGENT’S CHOICE:

This community has more artists per capita than anywhere else in the U.S.— the beauty of these higher elevation peaks jetting out all around us make for tons of inspiration for art pieces.”

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— Donna Banks, North Asheville office Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks

Welcome | LOCALES Serving Community | APPALACHIAN JAVA With a population of around 1,700, Burnsville is the heart of Yancey County. And within this picturesque mountain town sits a long-time, beloved place, one where seemingly every member of the community crosses paths, either on purpose or by happenstance: Appalachian Java. “When I’m outside of Appalachian Java, I look at it as a business,” said Claudia Honeycutt. “And when I’m inside [the shop], I’m in total ‘mama mode.’ I just sit back and watch them, and how every one of them works with each other. It’s beautiful. They love each other, they love their community.”

— from poetry readings to live music, fundraisers to holiday gatherings. “It’s maintained the same name and the same location all these years — it’s kind of the local, hometown sweet spot,” Honeycutt said. “The only thing about it that looks different from its original inception is that the menu has grown quite a bit, [where] they’ve brought in a lot of fresh foods.” Stepping inside Appalachian Java, there’s a genuine feeling of place, whether it’s the hearty conversation swirling around the space or simply grabbing a seat and enjoying this place that’s “a good people-watching place” atop the

sells delicious homemade treats from the coffee shop. “[Living here] gives you a little bit of a deeper drive to dig in,” Honeycutt said. “And I’ll tell you something, this community really supports its local businesses.” Now entering its 24th year, Appalachian Java has become an anchor business along the Main Street corridor in Burnsville, a community that’s grown leaps and bounds in recent years. And beyond the new spots that have popped up, it’s those “good, solid [local] businesses” that have remained steadfast. “West Main Street in Burnsville is

What Honeycutt is watching are her daughters, four of them to be exact. One of whom, 21-year-old Julianna Young, is the owner of the coffee hub, with the others working for the family business. Honeycutt is the marketing director. “All [my daughters] have their own espresso machines at their homes,” Honeycutt chuckled. “We take our coffee very seriously, because every one of them are coffee shop girls.” Opened in 2002, Appalachian Java has become a social beehive for Burnsville, serving up fresh coffee and handmade pastries, as well as lunch and dinner options. Beyond its offerings, the building itself houses an array of community events

scrumptious food and beverage options. For Young, she started working at the shop as a teenager, only to take over the business when she was just 19 years old. “[Julianna] had worked there since she was 14,” Honeycutt said. “And whenever [the previous owners] decided to sell it, she decided she wanted to buy it, so that was pretty neat.” Honeycutt is also the owner of Mountain Time on Main Street, a specialty mercantile business offering “local and artisan foods, home goods, [and] Amish furnishings.” The company mirrors the attitude of Appalachian Java, this ethos of hard work and camaraderie that radiates from Burnsville. That, and MTOMS also

a really tight little business network,” Honeycutt noted. “And the people that are rooted here? They’re going to do whatever it takes to make it — they’re planted, they’re staying.” All of which circles back to this deep sense of pride felt by Honeycutt, not only for the community she calls home, but also for her daughters and the shop. “They have each other’s backs and they work together,” Honeycutt said. “They’re givers, they’re not takers. They are absolute givers. And for me, that’s my most proud moment as a mom, to see that they are really good human beings. They love what they do, and that makes for a happy place, you know?” n

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Mayland Community College offers state-of-the-art programs, including nursing, applied engineering, mechanical design, welding, and machine processes. The college is also home to the first International Dark Sky Association-certified Star Park in the southeastern United States, as well as a dark sky observatory. The Carolina Mountains Literary Festival is held in Burnsville each September. It began in 2005 and has grown to be a renowned literary happening with readings, workshops, plays, and seminars. The Parkway Playhouse, founded in 1947, is the longest running community theater in North Carolina. It produces Yancey & Mitchell a wide range of shows and has a Counties dramatic arts education program for children. The Burnsville Little Theatre MEDIAN $ PRICE. . . . . . . 340,000 also performs several shows a year. AVERAGE DAYS Just a few miles from town looms ON MARKET. . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 6,684-foot-tall Mount Mitchell, the PERCENT OF highest peak east of the Rockies, LISTING PRICE. . . . . . . . 90% joined by four of the top 10 summits in NUMBER OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 the east. These peaks have a unique climate that is cooler and wetter than areas just 10 miles away. Accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway, the highest peak is surrounded by the 2,000-acre Mount Mitchell State Park — the oldest state park in North Carolina — which is full of invigorating spots for hiking, camping, picnicking, and outdoor education. Multiple trails run throughout the area, and the peak is capped with a modern observation deck and seasonal restaurant, offering a perfect perch for high-altitude sightseeing. The North Carolina High Peaks Trails Association maintains numerous hiking trails throughout the Black Mountain range, in which Mt. Mitchell is the anchor. Mt. Mitchell Golf Club is nestled 3,000 feet below the high peaks, offering rolling fairways with bentgrass from tee to green. The course received a four-and-a-half star rating from Golf Digest. Numerous county communities offer access to either the North Toe River or the South Toe River, with stretches known for premium trout fishing and rafting. The local arts council sponsors Toe River Studio Tours twice a year, when area artists open their studios to the public. Each August, downtown Burnsville also comes alive with the Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair, celebrated for more than 65 years. Burnsville’s square is anchored by the Nu-Wray Inn, built in 1833. The oldest remaining lodging house in the region, it has hosted such

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notables as Mark Twain, Thomas Wolfe, and Elvis Presley. The Yancey County Library overlooks Burnsville in a remodeled 1901 building that once housed the Yancey Collegiate Institute – a college prep high school. Another YCI building is now home to the Lesley Riddle Recording Studio. Riddle, born in Burnsville, was an African-American musician whose influence on the Carter Family helped shape modern country music. A nearby native rock structure built in the 1930s as part of a Works Progress Administration initiative is now the Yancey County Schools administration office. Yancey County Parks and Recreation maintains a system of parks, recreation facilities, and open areas for public enjoyment. One of the region’s most picturesque roads, Highway 80, meanders 12 miles through the shadow of the tall mountains. It runs by the Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area, which offers some of the best easily accessible camping sites in the region. A noted motorcycle road, N.C. 80 also provides access to horseback riding, arts and crafts, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the golf course, and the European-styled Celo Inn, part of the Celo Community, a collective settlement founded in 1937. Families there adhere to a loosely defined humanist ethic and help run a farm and the Arthur Morgan School, a progressive middle school with roots in Quaker values and the Montessori educational approach. n

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Welcome | LOCALES

The Tryon International Equestrian Center.

Polk County

TRYON | SALUDA | COLUMBUS

outed as the “First Peak of the Blue Ridge,” Polk County ranges in elevation from 300 feet to 3,200 feet above sea level. Each foot seems to offer visitors something different. Most of Polk’s 20,000 residents live in or near the county’s three main towns — Columbus, Saluda, and Tryon. Each community has long welcomed visitors to enjoy a community rich with history, culture, crafts, vast natural areas, and exciting culinary traditions. The Tryon area has long been known as a hotspot for equestrian activities. Each April there’s the Block House Steeplechase, a day of races that’s the longest running steeplechase in North Carolina. The event is sponsored by the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club, which also stages horse shows throughout the year. The Foothills Equestrian Nature Center also offers regular equestrian events at its 400-acre facility in Tryon. The Tryon International Equestrian Center — which opened in 2014 — hosted the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, which drew nearly 500,000 people from more than 70 countries. Tryon is proud of the legacy of its most famous native, the late jazz and soul great Nina Simone, who was born there in 1933. The heart of downtown features Nina Simone Plaza, home to a striking bronze sculpture of Simone playing piano keys suspended in midair. Simone was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, and her

childhood Tryon home has been designated a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Saluda is nestled in the mountains in the southwestern corner of the county. The town sits atop the Saluda Grade, once the steepest railroad grade in the United States. Saluda is known for its town center, featuring a main street lined with restaurants, shops, art galleries, and historic buildings like the M.A. Pace General Store, a hub of local commerce and community. Saluda is also home to The Gorge, a linked series of 11 zip lines — four of them 1,000 feet long — that drop 1,100 Polk County feet from beginning to end. MEDIAN $ Polk County is home to dozens PRICE. . . . . . . 449,950 of parks and recreation areas. The AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET. . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Green River Cove Recreation Area PERCENT OF offers access points for fishing, tubing, LISTING PRICE. . . . . . . . 92% kayaking, canoeing, and hiking. Tryon’s NUMBER OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 50-acre public park, Harmon Field, features wading areas, a playground, tennis courts, a walking track, sports fields, and horse rings. There are scores of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous, in Polk County, which is noted for its numerous summer camps. May brings the Saluda Arts and Music Festival. The Art Trek Tryon Studio Tours, held each July, showcase the town’s many artists, as does the Tryon Arts and Crafts Fall Festival in October. Polk County is also home to Adawehi Wellness Village, a community that offers a healing center, a health food store, and holistic health practitioners. n

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Welcome | LOCALES Cup of Compassion | WAKEY MONKEY Located on Church Street in the heart of downtown Saluda, Wakey Monkey Coffee Café has become a beehive for locals and the curious alike, those in search of respite, connectivity, or merely that morning jolt. “We just hope we can be a small bright spot in their day,” co-owner Eric Gillespie said of his customers, those either longtime or wandering in by chance. Alongside his wife, Melissa, the Gillespies took over the business in 2024. Created in 2019, Wakey Monkey emerged with a simple, yet genuine ethos that remains to this day: “More than just a café, it was a place where the community could gather over great coffee, delicious food, and fresh pastries.” “We’ve had a few regulars tell us that [Wakey Monkey] feels like they’re at ‘Cheers,’” Eric noted. “We make sure to speak to every customer as they walk through the door and as they leave.” With a keen mindset that emphasizes the adage “all friends were strangers at one time,” the staff at Wakey Monkey aim to reach out and make their customers feel not only welcomed, but also part of the ebb and flow of each day the café opens — this two-way street of positive energy and sincerity. “It’s important for us to know [their] names when possible,” Eric said. “We want them to know how much we really appreciate them making us part of their day.” Eric is originally from Clarkesville, Georgia, while Melissa is from Bryson City in nearby Swain County. Initially, the couple met in 1988 while attending Mars Hill University in Madison County (just north of Asheville). “And [we’ve] been [in Western North Carolina] ever since,” Eric said. After college, Melissa was able to get a job teaching at Saluda Elementary, a position she proudly held for 31 years. At the same time, Eric became a restaurant manager in Asheville, only to switch careers and work in the uniform/linen rental industry, where he remained for 25 years. Once Melissa retired, the couple started to think about their next chapter in life and what it might look like, which coincided with Wakey Monkey being for sale.

“Saluda is a very tight-knit community,” Eric said. “After my wife retired and we decided to move forward with the purchase [of Wakey Monkey], she was ecstatic to remain part of the community — that meant so much to her.” Beyond being customers of Wakey Monkey, the Gillespies witnessed first hand how the business properly navigated the 2020 shutdown, how it was able to find stable footing, both financially and socially, and how it became a hub for folks to reconnect and also support local business in an uncertain time. “We felt that Wakey was a wellestablished business that survived the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression,” Eric said. “And we saw what could potentially be even more.” With its loyal base of daily customers and a steady flow of folks passing through the region to take advantage of the vast outdoor recreation and cultural offerings here in WNC, the Gillespies also point to the “rails to trails” project currently planned to run through Saluda. Known as the Saluda Grade Trail, the 31.5-mile route would run from Inman, South Carolina, to Zirconia, North Carolina, with Saluda as one of the stopping points along a path that would offer accessibility to several downtowns, nature preserves, waterfalls, historic landmarks, and more. “We have a huge opportunity [here],” Eric said. So, what’s next for Wakey Monkey? “When we think about the question ‘where do we go from here?,’ our biggest challenge is figuring out how we can evolve and sustain growth within the space that we have,” Eric said. “We could probably find a larger space, but part of Wakey’s charm is the building we’re in. It’s not every day that you have the opportunity to run a business out of a building that’s over 100 years old, so we make due.” n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Transylvania County BREVARD | ROSMAN | LAKE TOXAWAY

ransylvania County is a mashup of authentic, quaint mountain communities and wilderness destinations that are the heart of adventure for any visitor or resident. “There’s an incredible amount of things to do,” says Clark Lovelace, executive director of the local tourism development authority. Transylvania County has long been known as “The Land of Waterfalls,” with some 250 waterfalls ranging from small and gentle to big, breathtaking plunges into mountain pools. Looking Glass Falls drops 60 feet amid a stunning crop of boulders and is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country, while Sliding Rock is a natural waterslide where a quarter-million visitors each year careen down its long, slick surface into a six-foot-deep pool at the bottom.

The charm and appeal of the county’s seat, Brevard, distinguishes it as an epicenter for outdoor adventures, education, art, and music. More than half of the land in Transylvania is publicly owned, including 88,000 acres of Pisgah National Forest, the 10,000-acre DuPont State Park, and the 7,600-acre Gorges State Park. The headwaters Transylvania County of the French Broad River, one of the MEDIAN $ PRICE. . . . . . . . 513,000 oldest rivers in the world, are located AVERAGE DAYS near the town of Rosman, and the ON MARKET. . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Davidson River, a renowned troutPERCENT OF fishing destination, flows through the LISTING PRICE. . . . . . . . 92% national forest and along the outskirts NUMBER OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503 of Brevard itself. Check a list of the best biking, camping, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, horseback riding, paddling, and sightseeing opportunities, and Transylvania County is almost always counted among the best.

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Welcome | LOCALES Future of the Community | MOUNTAIN SONG FESTIVAL For one weekend each September, the sounds of bluegrass and Americana music overtake the Brevard Music Center for the Mountain Song Festival. Located on the outskirts of the pastoral community, the venue is surrounded by ancient forest, the onstage melodies radiating into the surrounding hills. “It’s a win-win situation to do something great for the musicians, great for the community, and then to really home in on a good cause, which is the young people [who are] the future of the community,” said Woody Platt, founder of MSF. “I have so much joy about it. Twenty years later, it’s running pretty well.”

creating environments where kids and teens can learn, grow, and build positive relationships.” Cindy asked her son if maybe he and his band, the Rangers, would possibly host a BGCTC fundraiser gig. “She suggested that I use my skillset in music to put on a music festival that could benefit the club,” Platt reminisced. “And we just ran with the idea.” Partnering with the BMC, Platt and the Rangers came together and created a boutique-style festival for the BGCTC, which would couple the intimate nature of the 2,500-person capacity venue with world-class artists and marquee

and country music,” Platt noted. “And we’ve been able to really bring in some talent, you know?” Beyond the stellar live acts, MSF at its core is about family and community. When one wanders around the venue during the festival, it’s just an endless stream of smiles and hugs, dancing and connecting with other human beings during such a joyous occasion that warms the heart and feeds the soul. “I feel like, at this point, we have the trust of the community and the faithful who have been going every year,” Platt said humbly. “And the festival has really lent itself to what I call ‘festival

A Brevard native and Western North Carolina resident, Platt is also the founder and former member of the Steep Canyon Rangers, a Grammy-winning bluegrass act based out of nearby Asheville. And for the last 20 years, he’s been at the helm of the MSF, a beloved annual event within our area. “Twenty years is kind of shocking that it happened so fast,” Platt reflected on the anniversary in 2026. “I have such pride in what we’ve been able to create, and definitely the legacy of my mom and her involvement with the Boys & Girls Club. Everything with this is just so fulfilling.” Back in 2006, Platt’s mother, Cindy, was heavily involved in the Boys & Girls Club of Transylvania County, a branch of the national nonprofit organization that has “supported young people during critical out-of-school hours by

performers. To date, MSF has raised over $2 million for the nonprofit, which is now named the Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club of Transylvania County. “And none other than Doc Watson was the first person we hired,” Platt chucked in amazement thinking back on the late, great Watson, who remains a giant pillar in the history of American music. Over the last two decades, MSF has showcased some of the biggest names in modern entertainment, from all melodic realms. Americana to bluegrass, country to blues, with the likes of Zach Top, Peter Rowan, Molly Tuttle, Marty Stuart, David Grisman, Darrell Scott, Sam Bush, Taj Mahal, Robert Earl Keen, and Steve Martin (a longtime collaborator with the Rangers). “We leaned into bluegrass [originally], and then branched out over the years and embraced more Americana, roots,

moments,’ when artists sort of impromptu collaborate [with each other]. That’s the spirit of the festival.” These days, Platt spends his days as a fly-fishing guide and nights performing at various venues around WNC and greater Southern Appalachia alongside his wife, acclaimed singer-songwriter Shannon Whitworth. Platt serves as a reflection of what it means to live and thrive in these mountains, where it’s all about community, connectivity, culture, and compassion. “The natural environment and the clean water is such a huge draw for people here,” Platt said of Brevard and greater WNC. “And then, once you get here, there’s incredible arts and community music [scenes]. Brevard really has its own unique culture and identity. It’s just a beautiful place to live.” n

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An editor for Bike Magazine called Transylvania County “definitely one of the top three places in the universe I’ve ever ridden. Maybe the best.” Another natural treasure tucked within the Pisgah National Forest is the Cradle of Forestry, the first forestry school in the United States. The national forest is also home to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, which hosts students of all ages. Perched in a sun-dappled plateau on the edge of Brevard, The Brevard Music Center stands as one of the country’s premier summer programs for orchestral ensembles, chamber music, and opera. Faculty and students present numerous concerts each season, and the center has hosted world-class soloists, including Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, and Frederica Von Stade. Its summer festival concert series has welcomed a variety of non-classical artists, from Lyle Lovett to Peter, Paul, & Mary. Then, there is plenty to enjoy in the heart of Brevard, a vibrant and walkable hub of shops, boutiques, galleries, pubs, and eateries.

Music aficionados also enjoy shows at Brevard College’s Paul Porter Center for the Performing Arts. The college, a small liberal arts school of over 700 students, is located near downtown. The college hosts the world-touring Banff Mountain Film Festival, a big-screen celebration of films and documentaries about life and sports in the wild. Between April and December, the Fourth Friday Gallery Walks offer a way to explore local businesses. More local arts are highlighted on the Scenic 276 South Fine Art & Craft Corridor — a 13-mile stretch of highway that showcases numerous galleries and studios. The Brevard area is home to a rare concentration of white squirrels, and each May the community celebrates with the White Squirrel Festival, which features a parade, free concerts, a “Squirrel Box Derby,” and other “nutty” amusements. In nearby Rosman is the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, a former NASA tracking station reimagined as a science learning center designed to engage learners of all ages. n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Jackson County

SYLVA | CASHIERS | DILLSBORO | CULLOWHEE

ackson County celebrates miles of hiking, biking, and paddling opportunities. After a busy day in the wild, take off on the popular Ale Trail, featuring more than 100 unique brews from the five breweries that make Jackson County a go-to spot for beer lovers everywhere.

Visitors can visit more than two dozen waterfalls for one-of-a-kind photo opportunities, or take part in fly fishing adventures at one of 15 prime fishing stops (dubbed the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail), which encompasses more than 4,600 miles of streams, and 1,100 miles of hatchery supported waters.

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Welcome | LOCALES Coming Full Circle | WARD PLUMBING, HEATING & AIR In the heart of downtown Sylva, along Mill Street, you’ll notice a large building sporting a brightly-colored and vibrant mural welcoming one and all to the bucolic mountain community. Housed inside the building is the longtime business that is Ward Plumbing, Heating & Air. “If you’re out in the community, you’ll see our people involved in all kinds of local efforts. That’s not an accident. We intentionally hire teammates who care about where they live,” said co-owner Brad Waldrop. “When you run a business in a small town, you don’t separate yourself from your community. Your success depends on them being the same thing.” Approaching its 50th anniversary in 2027, Ward is a beloved company in Jackson County and greater Western North Carolina, with the entity also serving Buncombe, Haywood, Macon, and Swain counties. Currently, the team itself is made up of more than 65 employees with a wide array of skillsets. “Fifty years is a point of pride, but also a challenge. We’ve grown, evolved, and modernized. The question now is how we build the next 50,” Waldrop mused. “And that will come from staying true to our identity while continuing to raise the bar on the customer experience and opportunities for our team and their families.” Of those opportunities, Ward remains a technician-focused business, one that continues to expand its training programs for professional development. In 2017, Waldrop and his business partners “made a strategic decision to stop chasing new construction work and focus entirely on service and installation for homeowners and small businesses.” “By 2019, we fully committed to that direction,” Waldrop noted. “The technician shortage was real, so we made a deliberate choice to differentiate ourselves by building a technicianfocused business — training our own people, creating career paths, and hiring

for culture first.” To note, Waldrop is a Jackson County native who graduated from nearby Western Carolina University in Cullowhee in 1998. From there, he headed for Atlanta, where worked extensively in the distribution industry. Early on, he was able to build a successful company “from scratch into a 30-plus employee operation doing $10 million a year.” Eventually, the company was sold and Waldrop found himself in residential real estate services for a period.

“Those 16 years in Atlanta were a mix of wins and hard lessons,” Waldrop admits. “Some came quickly, others came with plenty of pain, but they all added up to a solid base of business experience.” By 2014, Waldrop was contacted by one of his childhood best friends, Jason Wingate. At the time, Wingate and his wife, Nicki, were running a large-scale landscaping business in South Florida. According to Wingate, the Ward family “was looking to sell some commercial property, and probably their business along with it.” Wingate wanted Waldrop to help him evaluate the possible investment, which coincided with Waldrop visiting home more often. “But, that phone call ended up being the start of a major turn in my life, even if

I didn’t know it yet,” Waldrop reminisced. “Around those same years, I wanted to move home to be near family and the mountains, the fishing, the music scene, but I didn’t yet know what my career here would be.” It was at that juncture when Wingate asked Waldrop: “Do you want to move back to Sylva and run a plumbing and HVAC business?” Waldrop wasn’t a plumber and didn’t know a thing about HVAC systems, but he had a robust background in business that he could put to use at Ward. So, he agreed to go into business with the Wingates and soon relocated back to Sylva. “We had a lot to learn. The business was very respected and known by many people, especially in Jackson County,” Waldrop said. “This was a great start, but the business growth had stalled for a few years.” When he walked into Ward, the company had no website and very little online presence. One computer and a single email address. No credit cards accepted, either. But, Waldrop was ready for the “long climb ahead.” “We believed that with local ownership and modern systems, we could turn Ward into a regional leader,” Waldrop said. “For the next several years, I learned the industry the hard way — ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’ was an understatement.” With Ward now a prominent, everevolving business in WNC, one of the key indicators of its growth has been the rollout of its signature Ward service and installation vans, very distinct and colorful vehicles that can be seen roaming around the backroads, highways, mountains, and valleys of this region. “The vans represent everything to me. Not because they’re recognizable, but because of who’s inside them,” Waldrop said. “Each van represents a person who’s providing for their family and helping someone in our community. And when all of those small moments happen day after day, it changes lives — it changes our team, and it changes our community.” n

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Panthertown Valley — known as the Yosemite of the East — features 30 miles of trails perfect for traversing by foot or bicycle. Along the trails are a variety of wildlife, rare plants, and a diverse range of geologic formations. Panthertown is designated as a Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, Natural Heritage Site and by The Wilderness Society as one of North Carolina’s Mountain Treasures. The Village of Dillsboro is also located in Jackson County and is home to Dogwood Crafters, a co-op that showcases one-of-a-kind crafts from more than 100 artisans. Its ever-changing merchandise often includes unique jewelry, home décor, paintings, gifts, and ornaments. Volunteers operate the shop and offer a variety of classes. Notable destinations in Jackson County include Cherokee, Cashiers, Dillsboro, Sylva, Cullowhee, Balsam, and Tuckasegee. More than 70 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway run through Jackson County, including the highest point, Richland Balsam, at 6,053 feet. The county also hosts Harrah’s Casino Resort in nearby Cherokee, which provides endless opportunities for entertainment, including live music and comedy from marquee stars like Blackberry Smoke, Alicia Keys, Chicago, The Black Crowes, and Ron White. Whitewater Falls is one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rockies, standing at 411 feet and boasting a newly-paved path to an overlook and shelters for picnicking. Lake Glenville, with 26 miles of shoreline, has earned a reputation as a bass fisherman’s delight. Perfect for

boating and water skiing, Lake Glenville also offers a swimming area with sand beach and trail to High Falls. Whiteside Mountain is considered by some geologists to be the oldest mountain in the world, estimated at 390 to 460 million years old. Known as the “Jewel of the Appalachians,” the mountain’s name is inspired by the bald, rocky, white-streaked quartz and feldspar on the south-facing rock. All levels of hikers can hike the 2-mile Whiteside Highlands/Cashiers Mountain Trail, encountering sheer MEDIAN vertical cliffs and scenic views to the $ PRICE. . . . . . . 830,000 east, south, and west. AVERAGE DAYS The Tuckasegee River flows ON MARKET. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 through scenic valleys and several PERCENT OF LISTING PRICE. . . . . . . . 92% quaint communities, and is the most NUMBER prominent whitewater river in Jackson OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415 County. During the summer months, the Lake Glenville Dam releases whitewater into the west fork of the Tuckasegee River, creating class IV rapids over a 5.5-mile stretch. The county is home to Western Carolina University and Southwestern Community College, and boasts two hospitals: Harris Regional Hospital and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. n

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2025 SALES

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Welcome | EDUCATION

Montreat College.

Higher Education COLLEGE OPTIONS PLENTIFUL IN WNC

estern North Carolina is home to a large number of public and private colleges and universities, attracting students from around the world. Selected by the Fiske Guide to Colleges as a Top 20 “Best Buy” school in the nation eight times since 2005, Warren Wilson College near Black Mountain is an environmentally friendly school whose students enhance their academic experience by working 15 hours a week on campus. They also must complete 100 hours of community service over four years. The college’s 680 students earn bachelor’s degrees in 20 majors and can choose from 24 minors and 24 concentration areas. Taking at least one class within each of the school’s eight liberal arts areas, they attend classes that average 14 people in size. Western Carolina University in the Jackson County community of Cullowhee serves more than 12,000 students, including 10,000 undergraduates and 1,600 enrolled in graduate programs. Offering more than 115 undergraduate majors and concentrations, WCU features a nationally recognized teacher education program, a criminal justice program used as a model across the state, and the nation’s first accredited four-year emergency medical care program. Graduate students and undergrads can choose from 60 areas of study offered at the main Cullowhee campus or at Biltmore Park in Asheville. With an enrollment of around 1,100 students, Mars Hill University

was founded in 1856 and is affiliated with the North Carolina Baptist Convention. It offers 35 majors and 33 minors on its large, leafy campus in the Madison County town of Mars Hill. It has five schools: Business, Social, and Behavioral Sciences; Education; Fine Arts; Humanities; and Mathematics and Natural Sciences. A member of the South Atlantic Conference, it fields teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Brevard College in Transylvania County offers more than 40 major and minor degree programs, including those in art, biology, English, environmental studies, exercise science, history, mathematics, music, and psychology. Its pre-professional studies include pre-dentistry, pre-law, pre-medicine, and pre-nursing. With a student body of nearly 700 students, the institution boats an average class size of 15 students. With around 3,700 students, UNC Asheville is the only dedicated public liberal arts and sciences university in the UNC System, nationally ranked among the top 10 in this category by U.S. News and World Report, and is one of the top schools for “Making an Impact” by The Princeton Review. UNCA offers more than 30 majors with 16 Division I athletic teams and dozens of campus clubs and organizations for students to participate in. The average lecture/seminar size is 20 students, with lab/studio classes holding upwards of 18 students. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College has the highest enrollment of any Western North Carolina higher education institution, serving more than 27,000 students annually. Established in 1959 as a trade school, A-B Tech offers 39 career programs, as well

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Welcome | LOCALES Appalachian Academia | MARS HILL UNIVERSITY Just north of Asheville, not far from Interstate 26, and tucked cozily away in the mountains of Madison County, is Mars Hill University. Founded in 1876, the private Christian liberal arts college has become an academic bastion of culture and connectivity in Western North Carolina. “[We’re] a liberal arts institution with a strong focus on preparing students for life after college,” said Mike Thornhill, MHU director of communications. “Mars Hill welcomes and encourages students of all, or no, faith traditions — we’re a place where faith and reason meet.” A 1988 graduate of MHU himself, Thornhill has a unique perspective, one that combines first-hand experience as a student and a bountiful career that focuses on sharing and enhancing the deeply-held values of the school. “Many of those students [at MHU] stay here in WNC after they graduate and help contribute to the vitality of the region,” Thornhill said. Founded in 1856, MHU is “the oldest higher education institution in the region that’s still located on its original site.” That rich, vibrant history is due in part to the school’s enduring mission statement, part of which states that MHU is “committed to character development, to service, and to responsible citizenship in the community, the region, and the world.” “Continuing our mission for 170 years is a testament to the students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni who have remained committed to our mission throughout those years,” Thornhill noted. “The mission has remained the same: help our students develop the knowledge, skills, and values that will enable them to make a good life, as well

as a good living.” By the numbers, MHU hosts over 1,100 students that immerse themselves in around three-dozen undergraduate majors offered by the school. Within those programs are a wide-array of study areas: criminal justice to nursing, visual arts to religion/philosophy, health sciences to ecology/conservation biology, and beyond. To note, undergraduate minors are just as varied and plentiful.

valued as part of the community, values that are very much informed by our faith heritage.” For Parkinson, he aims to help cultivate and radiate a true sense of self, and of place, while on campus, whether for students, faculty, or those curious about perhaps attending MHU. “I take joy in playing a role providing opportunities for new generations of students at MHU, no matter what path

“The university seeks to provide an educational experience that helps students discover a sense of purpose and calling,” said Tracy Parkinson, MHU executive vice president and provost. “In their careers, in their service, and in a desire to be lifelong learners, all of which are informed and inspired by our faith heritage.” And it’s that vital dichotomy of being a liberal arts institution with a solid Christian foundation that resides at the heart and soul of MHU — this tangible and intrinsic core seamlessly balancing faith and academia. “MHU also very much seeks to be a place where every student feels a sense of belonging,” Parkinson said. “And feels

brings them to us,” Parkinson said. “I often talk to students about the joy and energy that can come from discovering a sense of purpose and calling in your work.” In terms of the “Appalachian Studies” programs offered at MHU, Parkinson has much to say about not only the beauty, uniqueness, and stoic nature of folks from Western North Carolina, but also the essence of this region that’s remained a magnet for creative, passionate souls for centuries. “It’s hard to imagine anywhere that fosters resiliency, appreciation for beauty, and creativity more than our remarkable and extraordinary corner of Appalachia,” Parkinson said. n

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as courses that are transferable to any university in the UNC system. One of the oldest and largest schools in the North Carolina Community College System, A-B Tech has five schools: Allied Health and Public Service Education, Arts and Sciences, Business and Hospitality Education, Continuing Education, and Engineering and Applied Technology. It also has a popular continuing education program. The college has added several new programs, including an associate’s degree in healthcare business informatics, a mobile development diploma, a bio-gas option in industrial systems technology, and a geospatial technology option as part of surveying. A-B Tech has additional campuses in Enka and Marshall. “Christ-centered, student-focused, service-driven — equipping agents of transformation, renewal, and reconciliation” is the motto of Montreat College, a small four-year school in Montreat. Its liberal arts curriculum includes traditional and selected undergraduate and graduate professional degree programs, including degree programs for adults in the areas of business, education, management, and nursing. Founded in 1897, Montreat College is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of the United States. In recent years, it had an enrollment of 755 students, with a student/faculty ratio of 9:1. Offering 30 areas of study, Blue Ridge Community College near Flat Rock in Henderson County has more than 100 degree, diploma, and certificate programs, many of them qualifying students to work immediately after completing their course work. About 2,000 students

are enrolled at its main campus and a satellite facility in Brevard. Haywood Community College offers more than 30 programs. About 2,100 students took courses during the 2024-25 academic year. Departments include arts, sciences and natural resources, business and industry, and health and human services. HCC also offers online learning and continuing education opportunities. Like all of North Carolina’s community colleges, it offers general education courses that transfer to the state university system, allowing students to get their first two years of classes completed at a bargain price. Southwestern Community College — serving Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties, along with the Qualla Boundary — provides coursework in arts, sciences, college transfer, career technologies, and health services. Over 3,300 students enter more than 60 academic programs, while approximately 6,000 annually participate in the school’s ongoing continuation programs. Lenoir-Rhyne College’s main campus is in Hickory, but its Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville was launched in 2012 to expand the university’s mission and serve the specific needs of Western North Carolina and beyond. Lenoir-Rhyne purchased part of 36 Montford Avenue to house a state-of-the-art learning space in downtown Asheville, and has full-time, terminally-degreed faculty to direct the graduate programs, mentor students, and develop community partnerships. The Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville currently enrolls over 200 students in 12 programs and is becoming known for its leadership in key community initiatives. n

Colleges & Universities Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College 340 Victoria Road Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 254-1921 • abtech.edu Blue Ridge Community College 180 W. Campus Drive Flat Rock, NC 28731 (828) 694-1700 • blueridge.edu Brevard College 1 Brevard College Drive Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 883-8292 • brevard.edu Haywood Community College 185 Freedlander Drive Clyde, NC 28721 (828) 627-4667 • haywood.edu

Lenoir-Rhyne Graduate Center 36 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801 (828) 407-4263 • lr1.biz Mars Hill University 100 Athletic Street Mars Hill, NC 28754 866-642-4968 • mhc.edu Montreat College 310 Gaither Circle Montreat, NC 28757 (828) 669-8012 • montreat.edu Southwestern Community College 447 College Drive Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 339-4000 southwesterncc.edu

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University of North Carolina at Asheville 1 University Heights Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 251-6600 • unca.edu Warren Wilson College 701 Warren Wilson Road Swannanoa, NC 28778 (828) 298-3325 warren-wilson.edu Western Carolina University N.C. Highway 107 Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828) 928-4968 • wcu.edu

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Welcome | OUTDOORS

Sliding Rock is a small slide-type waterfall on Looking Glass Creek, in the Pisgah National Forest.

Come Play in the Mountains OUTDOOR ADVENTURES ARE PLENTIFUL IN WNC

estern North Carolina has long been one of this country’s favorite outdoor playgrounds, and that’s truer today than ever as people are seeking a respite from their busy online lives. One of the favorite refuges for locals and visitors alike is the Blue Ridge Parkway, the 469-mile two-lane road that meanders along mountain ridges and valleys from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Western North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Every year it’s the most visited unit in the country’s national park system, attracting 16.6 million visitors in 2023. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the largest wilderness area in the eastern United States, a 500,000-acre wilderness area that spans the North Carolina-Tennessee border and is the secondmost visited national park in the country. The 2,200-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail — known as the AT — traverses this region, bringing hikers from around the world to test their stamina. Other inclusive hikes in this area include the 116mile Bartram Trail (named after the 18th century botanist) and the 1,175-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail (which begins in the Great Smoky

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“What I cherish most about living in Western North Carolina is the harmonious blend of stunning natural beauty and outdoor adventure that the region offers. Each season brings its own unique charm, inviting us to engage with nature in diverse and enriching ways.” — Amanda Hill, Waynesville office Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks Mountains National Park and runs near the Blue Ridge Parkway for much of its path through the region). Lake Powhatan is in the Bent Creek area of the Pisgah National

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Forest, just south of Asheville, and is home to miles of mountain biking trails. Also in Asheville, the Kolo Bike Park offers four miles of trails and a whole bunch of jumps and terrain tests for adventurous riders who enjoy a challenge. DuPont State Forest near Brevard has tons of trails, as does the Jackrabbit Mountain biking and hiking trail system just outside of Hayesville in Clay County. Don’t forget Tsali Recreational Area, home to some of the finest riding trails in the entire country, only an hour and a half from downtown Asheville, and the Fire Mountain Trail System, a mountain biking area that opened in 2017 in Cherokee. Road riders will love the popular flat cycle along the French Broad River between Asheville and Marshall. The Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, Asheville Bicycle Racing Club, and the Asheville Women’s Cycling Club host events, club rides, and races. There are also great road rides in Haywood County and in the Mills River and Cane Creek areas of south Buncombe and north Henderson counties. Several groups also offer winter rides for those who don’t want to put their bike away during the coldweather months. Less than an hour and a half from Asheville, the Nantahala Outdoor Center can provide just about any kind of adventure you’d want, from biking to climbing to hiking to river floats to lake kayaking to tickets to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The rafting companies along the Nantahala, Chattooga, and Pigeon rivers offer exhilarating guided whitewater raft rides that roll over rapids in trips that last about three hours. Whitewater Paddling magazine has named Asheville a “Top 10 Whitewater Town,” but the glory is shared by many towns on the French Broad, Pigeon, Nantahala, Tuckasegee, and Nolichucky rivers. Other adventurous explorers might opt for harnessed canopy tours conducted in the beautiful Nantahala Gorge over six aerial bridges and numerous zip lines. The rides, meant to be more informative than jaw dropping, go through several ecosystems, and guides share cultural and ecological tidbits along the way. For those who like two feet on the ground, the region offers unparalleled hiking in Pisgah National Forest, Nantahala National Forest, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and state parks at Chimney Rock, DuPont, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain, Lake James, and South Mountains. There are several hiking clubs in the area, including the Carolina Mountain Club, established in 1923 and now the region’s most active hiking club. Julian Price Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway’s largest campground, offers ranger-guided hikes during the day. The National Park Service also provides camping at sites you can pull your car up to at maintained sites at Linville Falls, Crabtree Meadows, Mount Mitchell, and Mount Pisgah. For backpackers, there’s excellent primitive camping in Linville Gorge. Closer to Asheville, public campgrounds exist at Lake Powhatan, North Mills River, and Davidson River. With thousands of acres to explore and traverse, The Biltmore Estate in Asheville also has many outdoor experiences, including river floats, fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and biking. The fun doesn’t stop with the warm weather. Strap on your skis and head to Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, Hatley Pointe Mountain Resort near Mars Hill, or Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain in Banner Elk. All have runs for various levels of expertise, as well as super-fun inner tube rides and ski lodges to nurse any sore muscles. Want to go cross-country skiing? Then head up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, closed to automobiles in the winter, but not to those strapped with poles ready to tackle the beloved road. n

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Welcome | LOCALES Reaching for It | PISGAH CLIMBING SCHOOL

When it comes to rock climbing, Karsten Delap has one deeply-held sentiment for those curious about possibly trying the sport for the first time. “If you like the outdoors, if you like being outside?” Delap posed. “[Then], you’re probably going to like rock climbing.” Founder of the Pisgah Climbing School, located in Pisgah Forest (right outside of Brevard), Delap is a renowned guide based in Western North Carolina, one with an impressive slew of certifications: IFMGA Licensed Mountain Guide, Alpine/ Rock/Ski guide, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor/Provider, AIARE Avalanche (Level 1, 2, 3), Swift Water Rescue, etc.

And for the last 20 years, he’s called WNC home, this launching point of adventure that has also brought Delap all over the country and around the globe (Indian Himalaya, South America, Africa) in pursuit of his passion. “Climbing is kind of what brought me here,” Delap said. “I moved here to climb and to start guiding down here. And then, that just grew and grew.” Initially, Delap was a guide for a company in this region, one which he ended up taking over with a business partner. But, eventually, he had a genuine desire to pursue his own thing. So, Delap stepped away from that business and launched Pisgah Climbing School five

several options for professional services and military training. To that, PCS has a “Single Pitch Instructor Course” through the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA), with the program “the quintessential course to enter guiding in the United States.” For indoor activities, there’s also an “AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor Course.” “Do you want to just dip your toes in the water or is this something you’re really wanting to pursue?” Delap said of the course selection. “And if you’re a triathlete and you want to go really big and learn this thing? We have places for that.” For beginners or those who merely

“[Rock climbing] can be scary, this idea of being afraid of heights and stuff,” Delap said. “But, if you go out with a certified instructor who knows what they’re doing, they’ll be able to manage that for you, and show you how you can do this in a way that’s safe and makes you feel comfortable enough.” Originally from the rural farmland of Indiana, Delap was involved in the Boy Scouts and would often find himself hiking on family trips to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the ancient, serene New England landscape quickly sparking his lifelong passion for the outdoors. “After college, I pursued guiding a little bit, but I had a business job,” Delap recalled. “I wasn’t liking [the job] and then went full-in on guiding. And I’ve been able to make a career out of it by pursuing higher-end certifications.” Once Delap completely immersed himself in climbing, he soon became a professional athlete and was sponsored by companies for his outdoor activities.

years ago. “I was thinking [PCS] would be this little, boutique thing, just kind of high-end [guiding],” Delap said. “And now it’s the largest [rock climbing] guide service in the Southeast. It’s a lot of work, and I do a lot of things.” Currently, PCS has 14 guides underneath its banner. The guides are hired to bring folks of all skillsets on unforgettable outdoor adventures in Western North Carolina and greater Southern Appalachia, not to mention international excursions, too. For Delap, what he loves the most is introducing someone to the sport of rock climbing for the first time. “It’s that person who’s never been rock climbing, not even hiking, but wants to get outside and see the world from a different perspective,” Delap said. Courses offered by PCS include “Rock 101: Gym to Crag”, “Rock 201: Anchor Building & Cleaning”, and “Rock 301: Single Pitch Trad Leading”, as well as a variety of ice climbing courses and

have a surface-level interaction with rock climbing, or even someone who has intermediate experience and is looking to improve their skillset, Delap encourages any and all to look into hiring a certified guide. “In the long term, it’s actually going to be cheaper and you’ll learn more and be able to do it sooner on your own if you hire an instructor,” Delap emphasized. “And we have everything for you. We take you out on an adventure that’s at your level.” When it comes to the geography of this area, Delap said what makes WNC unique is that the varied landscape offers more than one style of climbing. “The rock climbing we have is fairly dispersed with different styles of rock around,” Delap noted. “We have short, little crags 50 to 100 feet tall to the largest rock face on the East Coast, and there’s a diversity of everything in-between. You get all these aspects to work with, especially if you’re going to teach climbing.” n

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Welcome | OUTDOORS

Tee Time With a View WNC GOLF COURSES

The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa.

here’s nothing like a round of golf at high elevation to quicken the blood and make you feel alive. Golf courses in Asheville and Western North Carolina have attitude as well as altitude, challenging golfers in the most gorgeous of settings. Condé Nast Traveler magazine included the golf course at Omni Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in its list of “Top 20 Southern U.S. Golf Resorts.” Designed by Donald Ross in 1926, the 18-hole, par 70 course has an undulating front nine and a back nine that can be steep. Over a decade ago, the resort invested $2.5 million to restore the course in a manner that Ross would approve. Players who have enjoyed its challenge include golf immortals Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, and Byron Nelson, as well as other PGA stars like Doug Sanders, Gene Littler, Fuzzy Zoeller, and Chip Beck. The Country Club of Asheville has an 18-hole, par 72 Donald Rossdesigned course with a distinctive clubhouse that overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountains. It also boasts a state-of-the-art indoor tennis facility that has eight outdoor clay courts and a modern fitness facility. Also available are a 25-tee driving range and putting and chipping greens. Asheville Municipal Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72 course that opened in 1927. The front nine of this Donald Ross-designed course measures 3,246 yards from the back tees, calling for a driver on every hole. The course is open daily to the public, weather permitting. The 18-hole golf course at Biltmore Forest Country Club went through a $2.5-million restoration, accompanied by an $8.5-million renovation of the clubhouse, just a few years ago. The upgrades

brought both back to their 1922 splendor. Over the years, the course has attracted the likes of Bobby Jones, Bill Tilden, John D. Rockefeller, William Jennings Bryan, William Howard Taft, and Calvin Coolidge. Sporting the only golf course in Western North Carolina designed by Jack Nicklaus, The Cliffs At Walnut Cove is a par 71, 18-hole course that opened in tournament-ready conditions, according to the PGA Tour. Its greens, bent grass fairways, clever bunkering, and elevation changes make it a challenge that calls for a sharp eye. In Weaverville, just north of Asheville, is Reems Creek Golf Club, an 18-hole, par 72 course. Located in the beautiful Reems Creek Valley, it’s surrounded by tall mountains through which the Blue Ridge Parkway passes. The 6,492-yard course was designed by Hawtree & Sons, a British firm that worked on Royal Birkdale, a course that’s in the British Open rotation. South of Asheville in Mills River is High Vista Country Club, whose golf course is open to the public. Established in 1976 and designed by Tom Jackson, the 18-hole course has dramatic elevation changes and winding fairways. Nearby, Etowah Valley Golf Club has three 9-hole courses, all knitted together in one spectacular championship golf experience. Create the combination you want from six tee positions on a scenic plateau 2,200 feet high. Height matters at Mount Mitchell Golf Club, located near Burnsville. Lying at about 3,000 feet in elevation and bordered by peaks over 6,000 feet, the course is relatively flat. The South Toe River runs through it, a factor that must be taken into account for many shots. In the region west of the Asheville area, there are a handful of topnotch public courses, including the Sequoyah National in Cherokee (designed by Robert Trent Jones II) and the just reopened and completely renovated Waynesville Inn and Golf Club. In the Cashiers area of Jackson County, the scenic High Hampton Inn has one of the most picturesque courses in the country. n

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Welcome | NIGHTLIFE

185 King Street.

After the Sun Goes Down WNC IS A MECCA OF LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

fter a great day frolicking around the picturesque mountains of Western North Carolina, the fun continues when the sun goes down.

Asheville comes alive with standup comedy at The Odd; screenings of documentaries, foreign, and independent films at the Fine Arts Theatre or Grail Moviehouse; stage productions at the Magnetic Theatre; jazz or swing music at 5 Walnut Wine Bar; international dance troupes at the Diana Wortham Theatre; symphony orchestras

at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium; rock ensembles at The Orange Peel; Americana and folk showcases at The Grey Eagle; or funk nights at the Asheville Music Hall — it’s all here, and more. Heading down the road, the options are just as tempting. Catch a blockbuster flick at the Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville, bluegrass legends at White Horse Black Mountain, nationally acclaimed troubadours at 185 King Street in Brevard or The Purple Onion in Saluda, maybe a beloved Broadway production at the Flat Rock Playhouse in Hendersonville, the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville, or the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre in Mars Hill. And that leaves you with only one question — what to do tonight? n

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Welcome | LOCALES Under the Bright Lights | ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE In 1946, the Asheville Community Theatre was formed. And the importance of its 80th anniversary is something not lost on ACT Executive Director Eli Cunningham. “I think about the people who came before,” Cunningham said. “The Asheville Little Theatre, Asheville Players, and Asheville Theatre Guild chose to join forces and pool their resources to create something they could not sustain alone. That spirit of people coming together to build something bigger than themselves is still at the core of who we are.” With a deeply-held mission and ethos “to create a theatre that truly belongs to the community,” the ACT stands steadfast alongside its hardworking volunteers, generous patrons, and loyal community partners.

commitment set the tone for the entire organization and make it possible for artists, volunteers, and audiences to feel supported and welcome.” For Cunningham, the biggest takeaway in his tenure at the ACT “is the power of an idea and the collective care it can inspire.” “Community theatre begins with a simple belief that people coming together can create something meaningful and lasting,” Cunningham said. “That idea is bigger than any one person and it is what gives this work its strength and staying power. That belief is also what shaped me. I’ve always been drawn to helping and to finding creative solutions.” Cunningham points out how “theatre is one of our oldest art forms.” “For thousands of years, people have gathered to tell stories this way,”

of stories told in real time, by real people, in a space where reality, imagination, and performance intersect into this sacred realm of creativity and genuine emotion. “Theatre is powerful because it’s live, [and] the audience is part of that experience, too,” Cunningham said. The more engaged the audience is, the more the performance grows. It becomes a shared energy moving through the room. What happens only exists for the people who are there, between the moment the curtain opens and the moment it closes. Then, it’s gone.” On a personal note, that moment of pure artistic beauty affects Cunningham in so many wondrous ways — this fuel to the fire within that the ACT possesses. “There is nothing like it,” Cunningham said. “We gasp together, laugh together,

“And it has become a kind and joyful refuge,” Cunningham noted. “The legacy of ACT is built on relationships, shared memories, and a sense of belonging. That belief that together ‘we can’ is what has sustained this theatre for 80 years, and continues to light the way forward.” When it comes to the ACT staff, there’s a huge list of things on the “to do” list to keep the lights on: coordinating volunteers to managing productions, selling tickets to designing costumes. The work never stops and the responsibility is real. But, thankfully, all involved do so with a genuine sense of pride in keeping alive this cultural institution of Western North Carolina. “[The staff] keeps the many moving parts of this theatre working together,” Cunningham said. “Their care and

Cunningham said. “It brings together writers, musicians, singers, dancers, designers, painters, builders, and craftspeople to create something larger than any one person could make alone.” So, just what makes the art of theatre so captivating? “In the end, theatre becomes an expression and a reflection of our humanity,” Cunningham said. “It holds up a mirror to who we are, how we live, and how we spend our time together. For a brief moment, we share an experience that reminds us we are here, together, now.” Whenever there’s a packed house, it never ceases to amaze Cunningham to see rows and rows of seats filled with a joyous audience, all together and paying attention to the beauty and lore

cry together, and cheer together. In that moment, it feels electric and grounding at the same time. You’re aware that you’re part of something shared and fleeting.” With 80 years now in the rearview mirror, Cunningham feels like the ACT is truly upholding its possibility, potential, passion, and purpose. “In the long view, I imagine ACT continuing to evolve while staying grounded in care, inclusion, and connection, and making sure this theatre reflects the community it serves,” Cunningham said. “In the nearer term, the work is about strengthening foundations and building on what already exists. There is so much to be proud of in what this community has built, and it feels important to honor that while continuing to care for it.” n

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Welcome | FOOD & DRINK

Farm Fresh

WNC RESTAURANTS EMBRACE NATURAL FOOD MOVEMENT

ith the recent boom in demand for organic produce, meat, and farm-to-table restaurants, Western North Carolina has become a hotbed for independent, natural food products. Between handcrafted beer using local ingredients, fresh meat from grass-fed cattle, fine wines, fruits, and vegetables, the possibilities are as endless as they are available. For Richard King, life is a matter of inspiration and creation. A native of Black Mountain, he’s launched several businesses and helped them grow, all with eyes aimed for the next adventure, next opportunity to construct something from nothing. And when it came to an abandoned gas station on East State Street in his hometown, King saw potential for something truly unique and special — The Pure & Proper. Formerly the Pure Oil Station, the European-style structure was built in 1941. With its steep-pitched roof and minimalist mid-20th century aesthetic, the property is incredibly charming and welcoming, albeit sitting dormant for a number of years. It was 2020 when King and his wife, Heidi, took over the property. The Kings then reached out to a renowned local chef, Jake Whitman, who was coincidentally looking to open a restaurant of his own at

some point. Alongside Whitman’s wife, Ali, the quartet came together and opened The Pure & Proper in December 2022. “We want to make sure people feel at home here — no pretention whatsoever,” Richard said. An “all-day eatery,” the concept is akin to a European café, one where you can get a great cup of coffee and breakfast in the morning, a delicious farm-to-table lunch and a fine-dining experience for dinner over wine — this one-stop community spot for culinary delights and hearty conversation. Scanning the extensive menu, The Pure & Proper is an adventure for the senses. Plates vary from crawfish etouffee to fried chicken and waffles for brunch, pickled pear grilled cheese to a pork belly hoagie for lunch, duck leg confit to yellowfin tuna tartare for dinner. All of which are complemented by a slew of wine, craft beer, cocktail, coffee and dessert offerings. “One of my favorite things is walking around the restaurant and seeing people light up with excitement about what they’re eating, how they’re feeling the space — seeing and feeling that energy and buzz is a great thing to be part of,” Richard said. At the far end of the bustling Haywood Road in West Asheville sits an unassuming bungalow-style structure. To the untrained eye, it seems like some humble abode. But, to those who’ve wandered through, behind the front door is Leo’s House of Thirst, an establishment of culinary delights. “There’s definitely a cozy nature to this place,” said Austin Inselmann, head chef at Leo’s. “When you’re in here, you see all of

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Welcome | LOCALES Gregarious by Nature | LITTLE CHANGO Recently, the esteemed Michelin Guide offered up its choices for the “American South,” a prestigious category that featured 15 Asheville culinary destinations. Of those, Little Chango in Asheville was one of the names selected for the “Bib Gourmand” honor, which places a spotlight on incredibly delicious food at a reasonable price. “We were incredibly happy. It definitely gave us a sense of accomplishment,” said Little Chango co-owner Iris Rodriguez. “We wanted to open a place with great food at great value, and Michelin recognized us for that.” To note, the other Asheville restaurants tapped by Michelin included Addissae Ethiopian, All Day Darling, Cúrate, Golden Hour, Good Hot Fish, Leo’s House of Thirst, Luminosa, Mother, Soprano, Sunny Point Café, Table, Tall John’s, The Admiral, and Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse. “We were also very happy for all our friends and peers who got recognized,” Rodriguez said. “It takes a lot to run a restaurant, and the Asheville food scene kills it.” With its proud slogan, “Gregarious by Nature, Gluttonous by Choice,” Little Chango opened its doors in November 2021. Alongside Rodriguez at the grill is her husband, Jose Busto. The small, cozy yellow concrete building sits on Coxe Avenue, smack dab between the hustle of the downtown corridor on nearby Patton Avenue and the bustling South Slope district. “We always wanted to create a space that was for gathering, enjoying good food, and to bring a different, diverse

cuisine to an amazing place like Asheville that can support it,” Rodriguez said. “We [also] wanted to create an ambiance that was festive, casual, happy, and welcoming.”

Renowned for its authentic Latin American street fare, with a keen focus on arepas, Little Chango serves up mouthwatering small plates, including ropa vieja, jibara, pernil, chorizo, yuca fries, tostones, escabeche, and more. “My partner and I are at the restaurant all the time,” Rodriguez said. “And one of the things we enjoy the most is looking at people when they take their first bite. Very frequently, their expression is one of, ‘Ohh, this food is great,’ followed by

a conversation about it with whoever they’re sitting [with].” Before Little Chango came to fruition, the road to the “here and now” was a long and winding one. Hailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Rodriguez and Busto moved to the U.S. mainland in 2011. By 2016, the couple had made their way to Asheville. Busto went to brewing school and started working in local breweries, all while Rodriguez left the banking world and decided to enroll in A-B Tech and pursue a culinary degree. “[It’s] something I’ve always wanted to do — I turned my hobby [and] passion into my work,” Rodriguez said. “[I then] worked in a couple kitchens in town, [with] a big chunk of time spent working for Katie Button Restaurants.” So, why “Little Chango”? “Chango is a bird, the Antillean grackle,” Rodriguez noted. “In Puerto Rico, we call them ‘changos.” It’s a very particular bird. It’s very loud, gregarious. It has a voracious appetite and it’s very social, loves to be around people. So, for us, it was easy to make that call. We wanted this place to be loud, happy, where people come with voracious appetites to enjoy good food with friends.” Now some five years into the journey of Little Chango, the establishment has become a highly sought-after spot for locals and visitors alike. That acclaim and notoriety is a testament to the love and passion put into each dish. “It makes our day that people are embracing what we’ve created,” Rodriguez said. “We feel grateful to be part of this community, [and] with such [a] talented, embracing group of peers.” n

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these people having a great time, whether they’re sitting inside at a table or outside under the tree. They’re all coming together as a community, and this energy and buzz fills the air.” Opened in the fall of 2020, Leo’s is the creation of famed Asheville restaurant owner Drew Wallace, who is also the founder of The Admiral and The Bull & Beggar. With Leo’s, he created an intimate space with a menu focused on small plates filled with local, seasonal ingredients. “With such a focus on local ingredients, you’re kind of forced to bring these things together in the fall and winter months that maybe aren’t normal together. How do I make cabbage taste good? How do I make a carrot taste good? Though that isn’t hard because carrots are delicious,” Inselmann laughed. “But, in that, it also sparks creativity to try something different, where we can present new and interesting menu items with each passing season.” While the culinary scene of the region expands, and palates become more sophisticated, the passion and love put into a meal comes from the mere fact that the restaurant chefs, owners, and servers all reside in Western North Carolina — a place they are proud to call home. Over the past two decades, there has been a food revolution in the area. Along every downtown, you’ll find anything from Cajun to French, Asian to Italian, Mexican to Mediterranean. Whether it’s local establishments incorporating different dishes into the menus or the troves of culinary artisans relocating here, the desire to try something new and different is all around in this land of cosmopolitan country cuisines. It was 21 years ago when Hugo Ramirez opened the doors of Limones — one of the finest, most sought-after and innovative culinary destinations in Asheville and greater Western North Carolina. “When we moved here [from California], we were thinking to have a Mexico City-style coffee shop, with sweet breads and pastries,” Ramirez said. “At that time, there was nothing [here] like I can truly cook and know about, which is Mexican-California cuisine. And we opened as a restaurant for just one night — I gained confidence in myself since that day, that night, that I can do it.” A native of Mexico City, Ramirez was raised in household where

cooking was not only a big part of his family, but also his rich, vibrant heritage and culture. To this day, he still seeks advice and suggestions from his mother and sister, both of whom have a huge influence on his culinary craft. “Everything I do on the menu, I don’t plan ahead, I just think about it,” Ramirez said. “I can be driving or going to the store, the market, and I’ll be thinking about [the menu]. When I get to the restaurant, I just start doing it and coming up with something — whatever pops in my head that’ll work.” That imaginative inspiration is coupled with what’s the freshest ingredients available at any given time throughout the year, Ramirez said. He has forged relationships with many local farmers and market vendors to ensure that what he brings from the field to the table is a distinct representation of his culinary expertise and artisan flair. “I’ll have a concept for a recipe in mind, and it’ll be based on what the vendors tell me they have a day or two beforehand,” Ramirez said. “It’s about applying what I know, and where my roots are, so I can find this niche where I collect all of the ingredients and, little-by-little, bring my ideas to life.” “There’s always been a lot of variety and creativity in the Asheville food scene, but I feel that every place is hitting those standards found in other great food cities,” said Jeff Miller, owner/pitmaster of Luella’s Bar-B-Que in North Asheville. “More and more people are moving here and visiting here, and the expectations have been raised — and we’re meeting and exceeding those expectations.” Fired up over 18 years ago, the wildly popular Luella’s specializes in North Carolina-style barbecue (vinegar based sauce, with a dash of honey, garlic, and tomatoes), Texas style brisket, a St. Louis dry rub for the smoked turkey breast, and their signature New Orleans/Creole andouille sauce. Looking around at the growing culinary reputation of Asheville, it doesn’t surprise Miller that the city has become a “foodie mecca” for the Southeast and beyond. “The food scene has changed dramatically here,” Miller said. “And I think the quality of food and the dining experience in this city has shifted greatly.” n

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Welcome | FOOD & DRINK

Heady Territory

ASHEVILLE'S CRAFT BEVERAGE SCENE

ith around 75 independent establishments in Asheville and Western North Carolina, the craft beer industry is booming in these parts. Now known a “Beer City,” Asheville has become the epicenter for a beverage movement unseen in not only the industry, but also the nation as a whole. It all started for Asheville in 1994 when Oscar Wong started Highland Brewing — the city’s first legal brewery since Prohibition — and tapped into the region’s craft beer potential. Fast forward 20 years to 2014, and craft beer pioneer and industry leader Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Chico, California) opened its $200 million, 217-acre East Coast production facility in Mills River, right outside Asheville. “The community around Asheville attracts such an artistic and eclectic mix of people, a very similar mix of people like Chico,” said Ken Grossman, founder/owner of Sierra Nevada. “The outdoors

is something I try to do on a regular basis — get outside and hike. We’re near mountains, streams, and places to recreate in Chico, and Asheville is just like that.” An embracing, all-are-welcome attitude is perhaps one of the reasons Asheville’s brew scene has exploded. Competing brewers exhibit camaraderie toward each other, with seasoned big-hitters lending help to upstart companies. Alongside Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, industry giants New Belgium Brewing (Fort Collins, Colorado) and Oskar Blues Brewery both opened East Coast headquarters in Western North Carolina. In 2012, Oskar Blues opened an enormous nine-acre $10 million east coast facility in Brevard and New Belgium fired up its $140 million facility in the River Arts District of Asheville, a property that has become a beacon of economic and cultural significance for the city. New Belgium and Oskar Blues have since been bought out by larger beverage companies, as was local start-up brewer Wicked Weed a couple of years ago. Those buyouts are evidence of the ever-growing, somewhat topsy-turvy nature of the craft beer scene as these newer, unique brews continue to grab a larger share of the national and international beverage market. In the depths of Asheville, tucked away down Shady Oak Drive in Biltmore Village is Forestry Camp by Burial Beer Co. — a multifaceted property combining craft ales, culinary delights, live music, and fellowship.

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“Of our four core values, two speak the most to me — community and inclusivity,” said Phil Cassella, head of marketing for Burial Beer Co. “With every decision we make, we try to keep [that] front of mind. And I think that resonates with folks — anyone who visits our taprooms can find something for them that is of a high quality.” Since it first arrived on the scene with its flagship location in the South Slope neighborhood of Asheville in 2013, Burial Beer Co. has become a pillar of the craft beer movement in the city and greater Southern Appalachia. With a seemingly never-ending selection of intricately curated ales, the brewery has risen into the upper echelon of the national craft beer landscape. “[Twelve years] is a testament to our team’s creativity and mindset of continual innovation,” Cassella said. “And we’ve changed our portfolio quite a bit over the years, not only with the beers we make, but through the variety of experiences we offer at our taprooms.” Amid a constant evolution of self, Burial launched its Forestry Camp location in 2019. Formerly operated by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to house workers constructing the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, the historic property was transformed into a place of respite — all with an extensive taproom, farm-to-table restaurant, and an expansive space to frolic and roam. “It’s sort of a campus situation that [also] houses our main production brewery,” Cassella said. “The food [at Forestry Camp] is definitely elevated and locally sourced, but it’s priced approachably. It’s a great place for families to hang out [with] the outdoor beer gardens and plenty of places for the kids to run around.” Haywood County has become a brewing scene in its own right. Boojum Brewing and Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville and BearWaters Brewing in Maggie Valley are all serving up a wide array of selections that perfectly compliment the innumerable varieties brewed in Asheville. Co-owner/manager of Boojum Brewing, Kelsie Baker and her family have quickly established themselves as one of the “must try” craft beer destinations in Western North Carolina.

Amid a highly competitive industry — locally, regionally, and nationally — where your reputation resides in every beverage poured, Boojum has risen to the upper echelon of flavor, style, and selection. Between their off-site brewery and downtown taproom/restaurant, the business is a social and economic anchor within the community. “From day one, we’ve always said that we want to keep it fresh and exciting, to never cut corners,” Baker said. “We’re really passionate about what we do — always experimenting, reading, learning new techniques and ideas. We use high quality, difficult to get hops, yeasts and flavorings, and these things are expensive and generally more difficult to work with, but the result is a much better product.” Sitting at a table in the depths of Homeplace Brewing Co. in downtown Burnsville, owner John Silver scans the vast taproom and elaborate brewing equipment housed in the historic structure, formerly a lumber company. “It’s about the storytelling we do through our different craft beers, and also being able to preserve the history of this town and this region,” Silver said. The Silver family has called Western North Carolina home since the 1700s. It’s a source of deep pride for John, especially as things have come full-circle in his personal life and professional pursuits with opening Homeplace in his hometown in 2017. “For me, it’s about the process of creating unique products, having almost this chef mentality and taking pride in your product,” Silver said. “The challenge, and the interest, for me now is figuring out creative ways to tell our story.” And even though Silver was born and raised in Burnsville, and even with being able to travel and wander the country, he still chooses to call his hometown, well, “home,” seeing as it remains a place of comfort and security. “My wife and I wanted to raise our kids in a small-town environment, and Burnsville was that place for our family,” Silver said. “And this business and our brand is to pay homage to the generations of people that came before us.” n

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Welcome | INFORMATION

Getting started

20 56

124 129 158 208 251 268 302 314 360 471 584 691 794

111 144 137 187 275 247 281 293 339 495 563 714 773

93 141 133 206 237 242 281 285 298 470 558 696 760

153 112 178 169 279 288 322 335 380 500 604 719 815

132 152 157 183 283 267 301 314 359 503 583 722 793

Voter Registration

Buncombe County 35 Woodfin St., Asheville • (828) 250-4200 Haywood County 1233 N. Main St., Waynesville • (828) 452-6633 Henderson County 75 E. Central Ave., Hendersonville (828) 697-4970 Jackson County 401 Grindstaff Cove Rd., Sylva • (828) 586-7538 Madison County 5707 Hwy. 25-70, Marshall • (828) 649-3731 Polk County 40 Courthouse St., Columbus • (828) 894-8181 Rutherford County 298 Fairground Rd., Spindale • (828) 287-6030 Transylvania County 221 S. Gaston St., Brevard • (828) 884-3114 Yancey County 225 W. Main St., Burnsville • (828) 682-3950

Drivers License

Buncombe County 85 Tunnel Rd., Asheville • (828) 252-8526 1624 Patton Ave., Asheville • (828) 251-6065 Haywood County 290 Lee Rd., Clyde • (828) 627-6969 Henderson County 125 Baystone Dr., Hendersonville (828) 692-6915

January February March April May June July August September October November December

46 50 58 67 74 81 84 83 77 68 58 50

27 29 36 44 52 60 64 62 56 45 37 30

3.07 3.19 3.83 3.16 3.53 3.24 2.97 3.34 3.01 2.40 2.93 2.59

2023

36 100

2016

Brevard

29 64

Median Household Income 2008

Waynesville

12 59

Avg. Precip.

Lake Lure

15 80

Avg. Low

Hendersonville

Asheville Airport Greenville/ Spartanburg, SC Charlotte, NC Knoxville, TN Columbia, SC Atlanta, GA Raleigh, NC Charleston, SC Myrtle Beach, SC Savannah, GA Wilmington, NC Washington, DC Orlando, FL New York, NY Miami, FL

Climate

Asheville

(in miles)

Avg. High

Distances

Asheville City $39,906 Buncombe County $43,805 Haywood County $39,042 Henderson County $46,047 Jackson County Madison County $38,077 Polk County Rutherford County $36,966 Transylvania County Yancey County North Carolina $46,574 United States $52,029

$50,541 $50,538 $45,290 $53,638 $44,004 $40,765 $47,185 $38,699 $44,578 $39,686 $50,343 $59,039

$67,221 $70,578 $61,001 $67,623 $53,479 $58,628 $61,005 $49,771 $64,523 $54,961 $69,904 $80,610

SOURCE: N.C. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

Jackson County 876 Skyland Dr., Sylva • (828) 586-5413 Madison County 164 N. Main St., Marshall • (828) 649-2248 Polk County 130 Ward St., Columbus • (828) 692-6915 Rutherford County 596 Withrow Rd., Forest City • (828)266-2973 Transylvania County 50 Commerce St., Brevard • (828) 883-2070 Yancey County 116 N. Main St., Burnsville • (828) 682-9619

Vehicle Registration

Buncombe County 85 Tunnel Road, Asheville • (828) 252-8526 780 Hendersonville Road, Asheville (828) 667-2104 Haywood County 478 Champion Drive, Canton • (828) 646-3406 80 Waynesville Plaza, Waynesville (828) 452-1577 Henderson County 145 Four Seasons Mall, Hendersonville (828) 692-0648 Jackson County 454 E. Main St., Sylva • (828) 586-3886 Madison County 133 S. Main St., Marshall • (828) 649-3528 Polk County 51 Walker St., Columbus • (828) 894-6430

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Rutherford County 1639 U.S. 74, Spindale • (828) 287-3600 Transylvania County 69 New Hendersonville Hwy., Pisgah Forest (828) 883-3251 Yancey County 14 Town Square, Burnsville • (828) 682-2312

Tax Offices

Buncombe County (828) 250-4910 buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/tax Haywood County (828) 452-6734 • haywoodnc.net Henderson County (828) 697-4870 • hendersoncountync.org/ca Jackson County (828) 586-7541 • jacksonnc.org/tax-collector Madison County (828) 649-3402 • madisoncountync.org/-tax Polk County (828) 894-8954 polknc.org/departments/taxassessor Rutherford County (828) 287-6355 • rutherfordcountync.gov Transylvania County (828) 884-3200 transylvaniacounty.org/tax-administration Yancey County (828) 682-2198 • yanceycountync.gov

Helpful links Government BUNCOMBE COUNTY buncombecounty.org Asheville • ashevillenc.gov Barnardsville • barnardsville.com Biltmore Forest biltmoreforest.org Black Mountain townofblackmountain.com Fletcher • fletchernc.org Montreat • townofmontreat.org Weaverville • weavervillenc.org HAYWOOD COUNTY haywoodnc.net Canton • cantonnc.com Clyde • townofclyde.com Maggie Valley townofmaggievalley.com Waynesville townofwaynesville.org HENDERSON COUNTY hendersoncountync.org Flat Rock Village villageofflatrock.org Hendersonville cityofhendersonville.org Laurel Park • laurelpark.org JACKSON COUNTY jacksonnc.org Sylva • townofsylva.org MADISON COUNTY madisoncountync.org Hot Springs • townofhotsprings.org Marshall • townofmarshall.org Mars Hill • townofmarshill.org POLK COUNTY polknc.org Columbus • columbusnc.com Tryon • tryon-nc.com RUTHERFORD COUNTY rutherfordcountync.gov Lake Lure • townoflakelure.com Rutherfordton • rutherfordton.net TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY transylvaniacounty.org Brevard • cityofbrevard.com YANCEY COUNTY yanceycountync.gov Burnsville • townofburnsville.org

Chambers of Commerce Asheville Area ashevillechamber.org Black Mountain-Swannanoa blackmountain.org Brevard/Transylvania brevardncchamber.org Carolina Foothills polkchamber.org Cashiers Area cashiers-nc.com Downtown Waynesville Association downtownwaynesville.com Haywood County haywoodchamber.com Henderson County hendersoncountychamber.org Jackson County mountainlovers.com Madison County madisoncounty-nc.com Maggie Valley maggievalley.org Polk County polkchambernc.com Rutherford County rutherfordcoc.org Saluda Business Association saluda.com Yancey County yanceychamber.com

Tourism

Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority exploreasheville.com Cashiers • cashiersnc.com Dillsboro Merchants Association visitdillsboro.org Haywood County Tourism Development Authority visitncsmokies.com Henderson County Travel and Tourism historichendersonville.org Jackson County Travel and Tourism mountainlovers.com Lake Lure Tourism rutherfordtourism.com Madison County visitmadisoncounty.com Polk County • nc-mountains.org

Rutherdford County Tourism Development Authority rutherfordcountync.gov Transylvania County Tourism visitwaterfalls.com Weaverville Tourism visitweaverville.com Yancey County visityancey.com

Medical Centers AdventHealth adventhealth.org Asheville Specialty Hospital missionhospitals.org Blue Ridge Regional Hospital spchospital.org Care Partners Rehabilitation Hospital carepartners.org Haywood Regional Medical Center haywoodregional.com Harris Regional Hospital myharrisregional.com Henderson County Red Cross hcredcross.org Mission Health missionhealth.org Pardee Hospital pardeehospital.org Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care urgentcares.com St. Luke’s Hospital saintlukeshospital.com Transylvania Regional Hospital trhospital.org VA Medical Center asheville.va.gov

Libraries

Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library amyregionallibrary.org Buncombe County Public Libraries buncombecounty.org/ governing/ depts/Library Haywood County Public Library haywoodlibrary.org Henderson County Public Library henderson.lib.nc.us Jackson County Public Library fontanalib.org/sylva Madison County Public Library madisoncountylibrary.org Transylvania County Public Library library.transylvaniacounty.org

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Public Schools

Asheville City Schools ashevillecityschools.net Buncombe County Schools buncombe.k12.nc.us Haywood County Schools haywood.k12.nc.us Henderson County Schools hendersoncountypublicschoolsnc. org Jackson County Schools jcps.k12.nc.us Madison County Schools madisonk12.schoolfusion.us Polk County Schools polkschools.org Transylvania County Schools transylvania.k12.nc.us Yancey County Schools yanceync.net

Colleges & Universities

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College abtech.edu Blue Ridge Community College blueridge.edu Brevard College brevard.edu Haywood Community College haywood.edu Lenoir-Rhyne Asheville lr.edu/asheville Mars Hill College mhc.edu Montreat College montreat.edu Southwestern Community College southwesterncc.edu University of North Carolina at Asheville unca.edu Warren Wilson College warren-wilson.edu Western Carolina University wcu.edu

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Howard Hanna Mortgage has provided quality mortgage products since 1983, earning its place as one of the largest independent mortgage bankers around. Howard Hanna has been repeatedly recognized for its ability to provide innovative home loan products to borrowers. Our knowledgeable Mortgage Loan Originators understand the importance of your transaction and will provide a home loan experience customized to your needs. FAST, RELIABLE CLOSINGS.

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Excellence As Western North Carolina’s leading luxury real estate firm, Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks delivers unmatched expertise rooted in deep local mountain knowledge. Our expansive national and international network drives thousands of inquiries and billions in annual sales—while remaining privately owned and fiercely independent. Experience the advantage of a global reach with a local perspective.

• In 2025, Howard Hanna sold more than $6.2 billion in luxury sales alone across its 15-state footprint • In 2025, Howard Hanna Allen Tate & Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks sold more than $2.34 billion in luxury sales alone • We represent more $1M+ home sellers than any luxury network • Our network reaches more than 70 countries/territories around the world

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