Hey there y'all,
As a business magazine, we have the opportunity to highlight and support all businesses, their successes and challenges, and their truest experiences. There are no words to describe the world right now, but we are listening and working to be ever more inclusive. As always, we are here to support our vibrant, diverse entrepreneurial community and tell the stories that aren't able to be told anywhere else.
With love,
Emily Glaser, Managing Editor
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Open for Takeout | Nonprofit Edition: YMCA of WNC
As an increasing percentage of our local community struggles to put food on the table, local nonprofits have stepped up to it, meeting the challenge of keeping our communities filled and fulfilled. Cory Jackson, Executive Director of Community Health at the YMCA of Western North Carolina, speaks to the adaptations and impact of the org on food security in our region.
Read Open for Takeout Nonprofit Edition: YMCA of WNC
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Featured Capitalist | Get This Show on the Road: Skoolie.com 🚍
While they’re a recognizable figment on our streets, few locals realize that one of the premier school bus conversion companies in the nation is headquartered in downtown Hendersonville. Luke and Rachel Davis, the husband-and-wife team behind Skoolie.com, were able to scoop up that desirable domain in 2017—despite the term being around in the counterculture for decades—and they’ve quickly become a go-to conversion company. Continue Reading
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Featured Capitalist | Hook, Line, & Renter: Rent This Rod 🎣
While interest in fly fishing is up, there are some significant barriers to entry. Whether you’re fly fishing in fresh or saltwater, it's a sport which requires unique gear: hand-tied artificial flies, fly rods, fly reels, waders, wading boots, a net… the list goes on. That’s where Rent This Rod Outfitters comes in. The Asheville-based company has found a way to connect anglers with high-quality gear without the high price tag. Continue Reading
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Leisure & Libation | Walking on the Wild Side: Foraging in WNC 🍄
Around the rustic little house, a riot of plant life explodes up and down the steep hillsides. To a mountain newcomer, the exuberant vegetation blends together into an anonymous tangle. But to Séguret, who is leading a small group on a foraging excursion into the forest on this spring afternoon, a wooden harvesting basket swinging from her elbow, the bewildering backdrop of flora and fungi is both a smorgasbord and a medicine cabinet—a crowd of edible allies and healing friends. Continue Reading
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Local Industry | Dog Days: Doggie Daycares 🐩
Busy pet owners are increasingly availing themselves of dog daycare, and the industry is booming. According to a 2020 report, the pet grooming and boarding industry in the United States has doubled in the past decade, with 2019 revenue reaching some $9 billion. The number of such businesses in Western North Carolina— more than a dozen in or near Asheville alone—is indicative of the strong and growing demand. Continue Reading
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MANNA FoodBank COO Jill Hanson touring Milkco facilities with Keith Collins of Milkco. Milkco will process and package a large local milk donation for MANNA from dairy farmer Mike Corn. Photo courtesy MANNA
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Mike Corn, a dairy farmer located in Mills River, is donating an entire day’s worth of milk production—over 19K pounds of raw milk—to MANNA FoodBank help support the 65% + increase in people seeking emergency food support. 🍼 Learn more
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The U.S. Forest Service has awarded Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina a $460K+ grant from its Community Forest Program in support of the land trust’s ongoing Oak Hill Community Park and Forest Project (check out this vid on the project). 🌲 Learn more.
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Crossnore Weavers—which was founded to preserve the Appalachian art of hand-weaving, give an economic opportunity to women, and promote Crossnore School & Children’s Home—is celebrating their 100th Anniversary this year. 🧶 Learn more about the history in this video.
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Asheville Wellness Tours and Literacy Council of Buncombe County have been announced as the winners of Kudzu Brands' Brand New Start $10K Brand Giveaway, which celebrates the agency's 10th anniversary. Learn more.
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For the month of June, the Young Professionals of Asheville is offering a membership discount of 50%. 👩🏾⚖️ Memberships will only be $25 for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
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The Southern Highland Craft Guild will continue its 73-year tradition by hosting the first-ever virtual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands July 16-19. 🧵
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Funding is still available through the #HaywoodStrong #HaywoodRecoveryFund. 💸 To learn more about applying or donating, visit the Haywood County Chamber's COVID-19 Resource page.
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The deadline to donate to the Trails & Views Forever challenge, a challenge grant of $300,000 to kick off the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s initiative to repair trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, and overlooks, 🥾 has been extended to September 30.
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The Asheville Gallery of Art, an artists’ cooperative which exhibits original, two-dimensional works of 31 member artists, is inviting area artists to apply for membership by June 15. 👩🏻🎨
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🐻 Explore the Great Outdoors | SmokiEEEs, a new website with educational resources and virtual field trips, connects students to Great Smoky Mountains National Park virtually.
🏡 House Hunting | On Sun. June 7 Beverly-Hanks is hosting a series of virtual open house tours on Facebook Live. Check out the schedule.
👋🏼 Meet the New Guys | The Asheville Micro Grant Live Finals will take place June 9 at 4 p.m., where you can get to know the 11 finalists.
🐱 New BFF | Foothills Humane Society will collab with the ASPCA for an Adopt from Home event Fri. June 5–Sun. June 7 by showcasing available pets on social media and their patio.
🌄 Omni's Open | The Omni Grove Park Inn reopened this week, including the Sunset Terrace and, gradually, its pool and spa.
👨🏾🎤 Live Music, Streamed | The Grey Eagle (my personal favorite of our smorgasbord of venues) continues its livestreams with An Evening With Andrew Scotchie tonight at 6 p.m. and Rahm Squad tomorrow at 7 p.m.
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Grab a guide and your basket and hit the trail in search of these native edibles and medicinals👇🏼, and learn more about forging in WNC in this month's issue.
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