Send Mom Love from Asheville

Even though much of Asheville is shut down like the rest of the country, you can still give mom a piece of our fair city this Mother’s Day. Independent stores, shops, and restaurants are the heart of the community, and many of them have opened up their inventory for shipping throughout the country. The Residences at Biltmore has got a few ideas for truly unique presents to send mom some Asheville love, as well as a few to motivate her to come back when life is a little less odd. 

Biltmore

Biltmore Shop - One of the city’s biggest draws is the Biltmore Estate, but since it’s been closed to visitors the closest you can get to the country’s largest private home is by ordering merchandise from its website. Buy wine from the estate’s winery, clothing, home goods, gourmet foods, and assorted gifts with the Biltmore brand straight from the website. 

Annual Passes - To make up for being closed, Biltmore is also offering a special offer on its annual passes with a bonus of 3 extra months - for a total of 15 months for $119 per person. The offer ends on May 31, and the term of the new pass will be extended by the number of days from purchase to date to the reopening date.  

Food and Beverages

French Broad Chocolate Lounge - Few things say “Thanks, Mom” like chocolates, and French Broad Chocolate Lounge has a selection of gift sets for every degree of chocolate desire. The gift sets feature full pans of Nibby Brownies, assorted bonbons from their different collections, and chocolate bars.

Dobra Tea - Asheville’s home for imported, organic, sustainably harvested teas offers numerous varieties on its store website. In addition to teas, the shop offers cups, pitchers, glassware, and more to make the tea-drinking experience special. 

Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn - Poppy’s gourmet flavored popcorn made here in Asheville is unlike any you’ve probably had before. They craft unique flavors like Dill Pickle, Pimento Cheese, Jalapeno Cheddar, Everything Bagel, and more. Before Mother’s Day, they’re offering to take 20% off orders when you use the code “CELEBRATEMOM”.  

In addition to those mentioned above, most of the independent, world-class restaurants in Asheville are offering gift cards for use when they open back up. There are too many to list, but if mom has a favorite spot, you’re sure to find a gift card for her by visiting the restaurant’s website. 

Gardening and Outdoors

Sow True Seed - Mother’s Day falls in the perfect time of year for gardening, and Sow True Seed offers a large variety of organic, heirloom, open-pollinated plants, flowers, and crops. The store also sells gardening tools and accessories.  

Fifth Season Gardening Center - Fifth Season is another spot for finding gardening tools, accessories, and more. The shop also has products for homebrewing beer, kombucha, cheese, canning, decorating the garden, and more. 

Mast General Store - With locations in different parts of Western North Carolina, Mast is known for its unique offerings, with everything from gardening tools, to hiking and outdoors clothing, and accouterments. Mast also offers miscellaneous items for the home, as well as retro candy and vintage housewares. 

Self-Care

Essential Journeys - This local brand offers small-batch soaps and body care items, like lotions made with goat’s milk, and soaps created with craft beer. Other items created by the brand include hand creams, lip balms, soy wax candles, and more. 

Appalachian Natural Soaps - Another option for treating mom is the organic, hand-made natural soaps from Appalachian Naturals. In addition to soaps, they offer bath bombs, hand sanitizers, moisturizers, shaving products, and more to pamper and soothe. 

For Later

When life gets back to some semblance of normalcy, there are a few places mom must visit on her next Asheville trip. Make it easier for her with a few gift cards to some favorite destinations. 

Western North Carolina Nature Center - The Friends of the WNC Nature Center membership entitles the holder to free admission all year, discounts at the gift shop, admission to special events, a subscription to the Friends email newsletter, and admission to reciprocal zoos, aquariums, and other places throughout the country. Plus, the membership helps support the Nature Center and its animals. 

North Carolina Arboretum - Another one of Asheville’s favorite places, the Arboretum offers 65 acres of gardens, landscape exhibits, naturalist exhibits, and 10 miles of trails for walking and biking. Yearly memberships include free parking, invitations to member events, discounts at the bistro and the gift shop, subscription to the email newsletter, reciprocal memberships with North Carolina gardens, and more. 

Asheville Art Museum - The completely remodeled museum just re-opened at the end of 2019 with new exhibits and a new look. Membership levels vary, but all include a full year of free admission, access to the rooftop sculpture terrace and cafe, and a subscription to the museum’s email newsletter.

The Botanical Gardens at Asheville - The Botanical Gardens feature 10 acres of native plants and habitats of the Southern Appalachians. Parking and admission is free, but memberships help pay for sustaining the gardens. Members receive discounts on classes, purchases at the gift shop, and invitations to speaker and special events. 

However you choose to celebrate Mom this year, we hope you’ll keep us in mind when planning your next Asheville trip. We can’t wait to show you our new Executive Suites and our new restaurant, Azalea. 

Call for more information: 1-888-786-3648