Support Asheville Businesses this Holiday Season

Asheville's local economy and service industry workers took a huge hit in September when Hurricane Helene stormed through Western North Carolina. Hundreds of businesses and lives were and continue to be affected in the aftermath. Although Asheville is almost back to normal, some locally owned businesses may never be.

We’ve compiled a list of independent shops, restaurants, and nonprofit organizations where you can show your support by donating money, purchasing items or gift cards online, or visiting in person when you’re in town. Speaking of visiting, this holiday season is a great time to see Asheville like a local. Parking is free in all city-owned decks and on streets until December, and frankly, there aren’t a lot of crowds to wade through. Here is a list of ways to buy small this year and help Asheville at the same time.

Locally Made Foods

Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn

The classic Asheville Mix of white cheddar and salted caramel corn has been re-designed with a purpose. Two dollars from each Asheville Mix Artist Bags will be donated to Optimist Ventures to help Asheville entrepreneurs get back to business. Plus, the bag is cute!

The Scullery

The small-batch hot sauces, pickles, jams, and more are made from ingredients grown in a local urban garden and produced on a 200-acre farm owned by the Southern Appalachian Highland Conservation group.

Asheville Tea Company

Using regenerative agricultural practices, the Asheville Tea Company uses Southeast-grown herbs and botanicals sourced directly from regional farmers. The building where this family-owned business blended, packaged, stored, and created tea was destroyed during the catastrophic floods. As they work to find a new space, they are accepting donations and pre-orders and have gift cards for sale.

Nine Mile Hot Sauces

Local Jamaican restaurant Nine Mile makes its hot sauces with local ingredients, and for the time being, 100 percent of in-person hot sauce sales go to Manna Foodbank. You can also order the sauces online, or purchase a gift card to the restaurant.

French Broad Chocolates

Asheville’s favorite chocolatier - and Oprah’s! - suffered damage to its chocolate factory in the hurricane, but has re-opened its Chocolate Lounge downtown. Holiday operations are resuming, so send some chocolate love to your favorite people this season via their website.

Dynamite Roasting Co.

Dynamite’s coffee beans are Fair Trade- and Organic-certified. The company’s warehouse in Swannanoa is solar-powered, and its coffee bags are made of recycled plastic. Their coffee beans can be purchased by bag, single serving cups, or subscription on their website.

Spicewalla

The brainchild of James Beard Award-winner and Chai Pani/Botiwalla owner Meherwan Irani, all of the spices and blends sold by Spicewalla are freshly sourced and made in small batches. A new limited seasonal release pairs the restaurateur with rapper T-Pain for a sauce that uses red jalapeños grown in Asheville, with 50 percent of its proceeds donated back to the community.

Asheville-branded Merch

Color Me Asheville

Local artist Graham Sale offers Asheville-centric graphic designs on shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and more. A portion of all sales go to Asheville Artists Helene storm recovery.

Mast General Store

Mast is a large local chain that offers a plethora of goods and clothing. The stores are carrying “Mountain Strong” T-shirts and hoodies, and $10 from the sale of each will be donated to local relief efforts. Get yours at the link and show your support.

The Asheville Co.

A local company that takes pride in its Asheville roots, this shop features T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, candles, and more all themed with our city’s best-known and loved landmarks. A portion of the proceeds of items sold will go to local charities.

Art

The River Arts District (RAD)

RAD was (and will be again) a mile-long stretch of studios, artist co-ops, shops, and galleries constructed from abandoned factories and warehouses along the French Broad River. Most of Asheville’s artistic community has found a home in the RAD, and Hurricane Helene destroyed much of it.

The most effective way to help the majority of artists of the RAD is to donate to the River Arts District Artists (RADA) Foundation. However, several other spaces need assistance, as well.

Marquee Asheville

Marquee was a curated art and design marketplace in Asheville's River Arts District. Marquee's overarching mission was to support artistic entrepreneurs with vending space and a central point for sales, marketing, and shipping services for more than 300 artists. The space also hosted events and had a bar and restaurant planned. Help the marketplace rebuild and help rebuild the artists’ community in Asheville by donating or purchasing art directly at the link above.

Odyssey Gallery of Ceramic Arts

The arts collective is home to 20 artists in the River Arts District. Support an individual artist or choose from several artist organizations.

Miscellaneous Asheville Small Businesses

Curio

Find kids' toys, books, and anything kid-related at this independent shop. If you can’t find the perfect gift for the kid on your list, you can also purchase a gift card online.

Patton Avenue Pet Company

Locally owned pet boutique with all you need to keep your furry friend happy and warm.

Kind-Hearted Goods

Kind-Hearted is a shop full of curated, locally-made goods & eco-home products that don’t contribute to plastic waste. Every item in the shop is ethically produced & has a social or environmental impact.

Delighted

Delighted is just that - a delightful, independently owned local shop specializing in unique and fun housewares and jewelry. Plus, they offer complimentary gift wrapping.

Amazing Critter Rescue Crew

Asheville children’s author Brandon Detwiler is donating 100% of the royalties on the sales of his Amazing Critter Rescue Crew books, including the Christmas favorite, Clyde the Reindeer Learns to Fly to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, which lost its shelter in the storm. You can also donate directly to the organization on its website.

Loft

Loft is chock-full of unique and uniquely Asheville accessories and ephemera. It’s the perfect place to shop for that person who has everything.

Donate to Local Nonprofits

BeLoved Asheville

BeLoved Asheville has given a monstrous amount of support and assistance to the people of Western North Carolina, all year and throughout the duration of the Helene disaster.

WNC Nature Center

The WNC Nature Center is home to more than 60 animal species of the Southeastern United States. The main road and bridge to the Nature Center were washed away in the storm and need to be rebuilt to welcome visitors back. You can donate directly to the Center, purchase something from the gift shop, or even symbolically adopt an animal at the Center to help.

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation

The Foundation contributes to the upkeep of the Parkway and educates visitors about its many benefits. Several sections of the Parkway were washed away or severely damaged during the storm, and the BRP Foundation needs funding to repair the damage.

Asheville GreenWorks

Asheville GreenWorksactively works to keep Asheville “green” with environmental initiatives year-round. The organization’s newest task is to “Reforest” the trees that were lost in the storm - estimated to be nearly one million acres worth. Purchasing a gift card for the initiative is one way to help.

Music and Musicians

Asheville is not just a haven for visual artists; it is also home to a large community of professional and street musicians. The Independent Arts & Music Asheville (IAMAVL) Musician Relief Fund helps get them back to their craft, and donations can be made online to support those affected by the storm.