Welcome 2021! Here in Western North Carolina, where “Yellowstone” meets the Great Smoky Mountains, we are as excited about 2021 as a child watching fresh flakes of snow drift down from the sky. We are especially excited about the new businesses in greater Asheville that have already opened or are slated to open in the coming months. Let’s take a look at 7 new businesses and eateries to try in Asheville NC!

Coming Soon to Asheville

• Down Dog – Where else can you find a combination of yoga, drinks and canines? Only in Asheville-and only at Down Dog, a combination yoga studio/doggie day care/bar coming in 2021 to Asheville. Down Dog offers dog daycare while you’re in class; after class, pick up Fido and head on over to the bar to enjoy a drink. The bar offers local craft beer, cider, and kombucha, as well as a variety of canned and bottled options. There are “dog rules”, as well as trained dog handlers on staff to supervise the pups while mom or dad is in a yoga class.
  Location: 51 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
• Howdy Homemade Ice Cream – A new ice cream parlor staffed by special needs employees will be opened locally by Ashevillians Pete and Betsy Brewer, who have a child with autism. Founded in Dallas, TX by entrepreneur Tom Landis, Howdy Homemade was born out of a vision to see, and realize, the potential of everyone. Howdy Homemade works with numerous special needs organizations to hire, train, and employ people with Down syndrome and autism.
  Location: TBD

Re-Opened in Asheville

• Addissae – They were forced to close in May 2020 due to the pandemic, but they are back! Asheville’s nationally-acclaimed Ethiopian Restaurant offers traditional dishes served family style on gluten-friendly injera, with a large selection of vegetarian and vegan options. Featuring grass-fed beef, local, hormone-free meats, and farm-to-table cooking.
  Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu from 11am-9pm; Fri-Sun from 11am-10pm; Closed Tue
  Location: 48 Commerce St., Asheville, NC 28801
  Contact: (828) 417-7189

Asheville Restaurants Open Now

• Nani’s Rotisserie Chicken – Nani’s features the “comfort of good chicken and tasty sides”, meals that are hot, easy, ready to take home or eat in the street. Their chickens come from Joyce Farm, and are raised in a stress-free environment, free-range, with all vegetarian diets. Nani’s features locally sourced ingredients as well as ingredients from neighbor states Tennessee and South Carolina.
  Hours: Sun-Thurs from 11:30am-8pm; Fri-Sat from 11:30am-9pm
  Location: Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave. Suite 147, Asheville, NC 28805
  Contact: (828) 515-1900 or info@nanischicken.com
  
• Cousins Cuban Cafe – Founded by cousins whose parents emigrated to Miami from Cuba in 1960, Cousin’s Cuban serves authentic Cuban cuisine and coffee. Enjoy flavorful traditional Cuban fare like croquetas, empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, flan cake, pastelitos pastries and more.
  Hours: Mon-Sat from 8:30am-4:30pm; Sun from 9am-3pm; Closed Wed
  Location: 108 Broadway Ave, Black Mountain, NC 28711
  Contact: (828) 357-5513 or cousinscuban@gmail.com
  
• Little Pearl – Open as of January 1, 2021. This family owned and operated establishment is their second location in the US; the original Little Pearl opened in 2017 in Old Town, Key West, FL. Little Pearl Asheville has a special focus on their raw-bar and seafood, their killer burgers/buns, and a craft beer/wine list to die for.
  Hours: Daily at 11am. Last seating at 8:30pm
  Location: 15 Peaks Center Ln, Asheville, NC 28805
  Contact: (828) 575-9128
• Tasty Greens – This new venture offers fresh salads and warm grain bowls for a quick and healthy lunch, or dinner on the go. They proudly feature premium ingredients, home-made dressings, and use locally sourced products whenever possible.
  Hours: Delivery & Pickup daily from 12-8pm
  Location: 2 Town Square Blvd. Unit #160, Asheville, NC 28801
  Contact: (828) 774-6012 or marketing@tastygreensusa.com

Start 2021 Off Right – Book Your Stay at Wildberry Lodge!

Perched 2,700 feet up in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains, Wildberry Lodge reflects our love for the area and passion for innkeeping. The inn’s accommodations consist of both the main building, which contains four rooms and one suite, and “The Cabin Suites at Wildberry,” which houses two spacious suites, The Wildberry Suite and The Honeymoon Suite.

Your stay at Wildberry Lodge features well-appointed guest rooms and luxurious private baths. All rooms enjoy tranquil views of lush greenery and our spectacular mountains. Book your guest room online or call 828-683-2525.