Asheville News

Restaurant upheaval in downtown Ashvegas

Jason Sandford November 10, 2007

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

You all have been keeping up with the news of all the upheaval in the downtown restaurant scene, right? If not, let us recap:

Souper Sandwich, the shop in the Haywood Park Hotel atrium that also backs up to the Beer Garden, has closed. John and Marta will keep the catering biz going, but shut down the favorite lunch spot of many downtowners.

Rio Burrito, probably Ashvegas’ first downtown burrito joint, closed it’s location on Broadway but will keep its south Ashvegas restaurant open. We scarfed many a giant burrito at Rio. Know that it will be missed.

C.F. Chan’s, which took over the old Beanstreets coffee shop location, closed. We’re not surprised. With its dark windows and black awnings, it sure wasn’t inviting. Other turn-offs: over-priced sushi and snobby service. Good riddance.

Some readers have e-mailed us to ask what’s going on at The Lobster Trap. We know that the restaurant faced litigation over the summer, but we’re still tracking it down. There have been complaints in the past from downtown residents about smelly trash outside the restaurant, but is that lawsuit material? We’re checking it out.

Finally, here’s news you may not have heard yet – the Subway on Battery Park will close at that location, as will next-door neighbor Kosta’s. That’s because somebody has purchased the building and plans to build – wait for it – condos! So all you that feared chain restaurants taking over downtown Ashvegas, rejoice in your victory.

O, and our prediction on the next downtown resturant to go under? Picholine. You know the place – the former Gold Hill, near the Civic Center.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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5 Comments

D.W. November 17, 2007

Thanks Clocky, I agree with you 100 %. I never thought about the overqualified mass of talent that is here in Asheville. Thanks for opening my eyes to the question about the poor working conditions inside the Asheville service industry. I for one did have employment before relocting to Asheville for the 5th time. I moved back here becuase I absolutely love this area and I have very close friends and ties to this area. I’m not an Asheville transplant like so many others here, I’m a North Carolina native. After traveling about all throughout the United States and western and eastern Canada pursuing my culinary career I truely wanted to come back to my native state settle down purchase a home and live a fullfilled life but as you said it simply is’nt possiable to get a fair shake in this town. I’ve already secured a great job in Charlotte starting at $50,000 dollars a year and found great housing for around $550 dollars a month. Thanks for your imput and best wishes to you also. Take care Asheville….D.W

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Clocky November 14, 2007

D.W. said "Well after moving in and out of Asheville for the 5th time and working in the service industry I’ve found the lowest wages snooty owners and employees. I’ve decided to move again. I’ve found that every other city in North Carolina including the small hick towns have better wages,jobs and lower living cost. So good by Asheville I will miss you all but not your wack ass service industy. "

I applaud D.W.’s decision.

People have often complained to me about the wages here. When someone does this, I then ask him if he moved here first, then looked for a job.

He always says yes.

This is the problem.

People move here, figuring that they’ll get a job "later".

We all know that there are lots of people in Asheville underemployed or unemployed. What many people don’t realize is that, as a result, employers have a pool of overqualified applicants. Here’s something else that goes unsaid or unlearned much of the time: when there’s a surplus of labor/talent, employers can pay a very low wage. That’s what happens in Asheville.

So, if you moved to Asheville because you thought you’d like it here, or it’s "cool", or you like the music scene, arts scene, whatever, that’s great. But if you moved here and added your name to the list of underemployed/unemployed and then started the job search, and then took a low wage job in the service industry, you’re the reason (at least in part) for the sorry state of wages in Asheville.

Letter to a Young Restaurant Server: If you want a higher wage and a better pay (relative to the housing costs in your town) then find a place that meets those criteria. As you know, it isn’t Asheville.

Young Restaurant Server, I can already imagining you making travel plans for Seattle, San Francisco, Austin, Santa Fe, or New York, so I’ll give you a little more FYI. Places where it’s easier to earn rent money are not going to be the USA’s hottest destinations.

Such a place (in N.C.) might be Charlotte, or Greensboro, or Jacksonville, or worse.

Good luck, Young Restaurant Server

Good luck, D.W.

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D.W. November 13, 2007

Well after moving in and out of Asheville for the 5th time and working in the service industry I’ve found the lowest wages snooty owners and employees. I’ve decided to move again. I’ve found that every other city in North Carolina including the small hick towns have better wages,jobs and lower living cost. So good by Asheville I will miss you all but not your wack ass service industy.

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George November 12, 2007

Sad to say Eaties is no more, cute idea, didn’t really have the legs. I know it’s not downtown, but Ruby’s BBQ shack extension on Tunnel Road closed. Good BBQ, definitely lacking the ambience of the Haw Creek location.

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judgeyall November 10, 2007

Ohhh… please go on!!! Find out about the Lobster Trap and yes, PF Changs was the most uninviting, overpriced diaster. I want a real dim sum place, dammit.

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