Tracking Asheville business closures during Covid spring, summer 2020

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I’m tracking the local businesses that have closed during this spring/summer of Covid-19. In all cases, the economic downtown caused by the pandemic has been at least one factor, if not the main factor, in the business owners’ decisions to close. I think it’s important to track the closures (as well as new businesses opening; more about that at the end), and I’m hoping you’ll help me.

Here’s the list of closures so far, in no particular order:

The Mothlight music venue on Haywood Road in West Asheville; the Rustic Grape wine bar on South Lexington Avenue; Sante wine bar in the Grove Arcade (the death of owner Alan Moore contributed significantly to their decision to close); Fuddrucker’s restaurant on Charlotte Street; Rezaz Pan Mediterranean restaurant in Biltmore Village; Addissae Ethiopian restaurant on Commerce Street in downtown; and ZaPow Gallery on Coxe Avenue on the South Slope.

In addition, other permanent closures include: Three Dog Bakery on Battery Park Avenue in downtown; Cicis Pizza restaurant on Tunnel Road; the Bonefish Grill just off Tunnel Road. Pier 1 Imports in the same shopping center as Bonefish Grill is in the process of closing; and JC Penney, an anchor at the Asheville Mall, announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

What am I missing? Please leave a comment here or email me at sweetashvegas@hotmail.com.

There are a number of new businesses that have just opened, or are opening, and we’re tracking those, too. More to come on that, but two quick mentions: Iconic Kitchen and Drinks just opened in the former Takosushi space on Southside Avenue; and Jettie Rae’s Oyster House is preparing to open on July 10. What else is coming?

Correction July 7: McAllister’s Deli at the Asheville Mall is closed temporarily. A McAllister’s spokesperson, in reply to an inquiry, initially responded that the restaurant had permanently closed, then corrected that statement a couple of days later, saying that the restaurant was only closed temporarily.