Group of locals buys Wedge building, new restaurant from former Admiral chef to open by The Wedge

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From an AC-T article today. A group of local investors and business owners has bought the Wedge Building from the estate of John Payne, the Asheville artist and River Arts District pioneer:

 A group of eight local investors has bought the Wedge building — home to working artists and their studios — as well as a popular local craft brewery by the same name.

The cream-colored building visible from Smoky Park Bridge lies in the heart of the River Arts District and helped establish that area as an artist haven. One of the investors said the goal in buying the building was to keep it that way.

“I came down here because I liked what it was,” said Tim Schaller, one of the investors and the owner of Wedge Brewing Co. “We want to keep it like that.”

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“One of the things that was important to John was to have the space be a place to be creative and develop that creativity, and not just sell a product,” she said.

Naomi Diamond Rodgers, a fiber artist in the Wedge Gallery for about the last four years, echoed the sentiment.

“This was John Payne’s vision — to sustain a community of artists. I’m confident in Tim, who was a close friend of John’s,” Rodgers said.

“It feels like it’s staying in the family,” she said.

Read the whole article here. Schaller said there are no plans to expand The Wedge, but chef Drew Maykuth, formerly of The Admiral, plans to open a restaurant in the building. Scratch that. Looks like it’s possibly Admiral co-owner Drew Wallace. Thanks to Mackensy Lunsford and Mountain Xpress for the info.

 

1 Comment

zen June 4, 2012 - 4:55 pm

I hope Drew Wallace is starting a restaurant there. I hope he becomes a bazillionaire!

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