Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
The Asheville Guitar Bar is now open inside the Cotton Mill Studios on Riverside Drive in the River Arts District.
The venue is the work of Mark and Julia Goldthwaite, who moved from Pink Dog Creative Studios (where they had their Paintbox studio and event space) on Depot Street to the Cotton Mill Studios.
Here’s more from their original opening statement:
The Asheville Guitar Co. and Bar is the perfect destination to experience the Asheville vibe. The venue will feature live music, music related retail, apparel, art, and refreshments. The environment will be filled with new and vintage guitars, banjos, and other instruments that made WNC famous. Alongside the instruments, there will be contributions of memorabilia from famous, local musicians. Visitors will find themselves engaged by gallery style, framed guitars that have been played by recording artists such as David Holt and Will Ray, and other local talents who all call Asheville home. Retail merchandise will include artwork by local artists, and music related gift items, as well as printed garments promoting Asheville Guitar Co. Utilizing my 36 years of experience in all aspects of the apparel industry, my unique approach to Asheville Guitar Co. & Bar designs and garments will enhance our retail environment and broaden our customer base.
The music stage will be set with a turnkey switch for music jams, and for spontaneous playing by visitors. All this in a Bordello Chic atmosphere, located in the heart of the River Arts District in the historic Cotton Mill Studios.
Our true vision is for the Asheville Guitar Co. and Bar to be the hub for local and visiting artists, and to be accessible to all locals and tourists who want to get closer to Asheville’s inside scene, and to catch the Asheville vibe.
