Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
More of what’s going around:
–Gas prices could increase by as much as 15 cents in North Carolina and South Carolina in coming days following a leak in a major pipeline that pumps gasoline into the mountains, reports CNN. Fill up, y’all.
-Hey Asheville, who is holding presidential debate watching parties? The first debate is coming up Sept. 26. Here’s the 2016 presidential debate sked.
–The Montford Bar is not for locals, folks. The bar got a ton of fawning praise after inviting media types out for free drinks and snacks, but a follow-up visit that a friend had really put it all in perspective. The bar, located atop the new Hyatt Place hotel at the corner of Haywood Street and Montford Avenue, is now charging people who aren’t staying at the hotel $8 to park. Eight dollars. To park. And you have to pay by credit card. After that, you ride the elevator up to the bar, which does indeed have sweet mountain views looking westward, and can order wine or cocktails that start at $11. The curt wait staff immediately demand a credit card for payment. Meanwhile, there is no respite from the blazing afternoon sun. It literally beats down on patrons like an alien death ray. There’s no hiding from it. Asheville folks, the Montford Bar is not for us.
-If you haven’t had enough Trump this week, Trump the Movie is showing Saturday, Sept. 17, at Grail Moviehouse. Here’s a link to the page about the film, including a ticket link.
http://www.grailmoviehouse.com/special-events//trump-whats-the-deal-one-show-only
–Sole Haven of Asheville, a new foot reflexology lounge, has opened at 1636 Hendersonville Road.
–The Aloft Asheville Downtown Live@Aloft series continues on Sept. 25th by featuring The Free Flow Band and benefitting the LEAF Foundation. The event goes from 5-8 p.m. The event is open to the public and a suggested $5 donation will benefit the LEAF Foundation. Guests can enjoy local craft brews, cocktails, light snacks and spectacular mountain views surrounding downtown Asheville, according to a press release.
-The brewing of Christmas Jam Pale Ale has begun, reports Asheville Pizza and Brewing. “Made with simcoe, galaxy, and cascade hops this pale ale will make your Christmas Jam 2016 incredible,” gushes a brewery post on Facebook.
–Ecusta Brewing Company in Transylvania County plans to celebrate its official grand opening on Oct. 8.
“Gas prices could increase by as much as 15 cents”
As well they should. Rising prices are a signal to the general public that there is a current shortage and people should only buy gas who really need it; like police, firefighters, ambulances, doctors, and you self-important progressives. So-called “price gouging” laws are immoral and counterproductive. bit.ly/2daCeS5
“Fill up, y’all.”
This is bad advice and precisely why prices need to rise in a shortage. People should only buy the gas they will need for the next few days. Instead, low prices, price gouging laws, and panic messages such as these tell people to unnecessarily buy gas to fill up their second and third cars, motor scooters, lawn mowers, weed eaters and model airplanes, draining supplies for the longer term.
What do you care, Tex? Has nothing to do with you from your cozy loft near Ft. Worth. Why are you even in our forums? Someone paying you?
I like it here. It’s all warm and cozy. I love all of the focus on me coming from a twisted but lovable subset of progressive commenters.
Yeah, don’t answer the question, Tim. You never answer the question. Who’s paying you?
I agree with Nate. Not to mention that nothing would piss me off more than if I was a guest of the hotel, and there was no parking anywhere because all of the spots had been taken up by local cars parked there just to go to the bar, and I had to walk a few blocks with my luggage.
RE: The Montford Bar
Many bars ask for a credit card to start you a tab as a manner of organization. This enables the staff to keep organized (I.e. Making sure you are paying for what you actually had) and effective (I.e. Getting you paid out when you are ready to go). As for the prices– they sell Mama’s Pils for $6 and their liquor prices are on par with many bars in Asheville. The view is absolutely worth the extra $1 for a cold beer. Also the staff is wonderful.
From Montford concerning The Montford: As Nate said, park anywhere else in Montford for free, walk 2 or 3 blocks. $11 – $14 craft cocktails, same as everywhere else. When the sun comes around they open the windows and front expanse of doors. Usually breezy and very nice. I’ve been 3 times, staff was perfectly friendly. They do ask for a tab early on, this is a mixed bag at other bars. They really want you to order off the menu, seems like a corporate thing, they don’t have the feeling like they want to operate as a full-service bar, but they will. Not a hipster bar, Aloft style modern, outrageous view. Obviously not that accessible local entity like the Frog was, but lots of locals are there. Looking forward to going back.
When have you ever been able to park at a hotel lot for free as a non-guest at the hotel? The Aloft is a special case because it’s actually a city-owned lot, but I’ve never heard of an urban hotel with a garage offering free parking to people who just wanted to come in and visit the bar. Just park two blocks away at the Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Center.
Also, IT’S A HOTEL BAR! Of course it’s not “for locals” . . . what hotel bar IS for locals?