Everybody loves Asheville’s River Arts District

Jason Sandford

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

1

The Charlotte Observer has the story:

The neighborhood has that wrong-side-of-the-tracks feel about it, and sure enough, the railroad runs right through the middle and sometimes backs up traffic. Great hulking warehouses look slightly shabby; from a distance, the barbecue joint across the narrow road looks less than appetizing.

But appearances are deceiving. The ramshackle warehouses and factories comprise Asheville’s up-and-coming River Arts District, and the ‘cue shack is the famous 12 Bones Smokehouse that earned top honors in “Good Morning America’s” “Best Bites” competition a while back.

It’s not that the arts are a new thing in this mountain city. Since early railroad days, Asheville has drawn people with wealth, talent and style.