Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
I’ve been trying to keep up with all the changes in downtown Asheville. Here are my notes:
-When does construction start on the Ellington? Anybody know? Has the slow economy put that off?
–Karmasonics, the eclectic music and video shop, is open at its new location, 19 Biltmore Ave. It moved out of the Miles Building on Haywood Street.
-There’s a new lingerie store open on Battery Park. It’s called Va Va Voom. Panties, anyone?
–Cat in the Tub, a touristy knick-knack shop on Lexington Avenue is going out of business. It never had a chance.
-There’s a new eatery called Ello open in the space that was briefly Piccholine, and Gold Hill Coffee and Tea before that, on Haywood Street. Anybody been in Ello yet?
-Turner & Co. Apothecary is going out of business down in Biltmore Village. Meanwhile, the whole area around it is booming with the new J. Crew and Williams-Sonoma and all the rest. (I know it’s not downtown, but it’s close enough.)
-The Ariel Gallery has moved out of its space next to the Haywood Park Hotel atrium on Haywood Street. It’s re-opening on Biltmore Avenue.
-Starting Monday, the Bier Garden on Haywood Street will be non-smoking until 5 p.m. Word on the street is that the Bier Garden will be moving to North Market Street early next year.
-The new Fire gallery opened over Bele Chere weekend on Patton Avenue next to the Yacht Club tiki bar. Dr. Neon and two other artists are selling blown glass, bone-handled hand-crafted knives, miniature figurines and more.
–Patty’s dress shop on Biltmore Avenue is gone. It looks like there’s a new art gallery there. The popular shop used to be in the Grove Arcade.
Whew. Like I said, there’s a lot going on downtown, as always. What else am I missing?
People however should be aware that Va Va Voom will not give refunds on merchandise even if the customer has the receipt. They instead insist on you taking a gift certificate even if you are from out of town. There store policy on refunds is not printed on their receipts nor displayed on the cash register or counter but instead on a framed print out 3 feet behind the counter and to the right. I was forced to go through my credit card company to have the charges disputed.
They argued I could purchase items from their website but it is nothing but a "store front" window with no cickable links or ecommerce capability.
Va Va Voom is great. As well as the people who run it.
Very classy =)
I know this isn’t downtown, but does anyone know when the P F Changs in Biltmore Park is going to open? Have they even started on it yet?
The Haen Gallery is actually expanding to add a second gallery of smaller works where Patty’s dress shop used to be.
I’ve been to Ello a few times. Unassuming, friendly service. Sandwiches, salads, breakfast. It only serves breakfast and lunch, but you can get breakfast anytime they’re open, which I like. Huge selection of teas. Eh, just a nice low-key lunch spot. I hope they stick around.