Confirmed: Firestorm Cafe to open new bookstore/cafe in West Asheville

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Jason Sandford

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

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firestorm_logo_finalUpdate Jan. 1 2014: Firestorm confirms it’s planning to open at 610 Haywood Road. From Firestorm on FB:

Our new years resolution is to open the greatest bookstore ever at 610 Haywood Rd!!! If you want to help us reach our goal, and read more about all we’ve been working on check out our indiegogo campaign page. We’re so excited and hope to see you soon! (-Lauren, Mira & Libertie)

Firestorm is asking the public to help it open its new West Asheville location, seeking $13,000 in an indiegogo campaign.

Original post Dec. 13: Word on the street has it that Firestorm Cafe and Bookstore will reopen on Haywood Road, in the former location of Pro Bikes.

The Firestorm crew (Julie Schneyer, Lauren Lockamy, Libertie Valance, Mira Greene, Travis Schuett) announced in January that it planned to close its location at 48 Commerce St. in downtown Asheville (now the new home of Asheville’s first Ethiopian restaurant, Addissae, set to open next week) and open in a new location, possible in West Asheville. From that notice:

Yet even through all the good stuff, it’s often been a struggle just to stay afloat. After five and a half years, we recognize certain limitations attached to our project in its current location that compel us to seek a fresh start on new ground.

After March 1st, we will cease operations in our current location in order to focus the whole of our collective energy on securing a new space, and creating a new Firestorm to occupy it. Over a year of organizational visioning and business planning has laid the foundation for this exciting next phase, resulting in the adoption of new mission, vision and anti-oppression statements for our project. In capturing our collective’s shared values and hopes for the future, these statements act as an anchor for our project, wherever it may roam.probikes_asheville_2014

Now it appears that Firestorm has found it’s new home. 610 Haywood Road is near the corner of Haywood Road and State Street. Sunny Point Cafe and Oyster Brewing are right nearby.

In 2013, Zagat’s named Firestorm Cafe one of 50 must-try coffee shops in the U.S. More about employee-owned Firestorm Cafe:

Taking on the concept of being worker owned, this activist-heavy coffee shop in Ashville has successfully been caffeinating the small town since 2008. They serve organic, fair trade coffee, Eco-Prima tea and fun espresso drinks like a coconut-cream breve made with coconut milk and a maple latte with pure maple syrup. Plus, they offer plenty of fresh-baked goods, bagels with the works, soups, salads and wraps, many of which are vegan. Naturally, like any good independent shop, they also host film screenings, fund-raisers, book readings, workshops and other events.

More as I get it.

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Jason Sandford

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

  • 1

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25 Comments

  1. suzi January 3, 2015

    So will the new location be using ‘volunteers’ or actually paying the their employees a living wage?

    Reply
  2. indie January 2, 2015

    Please send me some $ too. I promise not to displace any other businesses or sell more coffee or beer.

    Reply
    1. chris January 2, 2015

      Look, someone on the internet is resentful!

      Reply
  3. Kimboronni January 2, 2015

    We spoke with Libertie and Mira on the AFM News Hour last night:

    http://stream.ashevillefm.org/firestormindiegogo01012015.mp3

    Reply
  4. Christopher January 1, 2015

    Uhm, wasn’t the asshat who sprayed SUZI all over town over and over and over and over part of this venture? Is he still involved? Happy for Firestorm, but I hope they kicked that jackass to the curb.

    Reply
  5. Wnc native December 31, 2014

    Anarchist with a business permit…makes sense to me.

    Reply
  6. Das Drew December 15, 2014

    If this is true then this is good news. The Firestorm peeps are true community advocates. Also it’s a scientific fact that anarchists make the best cupcakes.

    Reply
  7. IceNine December 15, 2014

    So Jason,
    What happened to Pro Bikes?

    Reply
    1. Jen December 15, 2014

      The building that housed Pro Bikes and Guitar Mama was sold. From what I understand the lease was not renewed for either business. Guitar Mama is looking for a new location. Pro Bikes decided to close the business rather than look for a new location.

      Reply
  8. Food Nerd December 14, 2014

    Yell loud enough, I’m sure they’ll get off your lawn.

    Reply
  9. Jennifer Saylor December 14, 2014

    I loved the cupcakes, maple lattes, and the book selection, and I for one welcome a worker-owned, vegan, anarchist, indie coffee shop/bookstore in my neighborhood, though heaven knows we have plenty good coffee already.

    Reply
  10. RedHotPoker December 14, 2014

    really? are they still pushing their leftwing-commie agenda? if so, NOT what we need in the neighborhood.

    Did Firestorm BUY this bldg or are they renting?

    Reply
    1. Santa December 14, 2014

      I believe they’re not pushing anything but delicious pastries & coffee. Other than that I think open-minded is the general vibe. Definitely welcome.

      Reply
    2. NFB December 14, 2014

      “if so, NOT what we need in the neighborhood.”

      I guess the market, which the teabaggers like you worship so much, will decide.

      Reply
      1. RedHotPoker December 15, 2014

        SO, did this major coffeehouse BUY the bldg or are they just renting? …

        I will give them less than one year before they close again…

        Hey Santa…’open minded’ MEANS that CONSERVATIVES are welcome TOO, right ??? OR, does that mean
        ONLY lieberals welcome ???

        Reply
        1. chris December 15, 2014

          Show me an open-minded conservative, and maybe then I can understand the offense you’re taking…

          Reply
          1. Harry December 16, 2014

            Pot meet kettle. Your definition of an open minded conservative would be one who agrees with you.

            Reply
          2. chris December 16, 2014

            No, I’ve lowered the bar for “open-minded conservative” to include any that aren’t just complete hate-filled rage-holes.

            Still looking.

            Reply
          3. Harry December 17, 2014

            Sorry Chris, but most of the hate and anger appears to come from the left. Disagreeing with someone doesn’t equate to hate or anger.

            Reply
          4. chris December 17, 2014

            Project much?

            Reply
          5. ashevillain December 17, 2014

            Most of the hate and anger comes from people who refer to the members of the population as “the left” or “the right” or “liberal” or “conservative” or any permutation thereof.

            It’s all used to refer to ‘someone else’, ‘someone on a different side’, ‘someone who is opposed to me.’ THE OTHER.

            Someone who is truly open-minded does not refer to others in absolutes.

            Reply
          6. chris December 17, 2014

            …“the left” or “the right” or “liberal” or “conservative” or any permutation thereof…

            I’m sure all those permutations add up to an “absolute” at some point.

            Reply
        2. Conker December 17, 2014

          I’m sure they will be happy to take your Republikkan monies.

          Reply
    3. montfordresident December 15, 2014

      will someone out there please doxx this idiot? he is really harshing the Asheville mellow!

      Reply

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