Support recovery in Asheville and Buncombe County at www.LoveAshevilleFromAfar.com
ASHEVILLE, NC (Oct. 14, 2024) – In response to the heavy disruption in business, travel and hospitality caused by Hurricane Helene in Asheville and Buncombe County, a new initiative allows the global community to support small businesses and creatives – essential to the city’s heart and soul. Love Asheville From Afar, is an integrated website where users can browse local stores with online retail, purchase gift cards for future use and make direct donations to businesses and nonprofit organizations. The hub, along with other travel, community and business resources, can be found at LoveAshevilleFromAfar.com.
"We are committed to supporting the livelihood and vitality of Asheville's small business owners," said Vic Isley, President and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism and Development Authority (BCTDA). "The Love Asheville From Afar initiative allows people to support our local economy even when they can't visit in person."
The Love Asheville From Afar site launched on Friday, Oct. 11 with over 300 local businesses listed and more being added regularly. The campaign is a collaboration between Explore Asheville, the Asheville Downtown Association, Go Local Asheville, Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR), ArtsAVL, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Made by Mountains WNC, Mountain Bizworks and JD Ellison and Company.
More to Love: Stories of Resilience & Community Care
- Foodtopia Feeds the Masses – Asheville’s food scene shows that it’s about community, not just great food. In response to the recent storm, chefs, craft beverage makers and farmers are working together to provide nourishment and water to those affected. Montford’s beloved café, All Day Darling, converted to a distribution center, generously providing supplies and support. James Beard-winning chefs Ashleigh Shanti, Katie Button, Meherwan Irani and Silver Iocovozzi are pouring their hearts into creating meals for the community. Chemist Spirits partnered with fire departments and well owners in South Carolina to provide potable drinking water at its South Slope distillery. The Equal Plates Project feeds 1,000 people daily with local ingredients. This is Foodtopia at its finest – nourishing bodies and spirits.
- Support for Local Artists – Tourism is vital for artists in the Asheville area, from downtown to the foothills. While travel in the region remains on hold, numerous efforts have spurred into action offering aid, through grants, emergency funds and fundraising sales and events from arts organizations, like Center for Craft, ArtsAVL and LEAF Global Arts. Printmaker and illustrator Anna Bryant and stained-glass artist Ashley Zerick are coordinating an art raffle to support artists in the River Arts District.
- Healing Forward – Asheville’s wellness community is stepping up to provide support, drawing on the city’s long-standing reputation as a healing destination. Providers, like Mending Roots Healing Center, are offering 30-minute counseling sessions centered on calming the nervous system. Acupuncturists and herbal medicine specialists are lending their services daily in Swannanoa. The Ayurvedic Institute offers donation-based yoga classes and serves daily meals of kitchari. On The Block, Asheville’s historic Black business corridor, the BIPOC art gallery Noir Collective is inviting the public to use its space for contemplation and processing. Across the street, JD Ellison & Company is partnering with licensed providers to offer group and one-on-one therapy.
- Music for the Mountains – Musicians from Asheville and beyond are lending their voices and star power to uplift the region. Concert for Carolina, announced last week, quickly sold out in less than 24 hours. The show, featuring Luke Combs, Eric Church, James Taylor, Billy Strings, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban and others, is expected to raise millions of dollars for WNC recovery efforts. Asheville residents and acclaimed musicians Helado Negro and Angel Olsen are among more than 100 other artists featured in a newly released benefit compilation, “Cardinals at the Window.” Proceeds from the record, available on Bandcamp, support aid efforts. Locally, artists are organizing benefit shows and events, like music showcase Golden Folk and renowned bluegrass duo Rising Appalachia. The Orange Peel is serving as a warehouse for essential supplies.
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ABOUT EXPLORE ASHEVILLE AND THE BUNCOMBE COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Explore Asheville is the official destination marketing and management organization for one of the most deeply rooted and creative destinations in the mountains of western North Carolina. Explore Asheville is powered by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, a public authority that has been investing in and building community since 1983. The authority has committed $96 million in grants to more than 50 community projects as well as $5 million in grants through the Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund to nearly 400 small travel and hospitality businesses to reopen following the pandemic.