The Life of Lexington Park Antiques: Asheville Culture & the Antiquing Community

By Emma Anderson

created by Emma Anderson

Surrounded by antique jewelry, vintage decor and old treasures, Betty Cowles recalls first opening Lexington Park Antiques in downtown Asheville, North Carolina in 1990 with her sister. Over two decades later, Betty Cowles is still running the business with her husband Chester “Gene” Cowles. Lexington Park Antiques is the oldest antique mall in downtown Asheville and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

Downtown Asheville’s Identity & Street Performers Potentially Compromised by Population Growth

By Julia Bone

Created by Julia Bone

“The Spoon Lady made this spot famous,” said a pedestrian while walking past Abby Roach and her band, The Fly By Night Rounders before they started to perform in front of the Flat Iron on the corner of Wall Street in downtown Asheville on Oct. 29, 2015.

The Out-Ciders: How Urban Orchard Cider Co. Makes a Name in Beer City, U.S.A.

By Morgan Brookshire

 Created by Morgan Brookshire

A guy walks into a bar.

The story has been the same for decades. But now the guy sees a new set of tap handles. Strangely, they don’t display the name of one of America’s founding fathers, or end in the word “light”.

Open Mic

By Drew Heinz

Created by Drew Heinz

Outside of 15 Eagle Street, a crowd of people has come together by Noble Kava for its weekly open mic night. You can find them having a smoke, casually conversing or tuning their guitars while they wait for their time on the mic. Inside, the dark room is packed with people from various backgrounds sitting, standing, or drinking kava as they stare at the brightly lit microphone with anticipation. The MC finishes his cigarette and walks inside to grab a blank sheet of paper and pen and watches the crowd quickly form a line so that they may grab themselves a good spot on the list.

“Meet Me at the Parking Deck!” Freestyle Family Cultivating Campus Cypher

By Katie Coffelt

She parks in front of Mills Residence Hall and walks down the handicap ramp next to Overlook. Her pace is fast … her steps are heavy. She’s only minutes away from her favorite night of the week – the Cypher.

Underdog Team to Win ABASA final?

By Evelyn Kaufman

created By Evelyn Kaufman

The night air is cold and dark, but the lights are still glaring on the soccer pitch. Yells come from the sidelines and cheering comes from the bleachers. The final whistle blows. The team in silver smile from ear to ear and shake the sweat from their hair. The Asheville United Football Club has whipped the opposing team, 4-1.

Challenges to Starting a Career in WNC

By Ruthie Keith

created by Ruthie Keith

As the month of May is slowly approaching, many undergraduate seniors are contemplating their future, post graduation. Some students may have to move back to their hometown, while others frantically struggle to stay in Western North Carolina.

Asheville: A Cozy City or a College Town

By Callie Jennings

created by Callie Jennings

A term that may not have been associated with Asheville before could now be an up and coming label for the little town tourists love to explore.

Farming the Middle: How One Farm Found the Middle Ground in U.S. Agriculture

By Madeline McIntyre

“Would you like to try some homemade sweet potato mini muffins with a maple glaze?”

Alan Rose, of New Sprout Organic Farms, asked this question as each customer passed his tiny foldout table nestled between the sweet potatoes and the tomatoes at the grand opening for the Enka Ingles.