VISITING ASHEVILLE
CHESHIRE VILLAGE NEAR BLACK MOUNTAIN IS JUST MINUTES FROM THRIVING ASHEVILLE.
The Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina are worth a visit any season of the year. Arts & Crafts aficionados choose February, when more than a hundred dealers and craftspeople fill one wing of the historic Grove Park Inn. Throughout the long weekend, hands-on workshops cover every topic from embroidery to printmaking. Lectures are offered, and small affinity groups meet. House tours and walking tours are arranged. [More at arts-craftsconference.com] The Omni-owned Inn also has a vast, sky-lit, subterranean spa featuring mineral pools, therapeutic waterfalls, underwater music, eucalyptus steam rooms, fireside lounges with healthy snack options . . . and a full complement of treatments including European facials, body wraps, and massages. Also on campus are several restaurants, from elegant to casual. The city of Asheville is nicknamed “Foodtopia,” so do go downtown, too! Asheville is a boomtown with clubs, music—and unusual shopping opportunities, including two giant, destination shoe stores: Tops for Shoes (27 No. Lexington Ave.) and Discount Shoe Store (1266 Brevard Rd.).
Local Treasures
Designer, restoration specialist, and homeowner Chas Fitzgerald shares favorite haunts in Asheville and Black Mountain:
The Antique Tobacco Barn atbarn.com Repurposed antiques and light fixtures Appalachian Creek Nursery appalachiancreek.com A recommended source for landscape plants Bramblewood facebook.com/pages/Bramblewood Amish-made new hickory furniture Chifferobe Home and Garden chifferobehomeandgarden.com Rustic antiques Screen Door screendoorasheville.com Lightly used books, furniture, and small items