Showing Love to Asheville: How to Support Our Beautiful Mountain Community This Summer
With summertime in full swing, the Blue Ridge Mountains are lush and green again and outdoor patios are buzzing.
After healing from Hurricane Helene, our resilient community is back, open, and ready to welcome you with open arms. Whether you’re strolling through downtown, hiking in Pisgah National Forest, or savoring farm-to-table flavors at local restaurants, Asheville has a little something special for everyone and right now, it needs support more than ever.
As a place that’s near and dear to our hearts, we’re inviting you to show some love to our beloved city by supporting the local businesses that make it so special — whether you're planning a trip soon or cheering Asheville on from afar.
Why Supporting Local Matters This Summer
Asheville is where we got our start, so naturally it holds a special place in our hearts. But it’s so much more than just our beginning. It’s a place we call home, a network of friends we’ve made, and clients we get to collaborate with who are truly amazing people and businesses.
Because of the impacts of Helene, so many Asheville business owners missed a peak tourism season last fall. With the economic hit and recovery thereafter, we’re rolling into the warmer months with a vital opportunity for recovery and connection. We’ve watched this city grow, shift, and rise to every challenge it’s faced, and we hope you’ll come alongside us as we help lift it up.
Our Favorite Local Businesses & Restaurants to Visit
We feel so fortunate to work with and know some of the incredible local business owners around, and we’d love for you to check them out to show support. We’ve put together a roundup of some of our favorites with some fun little tidbits too.
Stay at 1900 Inn on Montford
Tucked in the historic Montford district, this charming bed and breakfast offers a peaceful retreat with a touch of elegance. We’ve worked with innkeepers, Willy and Shawnie Gruber, for over five years, and they truly are some of the best people you’ll meet. Bonus: they host live mountain music on the front porch every Saturday night in the summer, so it's the perfect way to unwind after a day of adventuring.
Sip on a Can of Buchi’s Wild Pop
Planning a picnic on the Parkway or heading out for a hike? Don’t forget to pack a Wild Pop soda from our friends at Buchi as a treat to enjoy at your destination. Made with clean ingredients and full of flavor, it’s the ultimate refreshment crafted right here in the mountains. All their flavors are amazing, but we especially love the Strawberry Cream.
Rejuvenate with a Hot-Cold-Relax Session at Sauna House
Heat up and cool down at Sauna House, where contrast therapy meets sleek, minimalist design in this modern bathhouse. Whether you’re looking to reset after a long travel day or treat yourself to some self-care, this spot is a wellness haven worth visiting with a team that goes above and beyond to make your experience memorable and enjoyable. We’ve loved getting to work with the folks at Sauna House for over 5 years and are sure you’ll love visiting them too. Pro tip: they also offer private rooms so you can truly enjoy some restful rejuvenation.
Enjoy a Hot Cup of Joe at Cooperative Coffee Roasters
For a delicious, hot cup of local coffee, no one does it better than Cooperative! We’ve worked with owners, Matt and Katie McDaniel, and have seen their intention behind everything they do (like prioritizing sourcing single-origin coffees directly from small farmers to support them.) Stop by Cooperative’s shop in West Asheville to try a cup or grab some to take home with you. Pro tip: The Levity Blend is a fan favorite!
Grab Lunch at Ultra Coffeebar
This is a favorite stop for us here on the MLD team! We frequented Ultra often when we had our cute little office space just down the road on Depot Street (going down memory lane on this one!). Their coffee is amazing and so are the pastries! Our team recommendation: try the Running Man - it’s a scrumptious wrap that will curb your lunch cravings.
Snack on a Pastry from OWL Bakery
This is our Polish queen’s favorite place in all of Asheville. Some at OWL bakery have even argued that Karolina keeps them afloat, and once you try their delicious baked goods, it’s easy to understand why. Their pastries and breads are handmade using high quality, whole ingredients, and organic sources that stay as close to home as possible. Their morning bun and seasonal veggie strudel are two of our go-tos to munch on.
Easy Ways to Support Asheville Right Now
Whether you're planning a visit or just want to love on this town from afar, here are some simple ways you can support Asheville:
Book a trip: Stay at a local bed and breakfast like 1900 Inn on Montford, and fill your itinerary with locally owned restaurants, shops, and experiences.
Leave a review: A quick post on Google, Yelp, or TripAdvisor goes a long way in helping small businesses grow, and they’d love to hear from you too.
Share your stories: Posting on social media about your favorite spots and tagging local businesses helps spread the word to new visitors who might be looking for things to do and see.
Buy a gift card or service to use in the future: Can’t make the trip right now? Support local businesses by buying a gift card or booking a future service for you or a loved one.
Tell a friend: Word of mouth matters! Let your crew know that Asheville is open and worth exploring.
We’ll See You in the Mountains
The Asheville community is filled with passion, creativity, grit and a whole lot of heart. This summer, we hope you’ll help us show a little love to this special place that has impacted us in so many ways. Book a visit, support local, and share the magic of these mountains with others.