Asheville bids goodbye to restaurants and breweries that closed in 2023
ASHEVILLE - Hardships and tough decisions resulted in saying farewell to some beloved food and beverage destinations in 2023.
Here are some of the restaurants, taprooms, food trucks and other establishments that have closed in Asheville in the past year:
Archetype Brewing and Kitchen
In the spring, Archetype Brewing and Kitchen opened at 39 Banks Ave. in the South Slope Brewing District in the former location of Harvest Pizzeria. The West Asheville-founded craft brewery opened its third taproom and introduced in-house dining with wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza, craft beers and more on the menu.
In December, Archetype Brewing announced the South Slope site and the North location taproom lounge and venue will permanently close on Dec. 30.
More: Archetype Brewing to close 2 locations in Asheville; West Asheville taproom fate 'unknown'
Urban Orchard-West
In November, Urban Orchard Cider Company closed at 210 Haywood Road in West Asheville. Its South Slope taproom remains open.
Buxton Hall Barbecue
In November, Buxton Hall Barbecue closed after eight years at 32 Banks Ave. The South Slope restaurant was a part of the Chai Pani Restaurant Group.
The Trashy Vegan
In December, The Trashy Vegan closed at 697 Haywood Road, Suite E. The business started as a food truck and opened the brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2022.
The Scarlet Bee
In November, The Scarlet Bee food truck closed after five years of serving Lebanese cuisine.
Foothills
Foothills' food trucks departed Hi-Wire Brewing's Biltmore Village and River Arts District taprooms after a years-long partnership. The butchery and farm business has introduced its own brick-and-mortar restaurant and beer concepts in Black Mountain and another will open in Old Fort next year.
Sticky 8's
In December, Sticky 8's food truck was destroyed in a fire while parked for overnight storage outside its Waynesville commissary kitchen. The owners are considering options to revive the South-meets-Asian fusion cuisine food concept.
Gourmand
In October, Gourmand, a French cuisine and charcuterie vendor, closed at The S&W Market after opening in March. The business has continued operations as a pop-up concept.
Margarita’s Grill
In September, two sisters opened Margarita’s Grill at 1996 Hendersonville Road. Inspired by their family, the restaurant serves authentic, traditional, scratch-made Mexican cuisine, grilled meats, and healthy ingredient alternatives like veggie tortillas. However, in November, the owners closed with unconfirmed plans to relocate.
Eurisko Beer Co.
In November, Eurisko Beer Co., a local craft beer brewery, closed at 255 Short Coxe Ave. Trve (pronounced "True) Brewing, of Denver, Colorado, will move into the space in 2024.
Moo Cookie Co.
In December, Moo Cookie Co. closed at 792 Haywood Road after its lease was ended by the landlord. The cookie business may make a comeback if the owner finds a new location.
Morsel Cookie Co.
In August, Morsel Cookie Co. closed its downtown retail store at 45 Rankin St. Customers can still get the local bakery's rotating collection of thick, small-batch cookies at 175 Weaverville Highway.
PB & Jay’s Café
On Sept. 16, PB & Jay’s Café closed at 3445 Hendersonville Road in Fletcher. The eatery, which opened in 2020, was operated by the same owner of Baked Pie Company, which remains open at 4 Long Shoals Road in Arden.
Read more: Sandwich shop, café to close in Fletcher, final day deals offered
Red Truck Café and Grill/West End Paw Park
In January, Red Truck Café and Grill opened at 460 Johnston School Road with an indoor coffee bar and a mobile trailer of food. The business included a dog park, West End Paw Park. However, both entities closed in August.
Read more: West End Paw Park, Red Truck Cafe & Grill opens in West Asheville
Ginger’s Revenge South Slope Lounge
On Aug. 27, Ginger’s Revenge's South Slope Lounge closed after one year at 32 Banks Ave. The watering hole was the second concept of the local ginger beer producers and specialized in handcrafted cocktails. Ginger’s Revenge’s brewery and tasting room remain open at 829 Riverside Drive, Suite 100.
Read more: Ginger's Revenge to close downtown tasting room, owner shares what's next
Catawba Brewing Co. (Biltmore Village)
At the end of summer, Catawba Brewing Co. closed its taproom at 63 Brook St. in Biltmore Village without notice, according to social media reports. The brewery’s South Slope tasting room remains open at 32 Banks Ave. The Asheville closure comes after the parent company, Made By The Water, unexpectedly closed its Wilmington and Charlotte locations. The company was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
Fatz Southern Kitchen/Fatz Café
On Aug. 23, the restaurant chain Fatz Southern Kitchen closed all its locations, including Fatz Café at 5 Spartan Ave. in West Asheville. The unexpected closure followed the company’s menu relaunch in June. The company was founded in 1988 and the Asheville dining room opened in 2000.
Read more: Fatz Southern Kitchen closes all restaurants, including Fatz Café in Asheville
City Bakery (Downtown)
On Aug. 12, City Bakery closed its downtown store at 60 Biltmore Ave., which opened in 2004. The local, family-owned eatery, founded in 1999, still operates its original café at 88 Charlotte St.
Read more: Asheville bakery closes downtown store, original café remains open
Kinfolk
The food truck business opened its brick-and-mortar counterpart at 1125 Sweeten Creek Road in January and returned to a full-time food truck in July.
Huddle House
In May, Huddle House at 400 Hendersonville Road closed after several decades of serving generations of diners.
UpCountry Brewing Co./Grata Pizzeria
UpCountry Brewing’s craft beer production wrapped up and the taproom closed earlier this year at 1042 Haywood Road in West Asheville. The business was condensed to its Brevard location at 212 King St. UpCountry Brewing neighbored Grata Pizzeria, a local restaurant that opened in March 2020 and closed in July following the taproom's closure.
GiGi’s Underground
The Prohibition-era-style speakeasy served cocktails and nights of live entertainment in the lower level of 122 College St. The downtown cocktail lounge closed in February after less than a year in business.
Sawhorse
On April 16, the neighborhood eatery Sawhorse closed at 101 New Leicester Highway in West Asheville. The local chef-owned and operated restaurant was popular for its pancakes, poutine and other diner favorites and dishes one would find at old lumber camps of northern New York and Quebec.
Bonfire BBQ and Catering
In the winter, the West Asheville barbecue shop suddenly shuttered at 1056 Patton Ave. Opened in 2015, the restaurant was known for its traditional slow-cooked meats and barbecue sandwiches and plates.
Asiana Grand Buffet
The all-you-can-eat restaurant ended service at the end of January after more than 18 years. The building, at 1968 Hendersonville Road, will continue to be a source of Asian food. The owner is flipping it into an Asiana supermarket called Asiana Market, set to open in early 2024.
Bhramari Brewing Co./Shere Khan Kati Rolls
Bhramari Brewing Company, at 101 S. Lexington Ave., closed its taproom kitchen and Shere Kahn Kati Rolls ghost kitchen in January, followed by the full closure of the brewery the next month. Bhramari's Charlotte taproom is permanently closed, too. In April, the parent company announced the South Slope brewhouse would rebrand and reopen with a new name, leadership and dining concept called Terra Nova Beer Co.
Blue Dream Curry House
In February, the downtown restaurant, at 81 Patton Ave., downsized and transitioned to takeout only. Soon after, the local chef-owned and operated business closed permanently after eight years. The eatery was popular for its diverse helpings of international curry dishes made with local ingredients.
TreeRock Social
In March, the craft mead and cider tasting room and shop closed at 760 Biltmore Ave. in Biltmore Village. Five years ago, TreeRock Social ― owned by five local women ― opened giving imbibers something different from the city’s vast craft beer options.
Down Dog
The dog bar and yoga studio, at 51 Sweeten Creek Road, closed in May. The local business, which opened in 2020, brought humans and pups together over craft beer, cider, craft cocktails and food.
Holeman and Finch
Opened in 2021, the restaurant abruptly closed at 77 Biltmore Ave. on April 5 of this year. Holeman and Finch was H&F Burger ― which opened in 2019 ― until the restaurant was flipped into an upscale dining concept that served oysters, specialty ham, and other Southern-influenced plates, including its signature double-stacked burger. Hopkins and Company's other food and beverage properties, including Holeman and Finch Public House, remain open in Atlanta.
Food and brew news you may have missed:
2022 restaurant closings, openings, renovations and upcoming in 2023
Chef, restaurateur shares reason for closing Arden café after 7 years
West Asheville restaurant announces closure; 'everything must go'
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville closed restaurants, breweries in 2023
