Now closed: Asheville restaurant, taproom, bar closures from January-March 2024

ASHEVILLE - Asheville’s food and beverage scene has changed with several local and national establishments closing in the first quarter of the year.

Here are some of the places that have shuttered from January 1 to March 31, 2024:

Melting Pot Social

As of March 31, Melting Pot Social is permanently closed at 74 Patton Ave. downtown. The company, founded in 1975 and with restaurants across the U.S. and Canada, cited that the location closed due to economic market conditions. Opened in 2021, the Asheville restaurant was the first of the company’s bar-centric Melting Pot Social concepts.

Zella’s Deli

In March, Zella’s Deli closed at 48 College St. downtown after opening in 2022.

The local restaurant is planned to relocate to 2372 U.S. 70 in Swannanoa, the former home of The Loot House.

Alley Cat Social Club

In February, Alley Cat Social Club, a popular West Asheville hangout and karaoke bar, permanently closed at 797 Haywood Road, Suite 100.

Asheville Sandwich Company

In February, Asheville Sandwich Company closed at 794 Haywood Road after its lease was not renewed. The owners told the Citizen Times they are seeking a new location.

In 2012, the restaurant debuted and has had multiple locations and owners over the years.

Little Bee Thai

In February, Little Bee Thai closed at 45 South French Broad Ave., suite 190 after 15 years as a food truck and then a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

In March, Bee Thai Kitchen opened at the address ―no affiliation with the previous Thai cuisine restaurant.

Rise Above Bakehouse

In February, Rise Above Bakehouse closed at 1207 Charlotte Highway in Fairview after nearly five years in business.

Noble Cider (downtown)

In January, Noble Cider, an Asheville-based cidery, closed its downtown taproom at 49 Rankin Ave.

Noble Cider’s West Asheville cidery and taproom remains open at 356 New Leicester Highway.

Big Tikka, a restaurant, is expected to open at the Rankin Avenue address this spring.

Sovereign Remedies Exchange

In January, Sovereign Remedies Exchange, a family-friendly café and bar, closed after less than a year at 2645 New Leicester Highway in Leicester, northwest of West Asheville. The local business was expected to reopen following a winter break but in March, its owner announced it would permanently close.

SRX’s original sister concept, Sovereign Remedies, a cocktail bar and restaurant, remains open at 29 North Market St. downtown.

Taco Billy food truck

In January, Taco Billy closed its food trailer, Little Billy, which had served as the resident food partner for Little Jumbo cocktail bar at 241 Broadway St. since the spring of 2023. The eatery offered breakfast, lunch and late-night bites.

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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 restaurants, taprooms closed so far in 2024