Historic Canton hotel enters next chapter

art southernporchHeading up the stairs at the historic Imperial Hotel, there’s an electricity in the air, a vibe that’s familiar, yet dearly missed in downtown Canton. With several people running around, attending to last minute details for a wedding party that evening, Nathan Lowe emerges from the depths of the enormous, beloved structure on Main Street.

Food truck fight coming to Waynesville

fr foodtrucksThe sticky wicket of food trucks and food carts have taken center stage in Waynesville, with a public debate in full swing on where food trucks should be allowed to set up shop and for how long.

Where East meets West: Thai fusion restaurant enters next chapter in Waynesville

art frIt’s lunchtime in downtown Waynesville. Hungry bellies wander up the sidewalk in search of nourishment. It is the calm before the storm for Julie Katt as she awaits the midday rush. 

“The key thing is the people,” she said. “You have to like to deal with people, to have patience with people, and for us, that’s what it’s all about.”

Waynesville begins mobile vending discussions

fr foodtrucksThe debate over when, where and how mobile vendors should be allowed to operate within the town limits has now made its way to Waynesville.

Where everybody knows your name: Tipping Point Brewing celebrates five years

art frIt all started in a boat. “Dan [Elliot], Jon [Bowman] and I were fishing on Wolf Lake,” Doug Weaver said. “And we started kicking around the idea of having our own place, and here we are today.”

Sitting around a desk in the basement of Tipping Point Brewing in Waynesville one recent morning, the trio laughs and reminisces like a band of high school chums at a reunion. They’re longtime friends, and they’ve created something special in this flourishing downtown of arts, small business and culinary delights.

This must be the place

art theplaceThat song — you know that song — came over the stereo and I felt my shoulders relax.

Serving up Southern cuisine and camaraderie

wib roosterThere was little fanfare in 2010 when Mary Earnest opened the Blue Rooster, a Southern diner in a strip mall past its prime.

Mobile vendors finding permanent homes in WNC

coverAs the food truck fad filters into counties west of Asheville, local governments are trying to find a fair balance between encouraging entrepreneurship and protecting their brick-and-mortar food establishments.

SEE ALSO: Food trucks offer different flavors

Making mobile vendors more stationary is one way towns have chosen to deal with the new influx of culinary entrepreneurs. As long as they can find a steady flow of customers, the vendors don’t seem to miss the nomadic lifestyle food trucks are accustomed to. Some food truck vendors have hitched their wagons to craft breweries, while others have found a few reliable spots within their county.

Food trucks offer different flavors

fr foodtruckfoodMobile vending is no longer limited to fast food staples like pizza, hamburgers and hotdogs.

From the farm to your plate — The Chef’s Table

travel chefstableWhat started as a job while in high school turned itself into a lifelong career and passion for Josh Monroe.

“It’s about using the best possible ingredients you can find and being able to let those ingredients shine in every dish,” he said.

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