Asheville's Downtown Market Now Open For Business

The Asheville Downtown Market is a new shopping destination in downtown Asheville. Located on South French Broad this 42,000 square foot building was once home to a photography plant and a sewing factory, but now you will find the space filled with craft vendors, artists, a coffee shop and even a grocery store.

One Bazaar Community is the self described style of this new market and one stroll down the different vendor isles confirms the truth of that statement. With such an eclectic mix of booths, shoppers can find an array of items for sale.

The grocery store is Amazing Savings and will save you lots of money on your grocery bill. This is their second store in the Asheville area, the original being located on Sweeten Creek Rd. This fills a whole in downtown Asheville seeing as how both the Grove Arcade market and the CVS have recently closed.

Future businesses that are moving into the space include a downtown recycling center, a world food court (still in the idea stage) and perhaps your business. With vendor prices as low as $15 a day for a booth you would be remiss not to take advantage of the low overhead. They are also offering co-op vendor space so you can join forces with your colleagues and save money.

The market is currently open Friday - Sunday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. For more information you can call 828-255-8858 or visit them on Facebook.

If you're visiting the Asheville area and need a place to stay please check out these great hotels.

The Diamond Ball Rings In The Asheville New Year

The third annual Diamond Ball hosted by the Junior League of Asheville will take place starting at 9:00 PM Thursday, December 31st 2009 at the Doubletree Biltmore Hotel in Asheville, NC. Sponsored by Wick & Greene Jewelers, the event is a fundraiser for community programs including ABCCM, Child Abuse Prevention Services, Child First, Public Affairs and YWCA.

Event tickets are $100 per person and raffle tickets for the 1-carat Lazare diamond are $25 (need not be present to win). Please call 828.254.5608 or visit juniorleagueasheville.org to purchase event and raffle tickets, which will be available from now until through the night of the event.

For more information on the event location please visit here.

Ken & Tammy's Christmas Party at the Doubletree Biltmore

With the holidays right around the corner, there are some families still in need of assistance to make Christmas happen for their kids. Together with Ken and Tammy from Asheville's Mix 96.5, the Doubletree is helping make this season a little brighter for these families. All are welcome to come join in the festivities on December 22, 2009 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM.

Every child deserves a visit from Santa! Hence the first ever “Ken and Tammy’s Christmas is for Kids Extravaganza!” It will be a night of fun, food, and of course Christmas presents for children up to 12 years old who otherwise would face a sad holiday.

Doubletree is now accepting toys for the event. Everyone who brings in a toy is invited to have a fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie! Doubletree is located at 115 Hendersonville Rd. in Asheville. See a map.

Please help us keep the Christmas magic alive these children. If you need a place for your holiday party, or want to stash the out-of-town visitors somewhere other than your house, please give the Doubletree Biltmore Hotel your patronage.

Sparrow Spa Open House Tonight

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ZOOM IN

Sparrow Spa in Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park is hosting an open house tonight. It is open to everyone. Wine, food and savings on spa goodies. You know you want to go. Here's a map.

Relay for Life Event at Doubletree Biltmore Hotel

Relay For Life of Biltmore Park invites you and your family to join them for Cookies with Santa at the Doubletree Hotel Biltmore/Asheville on Sunday, December 13th from 3-5:00pm. Get your photo taken with Santa, and enjoy delectable desserts, hot cocoa and more! Cancer survivors and caregivers will receive a special gift.

This free event is generously sponsored by the Doubletree Hotel, located at 115 Hendersonville Road, Asheville. Click here for a map.

To learn more about the upcoming Biltmore Relay For Life event click here.

Downtown Asheville Fireworks

For a second year in a row you can watch the fireworks over downtown Asheville every Saturday in December through the 19th. The event is called Sizzle at Seven and is very popular among visitors and locals to the Asheville area. Each weekend the show is a little different and a little bigger than the last. The show goes on no matter what the weather outside may be.

Asheville has long been known as a destination for holiday shoppers. There are countless boutiques and shops all over the Asheville area that offer something a little different than your typical retail chain store.

Be sure to check out these great stores for your shopping list.

Biltmore Park shops:

-Dwell - for stylish home furnishings
-Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory - for the sweet tooth
-Biltmore Grande Regal Cinema - for movie gift certificates
-Sensibilities - for spa Treatment gift certificates
-REI - for the person who loves the outdoors

Downtown Asheville:

-The Loft - for the person who's hard to shop for.
-Mountain Lights - for unique candle and lighting options.
-Kress gallery - for a more artistic gift.
-Union - for stylish clothing from a hip boutique.

Asheville Mall:

Stores include: Banana Republic, Sears, Dillards, Abercrombie & Fitch, Buckle, Aeropostale, American Eagle, JC Penney, Hot Topic, Game Stop and many more.

If you need a place to stay during these holiday festivities please check out these fantastic accommodations.