Capital At Play
  • Home
  • Current Edition
    • Featured Capitalists
    • Local Industry
    • Leisure & Libation
    • Columns
    • Events
  • Archives
    • Featured Capitalists
    • Local Industry
    • Leisure & Libation
    • Columns
    • Resources: Lists, Charts & Maps
    • Capital Adventurist
    • Videos
  • Contact
    • Pick-up Locations
    • About Us
  • Subscribe Now
  • Recommended Businesses
  • Weekly Newsletter
    • Web Exclusive
  • Podcast
Annual Guide to Holiday Dinners at Local Asheville...
Guide to WNC’s Holiday Season
The Economic Impact of Tourism
Power Couples
Back to the Future
Best of WNC’s Outdoors
Small Businesses of Yore
Capital at Play
Balancing Purpose and Profits
All in Good Taste
On A Mission
Better Together
Small But Mighty
Different by Design
A Farewell Column
Artist Spotlight: Becca Allen
Guide to Art Institutions in WNC
The Artist’s Way
Facing the Music
Dancing to His Own Tune
Making Matters
Creating Art for Corporate Communities
The Heart—and Art—of Healing: Large Collection of Local...
Pausing for Public Art
Bucket List: 10 Ways to Celebrate Fall in...
Bucket List: Where to Drink Outside this Fall
A Fine Pair
The Well Played Pivot: Game on for Game...
A Mountain to Climb
The Beer Necessities

Capital At Play

Western North Carolina's Free Spirit Of Enterprise

  • Home
  • Current Edition
    • Featured Capitalists
    • Local Industry
    • Leisure & Libation
    • Columns
    • Events
  • Archives
    • Featured Capitalists
    • Local Industry
    • Leisure & Libation
    • Columns
    • Resources: Lists, Charts & Maps
    • Capital Adventurist
    • Videos
  • Contact
    • Pick-up Locations
    • About Us
  • Subscribe Now
  • Recommended Businesses
  • Weekly Newsletter
    • Web Exclusive
  • Podcast
2021Web Exclusive

10 Asheville Businesses We’ll Miss in 2021

January 2021
By Kirby Rucker

The economic and social impacts of COVID-19 have been greater than most of us ever could have imagined, but restaurants and bars, the heart of Asheville’s economy, have taken some of the most crushing blows. While we’re still chowing down and taking out from currently open eateries, we want to pay homage to some of our favorites who we will miss dearly in 2021.


1. Well Played Board Game Café

Well Played, a board-game-themed cafe located downtown, closed in October 2020. (Check out our 2019 article on the biz.) It was a locally-owned brick and mortar business that opened in 2016, and had the largest collection of board games in North Carolina. Throughout the pandemic, Well Played closed shop and shifted to board game rentals to stay afloat. In the future, Well Played will continue to be present in the Asheville community, but through currently unannounced new mediums.
https://wellplayedasheville.com/

 

2. WakuWaku Eatery

WakuWaku Eatery, a locally owned Japanese restaurant located on Merrimon Ave., closed in October 2020. The eatery opened in 2018, then shifted to take-out and delivery only once the pandemic began, but ultimately decided to permanently close their dine-in location. After the closure of their restaurant, WakuWaku shifted to Waku2, an online ordering platform which has multiple pick-up locations in Asheville, depending on the day of the week.
https://waku2eatery.com/

 

3. Collaboratory

Collaboratory, an extension of CANarchy and an Asheville craft-beer-collaboration initiative, opened up in 2019 downtown where they served both brews and food in the former Lexington Avenue Brewery (LAB) space. In March 2020, they temporarily closed, which unfortunately eventually led to a permanent closure. CANarchy continues to craft and sell canned innovative flavors for the drinkers of independent craft beers.
https://www.canarchy.beer/

 

4. The Mothlight

The Mothlight was one of West Asheville’s best known and well loved live music venues and bars. Opened in 2013, the Mothlight was a home for local and travelling musicians. The venue decided to close permanently in June 2020, with COVID-19 playing a large part in the decision because the pandemic made it more difficult to find a new owner. Soon to take its place on Haywood Road is Different Wrld, a local hub with access to creative equipment and Filipinx food.
https://differentwrld.com

 

5. Broth Lab

Broth Lab opened up in 2019 in the River Arts District, in the former location of both White Duck Taco Shop and Henrietta’s Poultry Shop. Serving up beloved “ramen-ish” dishes, the company remained open until November 2020 when they closed permanently. Broth Lab is currently working on a ramen kit project, which could be bought at local grocers to make from the comfort of your home. Soon to take its place in the Hatchery building is Baby Bull, an extension of Bull & Beggar.
https://www.instagram.com/brothlabavl/

 

6. Aux Bar

The Aux Bar opened downtown in 2018 and was a hot spot on Lexington Ave. for cocktails and American bar food. After several adaptations, the restaurant decided to shutter in August 2020, mainly due to the restriction of alcohol sales during the pandemic. The restaurant also boasted two extensions, the Brinehaus Food Truck and the Blind Pig Supper Club. While the food truck also closed permanently, the Blind Pig continued service until September 2020.
https://www.auxbar.com/

 

7. Rezaz Pan Mediterranean

Rezaz, a sophisticated Mediterranean eatery and casual wine bar located in Biltmore Village, closed permanently in June 2020 after 17 years of service in Asheville after mainly focusing on take-out during the pandemic. However, Chefs Brian and Laura’s food lives on through their sister restaurant Baba Nahm, a grab-and-go Middle Eastern restaurant located in the Grove Arcade. They serve falafels, shawarma, stuffed pitas, and more.
https://babanahm.com/  

 

8. THE BLOCK Off Biltmore

THE BLOCK Off Biltmore, a solidarity bar and dance hall, closed permanently in July 2020. They had been in their location downtown since 2016, making an impact by serving the community and advocating for social justice. Since their closure due to reduced sales during the pandemic, THE BLOCK has continued to be active on their social media, sharing community oriented events and articles.
https://theblockoffbiltmore.com/

 

9. Rustic Grape Wine Tastings

Rustic Grape opened up their cozy, family-owned location downtown in 2017, offering sips and social hours for their guests. They made the decision to close permanently in June 2020 due to the economic impacts of COVID-19 and reduced alcohol sales. After the closure of the wine bar, the owner, Melissa, is now offering virtual wine tastings or attendance at your outdoor, socially distanced wine tasting event.
https://www.rusticgrapeavl.com/ 

 

10. Native Kitchen and Social Pub

Native Kitchen and Social Pub decided to close permanently in May 2020. Since opening in 2012 in Swannanoa, this social pub served up always-changing locally farmed and sustainable items on their menu, paired alongside locally crafted alcoholic beverages. Additionally, they were also a place for local artists and musicians to call home. They hope to possibly open back up sometime in the future.
https://nativesocialpub.com/

10 Asheville Businesses We’ll Miss in 2021 was last modified: January 7th, 2021 by LPoll
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest

You may also like

The Heart—and Art—of Healing: Large Collection of Local Art Brings Healing Spirit to Mission Hospital North Tower

October 2020

Recipe: Cashew Pesto Recipe

December 2018

Employees Only | Pet Myths Debunked with Broad River Animal Hospital

April 2019

Employees Only | SECRETS OF A SUCCESSFUL STARTUP WITH ELITE HRV

March 2019

Bucket List: WNC Apple Orchard Guide

August 2020

Current Edition

  • Thinking Big, Buying Small

  • Not So Everyday Oil

  • Home Grown Roots

  • The World Is His Oyster

  • Human Resources is for Everyone

Subscribe



Like what you see? Subscribe to get
Capital at Play delivered to your home.

Pickup Locations


Find a location near you &
pickup a copy of Capital at Play today!

Contact Us

Subscription Information
order online here

Advertising Inquiries
828.274.7305
advertising@capitalatplay.com

Editorial Inquiries
editor@capitalatplay.com

@2020 - Capital at Play LLC. All Rights Reserved.


Back To Top