Grace Powers.JPEG

Grace Powers

Newsletter Editor

Grace is based in Asheville, NC and started with AVLtoday in April 2023. Before joining 6AM City, she wrote for Music Daily and worked in digital marketing. In her free time, you’ll find Grace working on jigsaw puzzles, testing new recipes, or exploring the outdoors with her friends and family.

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Retail

Our Asheville-based Small Business Saturday shopping picks
The 16th annual edition of Small Business Saturday falls on November 29 — the perfect time to help you add a local sparkle to your holiday shopping.
November 25, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Salvage new venue.jpeg
Development
Salvage Station announces new indoor venue in the RAD
Salvage Station is making a comeback, moving into the 13.5-acre former Asheville Waste Paper Co. property in the River Arts District.
November 25, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
A rotating gif of The Biltmore Estate's elegant halls decked with elaborate, fancy Christmas decorations.
Sponsored
Try This: Experience the magic of Christmas at Biltmore®
The most wonderful time of the year has arrived at Biltmore, along with the opportunity to save on an Annual Pass during the Holiday Sale.
Sponsored by
A rotating gif of The Biltmore Estate's elegant halls decked with elaborate, fancy Christmas decorations.
Sponsored
Try This: Experience the magic of Christmas at Biltmore®
The most wonderful time of the year has arrived at Biltmore, along with the opportunity to save on an Annual Pass during the Holiday Sale.
Sponsored by
A rotating gif of The Biltmore Estate's elegant halls decked with elaborate, fancy Christmas decorations.
Sponsored
Try This: Experience the magic of Christmas at Biltmore®
The most wonderful time of the year has arrived at Biltmore, along with the opportunity to save on an Annual Pass during the Holiday Sale.
Sponsored by
Village Artists Market
PBS show “This Old House” highlights recovery in WNC
In its 47th season, the show travels to the Asheville area to rebuild Helene-damaged homes for five local families.
November 24, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
A rotating gif of images of Thomas Dambo's Trolls: A Field Study exhibit at The North Carolina Arboretum
Sponsored
Try This: Go troll hunting at The North Carolina Arboretum
The Danish artist’s towering troll sculptures can be found all over the world, including in Asheville until February 2026.
Sponsored by
Riverside Park Rendering
Open Space Bonds fund 221 acres of recreation space and 14 miles of trails
More than $3.6 million was allocated to six projects across Buncombe County.
November 20, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
humbug hideaway wicked weed christmas bar.jpeg
Food
Sip to support at Asheville’s 12 Bars of Christmas
The spirited celebration is designed to support MANNA FoodBank and local businesses recovering from Helene.
November 20, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
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Culture
5 holiday pop-up bars around Asheville
Gather your crew to enjoy some fa-la-la-la-libations at these holiday pop-up bars around Asheville.
November 20, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
harrah's socon tournament
Sports
Asheville to host SoCon Basketball Championships for the next 10 years
Local leaders announced a 10-year agreement, extending Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville’s longtime role as host through 2035.
November 19, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
downtown asheville civic buildings city and county
Helene Recovery Plan approved for Buncombe County
Buncombe County Commissioners adopted the plan, which includes 114 projects designed to rebuild and revitalize all six municipalities in the next five years.
November 19, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
2025 gingerbread winner
Culture
See the winners of the The 2025 National Gingerbread House Competition
After a year off due to Helene, the competition has returned to the historic Omni Grove Park Inn. Here are the star bakers behind the edible architecture.
November 18, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
fluvial
City
Meet “Fluvial,” the newest stop on the Asheville Urban Trail
Metal worker Rachel David created the public art piece outside the historic S&W building, paying homage to its Art Deco architect, Douglas Ellington.
November 13, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
BatteryPark_InteriorWineBar.jpg
Culture
Story Parlor owners to take over Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar
The cofounders of the West Asheville art space are taking over the next chapter of the downtown book shop and champagne bar, adding more literary programming.
November 13, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
old-christmas-appalachia-carolina-flowers-wreath
Your guide to hosting the holidays in Asheville
Here are some tips + tricks for hosting your loved ones this season with plenty of local flair.
November 12, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
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Sports
PGA TOUR returns to Asheville with innaugural Biltmore Championship
The tournament will be hosted at the top-rated Cliffs at Walnut Cove for the next four years, expected to bring thousands of spectators and millions in economic impact.
November 10, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
Photo by Carolina Climbers Coalition- Jason Bryant on Paulownia Crack (1).jpeg
Travel and Outdoors
Carolina Climbers Coalition buys famed climbing area in Chimney Rock
The Asheville-based organization worked with national climbing nonprofit Access Fund to purchase the “iconic” Lower Ghost Town.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
historic biltmore village
Anonymous donor supports Biltmore Village’s restoration with $150,000 gift
The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County will distribute the funds through six grants, restoring the village’s historic buildings.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
buncombe-county-asheville-nc-living-wages-avltoday
City
Buncombe County Commissioners approve 2030 Strategic Plan
Revised through public feedback post-Helene, the plan sets goals for housing, health, safety, and sustainability for the next five years.
November 5, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
asheville sessions album
Culture
Immerse yourself in local music history at these Asheville Sessions events
The centennial celebration of the historic commercial recordings of Americana music is this Thursday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 9.
November 5, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
MICHELIN Guide American South ceremony
The Asheville restaurants recognized in the MICHELIN Guide American South
In the new guide, Asheville boasts one MICHELIN Green Star, three Bib Gourmand awards, and 12 recommended restaurants. See which spots made the guide.
November 3, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
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Culture
The mystery of the Brown Mountain Lights
One of the most famous WNC legends persists as the fleeting orbs of light still remain unexplainable occurrences.
October 30, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
A group of people put cans into plastic bags at MANNA FoodBank
Volunteer
Support local organizations feeding the community for free
Support these local organizations to make sure our community stays fed.
October 29, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
mountaintrue hartwell carson.jpeg
Nonprofits
MountainTrue’s River Debris Cleanup Program gets a $750,000 expansion
A grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy Truist WNC Recovery and Resiliency Fund allows the program to continue its work into eastern TN with a bigger team.
October 28, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
Troll.jpeg
Travel and Outdoors
The NC troll hunters guide to Thomas Dambo’s new installations
The renowned Danish artist is installing 19 massive, whimsical troll sculptures across the state. Here’s where to find them.
October 27, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
A graphic that says "Their perfect gift is on this list. Our holiday gift guide just dropped." surrounded by images of gift tags.
Small Business
AVLtoday’s 2025 holiday gift guide: 90+ finds for everyone you love
Including gifts for significant others, retirees, holiday parties, young people, and gifts that ship fast.
October 26, 2025
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
mizu ramen
Food
10 cozy Asheville soup spots to warm your soul
These ten spots are dishing up the ultimate comfort food.
October 23, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
Buncombe County Administration building
City
Buncombe County establishes Helene Recovery Office
Buncombe County Commissioners approved an amendment creating a new office dedicated to managing long term Helene recovery projects.
October 22, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
Cultivate Climbing - Foundy
Culture
Cultivate Climbing helps shape RAD recreation trends with new gym
Before the bouldering gym had a chance to open, it was flooded during Helene. But now, Cultivate Climbing is back stronger than ever.
October 21, 2025
 · 
Grace Powers
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