Before we begin December + jump into the holiday rush, we’re here to catch you up on the what you might have missed from November (to make up from all those “out of the office” responses we got last week 😉).

In November, fall arrived (and left – with our first snowfall earlier this week ❄️), we voted in the midterm elections, honored our veterans, celebrated our small businesses, and saw Christmas come to Biltmore. We also some beloved businesses close + some new ones open.

Take look back at our favorite (and most popular) stories from November + a few Social conversations you may have missed. Enjoy these reads again, catch up if you’ve missed them, or send them to a friend to cozy up with during those cold days ahead here.

1. #SmallBiz: 15 small businesses we’d be heartbroken over if they closed. 🛍️ [5,302 website views]

In preparation for Small Business Saturday, we celebrated the locally-owned small businesses you told us you loved, from Malaprop’s Bookstore and Nine Mile to the Regeneration Station and the Frugal Backpackers. Bookmark this list for your holiday shopping + support local all year long.

2. Nine local holiday pop-up shops 🎁 [1,364 website views]

There are nine pop-up markets + shopping experiences scheduled in Asheville and WNC over this holiday season. And unlike shopping on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, which is alll about the national deals, shopping at pop-up markets means that you’re picking up gifts that are locally made and one-of-a-kind. Start shopping here.

3. 10+ ways to volunteer + donate over the holidays 🥫 [1,142 website views]

In Buncombe County, approximately 1 in 5 children live in a community that is food insecure (with over 100,000 people in WNC not having consistent access to three proper meals a day). According to N.C. Child, 46.4% of children in Buncombe County are living in a poor or low-income household. We rounded up ways our readers can donate gifts, coats + funds to support our community during this time here.

4. The bears that ate allll the chocolate. 🐻 [67 shares + 84 reactions]

That time when a group of bears broke into a high school student’s car and ate all of the chocolate bars she was supposed to sell for a school fundraiser. Bonus: There’s a video. We think we’ll use that excuse next time…

5. A beloved toy store closes. 🥁 [262 likes + 37 comments]

The Toy Box on Merrimon Ave. announced that they were closing the doors after 30 years in business. The owner, who is retiring, can’t find anyone to take over the business. Check out your memories of the Toy Box on our Instagram here.

There’s more to look forward to this December in Asheville. We’ll help you find the perfect Christmas tree, fill you in on how streets get plowed, share your best (worst?) awkward holiday photos, and so much more.

Plus, take a look at our December PlanAhead and get your merry on, Asheville. Have a question about Asheville, an idea about an awesome feature, or a comment about our coverage? Let us know. Leave a comment here, or drop us a line on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

– Ali