Hey folks, City Editors Grace and Molly here. We have the honor of sharing local events, news, and stories with Asheville through our newsletter and social media.

Grace has been with the AVLtoday team since mid-April, and Molly joined in mid-July, so we're here to give a proper introduction and share a few of our favorite things about our beautiful mountain city. Consider this us going in for a fist bump, then switching to a handshake, then settling on a hug.

Meet Grace

Q: Describe your perfect day in AVL in the length of a Tweet.

A: Start with Spinach & Potato Cakes from Early Girl Eatery (extra tomato gravy, please), then go to the WNC Nature Center and spend most of my time watching the otters before ending the day at Retrocade, where I’ll win every match of air hockey I’m challenged to.

Q: You’re ordering a drink from an AVL coffee shop. What’s in it?

A: I have cold brew running through my veins — and I'll occasionally add a splash of oat milk if I'm feeling fancy. Ultra Coffeebar is one of my favorite spots for a pick-me-up, but my order is never complete without the Joey breakfast sandwich.

Q: Hit us with your favorite piece of local trivia.

A: Did you know that the oldest surviving home in Asheville and the oldest brick structure in Buncombe Countyis the Smith-McDowell House? We shared this while previewing the opening of the Asheville Museum of History, but I still think it's pretty darn cool.

Q: What's something every new Ashevillian should know?

A: How to explore our city like a local. (Here's a hint on where to get the crash course.)

Meet Molly

Q: If you could only write about one AVL-specific topic for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: Asheville's food, definitely. The city has such a diverse culinary scene and such a range of cuisine types + restaurant atmospheres that it feels like the subject could be explored endlessly. Food, too, is so indicative of a community, its history, and its culture that you can write about so many different topics under the food umbrella. But let's be honest — one of the primary reasons I'd write about food is because the research process is so delicious.

Q: What were the last three things you did downtown?

A: The last time I was downtown, I had to get a few pictures for an article, so I decided to just finish out my work day at Izzy's Coffee Den before getting a post-work piercing at Empire Tattoo (shoutout to Greg) and meeting a friend for dinner at Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse to distract from the slight pain in my ears.

Q: Describe AVL's personality in three words.

A: Creative, vibrant + weird (said only lovingly).

Q: What is your favorite sweet treat in AVL?

I'm not much of a dessert person, but I'd eat the panna cotta from Mother every day.