Many UNC Asheville alumni continue calling the ‘Ville home after moving away from 1 University Heights. Some find pretty amazing jobs here in the 828, and others start their own businesses with the skills + degrees earned during their time at UNCA – or know to cater their local businesses to the large Bulldog student population (3,800+) that call Asheville home.

#Asked

With ‘Welcome Back Season’ quickly approaching (fall classes begin in just over a month, on August 19), we want to know: Which Asheville businesses are Bulldog-centric? I.e. which local bizzes offer student/staff discounts, welcome-back-to-school deals, or are alumni-owned?

Let us know by replying to this email. 🐾

To get your brain warmed up, here are four local businesses owned by former Bulldogs off the top of our heads:

Lucky Penny Creative: A wedding planning service in Asheville and Greenville. Alumna owner: Alex Fisher, Class of 2010.
Root Down: A Creole + Southern food truck. Alumnus owner: Dano + Julie Holcomb, Class of 1997 + 1998.
JB Media Group: An Internet marketing service. Alumnus owner: Justin Belleme, Class of 2005.
The Hop Ice Cream Cafe: Local ice cream shop + creamery. Alumni owners: Ashley + Greg Garrison, Class of 2005.

Now it’s your turn to help us create a list of UNC Asheville alumni-owned businesses + Bulldog-friendly businesses in town (think: specials, discounts, free things, etc.). Email us. Ⓟ

#Answered

Last month we asked you, “Which Asheville businesses are Bulldog-centric?” so you could help us compile a list of local businesses that offer UNC Asheville student/staff discounts, welcome-back-to-school deals, or are owned by alumni. And man, did we get some killer results showing the Bulldog-love within our community. 🐾

Bulldog-owned businesses:

“The Matt & Molly Team of Keller Williams Realty. Molly de Mattos (owner) was a track and field athlete who graduated in 2002. I graduated from there as well :-)” –Heather B.
“My two (Well Played Board Game Cafe) business partners Kevan + Steve and I are all proud bulldogs! Kevan and I were actually both Presidents of the Student Body and have continued to remain very involved in the school. Currently, I serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and chair the philanthropy committee.” –Cortland M.
“My sister, Kim Lathrop, and I have opened an independent boutique, Stella Blue, in the Asheville Mall (beside American Eagle). We offer fun, affordable, boho-inspired clothes, accessories and gifts. I graduated from UNCA in 1995. My daughter is also in her junior year there. My 18-year-old daughter is also hoping to attend. Keeping it all in the family. :)” –Tracy S.
“FernLeaf Interactive: Resilience Decision Support Solutions for Communities. Alumnus co-owner: Jeff Hicks, Class of '08.” –Katie H.
“Enterprise – local Area Manager is a UNCA alumn, Sam Maynard. Lakeview Putt & Play is owned by alumna, Leslie Blaylock – and is the only South Asheville location you can get The Hop Ice Cream. Jan Davis Tire Shop is owned by alumni Rich Davis.” –Meg N.

Deals for students/staff:

“VaVaVooom offers all students 5% off all apparel & lingerie (excludes items by local designers). Just show us your Student ID!” –Lisa Z., VaVaVooom, LLC
“Pinecrest Bed & Breakfast is located in the Montford historic district, less than 1 mile to UNC Asheville. We offer guests coming to UNCA a 10% discount when they book direct. We even wrote a blog: Stay with Us Near UNC-Asheville.” –Diane R.
“French Broad Chocolate offers a 10% student discount.” –Daniel R.
“This is Instant Karma in Downtown and West Asheville. We offer 10% off to UNCA students with a valid ID. We have fun and hippy 3D tapestries, incense, sage, crystals, candles, and funky clothing.” –Sirena B.
“In addition to being a fun, affordable activity for students, Well Played one of the few places in town where friends over and under 21 can hang out. And of course, we offer a 10% student discount.“ –Cortland M.
“We (Stella Blue) offers 15% for all UNCA students and staff with ID. It does exclude baby and some of our vendor items.” –Tracy S.
“We love college kids!! Their enthusiasm, passion and joy are infectious to us. We love when they swing by Birdie and get silly about plants and flowers so we’d love to offer a 10% discount to all Bulldogs!!” –Blooms on Tap
“Asheville’s Fun Depot is providing a one-day student discount on a select day of each month for UNC Asheville students in the upcoming school year.” –Meg N.
“We will be offering 20% off area rugs (Textura) for back to school UNCA students! And can do deals for staff/professors as well! Liz, who does our sales and social media, is a UNCA graduate! Owner Carlos lives next to UNCA and our shop is in North Asheville.” –@texturarugsnc

Local food franchise partners that support UNCA and the student population:

Arby’s
Bojangles
Chick-fil-A on Merrimon
Firehouse Subs
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Zaxby’s

While there are quite a few Bulldog alumni who own businesses here in WNC, there are even more alumni who work around town. Even AVLtoday’s editor Audra is an alumna.

Know of another Bulldog-centric biz not on this list? Leave a comment here. Ⓟ