Locations

West Asheville History Museum

Published on: by Buncombe County Special Collections
Window display in West Asheville History Museum

The West Asheville History Museum is run by a third-generation West Asheville native, Conda Painter. Visitors can join her for a unique walking tour on Haywood Road, starting at the museum, located inside of 727 Haywood Road.

This small but charming museum features fascinating artifacts from the neighborhood’s past businesses, including the popular 1930s May’s Market delivery bicycle. See the original trolley bell that was part of the “End of the car line.“ Hear the stories behind the museum’s artifacts, see rare photos of West Asheville’s past, then join on foot to explore the vibrant 700 block including a visit to Asheville’s oldest barbershop. Visit and hear the story of West Asheville’s once-lost cemetery from the 1800s, and learn about its remarkable discovery in June 2023.

To schedule a history walking tour or visit the museum, visitors can call 828-202-9990.

Conda Painter inside the West Asheville History Museum.

Contributed by Conda Painter, August 2024.

Harvest Records

Published on: by Aliceio

Harvest Records – Opened 2004

Harvest Records is an award-winning record shop started by Mark Capon and Matt Schnable (pictured above) in August 2004.

Our goal from day one has been to provide an authentic, engaging record store experience for our customers without the condescension normally associated with such experiences. We hope any person with any style of musical taste can find what they’re looking for at Harvest, and possibly in the meantime be introduced to something about which they normally wouldn’t know.

Harvest Records expanded their physical space in March 2011, taking over their suite from Second Gear. Harvest’s expansion allows them to offer thousands more titles on both CD and vinyl, as well as turntables, turntable accessories, cassette tapes and most importantly, elbow room. They also now have a small stage to host in-store performances.

For the bulk of their first ten years in business, they were actively engaged in the booking and promotion of hundreds of shows all around Western North Carolina. However, since summer 2013, Matt and Mark have been on an indefinite hiatus from booking shows so as to focus more heavily on the day to day operations of running the shop itself.

Published July 2016.

Second Gear

Published on: by Aliceio

Opened 2004 at 415 Haywood Road – Moved in 2008 to 444 Haywood Road

Second Gear is Asheville’s answer for affordable outdoor gear and clothing. With a location in the historic Mardis Building on Haywood Road in West Asheville, Second Gear has specialized in selling used gear since 2004. They also regularly receive dealer samples from outdoor gear reps, featuring brands such as Royal Robbins, ExOfficio, Outdoor Research, Marmot, Woolrich, Keen, Vasque and Teva.

Along with consigned gear, Second Gear also carries a selection of new items including guidebooks, regional maps, camping accessories, Innova disc golf equipment, cycling accessories, ENO hammocks and climbing gear.

Second Gear has grown steadily since opening in April 2004. Within that time period 7,000 consignors have sold over hundreds of thousands of items through Second Gear, with a resulting two million dollars in consignment fees paid out to mostly local and regional residents.

Second Gear has been located at 444 Haywood Road since May 2008. The building housed Ace Appliance from the early 1970s until late 2008. In July 2014 a historic renovation of the Mardis Building was completed.

Lawrence Grocery Store

Published on: by Aliceio

1955

Ferrell W. Harper, clerk, outside Lawrence Grocery Store at 219 Haywood Road. Signs behind Harper are for Ball’s Barber Shop, owned by Enoch G. Ball, located at 225 Haywood Road. Lawrence Grocery operated at this location from 1935-1955.

Trolley Car on the West Asheville Line

Published on: by Aliceio

1917

Street car service on the West Asheville Line was available from May, 1911 to September, 1934. Operated by Asheville Power and Light Co., trolleys crossed the French Broad River over the 1911 concrete West Asheville Bridge. The route traveled along Haywood Road, around Beacham’s Curve, continuing to Jarrett’s Store.

The above image shows a trolley heading up from the river along tracks immediately next to Haywood Road. The photo was likely taken from a horse-drawn carriage traveling downhill, as you can see part of the harness in the lower right of the photo.

“Ed’s” Big Dollar Superette #1

Published on: by Aliceio

1967

“Ed’s” Big Dollar Superette #1, located at 415 Haywood Road, was only open from 1967-1968. “Ed’s” likely referred to Edna C. Cason, proprietress. This location housed many grocery stores over the years including one of three West Asheville locations of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. [1924-1940], Estes-Starnes Grocery [1942], Metcalf Grocery [1947-1950], and Brown’s Market [1953-1965].

Seller’s Cabinet Shop [1947-1965], with AAA Aluminum Co. and Kirby Co. of Asheville all at 417 Haywood Road, can be seen on the left side of this photo. These businesses were operated by Paul G. Sellers who lived upstairs.

Image: West Asheville History Project, Buncombe County Special Collections, I372-5.