Gerber Village welcomes photos and stories from workers of the Asheville Gerber Plant

Did you -- or someone you know -- ever work at the Gerber Products plant in Asheville? If so, they'd love to hear from you.

Gerber Village is located on the spot where the Gerber plant stood for 40 years, and they would like to recognize this important part of Asheville history by sharing some of the stores of the hundreds of men and women who worked there over the years.

What's to tell? Anything you like. A description of your job... what department you worked in ... how long you worked at the plant ... your first day on the job ... and, of course, any photos you'd like to share. (Originals will be returned.)

For more information, please call (828) 782-5574 / Toll free: (855) 782-5574 or email friends@gerbervillage.com.

Tupelo Honey owner Steve Frabitore hornored as Small Business Leader of the Year, 16 or more employees

At the 116th Annual Meeting in June, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce honored outstanding companies and individuals. 

Every year, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce honors two individuals as Small Business Leader of the Year, sponsored by HomeTrust Bank. One award is given to an individual from a company with under 16 employees, and the other is given to an individual at a company with 16 or more employees. 

Selected from community nominations, winners clearly reflect quality and dedication in the operation of business in the Asheville area and exhibit leadership accomplishments including innovation, initiative and civic responsiveness.

Steve Frabitore of Tupelo Honey Cafe was chosen as 2013 Small Business Leader of the year in the category of 16 or more employees.

Steve purchased Tupelo Honey Cafe about six years ago and has since transformed the popular restaurant into an empire. Sales at the original downtown store have grown by over 200%, a second Asheville store was opened and by the end of 2013 there will be six Tupelo Honey Cafes throughout the Southeast. His success has garnered him recognition as the 2012 North Carolina Restaurateur of the Year by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association.  

"His passion for offering our guests flavorful food that is well thought out, tested and implemented allows us the good fortune of remaining a leader in southern cuisine after 12 years in business," said Alan Wolf, Vice President of Operations at Tupelo Honey Cafe. "Steve's passion for perfection is amazing and his ability to drive every decision by a guest-first focus makes him an excellent leader."

While growing the business, Steve has also kept an eye out for supporting the community. Tupelo Honey Cafe sponsors Go Kitchens, a job rehabilitation outfit for restaurant workers in Asheville, has provided food for families in need from local elementary schools and donated funds for building the Estes learning garden. Tupelo Honey Cafe teaches children's food nutrition to 2-4th graders in Buncombe County, NC, Knox County, TN and Greenville County, SC.

"Steve, as many Asheville leaders, embodies the spirit of our city, our region and of our best leaders," Wolf said. "His selflessness is genuine, his gratitude of guests and employees is inspirational and his drive and vision to create opportunity for those around him is truly unique."

Amplified Media recognized as August Small Business of the Month

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize Amplified Media as Small Business of the Month.  

Amplified Media offers professional video production and photography services on location with a studio in south Asheville. In his work, owner Jared Kay combines attention to detail, commitment to quality and creative storytelling. 

Read on for our interview with Jared and be sure to visit his web site for examples of his work.

Tell us a little of the history of the company.

I began Amplified Media in 2005 and grew the business organically over the years with an overwhelming amount of support from the local business community.  

What are you most proud of about Amplified Media?

I am extremely proud of our business community and amazing opportunity we have to play our role in providing a platform for organizations to share their story and purpose. 

Best advice you’ve gotten for leading a small business

Understand your WHY Factor. Every business knows WHAT they do and HOW they do it. It's WHY we do things that really matters.  

Your favorite thing in your office.

 My favorite thing in the office... The coffee maker... :) Haha. But honestly... I would have to say the genuinely inspiring and creative feeling I receive every time I walk in the door. 

The Asheville Chamber’s tagline is “Connect. Engage. Impact. Thrive.” Pick one of these words and tell us what it means to you as a small business in Asheville.
Oh boy. I would have to say "Connect": Without connections, I would find it nearly impossible to impact or thrive. I suspect you can engage without connection, but true and personal connections are the one element leading to impacting and thriving. 

The Small Business of the Month program allows the Asheville Chamber to recognize outstanding small businesses for their contributions to the community. Nominate an Asheville area business.

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity marks 30 years of service with day-long anniversary sale & celebration

2013 marks the 30^th anniversary of Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, the very first Habitat for Humanity affiliate in North Carolina. To recognize this milestone, the affiliate will be celebrating in a big way on September 7^th. The calendar of events includes:

9:00am, at the Swannanoa build site (Dennis Street)

Circle of Faith Potluck breakfast, Wall Raising on the 30^th Anniversary House and Key Passing/Dedication for the 2013 Thrivent/Lutheran House

9:00am – 6:00pm, at the Habitat ReStore (31 Meadow Road)
30^th Anniversary Sale, 30% off storewide!
Special Silent Auction exclusively featuring unique items from the Grove Park Inn; ends at 4pm

11am - 4pm, at the ReStore & Habitat campus (31-33 Meadow Road)

Anniversary Celebration – food and festivities and key passing to the 250^th homeowner

The 30^th Anniversary House will get underway during the Circle of Faith event when supporters raise the first wall of the home. Circle of Faith, a cul-de-sac of homes being built in the Swannanoa subdivision, highlights Habitat’s roots as a faith-based ministry and honors long-standing mission partners. The 30^th Anniversary House also happens to be the 10,000^th Habitat house to be built in North Carolina! A challenge grant has been put forth by Blue Ridge X-Ray Company who will match all donations to the 30^th Anniversary House (up to $30,000). To donate, visit ashevillehabitat.org.

While one house gets started, two other families will receive keys to their recently finished homes. The first Key Passing/Dedication - for the 2013 Thrivent/Lutheran House - will take place in Swannanoa as part of the Circle of Faith event. The second will happen at Habitat’s Meadow Road campus at 1pm, when Mayor Terry Bellamy presents the key to Asheville Habitat’s 250th homeowner. The 250^th house is the City of Asheville House, the final home built in Habitat’s 22-home Carney Place neighborhood in West Asheville. 

“We have built 250 new houses and repaired 50 homes, serving 300 families – more than 1,000 adults and children,” notes Executive Director Lew Kraus who has been at the helm since 1988 and is the

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longest serving Habitat for Humanity Executive Director. “Our past success is thanks to the generosity and partnership of this community, and we rely on that continued support to move our mission forward and serve the next 300 families”.

Habitat is grateful to event sponsors Biltmore Company, Asheville Savings Bank, Bank of America/Merrell-Lynch, Silver-Line Plastics, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and United Federal Credit Union. Appreciation also goes to food sponsors: Biscuit Head, Buffalo Wild Wings, The Corner Kitchen, Creperie Bouchon, Dynamite Roasting Company, Earthfare, Frankie Bones, GalloLeo Pizza, Highland Brewing and Tupelo Honey.

The Roberts & Stevens Law Firm announces 2014 Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers of the Year

Eighteen attorneys at Roberts & Stevens Law Firm have been honored by their peers in

The Best Lawyers in America® 2014:

·         Sarah Patterson “Patsy” Brison in Administrative/Regulatory Law and Land Use & Zoning Law/Litigation

·         Vincent D. Childress, Jr. in Corporate Law and Health Care Law

·         William “Billy” Clarke  in Environmental Law/Litigation and Natural Resources Law

·         David L. English in Corporate Law and Real Estate Law

·         Jacqueline D. Grant in Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants

·         Jackson D. Hamilton in Tax Law/Litigation & Controversy

·         Kenneth R. Hunt in Insurance Law

·         Gregory D. Hutchins in Corporate Law, Health Care Law, and Trusts & Estates

·         Phillip T. Jackson in Insurance Litigation

·         Mark C. Kurdys in Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, and Transportation Law

·         Marjorie R. Mann in Arbitration, Banking and Finance Law/Litigation, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law/Litigation

·         John W. Mason in Trusts & Estates Law/Litigation

·         Marc S. Rudow in Real Estate Law

·         John S. Stevens  in Corporate Law

·         Wyatt S. Stevens in Commercial Litigation, Trusts & Estates Litigation, and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

·         James W. Williams in Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

·         Sheryl H. Williams in Real Estate Law/Litigation

·         F. Lachicotte “Lach” Zemp, Jr. in Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law and Transportation Law

Additionally, the following four attorneys from Roberts & Stevens have been named

Best Lawyers' 2014 Lawyers of the Year:

·         Sarah Patterson “Patsy” Brison has been named the Best Lawyers’ 2014 Asheville Land Use & Zoning Law "Lawyer of the Year."

·         John S. Stevens has been named the Best Lawyers’ 2014 Asheville Corporate Law "Lawyer of the Year."

·         James W. Williams has been named the Best Lawyers’ 2014 Asheville Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year."

·         Sheryl H. Williams has been named the Best Lawyers’ 2014 Asheville Real Estate Law "Lawyer of the Year."

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers^® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Because Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which almost 50,000 leading attorneys cast nearly five million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.