YES! Hip Replacements Clothing in Asheville NC

Nestled between Izzy’s Coffee Den and Mela Indian Restaurant on Lexington Avenue in Downtown Asheville is a swanky little clothing shop called Hip Replacements. Specializing in the glamour of yesteryear, they don dames and gents with hand picked vintage and eclectic reproductions. Partner in the biz and lover in the bed, Kip Veno adds his rock ‘n roll style and rat rod flair to create a gritty edge that snags your stockings in all the right places.

Both Franzi Charen and Kip moved here from larger, more diverse cities (San Francisco, and NYC respectively) and chose Asheville as their home. “The potential that Asheville has to grow in unique and more diverse ways is delightfully exciting. The opportunity to become involved in the community and create real connections with creative people striving for quality of life is inspiring.” Franzi laughs and opens a beer. “Asheville has surprised both of us; neither of us thought we’d settle down in such a small town.”

Hip Replacements was started by partners Rob Castillo (of 80s Night @ Broadways fame) and Teri Adams over twelve years ago. “That was when you could still smoke in the shop and they’d have kids djing in the corner,” Kip recalls. A few years ago Morgan Griggs purchased the business and ran it with her partner Chris Towe. Kip worked for Morgan for three years before he and Franzi purchased the business in 2008. Hit The Big Crafty or The Admiral at the right time and you can catch all three generations of Hip Replacements guys hanging out together.

The best part of their business? “Being able to be myself everyday,” says Kip. “The people and the stories and truly being part of a creative community,” adds Franzi.

Michel Baudouin, owner of Bouchon, a French restaurant a few doors down has been enthusiastic since the couple took over. Michel and Franzi have had a working relationship ever since Franzi was his daughter’s art teacher at Hanger Hall School for Girls. When Franzi owned Fired Up, the pottery store on Wall St., she created butter bells and wine coolers for his restaurant. Currently, Fuller, Baudouin’s daughter, can be regularly seen on Hip Replacement’s blog and Etsy site as one of their main models.

Asia Mahon, owner of Virtue clothing store, ten steps south of Bouchon, has been a close friend and mentor to the couple. A year ago this February, Franzi and Kip, Asia and her partner of 11 years, John attended the Magic Tradeshow together in Las Vegas. While there, Franzi and Kip were thrilled to be witnesses to their official wedding at the Graceland Chapel hosted by the King himself.

Part of their mission is to give back to the community which afforded them the opportunity to work in a field they love. Among other pursuits, they’ve joined forces with the Latino Advocacy Coalition and hold an annual clothing swap and benefit concert headlined by Kip’s band, the Rubber Cushions. Carolina McCready, co-director of the Coalition has been a dear friend and sounding board of the couple from the start and provides much inspiration, enthusiasm and an occasional glass of wine.

Besides their vintage clothing, Hip Replacements carries designs by Kill City jeans, E.C. Star & Effie’s Heart dresses, Pinup Couture, Judy Blue jeans, Neeves belts and buckles, Peter Grimm fedoras, T.U.K. shoes and more. They pride themselves in giving a stage to over 25 local clothing and jewelry designers and a bi-monthly art opening for local artists featured on their walls.

Chances are you’ll find either Kip or Franzi and often both at the store any given day of the week. If not, you’ll be greeted by Ryan Ashley Anderson, one of their artists who is like family and puts in her time at the store or possibly even Kip’s mom, Hollace Staren. Either way, you will find a friendly atmosphere, a great conversation, discover new music and some new or vintage threads at an incredible price. See you there!

Hip Replacements
“Style is the soundtrack for your life”
72 N. Lexington Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
828.255.7573
http://www.hipreplacementsclothing.com/


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The King of Beers, Ha... Asheville Has The Queen!

Jason & Julie Atallah, Owners, Managers, and Beerlanthropists (Beerlanthropy® is our registered trademark.)


Bruisin' Ales, a beer-only boutique store, in downtown Asheville. Over 800 different beers from around the world and around the corner. Rated #1 Beer Store “Best of WNC”, #3 Best Beer Retailer Worldwide by RateBeerBest 2009, and One of the Top Ten Bottle Shops in US by Imbibe Magazine.

We are the key people in our business (owner-operated) and we also have one single and extremely knowledge employee, Mike Guarracino.

A great beer town deserves a great beer store. The laws had changed in NC, we always loved Asheville, knew a lot about Belgian beer, and decided to uproot, quit corporate life and open a beer store. We opened in Dec. 2006. Asheville is THE hotspot for beer in the South. We hoped to bring the beer culture found in Denver, the Pacific Northwest, Northeast and California to our corner of the world. It's great to be a part of the changes going on the Southeast.

Our favorite things about Asheville WNC is the scenery, the lifestyle and the people, and of course, the BEER. So much beer and beer-knowledgeable people.

The greater WNC/Asheville area is extremely supportive of small business. I'm sure we're not alone in being extremely grateful and forever amazed at the amazing people in this community. We also find it remarkable and the number of beer people in this town. Sure a nice Red Zin or martini hits the spot sometimes, but beer is where it's at around these parts.

There is really nothing like our business model. There are other wine and beer stores, but that was never the aim of Bruisin' Ales. We're more than just a storefront. Beer has always been considered a lesser beverage and our store is about changing that perception, experimenting with styles and flavors (12oz are all sold in singles, “mix-a-six”), and education via tastings and dinners, often with representatives from the breweries or importers on-hand if anyone has questions. So, far we've had Lee Chase, formerly of Stone Brewing Co.; Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head Brewery; Adam Avery, founder of Avery Brewing Co.; and Rob Tod, founder of Allagash Brewing, to name a few. As our trademark states, it's all about the beerlanthropy®!

Name 3 other businesses in Asheville or WNC that you regularly network with and why:

Ninemile: (@ninemile) This popular Asheville restaurant is active online in social media, particularly Twitter; it is another privately owned business like ours; and they have a kick-ass, ever-changing taplist.

Applied Solutions Group: (@ashevilleweb) These design folks help us transition into a new web redesign in 2009. We're now so much easier to communicate with via the Bruisin' Beer Blog, Facebook, Twitter and more. They're also helping us launch our new online store in early 2010! These guys rock.

The Thirsty Monk: (@monkpub) The place to go for craft beer right now in Asheville. We're proponents of our local craft beer, but sometimes you want something different or have an opportunity to try something rare. Ever-changing taps keep us there at least twice a week. We also have successfully matched up events when brewery people are in town, such as FREE tastings at Bruisin' Ales, followed by special cask events at The Thirsty Monk.

What are the top 3 products you offer and/or sell at your business?
Every day topsellers: Pisgah Pale Ale/Pisgah Brewing Co, Black Mountain, NC; Two Hearted Ale/Bell's Brewing Co., Kalamazoo, MI; Green Flash West Coast IPA/Green Flash Brewing Company, Vista, CA.
By sales: Pisgah Pale Ale/Pisgah Brewing Co., Black Mountain, NC; Pisgah Vortex II/Pisgah Brewing Co., Black Mountain, NC; Highland Cold Mountain/Highland Brewing Co., Asheville, NC

You'd think differently, but we actually get only a handful of people per year that come through our doors asking for watery domestics. This makes us happy. The revolution is happening!

Bruisin' Ales
“A High-Gravity World of Brews”
66 Broadway Street, Asheville, NC 28801
Email: General: beer@bruisin-ales.com Online Orders: orders@bruisin-ales.com
Phone #: 828-252-8999
 

*Beer Queen Photo Courtesy of Jason Sanford of Ashvegas!

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HATCH Asheville - Downtown Asheville on Saturday 4/18/09

There are lots of events going on today, Saturday April 18, 2009 at Hatch Asheville. I am sitting in the Journalism event at 26.5 Battery Park in Downtown Asheville listening to beautiful radio clips that Julie Shapiro is presenting; and I have a big schedule ahead. At 1pm, there is a Fashion Panel at the Innovators Lounge at 46 Wall Street, an Architecture event at Battery Park, and a Groundbreaker Short Films event at the Fine Arts Theatre (film is $8).

At 2pm today, there is a "Fashion Breakout" at 26.5 Battery Park, at 3pm there is a Music Industry discussion at the Innovator's Lounge, at 4pm Elisa Jimenez will be at the AAAC Front Gallery at 11 Biltmore Avenue for a Fashion Event, and also a film called "Good Dick" at the Fine Arts Theatre (film is $8). At 6pm tonight there will be an Architecture Panel Discussion followed by an Exhibit Reception at the Asheville Design Center on 8 College Street. At 7pm, there will also be a film "Made in China" at the Fine Arts Theatre for $8. Also at 9 pm tonight at the Fine Arts Theatre there will the Groundbreaker Short Films event for $8.

The HATCH closing event is at The Orange Peel tonight 4/18/09 at The Orange Peel at 101 Biltmore Avenue. Food, Drinks, Music and Video. This is a ticketed event and tickets are $25, and you are promised an awesome time. Fun, networking, connections, socializing, inspiration and life! This is our future Asheville. Get out and HATCH a little!

Asheville is very fortunate to have http://www.hatchasheville.org/ as a part of our community. I believe they will be planting in Asheville for the next 9 years at least, and by then, they should be here to stay!

HATCH, thank you for all of your hard work and the many great contributions you are making to the Asheville and Western North Carolina community. My life has been enriched so much in just a few days.

Cinjades Dance Club in Asheville North Carolina

Stopped by Asheville's Cinjades and took some great video footage of the Saturday night dance party going on. Plenty of people, security prompt and everywhere, and lots of Hip Hopping. This is one of Asheville's main nightclubs right down the street from the center of downtown Asheville at Pack Square. Cinjades is also connected to Magnolia's Restaurant and Nightclub, where a lighter blend of music or all genres is played.

Official Asheville Picture Point #5, Asheville Kissing Point #5

Asheville is full of little surprises all over the City streets and sidewalks! Here is a monument that I had called "Asheville's Liberty Bell" for years. This is Asheville's Kissing Point #5! Take your picture at this point and name it "Me @ Asheville Photo Point #5".

This historic bell is similar to the one that hung in the 1892 City Hall that stood on the East end of Pack Square in Asheville North Carolina. The granite circles at the base of the bell represent bollards and are in the shape of the octagonal City Hall belfry. Information supplied Sarah Meyer from the Asheville Area Arts Council and taken from the “Urban Trail” brochure.

The Asheville Bell is located on the corner of College Street and North Market Street in Downtown Asheville. Many historic buildings in this area as this is the Centerpiece of the City. You can look across the street from here and see the Jackson Building (one of my favorite taller buildings) and it has Sisters McMullen bakery on the very lower level. And, you can look down N. Market Street and find a few Asheville restaurants including Vincenzo's and Magnolia's. If you were to walk straight ahead, you would also see Fiore's Ristorante Toscana (the Asheville Italian Restaurant that we Loveeee!) on the left. Arcenio runs a great lunch and dinner spot here, and we have always enjoyed that second level exposed seating area upstairs. Anthony is the Manager at Fiore's and you can visit them by going to www.fioresasheville.com

Attic Fire Downtown Patton Ave Asheville 1/15/09

Witnessed one elderly lady being rescued in a blanket by Asheville Fire and Rescue. Patton Ave and Pearl Street, right across from the Western Carolina Rescue Mission. See the video on www.YouTube.com/AskAsheville. Also... follow us on www.Twitter.com/AskAsheville.

Look up Biltmore Avenue to the BB&T Building

I think Biltmore Avenue is a great area of Downtown Asheville and get excited about all of the little (and big) stores, shops, eateries, and restaurants. Here is a quick pic I took from the car.

Asheville Musicians Jam on Pack Square Downtown

This Asheville video was taken by my 8 year old son who is a "blogger in training". Great footage, especially for his first shoot. The Flip Video camcorder makes it easy for anyone to do nice videos with minimal experience or effort.

These musicians were having a great time playing and singing in Downtown Asheville on Pack Square. Passed by about an hour later and they had some guy with a harmonica who joined in with them. I love walking around Asheville, listen to the music, spare a few bucks, and make some new friends.

Battery Park Apartments Asheville Welcomes New Business

The Battery Park Apartments in Asheville had undergone some serious exterior renovation in the past several years and now is attracting lots of business and clientel. Hector & Bonnie own the Havana Cuban Cuisine, which is a cuban/spanish restaurant with some really tasty options. Now, on the other side of the building, a new Champagne Bar in Asheville along with a Bookstore. Can't wait to see it!

Broadway & Merrimon Connector in Asheville

When cruising around downtown Asheville, Broadway Avenue turns into Merrimon Avenue when heading North. Here is the intersection where I-240 runs through Broadway Avenue. Businesses have it somewhat hard here because there is not much foot traffic on this side of the street. There is a guitar shop, the rear entrance to Broadway's bar and pool hall, the entrance to Rosetta's Kitchen, and the Asheville Mural Project below under the highway.

Asheville's Thirsty Monk Bar is growing

Passed by and saw that Thirsty Monk has some seating out front like College Street and Jack of the Wood, both of which are right across the street. So add Athena's, which is about 300 feet up the street, and The Yacht Club, and you have 5 really cool bars and places to chill within 2 minutes of each other. Lots of action going on in Downtown Asheville. Come check it out! 828-254-5470

Asheville Community Theatre Monument, ACT and 35below

Night pic of the rotating monument in front of the Asheville Community Theatre in Downtown Asheville North Carolina.

From their website http://www.ashevilletheatre.org/

"Asheville Community Theatre is located in historic downtown Asheville, North Carolina at 35 East Walnut Street one block northwest of City Hall. Neighbors of ACT are: The Thomas Wolfe Memorial and Visitors Center, the Renaissance Asheville Hotel, and Magnolia's Raw Bar & Grill.
Downtown Asheville is booming and parking can be difficult to find. We have several spaces adjacent to the theatre that are available on a first come, first served basis. The closest street parking is found on Spruce, Walnut and Market streets (meters run until 6:00 pm Monday-Saturday, but are free on Sundays). The closest parking garage is located on Biltmore Avenue, approximately 2 blocks from the theatre."

They also have 35below www.AshevilleTheatre.org/35below/about.html

Here is the info from their website...

"35below is the newest addition to Asheville Community Theatre. Designed by Fisher Architects PA and funded by a grant from the Janirve Foundation, it consists of a black box theatre (meaning it has flexible staging and seating options) with a capacity for 49, a lobby and bar, dressing rooms, and restroom facilities. The facility is outfitted with state of the art equipment donated by Scott Shannon. The Constance M. Cramer Teaching Theatre is named in honor of Mr. Shannon’s late wife, a devoted supporter of community theatre.

Asheville Community Theatre will mount several full productions each season in the new intimate performance space, with the intention of building and nurturing a more adventurous audience. Our inaugural production is David Sedaris’ “The Santaland Diaries,” opening November 29, 2002. 35below will offer more affordable ticket prices and later show times, often running multiple performances on the same evening.

35below is committed to supporting works by local playwrights through full productions, staged readings, or developmental workshops. Tanglewood Youth Theatre classes will be taught in the complex, as well as an array of other ACT-sponsored educational workshops.
35below is available for rental by performance groups, classes, and other community organizations."

Downtown Asheville CVS become a stageshow

Here is a little bit of the Asheville streetlife right across from Pritchard Park and Wachovia Bank in downtown Asheville. CVS has just recently moved out and this store remains vacant with nothing covering the windows. Some musicians are playing in the entryway and some others talking on the side, one dressed as Santa. I have seen people sleeping in this hole, peddling, and much more. It is a free platform and they are quick to make use of it. I wonder if you have to reserve it, is it first come first serve, can you pay someone to use it, or is there a time limit? Maybe it is a "free for all" and you have to fight for the spot? This is Asheville, who knows. These two men were into in, and as I waited for this long light, I watched them jam out together!

Christmas at the Buncombe County Courthouse in Asheville

Here is a picture of the Christmas Tree set in the Buncombe County courthouse in Downtown Asheville North Carolina. Love some of the Architecture in this "Historic" building, but the building needs major renovation, and detailing; unless of course they are planning on building a new courthouse to match those "pretty" new detention centers (one built in 1994 and one just finished a few months ago). The new parking deck in downtown Asheville is right across the street from here, as well as the new Carolina First building featuring Jersey Mike's sub and sandwiches. This place has grown so much... and just in the last 12 months. See video on the Pack Square Park construction on www.YouTube.com/AskAsheville.

Asheville Fireworks light up the sky 12-13-08

Downtown Asheville is having fireworks every Saturday until Christmas, meaning you have one more Saturday (Dec 20, 2008) to check out the Grand Finale in Downtown Asheville. The weekend before Christmas at around 7pm to check out the fireworks and to see so many other things going on everywhere. Asheville is in the Christmas & Season Spirit. Go Downtown and check it out.

Biltmore Village Asheville NC Fun!

Biltmore Village is a great place a minute or two South of Downtown Asheville. There are so many little shops and eateries and new places are under development right now. Found the Elves today, but could not find Santa for some reason, lol. We know he is busy too, so we found plenty more to do. Here are some clips I took while walking through.

Asheville Yacht Club (not boat team) under construction

Downtown Asheville is home to many bars and nightlife choices. Here is the Asheville Yacht Club on the corner of Coxe Avenue and Downtown Patton. I just saw people hanging out in this window a few days ago. Remodel or accident?

Little Cute Bus Stop Seat in Asheville

When I look at this, I think of a community that put just a little bit extra into their corner and area, and get excited about pulling it together and making it happen. This little bus stop is on Clingman Avenue in down Downtown Asheville North Carolina. West Asheville is right behind me across the French Broad River.

Mountain BizWorks in Asheville NC

Here is the new Mountain Biz Works headquarters in the Lexington Avenue Station in downtown Asheville. This company has consistently helped numerous businesses give birth and stay alive all across Western North Carolina. www.MountainBizWorks.org

Downtown Asheville Inn, looking good?

This was the Days Inn (not Comfort Inn) of Downtown Asheville but has now been taken over by others and named the "Downtown Inn". (Thank you Will of the Hill for the correction). Do not really have high hopes for this place. As you can see, it is the first place that people crowd in when they gather money for a room, cannot drive home from downtown, or want to party close to the action. I guess I will just call this Downtown Asheville's Party Hotel... right next to Scandal's and about 2 blocks away from Nashwa and Hairspray, popular downtown Asheville clubs. I vote for a facelift and some regular curbside maintenance.