A February welcome for downtown businesses

Chamber holds ribbon cutting for trio of businesses

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
February 20, 2022

Andrea and Jamie Walston, owners of Herschel’s, celebrate their ribbon cutting with the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Fred McCormick

The Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed a trio of businesses to downtown, Feb. 10, with a traveling ribbon cutting ceremony.

Chamber Director Sharon Tabor was joined by members of the organizations board and local business owners, as the group visited Sarah Sunshine Pottery, Herschel’s and Excellent Seconds. At each stop they were greeted by owners who took turns celebrating their arrival in the local business community with a pair of oversized scissors.

Excellent Seconds, owned by Heather Davis, moved from Asheville to Black Mountain in March of 2021. The business was one of three to be officially welcomed, Feb. 10, by the chamber of commerce. Photo by Fred McCormick

All three businesses opened in 2021, with Sarah Sunshine Pottery holding its grand opening in early December, on the weekend of Holly Jolly and the Black Mountain Christmas Parade. The Cherry Street store is owned by longtime local pottery-maker, Sarah Vekasi.

All of the merchandise carried by the store is handmade by Vekasi in her Black Mountain studio.

Sarah Sunshine Pottery’s winter hours are 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sunday.

For more information, visiting sarahsunshinepottery.com.

Sarah Vekasi cuts the ribbon in front of Sarah Sunshine Pottery on Cherry Street. The store, which held its grand opening in December, carries pottery made by Vekasi in her Black Mountain studio. Photo by Fred McCormick

Excellent Seconds opened its doors on Broadway Avenue in March, following a move from its former location in Asheville. The experience in Black Mountain has been a “fantastic” one in the first year, according to owner Heather Davis.

“I’d been looking to move from my former location for a year and half,” she said. “I felt so fortunate to find this spot, and it’s been the best experience ever. We moved our home here, as well, and this community is awesome.”

Excellent Seconds is an upscale consignment boutique that carries “hard to find” brands, including J. Crew, Eileen Fisher, Antropology and Everlane handbags. The store is open 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit excellentseconds.com.

Davis added that she appreciated the small town atmosphere of Black Mountain, as well has her neighbors at Herschel’s, where owners Andrea and Jamie Walston greeted the chamber representatives next. The market features a wide variety of local products, including produce, dry goods, floral arrangements, sauces and many more.

Herschel’s opened in May, and the owners were excited to launch their business and eager to meet the locals.

“Getting to know people by name has been great,” Andrea said. “It’s a great feeling when you get to know what customers want, and have exactly what they’re looking for when they walk in the door. We also have an awesome neighbor.”

The couple also spoke highly of the the relationships they’ve developed with area vendors.

“We’ve visited pretty much all of the farms that produce the farm goods we carry,” Andrea said. “We’ve met so many great families all over Western North Carolina.”

Herschel’s is open from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

For more information visit the Herschel’s Facebook page.