Foothills celebrates 20 years in ‘grand’ style at the Grange
Black Mountain business to host party in downtown location
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
December 1, 2022
From left to right, Cash McKissick, Arlo Prior, Casey McKissick, Amanda McKissick, Waylon Prior and Tucker McKissick will celebrate 20 years of Foothills Local Meats, Dec. 4, when they host a grand opening for Foothills Grange in downtown Black Mountain. Photo courtesy of Foothills
In the early 2000s, some people in Black Mountain knew the McKissicks as vendors at the local tailgate market. A few years later, the family met more locals when they opened a small butcher shop on the outskirts of town with a neon sign that simply read: “MEATS.”
Foothills Local Meats is now known to many throughout Western N.C., where it boasts four locations, including its newest spot occupying a spacious indoor-outdoor venue in the center of the town in which it all began. As the family prepare to celebrate 20 years of “Honest Meats,” they’ll do so in grand fashion at Foothills Grange, from 2-8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4.
The Grange, which launched at 120 Broadway Avenue in September, will host its grand opening with prizes to the first 50 guests, live music by The Upbeats Ukulele Band of Black Mountain and a cookie decorating station for children. The evening, which includes a special appearance by Santa Claus, will also feature a tree lighting.
Growing a business during a global pandemic offered Amanda and Casey McKissick a renewed gratitude for their staff and community, who not only helped them survive, but thrive. The upcoming event will celebrate that success with the people who made it possible.
“We’re so grateful to reflect on 20 years of building capacity for local food and farming, for ourselves and our farm partner. There have been plenty of ups and downs over the years and, ask anyone who does it, this is a hard business,” Casey said. “The local community has supported us at every step. It’s a real joy to see customers every day who bought meat from a freezer out of the back of my pickup truck and our ugly heirloom tomatoes at a rickety folding table at the Tailgate Market 20 years ago.”
Foothills sought to maintain its timeless retro appeal, a welcoming family-friendly environment and classic menu items when debuting its newest setting in the heart of Black Mountain, according to Casey. The name for its flagship location was chosen to honor the Granger Movement, a significant period in American agriculture history that began over 135 years ago.
“The location where we built Foothills Grange is a historic piece of Black Mountain,” he said. “The property has a storied past. It was once a livery stable and later a coal house that served the community. In more recent history, it was a beloved blacksmith shop, yoga studio and tea house. We’re so excited to breathe new life into this loved, old building.”
The expansive outdoor space has quickly become a popular destination for guests craving Foothills’ signature smashburgers, or looking to gather with family and friends on the lawn. The 250-seat venue offers covered picnic tables; a large patio with seating off the main building; a kids’ play space with dirt piles and Tonka trucks and a permanent food truck.. The main building features an intimate indoor bar with 16 taps, a large bottle and can selection, simple cocktails and slushies for both kids and adults. Parking is available along Broadway and adjoining streets.
“The Grange is a friendly mix of locals and visitors and a bunch of kids playing in the lawn and Dirt Place. Adults lounge in lawn chairs and around picnic tables watching the bustle of downtown,” said Amanda, the general manager and co-owner of the Grange. “(On) cool nights it becomes much more of a bar scene, with our cozy indoor seating and folks gathered around the wood stoves outside. A local customer recently told me that they and their friends refer to the Grange as ‘Black Mountain’s new backyard.’”