Peri Social House lauds hometown hospitality with modern appeal
Boutique hotel and public parlour brings ‘mountain boho’ mood to Black Mountain
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
July 20, 2024
Peri Social House, a boutique hotel and public coffee, beer and wine bar, will celebrate its grand opening, Aug. 17, in Black Mountain. Photo by Fred McCormick
In the early 20th century, travelers arriving in a burgeoning Black Mountain could find comfort in a newly constructed boarding house on West State Street. Within the walls of the Georgian Revival-style brick structure, originally known as Carolina Terrace, lodgers often experienced their initial welcome to the Swannanoa Valley.
In the decades that followed, uses for the distinctive building perched atop a hill on the west side of town varied, as it housed a funeral home and later the Wild Hare wedding and event venue. When its latest incarnation — Peri Social House — opens to the public in early August, owners Trevor and Kathryn Rudisill are bringing the property back to its hometown hospitality roots.
Touted as the “smallest hotel in the state,” the new business, which plans to launch a soft opening before its Saturday, Aug. 17 grand opening celebration, borrows its identity and decor from its surroundings.
“The original meaning of the name ‘Peri’ is mountain dweller, and ‘Social House’ speaks to the atmosphere we hope to create here,” Kathryn said. “This is such a special building with plenty of space, we wanted to turn it into a welcoming place for hotel guests while opening it up to the local community.”
The nearly 8,000-square-foot hotel includes six rooms, with one on the ground floor, four on the second story and a suite on the third level, while the interior layout lends itself to large gatherings or intimate conversations, according to the owner.
“This building has so many nooks, open space for events, a great bar, spacious den and other areas to host a work meeting or enjoy a night out, whether it’s catching up with friends or a quiet date,” Kathryn said.
Peri Social House, a new boutique hotel and public coffee, beer and wine bar in Black Mountain, will open to the public in August. Courtesy photo
Peri Social House will feature a coffee and espresso bar, eight beer taps, a cooler with a rotating selection of craft beer and a diverse offering of approximately 50 wines. Plans include a gallery displaying the work of local artists, while the expansive grounds hold a large brick patio, fenced family-friendly area and space to accommodate food trucks. The large front porch faces south, offering a panoramic mountain view.
“Going into the design process we thought about how to build something that could host any kind of group, so we have a gated area where kids can play with sensory bins or the gaga ball pit and be entertained,” Trevor said. “Then we have a bunch of different seating areas, including a 10-top round table, for groups of all sizes. If you’re coming in to do some work, you can tuck away in the sun room and be in a quieter space.”
The “mountain boho” aesthetic is a mixture of earth tones and textures with modern accents, while each hotel room boasts a distinct theme.
“We wanted it to feel welcoming and inviting,” said Kathryn, who worked in the hospitality industry for several years after college. The Rudisills, who opened Gold River Camp and Cabins in Marion in 2021, were drawn to the Black Mountain property when they were passing through town late last year.
Peri Social House will offer a public coffee and espresso bar and wide selection of craft beer and wine when it opens in early August. The boutique hotel, which occupies an 88-year-old Georgian Revival-style building in Black Mountain, features six rooms. Courtesy photo
“She’s in real estate and I’m a general contractor, so we’re into looking at cool properties,” Trevor said. “It’s such a unique building, we were quickly brainstorming ways we could bring it back to life and give visitors and locals an opportunity to enjoy it.”
The couple traveled extensively in 2018, staying in 123 hostels and homestays around the world, according to Kathryn. The experience led them to consider venturing into the hospitality industry.
“We would always end up having conversations about how it would be cool to have a place where we host guests and serve drinks,” Kathryn said. “When we came home, we found the campground and decided to fix it up. It has 11 cabins on the water, and it needed a lot of work, but it was just an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”
Trevor and Kathryn Rudisill, owners and operators of Gold River Camp and Cabins in Marion, will open Peri Social House in Black Mountain in August. Courtesy photo
They experienced a similar feeling about restoring the well-known building in Black Mountain, according to Kathryn.
“We’re really looking forward to bringing something new to Black Mountain and getting to know the community,” Kathryn said. “It’s a great spot, with easy access and space for everyone, so we want to be the spot locals think of when they’re looking for a place to bring friends or family. They can just say ‘meet me at Peri,’ and come enjoy this unique and beautiful building.”