Plus, a sanctuary for senior cats

Soul food + art gallery to join SoundSpace

After decades of stillness, the historic site of Rabbit’s Motel and Cafe has been resurrected in a major way, thanks to the efforts of local musicians Claude Coleman Jr. (the drummer of rock band Ween) and bassist Brett Spivey.

The before and after shots of the Rabbit's Motel site. |Gif by AVLtoday

In 2020, the duo launched Sound Space @ Rabbit’s, an affordable music rehearsal studio. Now, they’ve got their eyes on transforming the lot’s other abandoned building (which formerly housed a legendary, Black-owned soul food cafe from 1947-1980s) into an art gallery + revamped soul food kitchen.

Here’s the need-to-know details on the space’s history, and the owners’ future plans.

The original Rabbit's Motel. | Photo courtesy of Buncombe County Special Collections

From 1947 to now

The motel site (which now houses recording studios) was originally opened by Fred “Rabbit” Simpson in 1947 during segregation. Though it wasn’t an official Green Book listing, the motel was known as a haven for Black travelers and hosted celebrities like Richard Pryor, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and members of the Negro Baseball League.

While the motel ceased operation in the late 1960s, Lou Ella Byrd (the wife of Fred Simpson’s nephew) inherited the cafe and kept it open as a beloved soul food joint which thrived for several decades before shutting down in the early 2000s. The menu included homemade cornbread, chitlins, fresh vegetables, “pork chops the size of bibles,” and a vinyl R&B jukebox.

Chef Robinson's food truck next to the future site of Areta's. | Photo by AVLtoday

A soul food cafe is next in line

Now that the motel rooms have been successfully converted to state-of-the-art recording studios, SoundSpace aims to open Areta’s Soul Food cafe by the end of the year. The eatery, which will be headed by Chef Clarence Robinson, will pay homage to the space’s soul food heritage.

Robinson, who also goes by “The Flavor King,” is known for decadent plates + “soul bowls” that feature bourbon mango chicken, honey salmon, fried tofu, and classic Southern sides like collard greens, okra, and macaroni and cheese.

In the floor above the kitchen, there will also be an art gallery space, and the exterior of the building will include murals that honor the legacy of the historically Black neighborhood.

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EVENTS

Today

Pop Up Yoga: Morning Flow w/ Sophie | Fri., Jan. 14 | 8-9 a.m. | Mount Inspiration Apparel, 444 Haywood Rd. | $15 | Start your morning off right with this yoga class where all experience levels are welcomed. ✨

Saturday

Plant Club Pop-Up | Sat., Jan. 15 | 12-5 p.m. | Art Garden AVL, 191 Lyman St. #316 | Free | Find rare plants, native medicinals, handmade pots + trellises, and more. 🪴
Barketype Adoption Event | Sat., Jan. 15 | 12-3 p.m. | Archetype Brewing West, 265 Haywood Rd. | Free | Come find a new fur baby to adopt and take home to your family. 🐶
Atelier Maison & Co.'s Warehouse Sale | Sat., Jan. 15 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | 121 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Free entry | Enjoy discounts up to 40% off and shop unique items from designers registered through the Trade Program, plus overstock and clearance inventory.*

Sunday

Plant-based Cooking Class | Sun., Jan 16 | 2-4:30 p.m. | Virtual | $35 | Learn to make crispy tofu fingers, a protein-packed salad, chickpea pot pie + vegan brownies at this interactive virtual cooking class. 🥗
Alcohol Art Ink and Drink | Sun., Jan 16 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Archetype Brewing, 174 Broadway St. | $35 | Artist Sherri Welser will demonstrate all the fun ways to create a beautiful landscape using alcohol inks. 🎨

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

PLAN YOUR JANUARY

NEWS NOTES

Weather

44º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Meteorologists are increasingly confident that a powerful winter storm will take place this weekend. Heavy snow and freezing drizzle are expected, as well as hazardous travel + power conditions. 🌨️ (WLOS)

Number

Curious how the Solarize Asheville campaign fared in its first year? The final results are in. The group purchasing efforts brought Buncombe County 180 new rooftop solar systems and 1.45 megawatts of renewable energy, for a total of $4.69 million in new clean energy development. ☀️

Coming Soon

Cry Baby, a new “euphoric cocktail bar” headed to Asheville this summer, has released limited quantities of sweatshirts and tote bags for purchase. Lexy Rae and Zane Buchholz of the Hush Hush Pop-up series and the now defunct MG Road Lounge are the bartenders behind the venture.

Eat

Toro Furioso, a Latin food pop-up with Chefs Ryan Kline and Ben Hester, will come to The Odditorium on Fri., Jan. 21, 4 p.m.-12 a.m. The menu will include fiery flavors and epic nachos, plus a dance party. Food is first come, first serve. 💃

Arts

The American Spiritual Ensemble will perform at the Wortham Center on Tues., Jan. 25. The critically-acclaimed group is known for provocative, spirited concerts that celebrate the Black experience which range from jazz to drums to Broadway numbers. Get tickets.

Cause

The Blood Connection, a community blood center that serves the Carolinas, has announced a critical shortage of blood that’s impacting local hospitals. As it stands, the blood blank is slated to collect 40% less than what’s needed in the next 30 days. Sign up to donate. 🩸
Have you heard of Laps and Naps Home for Senior Cats? This relatively new organization is raising money to build a sanctuary for senior cats. The volunteer-driven program also provides foster care and assistance with the adoption and rescue of senior cats (who are often overlooked or left behind). Learn more. 🐈

Jobs

There will be a job fair for Charles George VA Medical Center on Wed., Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the NCWorks Career Center. Positions for nursing, emergency medical technicians, food service, and medical assistants will be available. VA jobs offer benefits such as insurance, paid leave, and retirement. The center is at 48 Grove St.

*This paid content, brought to you by our advertising partners, helps make this newsletter free.

📸 @littlejumbobar

For those of you who mourned the departure of Tiffanie, the original Wade Asa sculpture that lived inside the cocktail bar Little Jumbo for more than a year — here’s a pick-me-up. This week, Asa dropped off a new epic creature installation, which will remain through late November.

We’re not sure of its name yet, but we are definitely digging the moody rainforest-green hues and the four piercing-yellow eyes. Pssst, if you want to check out more of Asa’s art, he’s also got a new booth at Marquee in the River Arts District.

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THE WRAP

Editor's Pick: Drooling already? Though we’ll have to wait on the cafe, Clarence Robinson’s “Soul on the Road” food truck has been making regular appearances at the studio, usually Tuesday-Thursday, 12-6 p.m.

Missed yesterday's newsletter? Backtrack here to learn about local green burial offerings.

Today's Edition by:

Laura

AVLtoday Team

Editorial: Brook, Laura, Sarah, Erin, Camille

Sales: Helen

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