After suffering hurricane devastation, Asheville neighbors are coming together to make holiday magic.
So, when a year-round Christmas store needed assistance, Asheville’s Wall Street rallied around to help.
When visitingAsheville, one noticeable aspect is the presence of locally owned businesses.
Olde World Christmas Shoppe found a temporary home for the holidays inside Indian restaurant Botiwalla.Credit:Courtesy Jennifer Prince
All of which were under siege in late September.
“We woke up to absolute, utter destruction.”
Molly Irani, owner of Chai Pani.
Credit:Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images
“We woke up to absolute, utter destruction.”
Ingenuity is the city’s backbone and how many Ashevillians earn an income.
So, finding the spine suffering greatly burdened Hannah Gibbs, the general manager ofL’optique.
Botiwalla in Asheville worked as a community hub and food production center for World Central Kitchen.Credit:Courtesy Jennifer Prince
“That’s a pretty wonderful privilege,” reflects Gibbs.
Laura Rathbone, Olde World Christmas Shoppe manager.
The store receives orders at the end of summer to prepare for the fall buying season.
Olde World Christmas Shoppe found a temporary home for the holidays inside Indian restaurant Botiwalla.Credit:Courtesy Jennifer Prince
When Rathbone toured the space, she viewed it as a gift.
But Rathbone is not letting it dash her holiday spirit.
“I just can’t get over the outpouring of love and people supporting us,” adds Rathbone.
Olde World Christmas Shoppe found a temporary home for the holidays inside Indian restaurant Botiwalla.Credit:Courtesy Jennifer Prince
Folks have traveled from other states to spend hundreds of dollars crossing names off their gift-giving lists.
The future of the Olde World Christmas Shoppe is yet to be determined.
And knowing Ashevillians, her holiday wish will come true.
Olde World Christmas Shoppe found a temporary home for the holidays inside Indian restaurant Botiwalla.Credit:Courtesy Jennifer Prince
To learn more about the efforts on Wall Street or to shop local vendors, visitmiracleonwallstavl.com.
