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    • Asheville restaurant closings, reopenings, more service industry news
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    Asheville restaurant closings, reopenings, more service industry news

    Harry Posted on

    ASHEVILLE – A food truck business destroyed by floodwaters in the River Arts District is getting a second chance; and a local cooking school closes with an uncertain future; A barbecue joint announces the permanent closure of one of its stores.

    Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food

    Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food’s mobile restaurant and sister bar, El Patio by Guajiro, were among the businesses in the River Arts District devastated when Tropical Storm Helene caused the French Broad River to rise more than 80 feet.

    The historic flood crossed the greenway and Riverside Drive into the Asheville Cotton Mills Studios parking lot at 122 Riverside Drive, where Guajiro parked and where El Patio operates on the first floor of the multi-use commercial building.

    Jannette Montenegro, owner of Asheville Cotton Mills Studios, said the downstairs studios were destroyed and the food truck was flooded and swept onto a neighboring property, where it lay on its side.

    “Everything was lost there; refrigeration units, cooking equipment, everything was gone,” he said.

    He said floodwaters rose to the ceiling of El Patio and other first-floor tenant spaces, including the Asheville Guitar Bar. Losses included food and beverages, three new air conditioning units, a new ice machine and other equipment in the newly built prep kitchen at El Patio.

    The new flooring at El Patio, which opened in June, was removed from the surface and an original mural commissioned by a local artist was severely damaged.

    Karadag, the mother of Guajiro and El Patio owner Chris Barroso, said Oct. 6 marked Guajiro’s second anniversary and was the day the team pulled the food truck out of the mud.

    He said Eric Scheffer, a family friend and owner of local restaurants including Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian, immediately approached Cielo Catering with an offer to sell the former food truck.

    The newly outfitted Guajiro food truck will open soon at an unspecified location.

    Montenegro said El Patio will not reopen. Second-floor studio tenants are unaffected, but first-floor studio space will be rebuilt.

    Guajiro’s staff was assigned to assist with cleanup at the Asheville Cotton Mill Studios, he said.

    For more, visit: guajiroasheville.com and follow @guajiroavl on Instagram.

    Cranberry Cottage Baking

    On Oct. 26, Amanda Plyler, owner of Dogwood Cottage Baking, announced the closure of the business located at 235 Weaverville Road due to Tropical Storm Helene.

    “This was a very difficult decision to make, but considering the long-term effects of the hurricane, it is the best decision,” Plyler wrote in a social media post.

    The pastry chef previously told the Citizen Times that she turned her baking business into a full-time pastry school to teach professional techniques to home bakers without going to culinary school.

    “Thank you to everyone who helped make my dream a reality. Please stay tuned here for the future,” Plyler wrote. “This isn’t goodbye, see you later.”

    For more, visit: dogwoodcottagebaking.com and follow @dogwoodcottagebaking.

    Moe’s Original BBQ

    Moe’s Original BBQ location at 4 Sweeten Creek will not reopen due to significant damage sustained in Tropical Storm Helene.

    The historic Biltmore Village was devastated by the flooding of the Swannanoa River.

    The restaurant announced on its social media page on Nov. 4 that it was looking for a new home in the area. The Woodfin location, 72 Weaverville Road, will reopen soon, offering holiday meals.

    To make smoked turkey reservations and order food, contact Bridgette Murphree at [email protected].

    For more, visit: moesoriginalbbq.com And facebook.com/MOBAshevilleNC.

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    Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and has been covering arts, entertainment and hospitality in Louisiana for several years. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage.

    Harry
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