Business Buzz: 5/8/20

May 8, 2020

Local volunteers have pooled resources together to sew and create more than 1000 pieces of PPE for Four Seasons. Volunteers as far as Seattle, Washington have worked together to provide masks, scrub caps, face shields, and isolation gowns for Four Season patients, as well as Glen Arden Elementary School employees and neighbors from Thoms Estates in Asheville. And the most touching part, according to Four Seasons: one of the sewers had a 92-year-old neighbor who made ‘toasty-toe’ socks for soldiers in WWII. She could no longer sew but was still determined to help, so she donated sheets and tablecloths which were then sewn into gowns.

Community 

  • Stephen St. Claire, Philip DeAngelo, Jacqui Fel, and more River Arts District-based artists are participating in the #ArtistSupportPledge on social media. Art studio doors remain closed, but this pledge hopes to help artists alleviate some of the financial impact of the pandemic by using social media to sell art. Every day, artists post images of their work on Instagram that they are willing to sell for no more than $200 each. Every time an artist reaches $1000 in sales, they pledge to spend $200 on another artist’s work. Search for #ArtistSupportPledge on social media to find work from your favorite local artists.
  • If you need to upgrade your phone, U.S. Cellular increased their store hours this week. They are now open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Saturday.

Food 

  • If you need to get your pizza fix (don’t we all ) Vinnie’s Italian Restaurant is open for takeout. Their hours are 12-8 p.m. on Monday through Sunday.  If you could please note that our Takeout Hours are 12 pm – 8 pm Monday – Sunday. Browse their current menu here.
  • Glass Onion has reopened for takeout with a special menu that will change daily. Updated menus will be posted online, and curbside pickup is available as well.

Hire 

  • MAHEC has welcomed Susan Mims, MD, MPH, to chair the newly established Department of Community and Public Health at UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC. Dr. Mims will provide strategic leadership for the Asheville-based master of public health program affiliated with UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and UNC Asheville. Congrats, Dr. Mims!
  • AdventHealth has named Cory Reeves president and CEO for AdventHealth Hendersonville. Reeves has been with the AdventHealth organization for 18 years. He has been a member of the AdventHealth Hendersonville Hospital Board for the past five years. Reeves assumed leadership on May 1.

Just For Fun 

  • The Asheville Downtown Association and their Foundation have announced that Downtown After 5 will go virtual this spring for their May 15th and June 19th events. In addition to the virtual programming, they have also added a new charitable program that will directly support Asheville musicians through an initial contribution of $8,000 from the Asheville Downtown Association Foundation. The program will provide 200 $50 Ingles giftcards to local musicians who need assistance. Asheville Music Professionals will administer the gift cards on a first come, first serve basis; applications are now live here. The May 15th Downtown After 5 will also be part of V-LEAF, the  virtual version of spring LEAF.

Opportunities 

  • Friday Staffing Services works throughout the entire region of Western North Carolina; currently, they have positions open in Waynesville, Asheville, and Mills River for essential roles. Applications and interviews will be conducted over the phone.

Outreach 

  • Thousands of local residents now have more food security thanks to a partnership between Wicked Weed Brewing, Cultura restaurant, local food vendors, the YMCA of Western North Carolina, Food Connection, and other area nonprofits. This week the Y and Food Connection will deliver 5,000 healthy meals from Cultura to senior citizens, healthcare professionals, children and families, and homeless individuals in the Asheville area. The program has increased from 900 meals just a week ago, and will continue after the state reopens for business because the need will be ongoing.
  • Kudzu Brands has announced a $10,000 giveaway to help local business and nonprofits. Via a social media contest, Kudzu Brands will give one business and one nonprofit a complete Brand Development process worth $10,000. They will be accepting online applications through May 15th. On May 18th, the top 10 applications (decided by Kudzu, based on the most compelling story and need) will be put up for public vote the following week. Learn more and apply on their website.
  • Mission Health is launching the HCA Healthcare Mission Fund, a $25 million innovation fund to support healthcare-related businesses in Western North Carolina. Created as part of Mission Health’s acquisition by HCA Healthcare – one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers – in early 2019, the HCA Healthcare Mission Fund will invest $25 million in local companies working to improve the quality, cost or efficiency of healthcare in the region.
  • Local volunteers have pooled resources together to sew and create more than 1000 pieces of PPE for Four Seasons. Volunteers as far as Seattle, Washington have worked together to provide masks, scrub caps, face shields, and isolation gowns for Four Season patients, as well as Glen Arden Elementary School employees and neighbors from Thoms Estates in Asheville. And the most touching part, according to Four Seasons: one of the sewers had a 92-year-old neighbor who made ‘toasty-toe’ socks for soldiers in WWII. She could no longer sew but was still determined to help, so she donated sheets and tablecloths which were then sewn into gowns. 

Technology 

  • Gentry Heating has introduced a new program to ensure clean air for businesses that may be reopening during Phase 1. Their “We Have Clean Air” program includes the latest in GPS needlepoint Bi-polar Ionization which has been proven effective to kill or deactivate Ecoli, MRSA, Noro Virus, and many other pathogens. With this program each business can display the “We Have Clean Air” designation with door decals, plaques, and/or table tents.  Learn more at www.gentryheatinginc.com
  • Avadim Health, Inc., a healthcare and wellness company, has recently expanded their distribution to corporate and government channels to meet recent demands for hygiene products. Steve Woody, CEO of Avadim Health said, “The demand with our clinical partners has never been greater. In both March and April our clinical sales to hospitals, nursing homes and alternate clinic settings were new records for the company.  During this Covid-19 pandemic our message, for safe and clinically proven hygiene is bridging over to large corporate organizations, government entities and national drug and grocery chains opening new revenue channels for the Theraworx Protect brand.”