Fall in Love with Small Biz (and Solar!): Sugar Hollow’s 2025 WNC Holiday Gift Guide
The holidays are around the corner, and this year, we’re leaning into what really matters: supporting local, uplifting our community, and creating brighter futures together. Our Fall in Love with Small Biz and Solar campaign has been all about celebrating the people, places, and passions that make Western North Carolina thrive – and what better way to carry that spirit into the holiday season than with a gift guide built by you?
From cozy cafes and buzzing breweries to sustainable shops and even local vets, these recommendations come straight from our staff, clients, and community. They’re the places where we gather, eat, shop, and find joy – the places that keep Asheville and beyond so unique.
Supporting small businesses isn’t the only way we’re working toward a resilient community. We’re also helping businesses take control of their energy futures with solar – and this year, there’s exciting news. Just as small businesses depend on local love to keep their doors open, solar businesses depend on policies that ensure energy resilience and affordability. This year brought new Safe Harbor rules that make it easier for businesses to lock in incentives and plan their renewable energy projects by the end of 2025. That means more stability, more savings, and more ways to keep our economy strong. We’ll share more on that below – but first, let’s dive into the places you told us you love most.
🍴 Local Eats & Treats
Western North Carolina’s food scene is bursting with flavor, and our community favorites prove it. From cozy date-night spots to quick taco runs, these are the places where memories (and meals) are made. We’ve highlighted a few shoutouts from our nominators to give a sense of the love in the community – but every business nominated is listed below so you can discover even more local gems.
Community Highlights:
Limones – “Best margaritas, street corn, and ceviche!” exclaimed one of our staff.
Terramonga – Another favorite shared, “These sandwiches are made with love.”
Old Europe – “Desserts!! Coffee!! Yum!!”
Rosetta’s Kitchen – “They support those of us who are often overlooked and unseen through their Everybody Eats program. If you’re hungry, they’ll feed you. No judgment, just community care.”
Bear’s Smokehouse Barbeque – “They give back in so many ways, have stellar vegan meatloaf, and an overall great vibe.”
More local favorites: Nine Mile, Taco Temple, Forestry Camp, Curate, Zambra, Strada, Pulp and Sprout, The Times Bar, Chestnut, Leos House of Thirst, Luellas, Dobra Tea, Cecilia’s Kitchen, Day Moon Coffee, Gingers Revenge, Blue Mountain Pizza, Mizu, Mehfil Indian, Red Ginger, Sunny Point Café, The Hop, The Med, Corner Kitchen, All Souls Pizza, Plant, Baby Bull, MotherAVL, Hole Doughnuts, Taco Billy, All Day Darling, Joey’s Bagles, Heiwa Shokudo, Mother Ocean, Whits, Asheville Wine Market, OWL Bakery, Penny Cup Coffee, Gan Shan, Little Pigs, Tall John’s, and more!
🍻 Breweries, Bars & Music Venues
When it comes to unwinding, Western North Carolina has no shortage of great spots to grab a drink, catch live music, or gather with friends.
Community Highlights:
Lookout Brewing – “A family-friendly favorite in Black Mountain with a fire always going and community spirit that shines. They even cooked free meals for locals after the storm and continue to give back.”
Pisgah Brewing – “Kept perishables and medications cold for the community after the storm and continues to serve as a gathering spot with amazing live music.”
Hillman Brewing – “Walking distance from home – and always a great vibe!”
Highland Brewing – “A fantastic outdoor venue for concerts and community.”
Voodoo Brewing, The Whale, White Labs, Little Jumbo, Crow and Quill, The Orange Peel, Grey Eagle, Asheville Yards, and Another Round Asheville (disc golf + drinks!), DayTrip, Capella on 9 – All fan favorites for good drinks, good company, and good times.
🛍️ Shops & Makers | 🚲 Outdoors & Adventure
Asheville and the surrounding region are home to numerous small businesses that inspire creativity, support the community, and help us sustainably enjoy the outdoors. From home decor to coffee shops to bike shops, these favorites keep us dreaming, exploring, and connecting.
Community Highlights:
Atomic Furnishing – “It’s a bright spot to see a business bounce back after Helene with so much pizzazz. I love just wandering around and dreaming up new decor ideas.”
Second Gear – “They make outdoor gear more attainable for guides and adventurers, helping me get outside and enjoy the mountains sustainably.”
Stoker Studio – “The nicest, most detail-oriented bike mechanic around. Having Sam keep my bikes running smoothly gets me outside weekly to enjoy our lovely mountains.”
Artisun Emporium – Hot Springs – “An amazing community coffee shop that keeps giving back.”
On Your Bike – “One of the best coffee shops in the region that lost its business to Helene and has come back with such resilience.” On Your Bike combines the best of cycling and coffee culture.
The Bicycle Thrift Shop – “A great resource for gently used bikes and parts – even after flood damage, they came back stronger!”
Old Fort Bike Shop – “Another small-town favorite that fought back after Helene and remains a great hangout for riders.”
Waterways Kayaks – Old Fort – “New on the scene with a full lineup of kayaks and outdoor gear, plus amazing staff and local advice.”
Mountain Nest – Black Mountain – “A peaceful, beautiful gallery showcasing pottery, jewelry, leatherwork, and art from local makers.”
Shirtmandude Company – “A tourist favorite with locally printed tees – and a big heart, donating proceeds to storm recovery.”
Town Hardware – Black Mountain – “If you can’t find it here, you probably don’t need it! A true community staple.”
Sassafras on Sutton – “Independent bookstore and café where you’ll want to buy everything – books, lattes, and gifts for everyone.”
Kitsuma Tattoo – Old Fort – “A talented artist bringing creative energy to Old Fort with a fresh new space.”
More favorites: West Village Market, Bluff Mountain Outfitters – Hot Springs, On Your Bike – Marshall, Thyme in the Garden, Roses Garden Shop, Bella’s Jewelry, Nerd Dungeon, The Green Room, Spencer’s Hardware, Zen Ink, and more!
🐾 Community Care & Services
These local services go above and beyond for pets and people alike, showing that community care is about more than just business – it’s about heart.
Community Highlights:
Cat Clinic of Asheville – “This is our vet and they do a great job!”
Fairview Animal Hospital – “Private ownership means continued self-governing care, instead of becoming part of a corporate chain. Very caring veterinarians and staff.”
Nova Vita Chiropractic – “They’ve got my back – literally!”
Avena Bodywork – “Magnificent massages.”
Swannanoa Cleaners – “Cherished Cleaners!”
Ananda – “Stellar Stylists”
More favorites: So far, you’ve nominated a few community care & service-based businesses, but we know community care comes in many forms – think neighborhood nonprofits, wellness centers, family-run clinics, and other local services that make a difference every day. Send us your nominations, and we’ll update this list to celebrate all the amazing ways businesses give back to our community! If you win
🌱 Farms & Sustainability
These businesses keep our community healthy and environmentally minded—through food, energy, and education.
Community Highlights:
Hickory Nut Gap – “They practice holistic management, have great food and activities, and are a regional training hub for the Savory Institute.”
Sugar Hollow Solar – “A community-minded business dedicated to green energy.”
Pinegate Renewables – “Environmentally friendly and helping make our region more sustainable.”
Parks Ford of Hendersonville – “Supporters of the Blue Ridge EV Club’s Asheville Drive Electric event.”
French Broad Co-op – “Fresh fruits, veggies, and good vibes.”
Briar Patch Florist – “lovely local florist!”
More favorites: We know there are so many amazing farms, renewable energy projects, and sustainability-focused businesses in our region. Share your favorite spots with us, and we’ll keep adding to this list so our guide reflects the full community!
🌞 Supporting Small Businesses and Smart Solar Investments
This holiday season, we’re celebrating the local businesses that keep our community thriving – and we’re also thinking about how businesses can invest in themselves through solar. Recent changes to federal Safe Harbor rules for commercial solar mean that larger projects now need to perform real, physical work to lock in tax credits, and strict deadlines apply in 2026 and 2027. Smaller projects (under 1.5 MW) still have some flexibility, but early planning is key.
Why does this matter for small businesses? These updates make it more important than ever to act early to maximize tax incentives, reduce energy costs, and increase long-term savings – money that can go back into your staff, your space, or even your holiday bonus fund. Just as shopping locally helps our community flourish, investing in solar helps businesses strengthen their future!
Curious how these changes could impact your business? Give us a call – we’ll help you understand the new rules, explore your options, and plan a solar project that pays off.
💛 Wrap Up: Celebrate Local, Support Your Community
This holiday season, there’s no better way to spread joy than by supporting the small businesses that make Western North Carolina special. From cozy cafes to creative makers, wellness services, and sustainability-focused businesses, your nominations and gift-giving help keep our community thriving.
Remember, the Fall for Small Biz campaign is running through December 1, 2025 – so nominate your favorites for a chance to win gift cards and help put dollars back into the businesses that give so much to our region. Winners will be announced on Giving Tuesday, December 2, with our donation to Earthshine Nature Program, and final holiday guide emails will go out on December 10 and 17 for last-minute inspiration. (Sign up for our newsletter if you aren’t already!)
And for local business owners thinking about solar: the new Safe Harbor rules mean that acting early is more important than ever. Planning now can help maximize tax incentives, reduce energy costs, and secure long-term savings – resources you can reinvest in your staff, your space, and your community.
Whether you’re nominating your favorite small business, shopping local, or exploring solar for your own operations, this holiday season is all about keeping our community vibrant and resilient. Let’s celebrate what we love, invest in our future, and power a brighter WNC together!
