ASHEVILLE – A Western North Carolina coffee house company will soon have a new home in Asheville.
Dripolator’s fifth location is tentatively planned to open in March or April at 760 Biltmore Ave., in historic Biltmore Village. It’s the former location of TreeRock Social Cider and Mead Bar and Shop, which closed in March 2023.
Established in 1999, Dripolator has a flagship coffee shop in downtown Black Mountain. The company’s expansion began with the debut of its Candler location in February 2022, followed by Gerber Village in South Asheville in June 2023 and East Asheville in August 2024.
Joshua Valdes, who co-owns the business with founder Amy Vermillion and Chris Bolick, said they did not intend to introduce a new shop so soon after opening the East Asheville location but couldn’t pass up taking their coffee into new communities.
“We’re enjoying it and loving it and when we find opportunities to do it, we’re going to jump,” Valdes said. “It’s cool, surprising and we’re fortunate and blessed to be able to do what we do.”
A barista prepares a latte at Dripolator’s Candler coffee house on March 2, 2023.
In late September, Biltmore Village was ravaged by record-breaking floodwaters from the Swannanoa River during Tropical Storm Helene. Many businesses in the district, which sits at the entrance of Biltmore Estate, were washed away and severely damaged.
Dripolator’s newly acquired building was unscathed. Valdes said the former cider tasting room is equipped with a bar and other modern renovations, which is ideal for the coffee shop.
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“It’s an opportunity to open a business and help support this area that has been so hit and devastated and serve something that tends to be uplifting and positive,” Valdes said.
Valdes said customer traffic has mostly resumed as normal at its locations though the company still feels the revenue impact.
Joshua Valdes and Amy Vermillion, owners of Dripolator, with Nana the pup at their newest coffee house location at 760 Biltmore Ave. in Biltmore Village in Asheville.
Valdes said goals include acquiring a new, primary location in Asheville for its roastery and bakery in 2025.
Valdes said, while he cannot speak for the future, the company does not plan to franchise or expand outside of WNC.
“We know things are going to turn around for Biltmore Village and there’s a bright future and Asheville’s strong,” Valdes said. “We’re excited, and hopefully, we can be a part of that rebuilding.”
For more, visit dripolatorcoffee.com and follow @dripolatorcoffeehouse on Instagram.
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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email [email protected] or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram/Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Biltmore Village post-Helene revival to include new coffee house
