ASHEVILLE – A River Arts District food truck business wrecked by floodwaters gets a second chance; and a local baking school closes with an undetermined future ahead; a barbecue shop announces permanent closure of one of its locations.
Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food
Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food’s mobile eatery and sister bar, El Patio by Guajiro, were among the River Arts District businesses devastated when Tropical Storm Helene rose the French Broad River to more than 24 feet.
The historic flood crossed the greenway and Riverside Drive and into Asheville Cotton Mills Studios’ parking lot at 122 Riverside Drive, where Guajiro parked and El Patio operated on the first floor of the multi-use commercial building.
Jannette Montenegro, the owner of Asheville Cotton Mills Studios, said the lower-level studios were destroyed and the food truck was submerged and washed away to the neighboring lot where it was found on its side.
“Everything in there is lost ― refrigeration units, cooking equipment, everything is done,” she said.
She said floodwaters rose to the ceiling of El Patio and the 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 constructed prep kitchen at El Patio.
The new flooring in El Patio, which opened in June, was lifted from the surface, and an original mural commissioned by a local artist was severely damaged.
Montenegro, the mother of Chris Barroso, the owner of Guajiro and El Patio, said Oct. 6 marked the second anniversary of Guajiro and was the same day the team pulled the food truck from the mud.
She said Eric Scheffer, the owner of local restaurants including Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian and a friend of the family, immediately reached out to offer to sell the former food truck of his Cielo Catering.
The newly outfitted Guajiro food truck will soon open at an undetermined location.
Montenegro said El Patio will not reopen. The second-floor studio tenants were not impacted but the first-floor studio space will be rebuilt.
She said Guajiro’s staff was employed to assist with clean up at Asheville Cotton Mill Studios.
For more, visit guajiroasheville.com and follow @guajiroavl on Instagram.
Dogwood Cottage Baking
On Oct. 26, Dogwood Cottage Baking owner Amanda Plyler announced the closure of the business, located at 235 Weaverville Road, due to Tropical Storm Helene.
“This has been a very difficult decision to make however with the long reaching effects of the hurricane, this is the best decision,” Plyler wrote in the social media post.
The pastry chef previously told the Citizen Times that she’d converted her baking into a full-time baking school to teach home bakers professional techniques without attending culinary school.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped make my dream a reality. Please continue to follow along here for what’s ahead,” Plyler wrote. “This is not a goodbye but a see ya later.”
For more, visit dogwoodcottagebaking.com and follow @dogwoodcottagebaking.
Moe’s Original BBQ
Moe’s Original BBQ’s location at 4 Sweeten Creek will not reopen due to severe damage sustained in Tropical Storm Helene.
The historic Biltmore Village was devastated by the flooding of the Swannanoa River.
On Nov. 4, the restaurant posted on its social media page that it was searching for a new home in the area. Its Woodfin location, 72 Weaverville Road, will reopen soon offering holiday dishes.
Contact Bridgette Murphree at bridgett@moesoriginalbbq.com to reserve smoked turkey and place catering orders.
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. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and covered the arts, entertainment and hospitality in Louisiana for several years. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville restaurant closures, reopenings, more service industry news
