The Asheville Downtown Association (ADA), the Asheville Downtown Improvement District (ADID), Explore Asheville, and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) recently celebrated the revival of Downtown Asheville’s historic Wall Street, marking the new hand-forged signage and mural during ADA’s Lunchbox Live music series. These investments and activations aim to boost visibility and visitation as new businesses open on historic streets and visitors and locals enjoy downtown as fall foliage peaks.
New Wall Street Signage
Two new signs marking the entrances to Wall Street join Explore Asheville and the BCTDA’s wayfinding program. Wall Street merchants requested signage to help visitors locate the one-way street, which they say has seen a steep drop in visitation over the past five years.
Shaped by feedback from the Wall Street Business Association and the City of Asheville’s Design Review Committee, the Art Deco design by Merje Design, Explore Asheville’s wayfinding design partner, features the leaves of the ginkgo trees lining the street. Doc Cudd, a blacksmith based in Barnardsville, was selected to forge these signs. Blacksmithing has been part of his family for more than 400 years, and he began his craft at age 10. Cudd demonstrates regularly at the Biltmore Estate and is one of the few remaining blacksmiths who “plays the anvil,” producing a rhythmic language by striking different parts of it.
“Wall Street is one of downtown Asheville’s most distinctive places, and these artisan-made signs make this destination even easier to find,” said Vic Isley, president and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. “Having them made by a Buncombe County blacksmith reflects the craft our community is known for.”
Phase II of the Wall Street Mural
Artist Dayna Walton painted a new mural on the Wall Street parking garage wall this month, commissioned by the ADA and ADID. It extends Meander, her mural on the Wall Street steps completed in June, which depicts Southern Appalachian plants and animals from low to high elevations. The new section focuses on the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers and features the hellbender, a native salamander that depends on clean, flowing water. The community panel unanimously selected Walton, a printmaker, through a competitive process. The ADID board approved funding for the second phase after the public responded to Meander.
“I am so happy with how this expansion to the Wall Street steps has created an immersive environment inspired by my favorite mountain plants and places,” said Dayna Walton. “Even before it was finished it was awesome to see how excited folks were, and see them posing and taking photos with the butterfly and moths!”
New Businesses on Wall Street
Several businesses have opened in vacant storefronts on Wall Street, joining longtime tenants including The Market Place and Early Girl Eatery.
Flour, founded in 2024 at The S&W Market by brothers Kyle and Carter James and chef Gordon Gibbs, opened at 40 Wall St. on July 31 in the former Laughing Seed Café space with an expanded menu. Slava, a Ukrainian café and bakery owned by Svitlana Eadie, opened at 37 Wall St. in August after Eadie spent nearly a decade catering in Asheville. El Tesoro, a laid-back, family-friendly Mexican restaurant, opened back in May. Asheville Forager, a grocer and deli, opened on the street in 2025.
“Expanding Flour to Wall Street gave us the room we needed to continue to grow,” said Kyle James, co-owner of Flour. “Wall Street is experiencing a revival with incredible new businesses opening, and the hard work and investment in the area from the ADA through art and music; we’re seeing more people come and spend time on the street.”
Lunchbox Live
ADID’s Lunchbox Live series features local buskers in Wall Street Plaza from noon to 1:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 20. ADID provides tables, chairs, and Downtown Ambassador support. Participating restaurants, Flour, El Tesoro, Asheville Forager, and Slava Bakery, offer grab-and-go Downtown Lunchbox Specials priced under $15. In rain, performances may move inside a participating Wall Street business.
“We’re grateful to the community partners who brought these public space improvements to life,” said Dana Frankel, City of Asheville downtown planning manager. “As our community continues to recover from Helene, these efforts demonstrate the value of partnership in creating welcoming, vibrant public spaces that make downtown special.”
Press Release
