Why Asheville?

The book, To the Far Blue Mountains by Louis L’Amour, opened my eyes to the Southern Appalachian Region. Years after reading, I joined a lifelong friend moving to Western North Carolina where I became immersed in the rich culture and community of Asheville, North Carolina.

Easy access to the mountains is Asheville’s greatest treasure.

Moving south in 2013 coincided with the beginning of my woodworking career. The first community I was introduced to was the Harvest House, in the neighborhood of Kenilworth. I walked into this community center my first week in Asheville, found out they had a wood shop, and immediately signed up for a woodworking class. This allowed me to meet friends, some of which had been in the area longer than I’d been alive. The man who taught the class also became a mentor of mine and he guided me through the early years of my woodworking career. I lived only two blocks away from the Harvest House, I would ride my skateboard back and forth carrying small pieces of lumber and a few tools.

Blending into WNC

It all happened in West Asheville, where I live now. I’m currently close enough to Haywood Road to hear live music from Sunny Point Cafe on Sunday mornings. But, when I first moved from central to West Asheville, I was much closer to the river. While driving across town one day, I heard the Fine Woodworking’s Podcast mention my town, and each time Asheville had been talked about, Brian Boggs was the subject. Brian’s chair designs are deeply rooted in Appalachian culture, and are recognized globally.

Four years later, I could be found commuting to work along the French Broad River path in Carrier Park on my skateboard, pulled by my trusty shop dog, Kai. I was living in West Asheville, commuting to work via modern dog sled and spending all day in the wood shop. Brian & Melanie Boggs client’s expect perfection, and in the midst of their beautiful workshop we dissected massive walnut and cherry logs and tediously reconstructed them into four-legged beasts. image below

I left my chair building career with much more than just sharpening skills (which were well honed after 3 years), I walked away with a community. I met many craftspeople who wandered into the shop and learned how to build and maintain relationships with business partners.

I could go on about the city and surrounding area of Asheville, but really it is the people that make this such a wonderful place. It’s the friends I’ve made that make the beer taste better, the cold river plunges exhilarating, and the food that much more enjoyable.”

- Eddie Aaronson