Blue Ridge Country - May/June 2014 - 30

Meet the Natives
"You're a native?"
I always find that question humorous because it usually
follows a gasp of surprise when people not from Asheville
find out I was born and bred here. But it's not as much of
a rarity as some might think. There's a healthy population
of natives in the area, and some are making significant
contributions to shaping the Asheville of today.
Here's a brief roundup of four who are making their
mark in the areas of food, outdoor recreation, arts and
crafts and music.

but I never expected that business would be a restaurant.
Now, 10 years after opening the Corner Kitchen, I can't
imagine anything else. And having Chestnut right on
Biltmore Avenue is a wonderful addition for us.
"Joe and I have specific goals that will take the next
two years to reach," he continues. "After that, who
knows? We probably have at least one more restaurant
in us."
OUTDOOR RECREATION SCENE

FOODIE SCENE

LESLIE MCCULLOUGH CASSE

KEVIN WESTMORELAND
Fond memories of visiting Asheville's department stores
and watching movies at The Plaza Theater flood Kevin
Westmoreland's mind when he thinks back to childhood,
but he never imagined becoming a successful downtown
business owner.
Westmoreland, along with Chef Joe Scully, opened
Corner Kitchen in Biltmore Village in 2004. In 2012, they
opened Chestnut downtown. Both eateries have won
consistent rave reviews, and CK even caught the attention
of President and Mrs. Obama. They dined there with
friends in 2010.
"I never thought about being part of the downtown
business scene, especially during the years when downtown was a virtual ghost town," says Westmoreland. "I
do recall thinking it would be cool to have a business in
Biltmore Village when it was designated a historic district,
30 | BlueRidgeCountry.com

"My greatest sense of joy is seeing that so many of
Asheville's historic buildings remain and continue to be
functional and thriving," says Leslie McCullough Casse. "I
can remember in the '70s when preservationists including
my mother and architect Robert Griffin fought outside
developers from tearing down our historic buildings."
While Casse has long been involved with promoting
Asheville and participating in its positive growth, she's
now focused on a new enterprise, combining a love for
Asheville's scenic beauty with outdoor recreation and
athleticism. Last year she partnered with Doug Stevens
to launch their AsheVillain skateboard and longboard
company.
"It's nice to have our brand tied to our city because it
represents what I think are Asheville's values. We offer a
quality, beautiful product that gives a lot to the person
who is involved with it," she says.
"What has always made Asheville special to me is that
it's a city of artists, authors and architects," Casse explains.
"From the time Vanderbilt built the Biltmore House and
brought artisans from around the world here to Douglas
Ellington's art deco designs to Thomas Wolfe, Asheville
inspired people to demand quality and beauty and to
aspire higher."

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Blue Ridge Country - May/June 2014

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