Hot Springs Business Reopens & Ichiban Returns

Episode transcript

Maggie: This is Good News Asheville, your daily dose of good, for Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

Ben: I'm Ben, and I'm here with Maggie. Good morning, Asheville!

Maggie: Good News Asheville is made possible by Dylan Lennon, Realtor with Unique: A Real Estate Collective, helping neighbors buy and sell homes all across Western North Carolina.

Ben: We start today in Hot Springs, where neighbors are celebrating a big milestone. A local business that took on heavy damage during Hurricane Helene has found a new home and reopened, bringing back a welcome boost to town commerce and morale.

Maggie: It really means the world to see small mountain towns bouncing back like that. And right here in Asheville, another dining staple has made its return. Ichiban is back in action, firing up the hibachi grill and reopening its sushi bar for local diners.

Ben: Always good to hear the sizzle of the grill again. Looking ahead toward winter, the North Carolina Arboretum is already gearing up for its annual Winter Lights display. They're holding a job fair to hire seasonal staff to help make the season glow.

Maggie: That's such a magical time of year. For book lovers, author Shelby Rae is coming to the Asheville area for a book signing on October seventeenth.

Ben: Now, let's wrap up with today's microdoses. River Mill Lofts has officially reopened its doors two years after Helene.

Maggie: Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, more stretches are reopening as cleanup efforts get rolling this month.

Ben: And out in Haywood County, folks threw a festive fall block party to woo visiting travel writers.

Maggie: You can get your daily dose of good delivered straight to your inbox with our free newsletter at good news asheville dot com.

Ben: Thanks for listening, and have a wonderful day!

Adapted from Good News Asheville - October 7, 2026 - Issue #139.