North Asheville restaurant abruptly closes after nearly 15 years

Tiana Kennell, Asheville Citizen Times
·2 min read
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Avenue M on Merrimon Avenue has closed.
Avenue M on Merrimon Avenue has closed.

ASHEVILLE - It's the end of the road for North Asheville neighborhood restaurant and bar, Avenue M.

On July 6, Avenue M permanently closed at 791 Merrimon Ave., according to a post on the business's social media page.

The announcement of the closure, published on the same day and signed by its owners Ralph Lonow and Tony Creed, reads in part:

"Tonight will be our final last call at Avenue M. It is time for us to write a new chapter. We are forever grateful for all of the support we have received from this amazing community and we genuinely cherish so many of the moments we have shared. It has been our pleasure to celebrate your special moments, share your lives, and to honor our friends we have lost along the way ... All we can say, as many local folks have this past year, is to remember to continue to support our local 828 business community. It's been a difficult year for so many and your support means everything to them. Be kind to one another and take care of each other."

Avenue M is located on Merrimon Avenue.
Avenue M is located on Merrimon Avenue.

In 2010, Avenue M was founded by Greg and Teri Siegel at the address of the former neighborhood bar, Usual Suspects. In 2019, Creed and Lonow became the new owners of Avenue M, serving American classics and Appalachian cuisine.

Last month, Avenue M was vandalized with a large red swastika and an upside-down pitchfork painted on the business's front windows. Community members came to the restaurant's aid by removing painted marks considered hate symbols and flying the flag of Israel outside the restaurant.

Avenue M received façade and front patio enhancements in the past year to improve curb appeal.

Also, in June, Wine Spectator media company awarded Avenue M's wine program, overseen by Creed, a sommelier, with the Award of Excellence. The award is designated for wine programs having "at least 90 selections, feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.”

Avenue M has received the honor since 2021.

This story will be updated.

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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with asubscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: North Asheville restaurant abruptly closes after 15 years