February 5, 2026 Downtown Business Breakfast Recap

Opening and Introductions:

Jamie Carpenter, Downtown Manager opened the meeting to welcome everyone and share a general overview of the Downtown Program. The Downtown Program’s 2025 Annual Report was shared on the tables with an overview of our work from the last year.

The purpose of gathering everyone for the morning meeting was to have an opportunity annually to speak to downtown businesses about what we are working on, and give an opportunity for businesses to network together, and meet downtown advisory board members.

The Downtown Advisory Board is made of representatives from the Main Street District, 7th Avenue District, and at large members. Both the downtown board and downtown staff are available to hear problems and work on solutions downtown businesses may face.

We also wanted to use this meeting as an opportunity to introduce partners to make sure downtown businesses are aware of the resources and opportunities available.

 

Additional city staff were introduced:

  • Terrye Jacobs, Downtown Coordinator
  • Dakota Parker, Downtown Event Coordinator
  • Lew Holloway, Community Development Director
  • Sam Hayes, Planner (Historic Preservation)

 

Reminder that the Downtown Advisory Board meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 4pm at 125 5th Avenue W (above the public restrooms), and meetings are also available to attend via zoom. Meeting dates/times and zoom links are all available here: https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/events-calendar

Past meetings and agendas/minutes are also available here: https://hendersonville-nc.municodemeetings.com/

Downtown Advisory Board/Committee meeting recordings here: https://www.youtube.com/@downtownhendersonville

 

City of Hendersonville General Obligation (GO) Bond:

City Manager, John Connet shared about an upcoming item on the ballot on the March primary – the City’s General Obligation Bond Referendum.

General Obligation Bonds are a financing method for governments to raise money for capital projects. The purpose of this GO Bond Referendum is for transportation.

This information was shared to educate voters, and for business owners to have the information available if your networks, customers, or employees inquire.

See all of the details here: https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/go-bond

Download the GO Bond Information Flyer here: https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/city-news/2025/go_bond_infographic_december_2025.pdf

 

Henderson County Chamber of Commerce:

Bob Williford, CEO of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce (https://www.hendersoncountychamber.org/) was introduced and gave a brief overview of the Chamber of Commerce – a 1000 member 501c6 Nonprofit that supports and advocates for a stronger business environment in Hendersonville. The Chamber produces networking events year round to support networking and business growth.

 

Henderson County Tourism Development Authority

Michelle Owens, Executive Director of the Henderson County TDA (https://visithendersonvillenc.org/) was introduced and gave an overview of the TDA. The TDA is funded by occupancy tax collected in Henderson County from overnight stays at lodging properties. Funds by the TDA are dedicated to marketing outside of Henderson County to generate overnight stays. In 2025, the TDA introduced a co-operative advertising program that includes low-cost advertising for tourism-related businesses. See more information on their partner resource page: https://visithendersonvillenc.org/tda-resources

 

City of Hendersonville – Unhoused Resources

Jenny Floyd, representing the Henderson County Unhoused Resource Network gave an update on efforts to support the homeless and unhoused community in Hendersonville. Jenny Floyd, Budget Analyst with the City of Hendersonville and staff appointee for the unhoused taskforce provided an overview of city policy and the unhoused taskforce:

 

About the Henderson County Unhoused Resource Network: a group of City, County, and Non-Profit leaders that are focused on addressing the unhoused population in the City of Hendersonville​.

There are currently 66 members in the group, including: Housing​, Legal Aid​, Crisis Response​, Healthcare​, Government​ and Churches.

Cammy Holt, Hendersonville Police Department’s first embedded Social Worker – Services Coordinator​ – the City has just hired their first full time social worker. This position comes after a WCU Social Work student served with the police department to set up the program. Her role connects people in need to resources, with the goal to reduce needs for calls of distress.

 

Partnerships: Love and Respect Community for Recovery and Wellness (https://www.loveandrespectcommunityforrecoveryandwellness.org/)  is a recovery community organization serving individuals impacted by substance misuse, mental health challenges, and marginalization, including the unhoused population. Their core program is a Peer Living Room, a low-barrier drop-in center on Chadwick Avenue open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., where individuals can receive immediate support without appointments. Love and Respect also works directly with businesses and the broader community, offering:

  • Staff trainings on interacting with unhoused individuals
  • Verbal de-escalation training
  • Naloxone administration training and free doses
  • On-site visits and customized support

We highly recommend contacting Love & Respect to coordinate their outreach team to meet with you and your employees and they can help work on solutions you may be experiencing: Alivea@lovenrespect.org

 

Business Owner / Downtown Board Panel:

We concluded the meeting with a panel representing business types from both the Main Street and 7th Avenue Districts.

Panelists included:

  • Jenny Breedlove, the Emporium and Emporium Market
  • Aaron Adams, White Duck Taco Shop
  • Mark Pavao, Black Bear Coffee
  • Stacy Fields, Mini Batch Bakery
  • Patsy DuPre (Moderator), Art League of Henderson County

 

The panel was recorded and can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evhyje3YGnU&t=741s

 

Key Takeaways included:

  • The importance of building a reliable network including fellow business owners, city staff and community resources
  • Getting involved with city committees, advisory boards, and events can directly impact business success. Panelists stressed that participation in events, boards and committees leads to influence and solutions.
  • When discussing events and seasonal traffic, panelists agreed that downtown businesses must strike while the iron is hot: Staying open during events, adjusting staffing and inventory, and actively participating in festivals and promotions were all shown to drive significant sales. There was concern that businesses closing during  events miss critical opportunities and harm the overall downtown experience.
  • The Downtown staff and TDA are also working on ‘off season’ events to bring activity to the community during the winter season:
  • From the audience, it was asked about Avenue (Side street) businesses and how they can benefit more. It was recommended to partner with other businesses to help cross-promotion, and work with the downtown staff, trying out different ideas and opportunities.
  • To conclude, it was discussed to have a similar meeting again, possibly twice per year to provide updates and support networking
    • Also a plug for Business Morning Update – a  event is co-sponsored with Blue Ridge Community College's Small Business Center, the City of Hendersonville Main Street program, and the Hendersonville Merchants & Business Association features several speakers on timely community events and issues affecting our business community. This is a free networking event that takes place every 2nd Wednesday at the Elks Lodge (546 N Justice Street) at 8am. This is a free event, no membership is required.
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