Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville is one of North Carolina's most historic buildings and features dozens of specialty shops, galleries and restaurants. Find local crafts, antiques, fine gifts, and international cuisine at the Grove Arcade. Outside, a dozen stalls house farmers and craftspeople selling their wares directly to the public including local crafts, honey, handmade soaps and much more. The Grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage Gallery features the crafts, music and stories of the Blue Ridge. Visit the gallery and experience the places, objects and activities that authentically represent the people of Western North Carolina. And enjoy great shopping!

History of the Grove Arcade
The Grove Arcade was the grand dream of E.W. Grove, a self-made millionaire who moved to Asheville in 1910. By 1915, he had completed the Grove Park Inn and become involved in other civic projects. Grove understood that a successful city needed a vibrant downtown. In the early 1920's, he began plans to build an elegant new building to enliven the downtown of the city he had come to love. He conceived of the Arcade as "the most elegant building in America"—and as a new kind of retail center. Architect Charles N. Parker designed the Arcade, which was originally envisioned as a 5-story base with a 14-story tower, filled with shops, offices, and living spaces.

Dr. Grove died in 1927, two years before the building was completed. Only the base was built, yet at 269,000 square-feet, it was by far, the largest building in the region. When the Arcade opened in 1929, it quickly became home to a fine collection of local shops and services. Tenants included candy and cigar stores, a haberdashery, a public stenography office, fruit stands, millinery shops, beauty parlors and barbershops, a photography center, bookstalls and specialty groceries. Offices filled the upper floors. For 13 years, the Arcade was the center of commercial and civic life in Western North Carolina.

The Arcade was closed when the Federal Government took over the building as part of the effort to win World War II. Officials chose the building because it was large and located in a safe, remote place—important considerations in the war effort.  Seventy-four shops and 127 offices were evicted with less than one month’s notice.

Following the war, the Arcade continued under Federal ownership and eventually became the headquarters for the National Climatic Data Center. Public support began to grow for a plan to return the Arcade to its original use. In the 1980’s, the government announced plans to enlarge  and remodel the Arcade building.

The Grove Arcade was placed on the National Register of Historical Places during this time. In response to public demand that the Arcade’s historic architecture remain intact and the building be returned to its original function, a Mayor’s Task Force was established in 1985.

In the years that followed,  more than a dozen private developers considered renovating the building.  Both prospective developers and Task Force members discovered that the public space, which made the Arcade so appealing, rendered it impractical for a conventionally-financed private development.

A group of community leaders and concerned citizens formed the Grove Arcade Public Market Foundation. This not-for-profit, 501(c)3 corporation, had the mission of restoring the Grove Arcade to its original form and function.  The Federal Government announced plans to build a new facility for the Climatic Data Center.  The new Federal Building was completed in 1995, and plans for the Arcade to become Asheville’s new Public Market were refined.  In 1997, the City of Asheville acquired title to the building under the National Monument Act and signed a 198 year lease with the Foundation.

Since then, the Foundation has seen to the restoration of the Grove Arcade Building and its spirit. The restored Grove Arcade opened in late 2002 and includes shops, restaurants, offices and 42 luxury apartments. The Arcade remains Western North Carolina’s largest commercial building and has become a wonderful new downtown resource for residents and visitors.

Directions
Westbound on I-240: Take Exit 4C. At the red light at the end of the off ramp, turn left onto Montford Ave. At the next red light (dead end) turn left onto Haywood St. At the first red light (O.Henry Ave.) turn right. The Grove Arcade will be one block on the left. Wall Street Parking Garage will be straight ahead of you plus you will find street meter parking all around the building.

Eastbound on I-240: Take Exit 4C. Continue straight from the off ramp onto O.Henry Ave. The Grove Arcade will be one block on the left. Wall Street Parking Garage will be straight ahead of you plus you will find street meter parking all around the building.

From the Biltmore Estate: Turn left onto Biltmore Avenue (Hwy 25). Biltmore Ave. turns into Broadway. Turn left onto College Street. Turn right onto Haywood Street then a quick left onto Battery Park. The Grove Arcade will be one block on your right.

Hours
The Grove Arcade is open Monday thru Saturday 10am-6pm and noon - 5pm on Sundays. Restaurants are open earlier and/or later depending on the establishment.

Parking
The first hour is free! M-F 10am-7pm at the Wall Street, Rankin, and Civic Center parking garages.

Saturday parking is $1.00 all day at the Rankin Parking Garage, $2.00 all day at Wall Street, and $1.00 all day at the Civic Center Parking Garage (unless a Civic Center event occurs).

Visit their Web site for a directory of shops and restaurants.