Asheville Businesses Brace for Weekend Merrimon Avenue Demonstrations as G20 Impact Estimates Remain Preliminary
Updated
Updated · WLOS · Aug 29
Asheville Businesses Brace for Weekend Merrimon Avenue Demonstrations as G20 Impact Estimates Remain Preliminary
2 articles · Updated · WLOS · Aug 29
Summary
Asheville businesses along Merrimon Avenue are preparing for expected weekend demonstrations, with some warning customers about possible traffic disruptions while others are largely sticking to normal operations.
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., located on the corridor, said it is making no major changes; general manager Mac Rutledge said he expects regular customers to keep coming and cited ample parking.
Explore Asheville said claims that the G20 could bring millions of dollars in economic value and earned media exposure are still unconfirmed, with only preliminary direct-spending estimates available before the event.
A fuller assessment of the G20’s economic effect on Asheville will come only after the weekend, leaving businesses to balance disruption concerns against hoped-for visitor spending.
Will the unpermitted G20 protests disrupt Asheville's local economy, or could the influx of demonstrators actually boost weekend sales for local businesses?
How much of the projected two million dollar G20 spending will actually reach local Asheville merchants instead of just the summit venue?
Does the clash between the G20's recovery narrative and local Hurricane Helene protests threaten Asheville's carefully curated tourism image?