ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — For decades, drivers heading west on Patton Avenue knew the spot simply as Ball’s.
The longtime Ball Service Center at 1645 Patton Ave. is gone. The building that once housed the auto shop has been demolished, leaving behind only a few reminders of the property’s past, including a set of stone steps that once connected the old home on the property to the service center.
The site is being redeveloped. Plans filed with the City of Asheville call for the construction of Los Nenes Bakery LLC, a grocery store and bakery with indoor and outdoor dining areas.
The proposed 14,037-square-foot building would include bakery and grocery space, along with dining areas, on the roughly 1.9-acre property. The project also includes site improvements and stormwater controls.
Before demolition crews arrived, the property was a familiar part of Asheville’s landscape for generations.
Ball Service Center operated at the location for decades, with business directories listing the shop as established in 1955. Business listings identify James E. Ball as the owner and describe the shop as an automotive repair business offering services including auto repair, tire service, towing, roadside assistance and parts sales.
The shop sat along one of Asheville’s oldest commercial corridors. Patton Avenue became a major westward route during the automobile boom of the mid-20th century, when service stations, garages, motels and drive-in businesses lined the road.
Over time, Ball Service Center became more than just a place to repair cars. It became a landmark.
Earlier this year, a Reddit user asked where Patton Avenue officially ended and Smokey Park Highway began. One longtime resident responded with a simple answer:
“Ball’s Service Center.”
The comment reflected how many longtime residents used the business — not just as an auto shop, but as a familiar reference point for navigating West Asheville.
Now, the building is gone, and the property is taking on a new role. But the stonework left behind serves as a small reminder of the decades when Ball Service Center was part of the daily rhythm of Patton Avenue.
City records show Los Nenes Bakery LLC is moving forward with plans for the new development. The project remains under review as the city works through construction requirements.