ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828NewsNow.com) — The Salvage Station music venue, previously located along the French Broad River, provided an emotional update on Nov. 6 on social update after it has had a slew of setbacks in its rebuilding process.
The latest setback was a fire that severely damaged the future site of the venue in April. But the Salvage Station team made this clear message in its social media post: “We haven’t given up…not even close.”
The team said its still working on rebuilding, despite all the setbacks.
The venue, which was located at 468 Riverside Drive in the River Arts District, was seeking a new location in the spring of 2024 after the North Carolina Department of Transportation announced the venue needed to relocate due to the Interstate 26 Connector Project.
PAST COVERAGE: SALVAGE STATION SALVAGED: RAD MUSIC VENUE RETURNS UNDER NEW ROOF
That was the first setback. Owners said they would operate Salvage Station until the end of 2024, when it was required to leave, and it would seek a new location. Then on Sept. 27, 2024, those plans were swept away when Helene hit. The venue was completely destroyed by flood waters from the storm.
“It’s been a little over two years since Hurricane Helene devastated Salvage Station, and we know many of you have been wondering where things stand with our rebuild,” the team’s post said. “Like so many in our community, we’ve spent the past two years navigating unimaginable loss. In the months following the storm, we worked tirelessly to clean, repair, salvage, and relocate whatever we could. It was an enormous undertaking, both physically and financially.”
The team had found a new iconic location, once again in the River Arts District. It was at the former Asheville Waste Paper building, known locally for its iconic graffiti and murals, including a prominent painting of Homer Simpson and Bender from “Futurama” sharing a donut.
Then yet another setback came with the fire, which the Asheville Fire Department said was set on purpose. The investigation is ongoing.
The team said it continues to work to rebuild. In the social media update, there were renderings of what the new music venue could look like, and it includes the Homer Simpson-Bender building.
“We’ve been working tirelessly with local architects, designers, and engineers on plans for a new Salvage Station on 13 incredible acres in the heart of the River Arts District. Imagine a state-of-the-art, 2,500-person indoor music venue, ample space for outdoor concerts, and room for community events, farmers markets, local artists, food vendors and more,” the post said.
The team said its new venue could be a place that brings national touring acts back to Asheville, supports local musicians, creates hundreds of jobs, and generates meaningful economic activity for restaurants, hotels, galleries, shops, and businesses throughout Western North Carolina.
“We have the vision, the plans and the determination. What we need now is the support and cooperation to make it happen. So we’re asking you to do something. Close your eyes and remember your favorite Salvage Station moment — a concert along the river, dancing with friends, discovering a new band, that unmistakable feeling of being part of something special.
“Now imagine bringing that energy back to Asheville,” the post said.
The Salvage Station is asking its fans to share their memories and to like and share its social post so that the owners can show city and state leaders how important it would be to bring the venue back.
“Rebuilding Asheville means more than restoring roads and bridges. It means bringing back the jobs, music, art, businesses, and gathering places that make our community extraordinary. We haven’t given up. Not even close. And with your help sharing this post and speaking up in support, we believe Salvage Station’s best days are still ahead,” the post said.