Guest columnist: Asheville’s independent restaurant owners speak out on HB2

Restaurants are, first and foremost, in the hospitality business, and Asheville’s independent restaurants are very good at it. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Just look at the “listicles” in which Asheville’s food scene is mentioned: Travel & Leisure, Southern Living, AAA, USA Today, NY Times, Traveler’s Choice, Wall Street Journal, Food and Wine, Bon Appetit. These media outlets and many more repeatedly recognize Asheville’s hospitality and vibrant restaurant community. Providing outstanding service and memorable meals are points of pride for us.

So it is alarming when actions taken by elected officials interfere with the work we do and discriminate against our employees and our patrons. We are referring, of course, to House Bill 2, better known as HB2. Since its swift approval and signing by the governor, all in less than a day, Asheville’s independent restaurants have felt the impact.

At best, business is flat at a time when we traditionally see increases. We are experiencing cancellations by groups and individuals, all because of HB2. And yes, we are reporting all of this information to the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau so they can include it in the growing list of losses that is now approaching $2 million, all because of HB2. Further, our small businesses now have to field calls from current and potential guests questioning our intent to be inclusive or exclusionary. For our diverse staff, HB2 is humiliating and degrading.

Our message to Gov. Pat McCrory and the N.C. legislature is a simple one. If your goal was to hurt small businesses and diminish job growth in deeply profound ways, then congratulations. You have succeeded.

Our message to the hundreds of thousands of people who enjoy coming to our energetic, adventurous, Bohemian city, our message is equally simple. Nothing has changed. Asheville today is the same warm, safe, welcoming community it was before HB2. So come for a visit, sit a spell, relax and savor our award-winning food. Enjoy our attractions, stay in our hotels and explore our ancient mountains.

By definition, hospitality is the act of providing guests with a generous and cordial reception. It’s what visitors have come to expect from Asheville’s restaurant community. And it’s what they will continue to experience. Because for us, hospitality is more than a word. It is an integral part of the way we live and work.

Elizabeth Liddell Button is owner and CEO, HeirloomHG.com.

HB2 Signature list, owners of independent restaurants; all members of Asheville Independent Restaurant Association:

April Moon and Belinda Raab – Sunny Point Cafe

Jacob & Alicia Sessoms – Table, The Imperial Life, Tod’s Tasties

Eric & Heidi Scheffer – Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian

Kevin & Lucia Barnes – Ultimate Ice Cream

Rich & Lauren Cundiff – Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack

Patrick O'Cain – Gan Shan Station

Traci Taylor - Fig

Jack Buan & Rosetta Star – Rosetta’s Kitchen

Michel Baudouin - Bouchon

Joe Scully – Corner Kitchen & Chestnut

Jael & Dan Rattigan – French Broad Chocolate Lounge

Liz Liddell Button, Katie Button, Felix Meana & Ted Button – Heirloom Hospitality Group, Curate & Nightbell

John Fleer – Rhubarb & The Rhu

Jeff & Ashley Miller – Luella’s Bar-B-Que

Molly & Meherwan Irani – Chai Pani Restaurant Group

Peter Slamp & Adam Bannasch – Zambra

Adam Bannasch & Kate Bannasch - Copper Crown

Lynn Foster – Buffalo Nickel

Anthony Cerrato – Strada Italiano

C. Allan Morse – Sante Wine Bar and Tap Room

Chris Cunningham, Sean Park, James Sutherland – Blue Dream Curry

Carole Bowers & Melissa Lausch – Carmel’s Restaurant & Bar & Burgerworx

Edward Hannibal & Natalie Byrnes – Glass Onion

William S. Dissen - The Market Place Restaurant

Charlie Hodge & Sunil Patel – Sovereign Remedies, Ole Shakey’s, Patchwork Urban Farms

Joshua Bailey – Bhramari Brewhouse

Billy Klingel – Oyster House Brewing Company

Miki Loomis – Homegrown & Saffron Fine Foods

Randy Talley & Roger Derrough – Green Sage Café

Vicki Schomer & Neeraj Kebede - Addissae Ethiopian Restaurant

Christine Lane – Marcos Pizzeria

Teri & Greg Siegel – Avenue M

Jay Weatherly & Kim Hunt – High Five Coffee

Carson Lucci - Over Easy Café

Karen Donatelli - Karen Donatelli Bakery and Cafe

Catherine Cambron & Anoop Krishnan – Mela Indian Restaurant