I essentially lived in a bubble during this pandemic. It is weird getting back in the saddle. When…read moreI see a person with a mask, I wonder if they are vaccinated or extra saintly. I fight down a panic and try to not feel numb. For me, thrift stores are an antidote. This thrift store has been rearranged. It is bigger now. More space to move. Clothing was hung by color or print. Most stuff is arranged in certain categories and labeled. Small, framed pictures were hard to get to. Scarfs were overflowing. You have to put in an effort in some areas still, but overall, the makeover of this shop is a great improvement. There is even a unisex bathroom now! However, the sink was not working. Not ideal, pandemic or no pandemic. No no if you have to go go. The dressing rooms were not open. Not sure why. Rampant theft of six-year-old Old Navy blouses, or just HCM trying not to entice people to share small spaces with abated breaths. The reason that I removed one star is because one of the cashiers is INCREASING THE PRICES AT HER DISCRETION. Her doing that is immoral and may even be unlawful. I let her get away with it with the book I was buying. The price had been reduced by half, but she added a quarter. However, just about twenty minutes ago, my daughter told me that the cashier did the same with her craft items. I know that HCM has to fix the sink, but I draw the line at scamming a kid. I feel good that by us shopping here, we are supporting people in times of crises. But I don't have to support a con. I will return when I can clean my hands and HCM cleans their souls.

The store looks amazing now. It's so well organized and fair prices. I enjoy shopping here when I'm…read morein the area. The staff has always been friendly and helpful. Keep up the great work!

Waynesville Goodwill store has a funky odor that permeates the entire store. The staff always say…read morehello and seem kind. Unfortunately all the shelves are chaotic and like items are not together. The quality of donations is not a draw. The pricing is crazy. Although I live in the general area of this store I drive 10 miles to the Canton Goodwill store that looks and feels like a retail outlet. The clothing and shelfs are organized and appealing, the floors look great and the staff are kind and hardworking.

I find it hard to resist Goodwills, even with sassy ladies working there. However, I do not feel…read morefully comfortable at this one anymore. There was a weird energy in the air. An elderly pilferer had just left, and that constituted high drama to some. The cashier that I had mentioned in my last update was spending time on the floor with a fellow employee. I strained to hear their low conversation, and a young man strained his body toward this cashier, imploring her for help. An older woman, would could not bear the strain of waiting in line, went back to browsing, and I got in line, which lines up towards the side-left. The cashier came back. She chatted with the older woman, who was approaching the register with an item. The chatting was comfortable, so I knew that the cashier and this older woman were familiar with each other. The older woman decided that I was not in line and got directly behind another woman at the register, which any Goodwill devotee knows is a faux pas. The line consists of side-to-side people. There is no room to get directly behind others in this Goodwill, as one would block a main thoroughfare to Corelle dishes. Last year, a woman asked if she could butt in front of me at this Goodwill. I relented out of weakness. Her husband was waiting. I wanted to tell her that so was mine. My husband lost it when he wondered what had taken me so long. Hers didn't. I am a crazy person magnet. If you got Squeaky Fromme, Andrew Wakefield, and a descendent of Josef Mengele in the same room with me, they would be telling me their life stories while ignoring any concept of time, space, or manners. Somehow, they sense my inner rube and descend. My husband cringes and sighs. So, of course, this older woman asked to butt in front of me. I, of course relented, because her time and narcissism are important to her, and I do not want to make waves. This woman felt that because she was actually in line before me- but then left the line- that that entitled her to go before me. This angered my husband, and he was making light comments in disbelief. Then it gets even more uncomfortable. The cashier actually asked my husband what he was commenting about, which can be seen as aggressive. I think that her heart was in the right place, but it was if she was almost daring us to say that the older woman- her friend- was rude to butt in front of us. I felt conflicted, because on the one hand the cashier was saying that I was nice to let the woman go ahead of me, but on the other hand she was saying that people that have the gall to ask to butt in front of you deserve a high five. Later that same day, we got falsely accused of butting, had to fight off another butter, and then I accidentally butted in front of a woman*. Life is the butt of the joke. *Please see my update on the Waynesville Ingles for more high jinks. I did not realize I was butting in front of someone at the health department, as I was elated due to defying anti-moms and due to imminent disease defiance in defiant children.

My family has grown in love and joy through the wonderful canine companion that we got from…read more Sarge's. Even during COVID with special precautions for safety, they took extra time to help match us with an excellent dog for our family. They demonstrated great care for all their pups, cleanliness, kindness, and knowledge about their different dog's dispositions and needs. Thanks for all your hard work and saving these great animals.

Sarge's is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that rescues homeless cats and dogs in Haywood County and places…read morethem in permanent and loving homes. They believe animals are an integral part of our lives and they enjoy seeing the excitement on adopters' faces as they add a new canine or feline family member. They are growing and expanding as an organization currently, but their mission stays the same: increasing the save rate of Haywood County's homeless pets! Their mission is to save animals from euthanasia in the Haywood County Animal Shelter. Unfortunately, the number of animals who arrive at HCAS is so great that they can only remain there for a limited time before room must be made for more arrivals. They rescue those healthy and adoptable animals who are in danger of euthanasia.

Please support the YWCA. I have attended both Having a trainer provide individual one on one…read moreassistance and have also attended groups that provided excellent information and assistance to me and others needed similar services

I joined the YWCA recently and I really like it. The pool is great and the shower /locker room area…read moreis clean and spacious. Everyone there is so friendly and helpful. I'm excited to try some of their group fitness classes soon.

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts is located in Downtown Black Mountain. It is in the former…read moreCity Hall Building. Stairs are the only option to get to the second-floor gallery as the elevator got damaged by Hurricane Helene. Parking is on the street and in public lots. I found out about the Art in Bloom exhibit that was happening and made sure to fit it into my plans. The artwork and flower displays were upstairs. I was there the last day and they still looked amazing. I was thrilled I got to see the creativity. The staff was very friendly and welcoming here, and even provided me with a tour of the facility. The Center has performing arts so I joined the mailing list so I could find out about upcoming theatre performances and concerts. Classes and workshops are offered too. This is a great asset to the community.

Very nice people. Was invited into a painting studio along with a pottery studio. Would recommend.read more