Asheville, North Carolina

Four years after the Covid shutdown, an Asheville restaurant owner remembers and reminisces about reimagining his career after he made the difficult decision to close down Aux Bar downtown. He now owns and operates Tastee Diner on Haywood Road in Asheville — a big change from the upscale downtown bar, but one that offers durability and options, come what may.

No Luck on St. Patrick’s Day Four Years Ago

No one wanted what was served up four years ago as COVID hit with a vengeance. It took thousands of lives and changed many aspects of our lives. One Asheville restaurant owner figured out a way to endure. St. Patrick’s Day was not a lucky day as Covid hit with lockdowns and restrictions, taking its toll on businesses like the downtown Asheville restaurant that had to close.

Aux Bar Closes Due to Pandemic Restrictions

For Asheville restaurants in 2020, Covid erased their menus, leading many to turn to curbside pickup and deliveries. Some, like the Aux Bar downtown, decided to shut down, with the owner citing health reasons for the closure.

Looking Ahead Post-Pandemic

“I’m worried about whether small businesses in Asheville will be able to reopen after such a hard hit,” Steven Goff said in 2020. Goff started preparing food for an eventual reopening, anticipating the challenges that lay ahead in an uncertain future.

“We thought it was going to be a short-term disruption, not years-long changes and permanent alterations to the restaurant industry,” he said on St. Patrick’s Day 2024, reflecting on the unexpected closure of his restaurant.

Reimagining and Finding a New Spot

“As an employer, everyone’s livelihood rests upon you,” Goff shared. “When you have to close down and tell everybody they don’t have a job, that’s brutal. That was probably the worst day of my restaurant career.” However, Goff persevered and found a new spot for a different type of restaurant in West Asheville.

“Always loved West Asheville and Haywood Road. It’s really good to be part of the community over here,” he expressed, highlighting the sense of belonging and resilience in his new venture at Tastee Diner.

“With this, if something were to happen again, I have options,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and flexibility in uncertain times.

Embracing Asheville’s Food Scene Again

Goff found joy in Asheville’s food scene once more, appreciating the city’s unique charm and culinary diversity. “No matter how much tourism we have, we still retain our little bit of oddness. We are still weird,” he remarked, celebrating the city’s distinctive character.

“Once I started working over here,” he shared, “like a ton of people I know, were like, ‘Finally, you’re finally where you belong.’” Goff reflected on the journey of realigning his professional path and finding fulfillment in his renewed presence in Asheville.