Exciting Updates in Asheville: Pop-Up Shop Opens at the Historic Biltmore School
Asheville – If you’ve been missing some of your favorite shops in Biltmore Village, you’re in for a treat! The beloved JW Bell and Palm Village have set up a “pop-up shop” at the Historic Biltmore School. This unique shopping experience is located on the third floor of the charming old school building, right off Vanderbilt Drive on Hendersonville Road. It’s a fantastic opportunity to browse high-end men’s wear and stylish Lilly Pulitzer apparel, just in time for the holiday shopping season!
A Bit of Background: What Happened to Biltmore Village?
As many locals know, the quaint village has faced some challenges recently. The building that typically houses the JW Bell and Palm Village was unfortunately located at the lowest point in Biltmore Village. When the floodwaters rose, the building nearly became submerged. Despite these significant obstacles, the owners and staff have continued to work hard to offer their fantastic services to shoppers. William Tepper, President of JW Bell, along with his team from the Biltmore Property Group, has been tirelessly committed to ensuring that business goes on as usual.
The trouble began when Tropical Storm Helene hit the area following an earlier storm that had already saturated the ground. “It was very unexpected,” Tepper shared. They had planned to prepare for the upcoming storm, but conditions took a turn for the worse on Wednesday night when flooding began to impact their parking garages.
Putting in the Work
After receiving a call from an employee about the rising water levels, Tepper rushed to the store and quickly assessed the situation. The team experienced street flooding that required immediate action. With very little sleep, they continued working throughout Thursday to pump water out and relocate merchandise to safety.
By midday Thursday, it became clear that the challenge was more significant than initially thought. They quickly rented a U-Haul, moving as much merchandise as they could up to the Historic Biltmore School. “We cleared out the whole JW Bell store and got around 80% of Palm Village relocated,” Tepper reported. Many other retailers thought moving merchandise to the second story would suffice, but the floodwaters proved otherwise.
A Nod to History: JW Bell’s Legacy
The JW Bell brand has a proud history that dates back to 1929. Originally founded by JW “Bill” Bell, the store’s deep roots in the Western North Carolina community have shaped its operations over the decades. Bill’s innovative spirit led to the original concept of a pop-up store during challenging economic times, ensuring that men’s fashions were accessible even in the face of adversity.
Today, the modern JW Bell continues to uphold these values, offering a curated selection of upscale men’s wear while also serving as a Lilly Pulitzer signature store. Located in the pop-up shop, you’ll find a full line of vibrant and stylish Lilly Pulitzer clothing along with JW Bell’s elegant offerings.
Shopping Hours and Supporting Local
The pop-up shop is open from 11 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, and 10 AM to 3 PM on Saturday. It remains closed on Sundays. Tepper highlighted the importance of keeping their loyal staff busy and engaged during this challenging time. Employees, some of whom have been with the company since its early days, have stepped up to lend a hand with cleanup and organization.
“Our employees are very loyal; everyone was happy to help,” Tepper said. To further support his team, Tepper even set up a GoFundMe for JW Bell and Lilly to help supplement their income during this period. Shopping at the pop-up is not only a great way to snag some wonderful items but also an excellent opportunity to support local merchants and their employees!
If you’re in Asheville, be sure to check out the pop-up shop at the Historic Biltmore School, where a bit of history meets modern style, and help support local businesses as they navigate this recovery phase.
