Positive News for Asheville: Voodoo Brewing Resumes Operations Following Health Inspection
Asheville, N.C. is buzzing with good news as residents eagerly anticipate the reopening of local businesses affected by recent challenges. On October 9, Buncombe County leaders shared updates about recovery efforts after the impact of recent events, particularly focusing on the operations of **_Voodoo Brewing_** on Sweeten Creek Road.
Getting Back to Business
Voodoo Brewing faced a tough situation when they received a letter from the Buncombe County Health and Human Services Department. The letter boldly stated, “YOU MUST CEASE OPERATIONS IMMEDIATELY AND CANNOT OPERATE YOUR ESTABLISHMENT WHILE YOUR PERMIT IS SUSPENDED.” This news was unexpected for Bill Osbourne, the owner of Voodoo Brewing, who had just opened his doors to serve the community.
“We were giving out food to the community. To get that email, with no other real information on it other than what was contained in the letter, did take us back a little bit,” shared Osbourne. The uncertainty that followed must have been quite overwhelming, as he had to navigate the next steps for his business.
Supportive Measures in Place
Recognizing the stress on restaurant owners, Buncombe County has ramped up its inspection process. Lillian Govus, the Director of Communications and Public Engagement for Buncombe County, highlighted that the county has 15 restaurant inspectors working tirelessly, even on weekends, to ensure that establishments can reopen safely.
“We have made a request for additional restaurant inspectors so that we can support our restaurants in their reopening and make sure that they’re reopening safely,” Govus remarked. This proactive approach is aimed at giving local businesses the boost they need to resume operations without compromising public health.
Swift Action Followed
Osbourne took action quickly after receiving the suspension letter. By Sunday morning, he filled out the Emergency Operation plan, hoping for a speedy resolution. Fortunately, he got positive news the same day. “Once we received the information and contacted them, the process went really quickly,” Osbourne mentioned, expressing his relief at the county’s responsiveness.
Later that Sunday, inspectors arrived at Voodoo Brewing to conduct their inspection, focusing on critical health measures such as water safety and boiling alerts. Osbourne recalls feeling nervous as they awaited the outcome, but his fears soon melted away. “We were very nervous when we got this letter. It’s a very official reading letter. We weren’t sure how we were going to handle it,” he admitted. Thankfully, Voodoo Brewing passed the health inspection, allowing them to resume business.
Looking Ahead
With the swift approval from health officials, Osbourne is feeling optimistic about the future. He mentioned that if Voodoo Brewing could get through the process so efficiently, it bodes well for other local businesses facing similar challenges. “The fact that they came out on a Sunday evening just shows that they were trying to get it done,” he said, appreciating the county’s dedication to helping businesses thrive.
Voodoo Brewing is set to officially open its doors once again on October 9 at noon. Their new hours of operation will be from noon to 6 p.m., and they will remain open Monday through Sunday until Buncombe County’s curfew is lifted. This news brings a renewed sense of hope and community spirit to Asheville as residents and businesses alike rally together in the face of adversity.
A Community Coming Together
The rapid response from local authorities and the determination of business owners like Osbourne showcase the strength of the Asheville community. Everyone is looking forward to returning to their favorite local spots, and Voodoo Brewing’s reopening is just the beginning of a hopeful recovery journey.
As Asheville continues to navigate through these challenges, the resilience and togetherness of its residents promise a brighter future.
