News

Restaurants cater to Festival patrons

Downtown festivals mean increased business for restaurants like Hannah Flannagan’s.

By , Published: August 31, 2012

The Apple Festival offers plenty of food booths. Downtown Hendersonville has plenty to offer among restaurants that are here all the time, too.

Unlike some festivals, the Apple Festival does not offer beer or wine. That means dining places that offer alcohol are able attract some festival visitors who want to enjoy a beer or glass of wine.
"Apple Fest is by far the biggest weekend of the year; we love it," said Matt Johnes, owner of Hannah Flanagan's at 300 N. Main St., Hendersonville. "It's like having three St. Patrick's Days all in a row."
Johnes added, "We are very appreciative of the Apple Fest Committee. They spend a lot of time organizing and promoting the festival and working with everyone involved to put on a great event."
2 Guys Pizza & Ribs, previously located about 6 blocks west from Main Street on Sixth Avenue, is serving its first Apple Festival downtown this year. In a new location at Church and Barnwell streets, 2 Guys Pizza & Ribs is also home to a game room for kids, Sterling Edwards Fine Art Studio and Lux Salon.
Owners Melody and John Crawford are excited for the weekend, but are also unsure about how business will be affected by the street fair foods just down the street and are concerned about parking.
"We're here for the tourists and our regulars combined," said John Crawford. "We hope to see some new faces, but of course want our regulars to be able to come in and not be inconvenienced by all the excitement downtown."
"We are expecting big crowds. Everyone loves this time of year, with the beginning of fall and all the apples," said Melody Crawford. "Apple Fest should be fun this year, especially with the weather being so nice lately."
Not so new to Apple Festival, ThreeChopt Sandwich Shoppe, 103 Third Ave. E., is experiencing its 25th Apple Festival this year, and owner Matthew Rogers is thrilled to do so.
"It's great to see how well we can still handle our business with six times more customers than usual," Rogers said. "We love the Apple Festival! We always welcome everyone to stop by even if only for a bathroom or water break. Apple Fest weekend is a great way to showcase our business and meet new people."
Also very appreciative of the Apple Festival Committee, Rogers says, "As local businesses, we all owe them a great big thank you. Especially Helen Hauser (a longtime volunteer and this year's parade grand marshal). She works so hard and does a great deal for the town."
While the Apple Festival brings new people downtown, the local restaurateurs hope that visitors or locals who try them out this weekend and will come visit again.