Asheville Store

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Out of Many, Asheville

In its beginning, Asheville was located at the crossroads of trade routes and deer paths…and it was called Morristown. In 1797, it was renamed Asheville by North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe. At one time, this city located in the broad Swannanoa Valley was the third largest city in the state; right behind Raleigh and Wilmington. In the late 1800s and early 20th century, Asheville became known as a health resort. Folks flocked to the mountains to enjoy the fresh air and the fine accommodations of the Grove Park Inn and the Battery Park Hotel and to engage in outdoor activities like horseback riding, hiking, and picnicking.

You might not know, but the Asheville area is the root source of a word commonly used to denote "nonsense." In 1820, Representative Felix Walker was addressing the House of Representatives on the topic of Missouri statehood. His intent was to engage in a long address, not necessarily related to the issue at hand, with the goal of being quoted in the newspaper, so he could be noted as performing his job. His long, dull, and drawn out speech was referred to as…just a lot of "bunkum," in reference to his home county of Buncombe.

Wandering down Biltmore Avenue from Pack Square, one of the oldest parts of the city, you’ll happen upon the Mast General Store. Located in the old Fain’s Department Store building, the mercantile is filled with most everything you need for life…and that’s no bunk!

Parking

There are a limited number of free-to-park spots available at the rear of the building off South Lexington Avenue. Additional parking is available in metered spaces, in surface lots, and in parking decks throughout Asheville. Metered spaces are enforced 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday - Saturday. Parking on the street is free on Sundays. Parking in surface lots and in decks can vary, and some lots/decks may charge special event fees on certain days throughout the year. There is a parking deck directly across from the store on Biltmore Avenue.

The number for the City of Asheville Parking Department is 828-259-5792. For information about parking motorcoaches and RVs, please call Explore Asheville at 828-258-6129.

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Plan Your Visit

Asheville is one of the most eclectic cities in the South. From its architecture and music venues to the Biltmore Estate and Farmers’ Market, you’ll find something for every interest.

Asheville Downtown Association

The biltmore house

Explore Asheville

NC Travel & Tourism

Wortham Center for the Arts

Area Events

MAY 1 - JUN 21, 2026

The Fabric of Downtown: Forgive Her Quilt by Jessa Sebastian

Asheville Mast General Store

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JUN 19, 2026

Downtown After 5

Pack Square Park • 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

LEARN MORE

Local Flavor

March 14, 2025

All Roads Lead to Mast Store

What is a passport? In short, a passport is merely a few leaves of paper marked with photos and stamps. In modern legal terms defined by U.S. Department of State, it is “a request to foreign governments to permit you to travel or temporarily reside in their territories and have access to lawful local aid and protection.” While extending us welcome to a new place, passports also offer their holder the services of the U.S. embassy or consulate as a sort of diplomatic home-away-from-home.

May 2, 2024

Mast Store in Asheville Celebrates 25 Years on Biltmore Avenue

When the Mast Store opened in 1999, Asheville was expanding on its reputation as an outdoor and art haven and working to save the historic buildings in its downtown. By recruiting new retailers and businesses to set up shop alongside long-time stalwarts like Tops for Shoes and Malaprop’s Bookstore & Cafe, the city became more walkable and shoppable. In the time since, more galleries, studios, restaurants, and hotels have moved into vacant storefronts and buildings adding to the town’s eclectic vibe.

September 14, 2016

24 Hours in Asheville, NC

Asheville, North Carolina, has long been lauded as “The Paris of the South” and “The Land of Sky.” The city’s vibrant culture and natural beauty has garnered top spots on a wide variety of national and international “best of” lists for many years. In 2016 alone, Asheville has been named among the "2016 Friendliest Cities in the U.S.," "Most Beautiful Small Towns to Visit in the U.S.," "10 Small Cities with World Class Food Scenes," and also one of "7 Best Places to Hear Incredible Live Music."

The Story Behind the Store

It took a while to find just the right building in Asheville. When we identified 15 Biltmore Avenue as our new home, so many people shared their fond memories of Fain's Department Store. It was a thrift store featuring clothing for men, women, and children, along with linens, housewares, and gifts. Today, as you walk in the front door, you'll see a memory prompt for many.

The city of Asheville is the hub of Western North Carolina. It is filled with one of the largest concentrations of Art Deco buildings in the United States. Overall, the city has many architectural styles that work together like a patchwork quilt.The history of the Asheville location stretches back to mid-1800s. Biltmore Avenue and Pack Square have long been centers of commerce and travel. First as an animal path, then a trade route, and in the early 1800s as a part of the Buncombe Turnpike, which linked Upstate South Carolina to Tennessee. It was completed around 1827 or 1828.

Fain image is courtesy of Pack Memorial Library.

George Augustus Mears, a prominent businessman in the Asheville area, built the building at 15 Biltmore Avenue in 1846. It was home to a number of businesses over the years, including the Mears Daylight Store (S.P. Mears General Merchandise) and an Army Outlet Store. S.P. Mears was George's son.In 1937, the store was renamed the Jay Mears Shoe Store, then later in the year, Bowers Bargain Biltmore Store moved into the space. It was there until 1943.On Wednesday, July 7, 1943, a fire broke out in the store.

Bowers Shoes image is courtesy of Pack Memorial Library.

It left the building gutted. Bowers moved out to a location on Patton Avenue, and Fain's Thrift Store, which was owned by Belk-Hudson in Asheville, purchased the shell of a building for $27,500. After renovations, Fain's made the move from its location at 5-7 Biltmore Avenue to its newly-rebuilt home.

The original Fain's terrazzo inlaid tile is preserved in the front thresholds of the store. While Fain's and the community of Asheville did not figure large in the Civil Rights protests in the 1960s, there was a sit in at the lunch counter that was located downstairs in the building. Many people in Asheville have shared fond memories of having a meal at the lunch counter and then getting to ride the mechanical horse as a treat. Fain's closed in 1995. Later that year, the store was home to Southerland's Furniture and Spa Sales.

The Mast Store in Downtown Asheville circa today.

It's inventory featured items for leisure life like hot tubs and home accessories. Southerland's closed in 1998. The Mast Store in Asheville opened on May 12, 1999.

Many thanks to UNC-Asheville Special Collections for their help in researching information for this article. Top image from the E.M. Ball Collection, D.H. Ramsey LIbrary Special Collections, UNC Asheville 28804.

Community Partners

In a time when general stores dotted the landscape, business was a mutually beneficial agreement, and it was done with a handshake. That could easily describe our relationship with our Community Partners. The Mast Store supports many groups in its local areas that help meet human needs, champion the arts, promote conservation, and contribute to moving the community forward. These are just a few of the organizations we support locally.

Asheville, NC