Posts Tagged ‘Chocolate’

Today, the Hop Ice Cream Café will be kicking off soccer season with a sweet deal. The local owners Greg and Ashley Garrison will be giving 20% of today’s sales to ABYSA, (Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association.) That’s right 20%! That’s not all, they are also holding a drawing for a FREE 9” custom made ice cream cake.

”As owners of the Hop, we love to see locals supporting locals. In tough economic times, local businesses and organizations feel the pressure just as much or more than national groups. We believe that by teaming up with ABYSA we can not only raise awareness about our business, a locally owned and operated store for over 30 years, but also support a program that keeps kids active and involved in the community. So join us for cool treats, hot drinks, and fun at the Hop for the ABYSA fundraiser!”

The Hop makes all their ice cream from scratch in the store with natural ingredients. For those who can’t partake in the delicious mocha ice cream and world of other flavors, they  also serve lactose free alternatives made with soy. Surprise the kids with ice cream after school today and feel good about supporting your community. I may see you there!

Today we welcome back Sherida Buchanan from Explore Asheville, who offers us some great last minute affordable Valentine’s Day solutions. Thanks Sherida, perfect timing!

Enjoy Dancing All Night

Looking for romantic ways to show your love today without spending a lot of cash? Try our crash-course in romancing your sweetie in Asheville.

•    Take advantage of local free offerings: Take an art tour through downtown galleries, go hiking on local trails or take in the view from a scenic overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

•    Indulge your taste buds: Drop by one of the city’s many microbreweries and wine shops. Most offer complimentary samples or tastings for a couple of bucks.
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•    Feed your sweet tooth: Chocolate is the universal language of love. Enjoy your fill with hot chocolate at a street-side café or split a dessert at a local restaurant.

•    Make beautiful music: Forget expensive concert tickets. Many downtown restaurants and bars offer live music in the evenings. Split a bottle of wine and enjoy a front-row seat to Asheville’s hot music scene.

•    Plan your own adventure: Hit the road for a treasure hunt for two. Asheville and its surrounding areas offer more than 7,600 hidden geocaches.

Looking for more ways to enjoy the city on the cheap? Visit ExploreAsheville.com

Today Sherida Buchanan from Explore Asheville shares 10 tips for affordable Romance in Asheville. Enjoy these suggestions, grab your sweetie and get out there and enjoy yourselves! Remember, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner.

Romance on a Budget

You can’t buy love, but shouldn’t romance be affordable? Lucky for us, we live in one of the world’s top must-see cities. So play tourist at home and treat your Valentine to a romantic day around town with our top 10 tips for a sweet date that’s easy on the wallet:

1.    Try a Hot Chocolate Tasting Tour: From organic sippable truffles to a winter warm-up on a bright red double-decker bus, cozy up at a cocoa and coffee houses for primo people watching and a delicious treat that only tastes expensive.

2. Find a Scenic Make Out Spot: Gaze into starry eyes and starry skies while soaking in the famous and free vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Take a drive up Town Mountain or watch the sunset from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

3. Request a Mountain Serenade: Most of the downtown restaurants and pubs transition to live music venues at night. Score free romance points by having a local musician dedicate a song to your sweetheart.
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4. Be Free Spirited: Tour with your taste buds as you explore the city’s many microbrews and wine shops.

5. Go Gallery Gazing: Looking is free. Stroll hand-in-hand through our eclectic art galleries and boutiques.

6. Share a Decadent Dessert: Split the cost by sharing an unforgettable dessert lovingly prepared at a local restaurant. Try Fig’s milk chocolate mousse or sample Cucina 24’s cinnamon panna cotta.

7.    Have a National Park Adventure: This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, a local natural wonder that’s free to explore.

8.    Find a Second-hand Rose: Known for vintage clothing boutiques and antique shops, Asheville is full of low-cost treasures with history.

9.    Couples Geocaching: Use your GPS and take your sweetheart on a high-tech treasure hunt. Within 100 miles of Asheville are more than 7,600 hidden geocaches waiting to be found, free of charge.

10.    Make Your Own Souvenir: Save money by making your own unique memorabilia, like piece of pottery or a charm bracelet at one of our many local bead and gem shops.

Looking for more ways to enjoy the city on the cheap? Visit ExploreAsheville.com