This holiday season, we’re thrilled to bring you Bizzy Bear, a fun and festive way to support local businesses while embracing community spirit. Presented by Spectrum and Duke Energy, Bizzy Bear encourages residents and visitors alike to explore Asheville’s vibrant downtown and beyond, shopping small and local.
The Hunt Begins: Saturday, November 23rd
Bizzy Bear celebrates the holidays in downtown Asheville!
- Spot the Bizzy Bears: 20 adorable stuffed bears, adorned with festive ribbons and Chamber tags, are hidden in businesses across downtown. Check the clues below and follow us on Instagram. Follow our Instagram (@avlchamber) for hints about where the bears are hiding – we’ll be sharing hints for locations throughout December.
- Snap and share: On Instagram, follow the Chamber (@avlchamber) and find a bear, take a selfie, and tag the Chamber and the business on Instagram using the hashtag #AVLBizzyBear. Share the selfie as a post, not stories.
- Win big: For every five bears you find, you’ll be entered into our weekly drawing for $100 Winners will be contacted via Instagram to share how you can pick up your prize.
Support Local and Win
Many participating businesses are offering exclusive discounts for those who find Bizzy Bear in their store—another reason to get out and explore!
How to Enter
- Follow us on Instagram (@avlchamber).
- Post selfies with the Bizzy Bears you find on your Instagram. Every five gets you an entry into the weekly drawing. Share the selfie as a post, not a story.
- Use the hashtag #AVLBizzyBear and tag @avlchamber + the business if possible.
Let’s make this holiday season one to remember by supporting the businesses that make Asheville special. Whether you’re uncovering clues downtown or venturing into new neighborhoods, Bizzy Bear is your perfect guide to local holiday magic. Happy hunting!
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The Bizzy Bear campaign is sponsored by Spectrum as part of their overall commitment to supporting relief efforts and small businesses, including a $5000 contribution to the Asheville Chamber’s Mountain Strong Fund for Business Recovery. Altogether, Spectrum has committed $1 million, including $250,000 in cash contributions and $750,000 in in-kind public service announcement (PSA) airtime to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts. These contributions were intended to assist organizations that provided much needed aid and assistance to our community. During the Holiday Jamboree, Spectrum will also have several prize baskets filled with local products. Be sure to stop by their booth as well for a chance to win.
Sponsor Duke Energy is proud to partner with organizations and non-profits who are leading the way in community and business recovery efforts in Western North Carolina.
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Find Bizzy Downtown with these clues…
- Where to go when you’re in the mood for tandoori and tikka chicken. This Indian restaurant in the heart of downtown has a popular buffet and also operates a food truck.
- This store has been a fixture of downtown Asheville since 1999, and has had a presence in WNC since 1883. You’ll find everything from cast iron skillets to hiking boots.
- Showcasing art – from pottery to jewelry. When I look across the street I see the Fine Arts Theatre.
- Your head may spin when you learn this gallery has been in downtown for 35 years supporting artists locally and from afar. Psst…they’re celebrating their birthday on New Year’s Eve!
- You’ll find a space for collective contemplation and creativity on the Block at this Black-owned boutique.
- Catch a glimpse of an iconic old truck on the square at this family-owned business in a lovingly restored downtown Tavern.
- Where art and craft beautifully collide, on a street where creative spirits reside, a well-known road, the spot you seek, a place of beauty, unique and sleek. Bizzy is extra careful around all the fragile items in this working studio!
- Not to be confused with the futuristic tv show by the same name…this business inspires you to “drink in nature.” Their name means “new earth.”
- Come roll the dice at this business where there’s a giant operation going on. It’s all fun and games until…Never mind, it’s all fun and games. 700 of them in fact.
- In a building that used to be a gas station many years ago, this business has been making Asheville sparkle and shine since 1926 AND has a 100-year-old clock in the parking. They’re having a tree lighting tonight. This might be the fanciest Bizzy you’ll find!
- Peek in the window where they cook in copper kettles and dip everything in chocolate and caramel.
- What’s 1+9,999? That might be how many miles their products have traveled.
- Where would you find a chocolate Santa? At the oldest chocolate shop in downtown.
- Delicious any way you DREAM it – this is where Cookie Monster would go when he can’t sleep.
- Voted Best Chinese in Asheville 8 years in a row, their open kitchen gives you an inside look into the artistry of their seasoned chefs.
- If these walls could talk, they’d tell you about this storefront’s past lives as a shoe store, jewelry store and livestock auction. Now, you’ll find it full of stories and news.
- Their home goods combine beauty and function straight from the dirt of the Blue Ridge in colors like “In the Pines,” “Big Sky,” “Morel,” and “Lamb’s Ear.”
- Started back in 1952, this third generation family business will keep you on your toes. Their penny sale is a favorite.
- In an original art deco storefront, you’ll find prints, t-shirts and stickers from over 80 local artists and makers in this store that specializes in neoappalachian art and craft AND is known as the brick and mortar gallery and headquarters of The Big Crafty.
- In an old five and dime, this store is a showcase for beautiful expression – representing over 80 regional artists – with objects to adorn you and your home.