A new gourmet food market and café has recently opened its doors in West Asheville. Sage & Spice Market, located at 1056 Patton Ave., is a concept from Sage & Spice Catering, offering chef-made meals and a variety of beverages for takeout.
The owner, Tori Frasher, came up with the idea for the market as a convenient option for those who don’t feel like cooking or going to a restaurant after work. The goal is to provide customers with delicious, healthy (or not-so-healthy) meals that they can bring home and enjoy. Frasher’s friendship with the owners of The Breakroom, a rage room that opened next door, played a role in the decision to open the market in this location.
Sage & Spice Market is housed in the former Bonfire BBQ building, which was divided into separate spaces for the new tenants. Frasher initially intended to use the space as a commercial kitchen for catering, but saw the potential to expand into a market. She noticed that there weren’t many options on this side of town for people who wanted to grab something nice to take home and eat without having to drive into downtown.
The market features a variety of gourmet ingredients, packaged snacks, and beverages from local Asheville area producers as well as international companies. Frasher is open to suggestions from other local businesses interested in selling their products at Sage & Spice, as she wants to support the local market and showcase the many offerings that Asheville has.
In addition to the retail market, Sage & Spice also offers a selection of ready-made meals in its freezers. These chef-made meals are precooked and can easily be heated in a microwave or oven at home. The menu includes options for various dietary restrictions and allergies, such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and keto.
The café menu at Sage & Spice is overseen by Sergio Castro, who previously owned Conosur Latin Fusion in Mills River. The menu includes hot meals and snacks, including empanadas and Cuban sandwiches. Some of Castro’s popular dishes from his former restaurant are also available in the freezer. Fresh dining options like gourmet toast dishes will be added to the menu in the future.
The café’s beverage program offers a full menu of hot and cold coffee and espresso drinks, as well as smoothies, teas, and infused water. Customers can choose from a variety of flavors and milk alternatives for their drinks.
Some highlights from the menu include Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, the Market Salad, Matcha Latte, and Reese’s Pieces Smoothie. The café is open Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 am to 5 pm.
Sage & Spice Market encourages local businesses to reach out if they are interested in selling their products at the market, as they aim to support the vibrant local market in Asheville. With its convenient location and delicious chef-made meals, this new gourmet food market and café is sure to become a go-to spot for West Asheville residents.