Meet Heather Wright

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Wright.

Heather, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Established in 2019 by my husband, Matt, and I, Provisions Mercantile was inspired by my grandmother, Claudene Mchone, who created a small general store in the basement of her West Asheville home in the 1960s. It served as a gathering place for the neighborhood and a resource for purchasing basic necessities. I always remember family stories of my dad and his siblings helping out at the store after school, and how my aunt would sneak the bulk candy as a child.

In late 2019, we opened the flagship mercantile in a former furniture store on Haywood Road in West Asheville, the same neighborhood where my grandmother created her general store some 60 years earlier. In summer 2021, we opened our Historic Biltmore Village location, which offers much of the same, but with the additional bodega-style food staples, grab-and-go gourmet bites, and beverages, much of it locally made.

The story of Provisions Mercantile is one that’s come full circle. Just as an earlier generation had communed around Mamaw Claudene’s supplies shop, my own general store brings neighbors and family together. We feel we are honoring the past while creating our own story.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth road… (sigh). Our flagship store was forced to close our doors before they ever got open. In March of 2019, we were preparing for a Grand Opening while the world was unprepared for the shut-down due to Covid-19. We sat with loads of inventory and anxious thoughts until May 15 when we were finally able to open our doors.

In light of the very tough circumstances, we were able to grow and expand into a new area of town. We opened our 2nd store in July 2021.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Own the business with my husband, Matt. We are known as the go-to gift store in Asheville, NC. We are a destination amongst visitors as we are more than just a place of commerce, but an experience. A place that promotes gatherings and merchandise that agrees.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Ending each day with a sense of growth: Personal, relational, spiritual, and professional.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@provisionsmercantile.com
• Website: provisionsmercantile.com
• Instagram: @provisionsmercantile
• Facebook: provisionsmerc