Retail

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Asheville has long been a destination for visitors seeking finely crafted furniture and decorative arts, dating back to the city’s preeminence in the early 20th century international arts and crafts movement and extending to Asheville’s current prominence as one of the country’s most lauded destinations for travelers. Indeed, Travel + Leisure magazine recently named “artsy Asheville” to its list of the “Top 15 Cities in the United States.” Asheville Outlets has created a home furnishings niche that taps into the region’s love of furniture and crafts, featuring stores including Restoration Hardware Outlet, West Elm Outlet, Le Creuset and Kirkland’s, all of which opened between 2015 and 2016. The stores benefit from strong demographics and purchasing behavior as residents within the center’s trade area spend $1.02 billion annually on home furnishings.  The region’s 11.1 million visitors provide another strong base of consumers.  “There is a strong demand for beautiful and affordable home furnishings and decorative accessories in our market area and these stores offer the right mix for every style and budget,” says Sharon Morgan, general manager of Asheville Outlets. RH Outlet Restoration Hardware at Asheville Outlets carries a range of distinctive, high-quality items for the home, including …