Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A business owner who had to move because of the I-26 Connector Project has found a new home for her business.
She says this is thanks to a collaboration with another local business.
"I’m comfortable in change, because change excites me," said Veronica Carlson, the Owner of Asheville Kava X Coffee. "I've been out of operation for about a month and a half now."
She says since the relocation notice, she's had to adapt.
"I can't say I was devastated. It was like a punch, but a punch to action. It's like, okay, time to shift," said Carlson.
And her customers weren't happy to see her go.
"It was just a shame that I discovered it right as they were tearing it down practically," said Rory Killian.
North Carolina Department of Transportation estimated there would be about 80 relocations due to the I-26 Connector Project.
"The DOT covered the move," said Carlson. "They provide up to $33,000 in benefits."
Now she’s found a new home for her business at Space Cowboy Coffee at 1110 Patton Avenue in Asheville.
"I'm just very, very happy and excited to be able to carry that on in a new way, different canvas," said Carlson.
Starting Saturday evening, Carlson is selling coffee during Space Cowboy Coffee’s off-hours and the coffee shop is also selling her drinks and Kava.
"We all get to build each other up," said Carlson.
Carlson has also brought in some help from one of her customers. Killian started working for Space Cowboy and Asheville Kava X Coffee this week.
"I'm really, really touched that she considered me. Because I do, she's just a tremendous source of inspiration for me," said Killian.
Carlson says, eventually, the plan is for the businesses to merge.
#interstate #relocation #localbusiness
MORE: wlos.com/news/local/i-26-connector-relocations-ncdot-asheville-patton-avenue-coffee-shops-businesses-western-north-carolina-transportation-customers-owners-drivers-community
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WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
A business owner who had to move because of the I-26 Connector Project has found a new home for her business.
She says this is thanks to a collaboration with another local business.
"I’m comfortable in change, because change excites me," said Veronica Carlson, the Owner of Asheville Kava X Coffee. "I've been out of operation for about a month and a half now."
She says since the relocation notice, she's had to adapt.
"I can't say I was devastated. It was like a punch, but a punch to action. It's like, okay, time to shift," said Carlson.
And her customers weren't happy to see her go.
"It was just a shame that I discovered it right as they were tearing it down practically," said Rory Killian.
North Carolina Department of Transportation estimated there would be about 80 relocations due to the I-26 Connector Project.
"The DOT covered the move," said Carlson. "They provide up to $33,000 in benefits."
Now she’s found a new home for her business at Space Cowboy Coffee at 1110 Patton Avenue in Asheville.
"I'm just very, very happy and excited to be able to carry that on in a new way, different canvas," said Carlson.
Starting Saturday evening, Carlson is selling coffee during Space Cowboy Coffee’s off-hours and the coffee shop is also selling her drinks and Kava.
"We all get to build each other up," said Carlson.
Carlson has also brought in some help from one of her customers. Killian started working for Space Cowboy and Asheville Kava X Coffee this week.
"I'm really, really touched that she considered me. Because I do, she's just a tremendous source of inspiration for me," said Killian.
Carlson says, eventually, the plan is for the businesses to merge.
#interstate #relocation #localbusiness
MORE: wlos.com/news/local/i-26-connector-relocations-ncdot-asheville-patton-avenue-coffee-shops-businesses-western-north-carolina-transportation-customers-owners-drivers-community
_______________
Follow WLOS on social media:
WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook: facebook.com/News13
WLOS ABC 13 News on X: https://x.com/WLOS_13
WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram: instagram.com/wlos_13
Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: youtube.com/user/ABC13Channel/?sub_confirmation=1
For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit wlos.com
Stream our newscasts LIVE: wlos.com/watch
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@wlos.com
Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340
--
WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
