Jackson's Western Store plans move, warehouses are demolished as colossal highway project construction inches closer; more

Also, Foundy Restaurant, a new nightclub on Wall Street, a Shakey's expansion and a Burger Bar 65th anniversary celebration are all in the works

Jackson’s Western Store is looking at moving from its long-time location at 641 Patton Ave. as construction on the long-awaited Interstate 26 Connector project moves slowly ahead./ photo by Jason Sandford

This newsletter sponsored by Citizens Fuel Co., a family-owned Asheville company.

The construction of a massive highway construction project through a very busy Asheville interstate interchange, the heart of West Asheville and across the French Broad River, is moving ever closer, and we’re starting to see the changes it will bring.

I’ve lived in Asheville far too long to herald the recent action as the unofficial start of the Interstate 26 Connector project, because it has already been delayed, put off and postponed for decades. (The Asheville Watchdog’s John Boyle reported earlier this year that bids for the construction plans came in to the N.C. Department of Transportation hundreds of millions of dollars over projected costs, likely delaying the project again, so I’m not holding my breath.)

What’s the Interstate 26 Connector project? Last May, I talked with Matt Peiken, the reporter and producer of The Overlook podcast, about the long history of the mammoth highway construction project.

Still, things are moving. Here’s a look.