CITY OF ASHEVILLE

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, the City of Asheville, is proud to join with Asheville Downtown Association, Explore Asheville, Go Local Asheville, Historic Biltmore Village Association, Merchants of Downtown Asheville, River Arts District Artists, and West Asheville Business Association in supporting and celebrating Asheville’s local independent retailers and the positive impact they have on the city’s culture, economy, and character; and

WHEREAS, Independent Retailer Month provides a time to celebrate the independence of the people of our community and the entrepreneurial spirit represented by our local independent retailers; and

WHEREAS, the individual decisions we make today shape the future of our communities; and

WHEREAS, local independent retailers help preserve the uniqueness of Asheville and give us a sense of place; and

WHEREAS, independently owned retailers give back to our communities m goods, services, jobs, time and talent; and

WHEREAS, the health of our economy and that of each community depends on our support of businesses owned by our friends and neighbors; and

WHEREAS, independent retailer owners and employees enrich our purchasing experiences with their knowledge and passion; and

WHEREAS, we acknowledge that the well-being of all our communities lies within each of us;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Esther E. Manheimer, Mayor of the City of Asheville, do hereby proclaim the month of July 2025 as

INDEPENDENT RETAILER MONTH

in the City of Asheville, and salute our citizens and local independent retailers who are integral to the unique flavor of our city and county, and honor their efforts to make our community the place we want to live and work.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Asheville, North Carolina, to be affixed this 24th day of June 2025.

ESTHER E. MANHEIMER

MAYOR