New West Asheville music venue, The Mothlight at Mr. Fred’s, set to open on Haywood Road

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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the_mothlight_2013There’s a winning formula in attracting a hip, young crowd of music-lovers with an ear for the unknown and obscure, and a taste for cheap, well-made beer. It’s a mix Jon and Amanda Hency hope to achieve through their new music venue, The Mothlight at Mr. Fred’s, that’s on track to open in October along Haywood Road.

Jon, in particular, takes pride in his connection with the scene, having worked for The Empty Bottle, a respected alt-music hipster hangout in Chicago known for its eclectic, nightly music line-up.

“There are so many good things happening with the growth of Asheville, I believe we are filling a niche – stemming from a sub-culture I take pride in being a part of,” Hency said. “We love the established venues in this town, and we will forever frequent them. Our goal is to provide a home in Asheville for a lot of touring bands that do not frequent this town – and have a lot of fun.. and maybe get a little weird along the way.”

The couple have been working for months to transform a long-time former mattress shop and furniture store, Mr. Fred’s, into a music club featuring a full-bar, room for 250 customers and roll-up front windows. There’s a spacious downstairs green room for visiting musicians, and space for two more tenants at the back of the building.

Jon and Amanda met in Chicago about four years, married, and decided to move to Asheville about three years ago.

“It’s been our dream to do this together,” said Amanda, who has been slinging drinks at Jack of the Wood and plans to manage the front of house at The Mothlight, while Jon handles the music end.

Jon has other music connections he’s been building locally through the Asheville-based independent record label he’s been working with, Bathetic Records. He hopes to work with other indy producers, including Harvest Records and Grandma Presents.

Amanda said The Mothlight will embrace all kinds of music, from a 50-person show to one that fills the house. They also plan to offer all-ages shows. The couple stressed that they see their venue complementing the local music scene. “We’re not competing with The Isis,” for example, Amanda said. “We just want to complete what’s being served in Asheville.”

The Hencys are moving in to a hot block at the red hot Haywood Road corridor. Several new restaurants and bars are in the works for Haywood Road. The stretch between Haywood’s intersection with Dunwell Avenue and Jarrett Street, where The Mothlight will be located, is abuzz with activity. Next door to The Mothlight, in the other half of the former Mr. Fred’s, construction is underway for a new retail business, while the new Barleycorn restaurant and bar is in the works just east of The Mothlight.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

10 Comments

  1. Gigsounds November 5, 2015

    I hope the music venue is going well.

    We would be delighted if you can ask your customers to add reviews of music venues in Asheville http://gigsounds.com/city/asheville

    Thanks!

    Reply
  2. A neighbor October 7, 2013

    Already they have been disrespectful to the neighbors. They park at the entrance to jarrett blocking the intersection. They have blocked the back ally for months. How about some neighborly consideration!!

    Reply
  3. Dustin Demos August 12, 2013

    That is the site of Demos Television and Appliance. It had been a church before Papou bought it. lots of memories. good juju.

    Reply
  4. claude dragonfly August 9, 2013

    Right on! Asheville needs a cool psych rock hangout venue!
    All my west coast friends bands will come! Grandma knows them all too!

    Reply
  5. Kim Roney August 8, 2013

    Congrats to Jon and Amanda… I look forward to hearing you join the sound of music in Asheville!

    Reply
  6. Elzy Lindsey August 7, 2013

    Please book touring bands and have local openers, my band would do so much better in town supporting an established act. You’d be actually scene-building, which is sorely lacking here.

    Reply
  7. David August 7, 2013

    I am both excited to have a new club and weary. Since I live only a few houses down I hope that they will take noise levels into consideration.

    Reply
  8. Silver August 7, 2013

    This sounds awesome!

    Reply

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