Fabric of Downtown Quilt Trail

This spring and summer, the Asheville Downtown Association and Downtown Improvement District are launching a Downtown-wide campaign called Fabric of Downtown — and we hope you’ll be part of it.

Launching April 14 and running throughout the summer, Fabric of Downtown celebrates the people, businesses, and stories that make Downtown Asheville what it is. Through public realm enhancements like flower baskets, public art, and new pole banners — along with activation through Downtown After 5 and the Pritchard Park Arts & Cultural Series — we’re reminding Buncombe County locals that they, too, are part of the fabric of Downtown.

And we want your storefront to be part of the story.

🧵 Join the Downtown “Quilt Trail”
Inspired by Western North Carolina’s rich barn quilt heritage, we’re inviting businesses to participate in a Downtown Quilt Trail — a visual celebration across our district. Participating locations will be featured on a campaign map and promoted through social media, radio, television, and digital marketing.

Here are a few ways to lean in:

Partner with a local quilter to hang a quilt in your window
Hire a local artist to paint a quilt-inspired design on your storefront
Install a barn quilt that tells the story of your business
Create a quilt or fabric-themed cocktail, dish, or retail feature
Get creative — interpret “fabric” in a way that feels authentic to you

We’ll also incorporate a ground activation element and interactive map so locals can explore and visit participating businesses throughout the summer.

📍 Why Participate?
Be featured on the official campaign map
Included in multi-channel marketing promoting locals getting Downtown
Increase foot traffic through themed exploration
Showcase your business story in a creative, place-based way
The campaign will begin promotion in April and be in full swing May through August.

👉 Register below to participate
Once you register, we’ll follow up with campaign assets, design guidelines, and promotional materials.

Downtown isn’t just a place — it’s a patchwork of stories, storefronts, and neighbors stitched together over generations.

Let’s show our community what we’re made of.

Business Name

Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Email

example@example.com

Please describe your Quilt Trail installation. We’d love to see quilts displayed on the exterior of your storefront whenever possible to create strong visual impact across Downtown. However, interior quilts or fabric-inspired installations absolutely count!Tell us what you’re planning — materials, location (exterior/interior), artist collaboration (if applicable), and how it reflects your business story.

How else would you like to stitch your business into the Fabric of Downtown campaign? (This could include a themed drink or food special, a retail feature, a collaboration, hosting an event, or another creative idea.)

Tell us your “Fabric of Downtown” story. How do you see this campaign coming to life through your business? What story are you hoping to tell about your place in Downtown’s fabric? Share how your history, values, people, or space connect to Downtown Asheville — and how you plan to bring that to life through your Quilt Trail installation, special offering, collaboration, or event. If you have recommendations for artists, quilters, makers, or community partners who could support this campaign, please include their names here as well.

Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.

Fabric of Downtown Registration