Marshall – The Zuma Coffee Recovery Fundraiser on Friday, Jan. 31, features live music by Pierce Edens, Ashley Heath, Pleasure Chest, Many a Ship, Hannah Kaminer, and Tony Levitas.
Heath has a strong, soulful country-rock voice and plays bluesy guitar, as showcased in the title track “Something to Believe,” from her third album released in 2022.
She won the Merlefest band contest in 2018, among other awards. She has opened for Pat Benatar and toured Europe. Heath teaches at the Asheville Music Academy.
Helping Zuma
Net proceeds will go to Zuma Coffee Provisions to help pay for its storm repairs, restoration, and reopening this spring, Zuma owner Joel Friedman told the Tribune.
Tickets are $23.30 in advance via thegreyeagle.com and $25 on Jan. 31.
Friedman, 64, from Atlanta, is in his 23rd year running Zuma. He calls it a pivotal social “fabric of the community.” Massage therapist Sarri Brownlee said, “there is no downtown (socially) without Zuma.”
Zuma’s targeted reopening is in April, allowing for weather delays in renovations, Friedman said. The establishment had to close right after Helene struck, with flooding reaching an astonishing eight feet in the building.
He stated that he does not yet have a cost estimate for repairs, noting that he and his landlord will likely share them to some extent.
He is grateful that the wide building’s foundation appears to remain sturdy. Plumbing and electrical work is ongoing. Its tall old oak staircase also remains firm, showing little water damage.
Friedman appreciates that several local musicians have offered to donate their performances on Jan. 31. As it turns out, he said, they will be compensated by the Jazz Foundation of America from New York City. Friedman credits musician Laura Boosinger for arranging that sponsorship; she has led the Madison County Arts Council since 2009.
Friedman mentioned that Jazz Foundation officials visited Marshall and were impressed with the arts ambiance of Zuma and Josh Copus’ nearby Zadie’s Restaurant and Bar. “They were impressed with our music.”
The benefit’s venue is The Grey Eagle, a premier Asheville club for decades, located at 185 Clingman Avenue in Asheville’s River Arts District. The RAD also suffered significant damage from Tropical Storm Helene flooding, which began on Sept. 26.
Four months later, many downtown Marshall buildings closest to the French Broad River and along Main Street have been demolished beyond repair due to the force of Helene’s flooding and fierce winds. Some buildings were completely destroyed, while others have sides burst open. Rubble lines much of both sides of Main Street.
The main downtown landmark, the Madison County Courthouse, is shuttered, and its operations have been relocated. A temporary Town Hall is now at 10 Derringer Drive, across from Madison High School’s entrance. It houses administration, police, and public works “while we figure out a permanent or longer-term solution,” officials explained.
Community volunteers have cleaned mud and debris downtown while wearing protective gear against possible toxic materials.
Gradual Recovery
There is hope to restore some downtown buildings to operational condition in the coming months. On Jan. 8, running water returned to commercial studios above Zuma. Until then, Sarri Brownlee brought buckets of water to flush toilets. Her Moonbow Massage at Wild Womb Wellness became the building’s first business to reopen on Jan. 1.
Since November, Friedman has served coffee from his Zuma food truck mainly through mid-afternoons. Zuma has served Counter Culture brand coffee, which donated coffee to Friedman and lent him an espresso machine to help him recover financially. The food truck is stationed on North Main Street’s courthouse side, north of Zuma and Star Diner. Zuma is located at the corner of Main and Bailey’s Branch Road, which crosses the river.
The slogan on the truck’s side is “Marshall’s Meeting Place,” which fits Zuma perfectly. It is an immensely popular breakfast and lunch eatery with a health food menu featuring sandwich wraps, soups, fruit smoothies, homemade Zuma Gold cookies, and daily specials. “Creative, Healthy, Comfort Food” is the slogan on the exterior sign.
From its inception, Zuma has hosted live music featuring many singer-songwriters. Bobby Hicks’ bluegrass jams were a weekly event pre-Covid.
Artwork by local artists hangs on the walls; five pieces remained during the flooding and are currently being cleaned before being re-hung, Friedman noted.
Zuma also serves as an art gallery and a prime meeting spot for artisans and art aficionados. The site is just a half-hour’s drive from Asheville. A few patrons would sit outside, taking their time while dining and attending to various online tasks.
Friedman is eager to resume business with an official grand reopening.