Episode 20: Jennifer & Jason Phillips, NoLo

U.S. of NA Episode 20 - Jennifer & Jason Phillips, NoLo

Their NA bottle shop decimated by Hurricane Helene, Jennifer & Jason Phillips begin the process of serving Asheville’s mindful drinking community once more.

How can a mountain town, hundreds of miles from the ocean, be expected to defend itself from a major hurricane? That's what the residents of Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains had to be asking themselves on Friday, September 27th, the day Hurricane Helene took a devastating path through the region.

In this episode we return to the story of our first-ever N/ATION road trip back in February. On that day we experienced the AVL that we know and love; clear blue skies, and a cold, crisp air that only the mountains can deliver. We happily strolled through The Marquee during that trip in the artist-haven River Arts District, also home to the Southeast's first non-alcoholic bottle shop, NoLo.

Fast forward to today. We sit down for a remote discussion with NoLo's new owners Jennifer and Jason Phillips, who had helmed the business for all of 57 days before Helene's arrival. In our conversation we talk about what the situation on the ground looks like one month out from the storm, which decimated an estimated 80% of the structures in the River Arts District, including The Marquee, as part of a wider impact to WNC. We also talk about the value of community in times like these, and how that has helped them begin the recovery process. Lastly, we talk about what's next for NoLo as well as the city after the "biblical" event. While the storm may have washed away the physical store, it hasn't dampened the Phillips' passion for serving the sober and mindful drinking community in their beloved town.

Resources for those who would like to responsibly visit or support Western North Carolina: 

Recommended options to support the local community (from NoLo):  

How to support NoLo:

  • Follow on IG

  • Visit their website, and subscribe to Nolo News

  • Visit WNC and stock your VRBO/Airbnb with NA. Let NoLo help!

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Six Winter Brews Without The Booze

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Run And Hops Hangout: Sean Mitchell, Victoria, BC