The doors are closed, the kitchen’s turned off, and the memories remain. The iconic Village Wayside Bar & Grille — a longstanding favorite in Biltmore Village — is now permanently closed, and its historic building is up for sale at 30 Lodge St., Asheville NC 28803.
For years, Village Wayside wasn’t just for tourists — it became a home away from home for Asheville’s hospitality community. On Sundays, servers, bartenders, and hotel staff gathered there like clockwork, swapped stories, and recharged before the next week’s shift. Those Sunday check-ins, the camaraderie, the laughter — gone for now, but the memories are etched into Biltmore Village’s story.
🕰 Historic Roots
The building itself is steeped in historic significance. Originally built in 1896 as the passenger depot for the Southern Railway — designed by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt for the estate of George W. Vanderbilt II — it served as a gateway to the Biltmore Estate and Biltmore Village for decades. Passenger service at the depot lasted until August 1975.
The station was part of Vanderbilt’s larger vision for Biltmore Village — meant to mimic an English country village, built with the same architectural elegance as the estate it sat beside.
🧭 What’s Next?
With the recent impact of Hurricane Helene and major floods in Biltmore Village, the future of this landmark building now hangs in the balance. Local buzz suggests that the site could be part of a future Amtrak station revival — though nothing is confirmed yet. The building is for sale, not lease, leaving the next chapter wide open.
❤️ A Farewell & Invitation
Though Village Wayside is gone, its legacy remains. It played a big role in the lives of Asheville’s hospitality workers, its historic walls witnessed decades of service, and it connected locals and visitors alike to the charm of Biltmore Village. If you’ve got memories from there — a game night, a Sunday meal, or just a drink with longtime friends — remember: those times matter.
And if you’re a business or investor looking to write the next chapter for this special property — a historic train depot with soul, story, and character — it’s up for sale, and waiting for the right vision.
