The downtown establishment announced this morning it would be closed for Bele Chere weekend. Know any others?

Here's the word:

Dear Asheville Escapees,

As if you're not aware, July brings a bit of paranoia to our fair city. Bele Chere once again arrives with "open arms." For us at the BPBx, our paranoia is a bit more pronounced.

Yes, because the festival is in such close proximity to our establishment we must surrender our outpost of sanity to the larger demands of democracy. In this regard our staff will be going in mass to "far off places" for a true getaway weekend, abandoning our ramparts to the events planned.

We will reopen, as usual, on Monday at noon with our acclaimed coffees and other soothing adult beverages.

For those attending the Fri/Sat/Sun events, please bring your comfy chairs, an umbrella and equal amounts of your undefeatable sense of humor and amazement.

I will see you Post-Bele Chere,
- "Stranger Tom's Right-Hand Man"