“I believe that opportunity is everywhere at all times,” says J Hackett, who co-owns Grind Coffee Co. in the River Arts District with Gene Ettison. “We just have to recognize it.” Turning opportunity into business success, however, has historically been more difficult for Hackett and other Black entrepreneurs than for their white counterparts.
What was very old gets new life, in the form of Asheville’s first music rehearsal facility. The grand opening of SoundSpace@Rabbit’s was celebrated Saturday, Dec. 5 — the site of what was once the Rabbit’s Motel and soul food cafe. Caption: SoundSpace, Asheville’s first public multi-use artist space, celebrates grand opening.
Claude Coleman Jr. (pictured) and partner Brett Spivey see future promise in Asheville’s historic Rabbit’s Motel building. As Asheville’s tourism economy continues to boom, so does its real estate market-making it harder for many musicians to find rehearsal space. But where most saw only a conundrum, Claude Coleman Jr.
A three year revitalization project taking place inside of Asheville, North Carolina’s historic Southside neighborhood has come to fruition with the opening of SoundSpace @ Rabbit’s, the city’s first public access music rehearsal facility.
SoundSpace @ Rabbit’s, Asheville’s first public access music rehearsal studio is set to open its doors on Saturday, December 5th. The project, spearheaded by resident Asheville musicians Claude Coleman, Jr. of the rock outfit Ween, and Brett Spivey, will transform the historic Rabbit’s Motel into a multi-use facility and soul food kitchen for local and touring artists alike.
