In an innovative twist, the proprietors of The Salvage Station are set to breathe new life into an old paper recycling facility by converting it into a fresh indoor music venue. This transformation comes as part of an agreement announced this week between owners Danny McClinton and Katie Hild and the Asheville Waste Paper Company, marking the next chapter for the beloved music hub.
Located on a sprawling 13.5-acre property in Asheville’s River Arts District, this site is just a mile away from the original Salvage Station. The previous venue was sadly lost to Hurricane Helene last year.
The recycling facility, which operated for many years, is perhaps most famous for its prominent “Homer Simpson mural” that overlooks the district. This iconic building will now be repurposed as the new music venue.
Expressing her excitement, Katie Hild shared with BPR her joy in restoring “a magical place” to the River Arts District, joining other businesses like the Marquee art gallery and Cultivate Climbing, which have already reopened following the storm.
“Having this opportunity in front of us brings hope and happiness to so many people and we’re just really so grateful for the opportunity,” she stated.
The Salvage Station earned its moniker from its original inception, where it was transformed from an old salvage yard into an open-air music venue eight years ago.
Recalling the venue’s origins, Hild mentioned, “There were so many remnants from the salvage yard. You’d see truck parts and different art installations that were done from scraps and pieces that were found on the property. We always paid homage to what it had been.”
While much was lost in the hurricane, some elements of the original venue, including murals of Nina Simone and Bob Marley, along with an old Salvage Station truck, remain intact. These will likely feature in the new venue.
The timeline for opening and construction is still under wraps, but the project will begin with a thorough site cleanup and rehabilitation.
