Lauren is our general manager, and the most important part of our group. She is managing the shop; making exquisite soups, salads, and sandwiches; and tending to all of our guests’ needs daily. She inadvertently became the head of our vegetarian and vegan program during our food and recipe testing. And I can’t wait for you to try her Finch Trio of salads. I’m still dreaming about it! She also crafts the most-delicious chocolate peanut butter Finch cookie that we offer up regularly. Lauren has worked vigorously and rigorously in event management in Washington DC, Asheville, and throughout North Carolina. She makes everyone who comes through our door feel heard and cared for. And she will throw in the wittiest and most-true bon mots while doing it! Lauren has impeccable style and taste that you’ll notice the moment you meet her and recognize in the products we offer.

Matt is our Food and Beverage Chairman. If that role sounds familiar, you might be the same sorta cinephile as he is–all things Star Wars, every James Bond in the franchise (including Never Say Never Again), and mob movies made in the 80s and 90s. He curates our wine and beer program; griddles up sandwiches; and is our master meat-and-cheese slicer. He has worked in the food and beverage industry his entire career, literally from Murphy to Manteo. Matt heralds from Maryland so if you’re a Ravens football or Orioles baseball fan, Matt is the person at Finch to chat with! Along with his extensive sports knowledge, he’ll also impress you with his music knowledge, and most likely throw in a funny joke (or pun). And if he looks familiar, you might recognize him from his long tenure as one of your favorite bartenders at the Village Wayside, our Historic Biltmore Village neighbor and friend.

I am, well I don’t really have a title. I am a cook, a curator, a shop girl, an operating manager , and a newsletter writer at the shop. My career has focused on public service, and I’ve worked with the City of Asheville for over 12 years. It has always been my dream to own a business, and it fomented particularly in the last few years to own a little grocery store–one that particularly highlighted and curated the people, makers, products that me, my friends, and family have found, loved, and appreciated through the years (locally, regionally, and internationally).

Lauren and I met in college when we were (babies?) at UNCW in the early-aughts. She was involved in the campus student entertainment group, and I was involved in the student government association. After leaving Wilmington for George Washington University (Lauren) and Appalachian State University (me) for graduate school, and then through over a decade of various trips, meetups, and moves, we found ourselves together again in Asheville. We are two North Carolinians born-and-bred who both cherish the people, food, and feeling of home. 

Matt and I started out as friends, introduced by my sister who worked with him at Carmel’s in downtown Asheville. And the three of us bebopped around town; going to festivals (MoogFest! Mountain Oasis! Bele Chere!); hitting up new hip breweries, bars, and restaurants that were popping up everywhere (Wicked Weed! The Imperial Life! Double Crown! King James!). And through the years we exited and reentered one another's lives until the spring of 2016 when we made our romantic relationship official. 

That same summer Lauren took a room in my house when she moved to Asheville. During that transitional period in all of our lives, Matt, Lauren, and I would gather at our house, make dinner, and watch scary movies together. Now we make sure to meet up around town (Future Islands at the Orange Peel! Burnpile at Forestry Camp! A pint of Coolcumber at The Funkatorium!) for our “quarterly get together” to eat, drink, be merry, and chat about our cats. 

We have been open since Thanksgiving, so you already have some idea of what the new Finch is and will be. You have seen what has stayed the same and what will be a bit different. And we can’t wait to tell you and show you more in the coming months and years!