Asheville -- April 25, 2026: The recent fire at the former Asheville Waste Paper structure was a shock to the River Arts District, but the Pace family and the Salvage Station team aren't letting the smoke clear before looking toward the future. Despite significant damage to the historic building, the message from ownership is loud and clear: The music will return.
The fire, which broke out late Thursday night, tested the limits of the Asheville Fire Department, but the community’s response has been even more powerful.
"We’re Not Going Anywhere"
In a heartfelt update shared with the public, the Salvage Station team emphasized that their focus remains on bringing jobs and live music back to the RAD. They expressed a deep desire to preserve the history of the Asheville Waste Paper site, including the beloved Homer/Bender mural that has become a staple of the neighborhood's visual identity.
"Thank you to everyone who has reached out following the fire. We’re deeply grateful. In the hardest moments, community shows up—and you have.
Our focus is on getting back to what we do: bringing live music, jobs, and momentum back to the RAD. We’re moving forward together on rebuilding Salvage Station, working through this latest challenge with a shared commitment to what comes next.
This historic Asheville Waste Paper structure has long been a meaningful part of the River Arts District, and we hope portions of it can be preserved and thoughtfully incorporated into the rebuild. Honoring what came before matters to us.
And to everyone who’s piped up about the Homer/Bender mural—rest assured, we love it too. We’re doing everything we can to keep it part of the story.
We’re not going anywhere. We’re not slowing down. We’re rebuilding—with purpose and with community."
— Salvage Station & the Pace family
The full statement highlights a "rebuilding with purpose," ensuring that while the structure of the old paper facility may have changed, the soul of the future venue remains intact.
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Image: Salvage Station