The Best Towns for Southern Living

Southern Living Magazine invited its readers to vote on the “Best Small Town” in the South and Hendersonville claimed the No. 10 spot, with Beaufort, SC being listed as No. 1.  While Mayor Greg Newman was happy with this honor, he was surprised that Hendersonville didn’t rank No. 1, with its beautiful scenery, wonderful attractions and many things to see and do and jokingly vowed to “get to the bottom” of why Hendersonville.  Southern Living Magazine’s 2008 Travel Readers’ Choice Awards are determined solely by the votes of its readers in different categories.  Lee Henderson-Hill, the Executive Director of Downtown Hendersonville, Inc., acknowledged that it was an honor that so many people who not only lived in Hendersonville but passed through and visited the city recognized and appreciated its attributes.

In addition to the honor of being named one of the Best Small Towns in the South, Southern Living Magazine features the Hendersonville restaurant Flight Wood Grill & Wine Bar (401 Main St) in its January 2009 issue.  A converted bank building, there are 300 bird mobiles that hover over the open dining area at Flight, food is prepared fresh from scratch, local artist paintings adorn the restaurant’s walls and diners can sit on the second-story balcony to enjoy a glimpse of Executive Chef Rob Keener at work in the open kitchen below preparing the new American cuisine served there.