Our architecture firm partnered with The Hop Ice Creamery, a beloved Asheville brand, to reimagine and renovate their West Asheville cafe and production facility. The goal of the project was to improve interior traffic flow, refresh the space with modern finishes, and enhance both the customer experience and the functional efficiency for staff operations.
As a long-standing local favorite, The Hop needed an update that respected its quirky charm while creating a more intuitive and welcoming environment for patrons. The interior remodel involved a strategic reconfiguration of the front-of-house layout, most notably by relocating the service counter to better manage customer lines and improve access to seating areas.
New tile work and updated interior finishes were introduced to give the space a clean, vibrant look that aligns with the playful identity of the brand. A custom wall mural was also added as a focal point—creating an Instagram-worthy visual element that celebrates The Hop’s creative spirit and serves as a backdrop for community engagement.
The Hop Ice Creamery is more than just a scoop shop. It houses the production headquarters for The Hop’s small-batch ice cream, supplying multiple retail locations, wholesale accounts, and community events. The West Asheville location also includes a tasting room, open select evenings, which features experimental and limited-run flavors. Our design supports this multi-use functionality by ensuring that the retail, production, and tasting areas are each distinct yet seamlessly integrated.
This project highlights our firm’s expertise in commercial renovations, restaurant and hospitality design, and branded retail environments. By combining functional improvements with creative expression, we helped The Hop continue to thrive as a cornerstone of the West Asheville community—both as a gathering place and as a producer of some of the city’s most iconic treats.
