Report on the Launch of NightShade and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

A new establishment, NightShade, is scheduled to open in Asheville’s South Slope district. Operated by the Asheville Dispensary & Plant Bar, the venue is a non-alcoholic bar and lounge. Its launch and operational model align with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning community health, economic growth, and sustainable urban development.

Alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The core concept of NightShade directly supports SDG 3 by promoting healthy lifestyles and well-being for all ages. The establishment’s focus on non-alcoholic beverages provides a crucial social alternative that contributes to public health objectives.

• Promotion of Healthy Choices: By offering a dedicated social space free from alcohol, NightShade encourages responsible consumption patterns and provides an inclusive environment for individuals who abstain from alcohol for health, personal, or religious reasons.
• Support for Mental Well-being: The venue aims to foster community connection and social interaction in a safe setting, which is a vital component of mental health and well-being. This addresses the need for inclusive community spaces that do not center on alcohol consumption.
• Reduction of Harmful Substance Use: The initiative directly contributes to Target 3.5 of the SDGs, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including the harmful use of alcohol.

Contribution to Economic and Urban Sustainability (SDG 8 & SDG 11)

The opening of NightShade represents a positive development for the local economy and the urban social fabric, aligning with goals for decent work, economic growth, and sustainable communities.

• Local Economic Growth (SDG 8): The establishment of a new business creates local employment opportunities and contributes to the economic vitality of the South Slope district and the broader Asheville community.
• Sustainable and Inclusive Communities (SDG 11): NightShade enhances the city’s social infrastructure by providing a safe, inclusive, and accessible public space for community engagement. The emphasis on “community connection,” as stated by management, is fundamental to building resilient and sustainable urban environments.
• Support for Local Culture: The grand opening event will feature local musicians and regional DJs, thereby supporting the local creative economy and enriching the cultural landscape of Asheville.

Launch and Operational Details

The following provides a summary of the key details regarding the launch of the new venue.

1. Entity: NightShade, a non-alcoholic bar and lounge.
2. Parent Company: Asheville Dispensary & Plant Bar.
3. Location: 32 Banks Ave., South Slope, Asheville, N.C.
4. Grand Opening: Saturday, Sept. 13, from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The event is free for attendees aged 21 and over.
5. Product Offering: The menu will feature a selection of zero-proof botanical elixirs and non-alcoholic infused beverages.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article, while a simple announcement of a new business opening, connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by highlighting themes of health, economic growth, and community development.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The primary focus of the new establishment is being a “non-alcoholic bar and lounge,” which directly promotes healthier lifestyle choices by providing social alternatives that do not involve alcohol consumption.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article describes the expansion of a local business (“Asheville Dispensary & Plant Bar”) with the opening of a new venue (“NightShade”). This contributes to local economic growth, entrepreneurship, and job creation within the community.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By opening a new social venue in the “South Slope district of downtown Asheville,” the business contributes to the local urban economy and social fabric. The press release emphasizes “community connection,” suggesting the creation of an inclusive social space.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the identified SDGs, the following specific targets are relevant:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
     
     Explanation: The article explicitly states that NightShade is a “new non-alcoholic bar and lounge” offering “zero-proof botanical elixirs and non-alcoholic infused beverages.” By creating a dedicated social space that normalizes and promotes non-alcoholic options, the business directly contributes to preventing the harmful use of alcohol by providing appealing alternatives.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.
     
     Explanation: The article highlights that NightShade is being opened by “Asheville Dispensary & Plant Bar, a local cannabis dispensary.” This is a clear example of a local, small-to-medium-sized enterprise expanding its operations, which fosters entrepreneurship and contributes to the local economy.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…
     
     Explanation: The article describes the grand opening as an event “filled with community connection.” The creation of a non-alcoholic venue can be seen as an effort to provide a more inclusive and potentially safer social space for individuals who choose not to consume alcohol for health, religious, or personal reasons. It diversifies the social offerings within the downtown district.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not contain quantitative data, but it provides qualitative and implicit indicators for the identified targets:

1. For Target 3.5 (Prevention of harmful use of alcohol)

   • Implied Indicator: The number and availability of non-alcoholic social venues.
     
     Explanation: The article’s core announcement about the opening of “NightShade, a new non-alcoholic bar and lounge,” serves as a data point for this indicator. The existence of such a business demonstrates progress in providing alternatives to alcohol-centric social activities.

2. For Target 8.3 (Growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises)

   • Implied Indicator: The number of new business establishments or expansions by local enterprises.
     
     Explanation: The article directly reports on the expansion of a local business, “Asheville Dispensary & Plant Bar,” with a new venture. This event itself is an indicator of local economic activity and entrepreneurship.

3. For Target 11.7 (Access to inclusive public/social spaces)

   • Implied Indicator: The creation of new community-focused spaces and events.
     
     Explanation: The description of the opening night as a “free event” designed to be “filled with community connection” and featuring “live music from local musicians” points to the creation of a new hub for community engagement and social interaction in the South Slope district.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: 828newsnow.com