ASHEVILLE - Starting July 8, you'll need to be a local, or know someone who is, to dine at Smoky Park Supper Club.

With a return to full-service dining, the restaurant will change its model to what Smoky Park reps called in a press release a "membership-based, community focused restaurant."

That means that at least one member of each party dining at Smoky Park Supper Club must have a membership, which costs only $1 and will be obtainable only by North Carolina residents.

Membership registration can be completed in person. Members will be permitted accompanying guests, such as family members and out-of-town friends.

Like many restaurants we are trying to adapt to changes within the industry as well as changes happening here locally in Asheville, Smoky Parkgeneral manager and co-owner Kristie Quinn said in a statement.

In order to provide the highest quality food and beverages and best possible experience for our guests, while also making work sustainable for our staff, we realized we need to change our business model," she continued. "We made the decision to prioritize our repeat guests and local community because those are the relationships that have always been the most important to us.

Though Quinn did not specifically mention what changes she spoke of, challenges that have lately plagued restaurants have been numerous and, in many cases, unexpected side effects of the pandemic.

Based on a national pool of over 2,800 surveys of food service workers conducted from Oct. 20, 2020-May 1, One Fair Wage found that more thanhalf of female restaurant workers said overall levels of unwanted sexual comments had increased post-pandemic.

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Many workersreported tipdecreases during and after the pandemic, with mothers hit the worst.

Other challenges have included supply chain issuesand general bad behavior from restaurant customers whose many transgressions have ranged from not showing up for reservations to verbally berating staff.

Smoky Park co-owner Matt Logan said in a statement that this membership move should allow the restaurant to take care of locals and employees alike.

We are attempting to shift the traditional restaurant model into one that will be more sustainable for the staff and more enjoyable for the people who live here in our community," he said.

Smoky Park Supper Club, built into 19 shipping containers situated near the banks of the French Broad River, is anchored by chef and co-owner Michelle Baileys wood-fired, locally-sourced fare.

Expect a new menu when the new model launches with guest favorites sharing the pagewith new creations, she said.

"Our new model of service will also allow us greater flexibility to host special events and dinners throughout the week," Bailey said.

Smoky Park Supper Club is at 350 Riverside Dr. More atwww.smokypark.com.

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Mackensy Lunsford has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years, and has been a staff writer for the Asheville Citizen Times since 2012. Lunsford is a former professional line cook and one-time restaurant owner.

Reach me:mlunsford@citizentimes.com.

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Smoky Park Supper Club becomes member-based, allowing only locals and their guests to dine - Citizen Times