Sudden Lockdown: South Asheville Makers Scramble After Painted Tree Bankruptcy

Asheville -- April 16, 2026: Dozens of local artisans and small business owners are facing a retail crisis this week following the abrupt nationwide collapse of Painted Tree Boutiques. On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Arkansas-based company notified its vendors via email that it had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and would cease all operations immediately.The South Asheville location, which served as a vital "brick-and-mortar" storefront for local makers who rented individual booth spaces, was pa