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Wright’s Coin Shop’s leadership includes (from left) Curtis Taylor, Bill Wright and Michael S. Swoveland. Not pictured are Linda Wright and Shelly Wright.

From Staff Reports

After 33 years in the same location at 4 S. Tunnel Rd. in Asheville, Wright’s Coin Shop closed on Christmas Eve and will be reopening at 10:30 Feb. 1 at its new location at 1271 Sweeten Creek Rd.

Wright’s opened in October 1973 in the present location of the Auto Bell Car Wash on Merrimon Avenue and moved in 1974 to what is now the Innsbruck Mall, according to Bill Wright, who owns the business, along with his wife Linda. In January 1976, Wright’s moved to its long-time location across from Kmart.

Michael S. Swoveland, a buyer for Wright’s who has worked for the company since the early to mid-1990s, said on Dec. 24 that, although the firm was offered an opportunity to renew its lease, “eventually, they (the property’s owners) have plans to do something else with this shopping center, so we wanted a more permanent place without having that hanging over our heads.”

Instead of renewing the lease, Swoveland said the company bought the former location of Sue’s Race Shop, which, with 1,500 square feet, significantly increases Wright’s space to stock and display coins, currency and supplies for collectors. The company is now in the process of moving its safes, equipment and inventory to the new shop.

He added, “We felt it would be best for our customers and for us,” Swoveland noted. Also, he added that there are “no ramps” or steep steps at the new shop, unlike the past location. The steps and ramp had prompted complaints over the years from some of the shop’s older customers, who found them challenging to use, Swoveland said.

Besides Wright and Swoveland, the staff of the coin shop includes Curtis Taylor, sales and buying; Linda Wright, co-owner; and Shelley Wright, sales. Linda is Wright’s wife, while Shelley is his daughter.