Just to the South of Hendersonville, down Highway 176....Saluda merchants were enjoying a 'brisk' trend in shopping and dining over the weekend. With free parking on the Saluda streets and "just across the railroad tracks" on town-owned property, vehicles took advantage of every parking spot without having to pay parking fees to shop in Saluda stores and eat in Saluda restaurants.
Most of the customers over the week-end were 'tourists' or 'day visitors' coming from neighboring communities that now have paid parking in the amounts up to $1.50 per hour.
Brevard and Highlands, just West of Hendersonville on Highway 64 also offers free parking in downtown spaces and free parking lots close to the stores and restaurants in downtown areas.
