From WNC Business:
ASHEVILLE – Jami Daniels, owner of Daniels Business Services and long-time Asheville entrepreneur, hosted a sneak peek event and tour of her new business venture, Ernest, on Feb. 3. Named after her late grandfather, Ernest Daniels, Ernest is the first-ever co-warehousing facility for the Asheville area. Ernest is currently pre-booking spaces and is on track to host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 15, 2023. 
“Right now, we’re in pre-sales mode, Daniels said. “We’re rounding the finish line with getting everything dialed in.” Even though the facility is being completely renovated to support the co-warehousing model, Ernest already has one member. Floor Coverings International of Western North Carolina, a veteran-owned premier flooring company, was looking for flex space in Asheville and found Ernest. “When you think about the services [Ernest] offer[s], from the shipping and receiving to the prime location right off of the interstate, they’re able to help handle many aspects of my business so I can focus on other priorities like being out on sales calls,” said Brad Currin, owner, Floor Coverings Int. of Western North Carolina.
Ernest views its model as the solution for the small business owner who is ready to scale up but lacks the warehousing space to do so. Located off Interstate 40 at exit 51, on Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville, Ernest offers a centralized, secure and private location for inventory and receiving, and sending shipments. Specific offerings include climate-controlled spaces, loading docks, forklift and pallet jacks, a shipping station, daily pick-ups and deliveries, short-term spaces, and on-demand flex staffing. And for the entrepreneur who requires meeting space for vendors or clients or space for product photography, Ernest offers shared office space, conference rooms, a photo studio and parking.
Space at Ernest is being parceled into a maximum of 20 warehouse suites ranging in size from 200 to 1,500 square feet. Members will have access to a pop-up fulfillment space for seasonal or “burst” orders. In addition to the flexible spaces, Ernest takes it a step further with a flex staffing model. It can supply staff to help with various logistical or warehouse-focused tasks and offer on-demand, full-service, or flex fulfillment support.
Daniels envisions Ernest as a collective – a natural community of makers and creators who want to take their business to the next level. “When a business owner chooses Ernest, they’re going to be interacting with like-minded entrepreneurs. That sort of synergy naturally forms ‘community,’ resulting in shared support for one another,” said Daniels. Ernest provides emerging entrepreneurs with a “light” footprint, freeing them up to concentrate on the needs of their business and not worry about the details of a storefront or permanent space. Individuals interested in touring the space can visit ErnestReady.com to learn more. The community is invited to attend the grand opening on March 15 at the Ernest facility located at 135 Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville.
About Ernest
Ernest is a 30,000-square-foot co-warehouse facility located in Asheville, NC. Ernest functions as an eCommerce support center with all of the benefits of a warehouse and the comfort and professionalism of a flexible office. Members have access to centralized, secure and private locations for inventory and receiving, and sending shipments. Specific offerings include climate-controlled spaces, loading docks, forklift and pallet jacks, a shipping station, daily pick-ups and deliveries, short-term spaces, and on-demand flex staffing. For more information, visit ErnestReady.com.
