O'Reilly Auto Parts to Open New Asheville Store
A vacant gym on Patton Avenue will be converted into a new automotive retail location by mid-January 2027.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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O'Reilly Auto Parts is set to open a new retail location on Patton Avenue in Asheville by mid-January 2027. The site is currently undergoing renovations to repurpose the building following the closure of a previous fitness center.
Why it matters
The project repurposes a prominent commercial space that has been vacant since the local Gold's Gym shut its doors last year. It marks the latest transition for the former gym property under owner Pulliam Properties.
This transition marks the repurposing of a site that previously housed a Gold's Gym until its closure in April 2026. Only one Gold's Gym location remains in Asheville on Fairview Road following closures on Hendersonville Road and Patton Avenue.
The players
O'Reilly Auto Parts
An American auto parts retailer that provides automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment, and accessories.
Pulliam Properties
A real estate entity that manages commercial properties in the Asheville area.
Gold's Gym
A major fitness center chain that previously operated multiple locations across Asheville.
The details
Renovations are currently underway at the Patton Avenue building to prepare the structure for its new tenant. The property, which is owned by Pulliam Properties, will officially become an auto parts outlet early next year.
Timeline
The Gold's Gym on Hendersonville Road closed in 2024.
The Patton Avenue Gold's Gym location closed in April 2026.
The O'Reilly Auto Parts store is expected to open in mid-January 2027.
Market Landscape
This opening follows a pattern where retailers acquire former fitness center footprints to expand their physical presence in established corridors. It reflects the ongoing repurposing of former big-box fitness centers into retail spaces across the city.
Residents in the Patton Avenue area will soon gain access to a new local option for automotive parts and maintenance supplies. The conversion effectively removes a long-term vacancy from the local commercial real estate market.
The takeaway
Repurposing existing commercial real estate can help revitalize local corridors by reducing long-term vacancies in retail zones. Shoppers should note that the nearest alternative fitness option remains available on Fairview Road.
Further reading
For more updates on local storefront changes, see the latest news in Asheville Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLOS.
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