Asheville Family Reopens Beloved Restaurant After Gentrification Forced Closure

Sistas on Montford honors the legacy of matriarch Margaret "Sista" Harrison after her original restaurant was shuttered due to urban renewal.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Khiyara and Rhonda Wynn have opened Sistas on Montford, a new restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina, to honor the memory of their mother and grandmother, Margaret "Sista" Harrison. Sista's original restaurant, the Ritz Cafe, was forced to close in 2001 due to the effects of urban renewal and gentrification in the city's Southside neighborhood. Now, Khiyara and Rhonda are keeping Sista's legacy alive by serving her signature homemade comfort food dishes in a new location.

Why it matters

The story of Sistas on Montford highlights the devastating impact of gentrification and urban renewal on Black communities in Asheville and across the country. The closure of Sista's Ritz Cafe was part of a larger pattern of displacement and erasure of historic Black neighborhoods and businesses. By reopening the restaurant, Khiyara and Rhonda are preserving an important piece of Asheville's cultural heritage and providing a space for the community to gather around the food and atmosphere that Sista created.

The details

After Sista was forced to close the Ritz Cafe in 2001 due to rising rents, the Wynn family vowed to one day reopen the restaurant in honor of their matriarch. In 2025, Khiyara and Rhonda achieved that goal by opening Sistas on Montford, a new eatery located inside a convenience store. While the setup is different from the original Ritz Cafe, the menu features all of Sista's signature dishes, including seasoned fried fish, potato salad, collard greens, and her famous pinto beans. The women hope to carry on Sista's legacy of providing a welcoming community space centered around homemade comfort food.

  • Sista's Ritz Cafe closed in 2001 due to the effects of urban renewal.
  • Khiyara and Rhonda Wynn opened Sistas on Montford less than a year after Sista's passing in 2025.

The players

Margaret "Sista" Harrison

The matriarch of the Wynn family and the owner of the Ritz Cafe, a beloved restaurant and community hub in Asheville's Southside neighborhood that was forced to close in 2001 due to gentrification.

Khiyara Wynn

The daughter of Margaret "Sista" Harrison and the co-owner and chef of Sistas on Montford, the new restaurant honoring her mother's legacy.

Rhonda Wynn

The granddaughter of Margaret "Sista" Harrison and the co-owner and chef of Sistas on Montford, working alongside her mother Khiyara to preserve their family's culinary heritage.

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What they’re saying

“I remember her restaurant was an atmosphere filled with laughter and food. It was a community café with a lounge setting where everybody came to chill after work with music.”

— Khiyara Wynn, Co-owner, Sistas on Montford (Travel Noire)

“This is a very big deal for us. The area where my grandmother's restaurant was located and where we've opened was all predominantly Black. Now, not so much. It's also a huge deal because there aren't many spaces that cater to authentic Black food in Asheville.”

— Khiyara Wynn, Co-owner, Sistas on Montford (Travel Noire)

“She would be smiling from ear to ear that we're honoring her.”

— Rhonda Wynn, Co-owner, Sistas on Montford (Travel Noire)

What’s next

The Wynn family hopes to continue expanding Sistas on Montford and keeping Sista's legacy alive for years to come, aiming to provide the same welcoming community atmosphere and delicious homemade comfort food that the original Ritz Cafe was known for.

The takeaway

The story of Sistas on Montford is a powerful testament to the resilience of Black-owned businesses and the importance of preserving cultural heritage in the face of gentrification. By honoring their matriarch's memory and continuing her tradition of serving the community, Khiyara and Rhonda Wynn are ensuring that the flavors and spirit of the Ritz Cafe live on.