Jaren Gragg
MNJ Contributor
In late September of 2024, Hurricane Helene (downgraded to a tropical storm after slowing down over land) struck the High Country and Western North Carolina, causing close to $60 billion worth of damage statewide.
A number of flooded downtown businesses were able to reopen by the end of the summer.
Kirk Burnette, co-owner of Burnette’s Country Store, said, “It is so good to have Lower Street back open. It helps the town and gives it a feeling of revival.”
Downtown business owners said that more customers are coming downtown as well.
Taylor Taybold, general manager of DT’s Blue Ridge Java, said that “It is a breath of fresh air,” to see all of the people that are coming into the area. Traybold mentioned that this is a huge turnaround from a year ago.
“I’m living every day with gratitude and kindness for those in our community,” Trabold said.
She also continues that many of the people who come through DT’s she considers family now, and now, after the storm, she realizes what all of these “regulars” mean to her and to DT’s.
“We have our regulars, and now, we give them bigger hugs than before,” she said.
Traybold also said that she wants to bring people into downtown Spruce Pine and wants the other businesses around the area to succeed because when that happens, Spruce Pine grows as a whole.
Burnette echoed that sentiment and says that when you support local businesses that you are helping the community survive and begin to grow. Burnette continues that when you shop local, you are helping support a local family, you are helping out with the local fall festivals, ball teams and other various fundraisers. He also mentions that he is looking forward to people coming back to catch up with them because he feels that they are extended family.
“It’s a great feeling to see everyone that comes every year and supports you,” Burnette said. “They come from bigger cities and want to have a small-town feel. You build a friendship with them, and they come in and want to talk with you. It is a great feeling to have those people back and to hear some of their stories.”
He also said that the community and the other small businesses are really great at supporting and rallying around one another, especially during the hurricane. Traybold reiterated that by mentioning that many of the business owners around Spruce Pine kept in contact after the storm and shared information and resources, and made connections, whether it was with grants or other help.
Traybold said that she helped support other businesses by going to ribbon cuttings. She felt as though they were in a group and were in it together, and everybody wanted everyone to succeed. Sheryl Buchanan, who is the owner of Treasure of the Pines, says that one of the main reasons why everyone came back so quickly was because they looked after one another and were a tight-knit group and because of that will come back stronger.
Many of the local business owners still talk about how there is a lot to be done and that nobody is out of the woods just yet. Owners mention that people need to keep shopping locally and support local small businesses.
With the reopening of Hef’s on Lower Street and the opening of Thai Table, people are making their way back to the downtown area for dining as well as shopping.