Small businesses in Western NC seek path forward after catastrophic damage from Helene

Many of the areas worst hit by flooding from Tropical Storm Helene in Western North Carolina were business districts that housed the shops, restaurants, warehouses, workshops, studios and storefronts of local families and entrepreneurs.

Districts in downtowns throughout the region were affected, as well as communities made up largely of such businesses in places like the River Arts District and Biltmore Village in Asheville.

Elsewhere, businesses may not have been physically damaged, but have no power, running water or internet. Roads for employees, customers and supplies may be in bad shape.

Damage to work spaces, equipment and inventory is devastating to owners. So is being closed for a long period, possibly never being able to reopen at the same locations. Employees of these businesses also face loss of wages and potentially will need to seek work elsewhere.

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The story is the same for hundreds of small businesses that are struggling to survive or find purpose after the storm.

One example is Summit Coffee, in the River Arts District, which is now trying to figure out a way forward.

The business posted on social media that it hopes to return. In the meantime, Summit asked customers to purchase coffee online. The proceeds, the company said, will be provided to Summit baristas.

Roughly a mile away, in the heart of Biltmore Village, near the entrance to the Biltmore Estate, Casablanca Cigar Bar CFO Jacqui Ackerman stood at her car across the street from the retail business that was submerged in flood water. In front, work crews used heavy machinery to shove mud from the road.

“We’re preparing to rebuild,” she said. “We’ve been through this before. Several of the business owners were here in 2004 when this happened last.”

The Historic Biltmore Village Association conducted a meeting to help businesses know where to start the recovery process, Ackerman said.

“We’re being very transparent with our employees, but no decision (about employment) has been made,” she said.

Many small businesses throughout the region including offices, warehouses, production facilities or retail spaces cannot be restored. Others, untouched by the flood water also face existential threats.

Most in Asheville will be without water for weeks. Some, including Well Played Board Game Cafe, had no power on Thursday, when they decided to reopen.

Located on Coxe Avenue near downtown Asheville, general manager Mike Belsole sat in a booth. A mom with three young children played a board game in a booth nearby.

“I’m really concerned about what we can do for the community,” he said. “We can be a community space for people to escape a bit. We just want to be an option. Games aren’t as important as water and shelter, but it is a source of fun and connection that we all need in our loves, especially during a crisis”

Power and water aren’t required to reopen he said.

Throughout the city, however, most restaurants are shuttered, unable to reopen without running water, bathroom or power.

At Cellarest Beer Project on Haywood Road in West Asheville on Thursday, owner Harrison Fahrer bent from a stool over an outdoor table applying for an SBA loan on his mobile phone while patrons drank craft beer at his micro brewing operation.

Businesses impacted by the storm can apply for physical disaster loans and economic injury disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Physical disaster loans support the repair or replacement of real estate, inventory, machinery or equipment owned by a business.

Economic injury loans help businesses meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster.

If approved, initial loan payments are deferred for 12 months; interest does not accrue for the first 12 months; and the loan rate will not exceed 4%.

An SBA office is now open at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce at 36 Montford Avenue, just north of downtown Asheville.

“Beer is a luxury,” Fahrer said. “Initially we were spinning our wheels deciding if we would operate. But we have beer. It’s cold. We should serve it. It’s a small dose of normalcy.”

Cellarest reopened on Sunday following the storm, and have also served as a pantry, he said, allocating donated water, food and diapers.

The concern right now is running out of beer without water. Brewing requires water for the beer, as well as keeping equipment during the brewing process hyper-clean.

“We’ve been able to operate, but we’re going to hit a wall when we run out of beer,” he said. Among his concerns is letting staff go.

At the best of times, making a living as a bartender is difficult, especially in Asheville due to the relatively high cost of living.

Unemployment benefits through the disaster unemployment assistance program, or DUA , are available to workers, business owners and the self-employed who are unable to work as a direct result of the storm. The deadline to apply is December 2 and benefits may last for up to 26 weeks.

Other small businesses are also adapting their operations to support the community during the crisis.

Sokol Landscaping employs nine and has provided free work, cutting trees and helping people impacted by the story.

Owner Drew Sokol said that he’s continued to pay employees who are able to come to work.

“Obviously our business has changed very drastically,” he said. “All of our stuff is OK, so we’re trying to help out where we can. It’s a balance of trying to keep my business afloat, but to also help the community.  We’re pretty much shooting in the dark and pivoting day to day.”

Health care and wellness businesses are also impacted by the storm.

Steven Cassese tweaked his back several days ago hauling a five-gallon container of water to help his mother-in-law whose event center in Hendersonville was devastated by the storm.

His business, Rise Chiropractic, is a wellness practice helping folks, like him, prevent and heal from injuries.

Many wellness providers, both physical and mental health, are on pause in the aftermath of the storm.

“I would imagine wellness will be a low priority for folks,” he said. His office on South French Broad near downtown Asheville was unscathed, but is currently shut down.

Still, he said during the crisis, “it’s important that people are taking care of themselves” and “have access to practitioners to stay healthy, including their mental health and physical body.”

A disaster distress hot line is available: 1-800-985-5990 and a hot line specifically for first responders: 1-855-587-3463.

While many businesses will find a way forward during the crisis, others must start from scratch.

Stephen Janes operates the Bicycle Thrift Shop, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide access to cycling for children and families. Janes refurbishes and resells donated cycles, gear and parts. Revenues fund youth cycling programs, greenways and other cycling related programs and activities in Western North Carolina.

The small shop along the banks of the Swannanoa River in Asheville was obliterated.  In the aftermath of the storm, Janes, with the help of volunteers, uncovered bicycles from the muck that he intended to restore, although several bikes were stolen.

Janes established a GoFundMe page that has raised $3,706 by Oct. 6.

He’s also relied on his faith to cope.

“Sadness is starting to creep in today,” Janes posted on Instagram on October 3. “I’m so grateful for the support from all of y’all. Scripture tells us that ‘if any of us asks for wisdom, God will give it to us.’”

Amid reports of looting, there’s also an abundance of goodwill of residents supporting small local businesses.

On Saturday, while riding her bicycle to survey damage in the River Arts District, West Asheville resident Elizabeth Pendleton stopped to look at several slightly flood damaged paintings for sale. The art was propped against a chain-link fence along the Wilma Dykeman Greenway overlooking the French Broad River.

Approximately 80% of the structures in the River Arts District were damaged during Tropical Storm Helene, including many of the galleries and studios of Asheville artists.

She purchased two of the paintings.

“The River Arts District symbolizes the best of Asheville in so many ways and watching the flood completely engulf all of those small businesses and art galleries was heartbreaking,” she said. “When I saw the artwork, I knew it was a chance to help.”