Asheville Faces Hurricane Helene’s Aftermath
Asheville, North Carolina, is picking up the pieces after Hurricane Helene swept through the area, leaving devastation and heartbreak in its wake. One of the businesses seriously impacted is Summit Coffee, a beloved establishment in the River Arts District. Brian Helfrich, the CEO of Summit Coffee, received a shocking text on September 27—the café’s location in Asheville was gone.
The Shocking News
Imagine getting a text with photos of floodwaters rising higher and higher, then seeing the café walls collapse. The situation was dire. “As of Saturday, the entire structure was completely submerged,” Helfrich explains, reflecting on the sudden and overwhelming destruction. “We haven’t seen updated photos in the last 24 hours; as far as we can tell, it’s completely destroyed.”
This particular location opened in 2017 and transitioned to franchise ownership in the summer of 2022. It quickly became a hotspot for locals and tourists, ranking as Summit’s second-busiest café. However, this loss goes beyond just one store; it hits the heart of the entire Asheville community.
Support for the Community
“The economy in Asheville just got shut down overnight. It’s the entire service industry,” Helfrich says, feeling the weight of the situation. The café’s staff members, particularly the baristas who worked hard to make this place special, are now facing uncertainties. But Helfrich and his team quickly pivoted to offer support. They launched a campaign where 100% of the proceeds from online orders of their coffee roasts would directly benefit the affected employees.
In a show of solidarity, the community responded fiercely. Within the first 24 hours of the campaign, they sold 1,400 bags of coffee, raising an impressive $20,000 for the baristas. Moreover, Helfrich organized a van stuffed with food, water, and essential items to provide relief to the employees during this challenging time. “We were able to turn that shock into some sort of action,” he adds. “But, ultimately, it’s a few weeks worth of a Band-Aid for a much larger uphill climb that we have going on.”
A Future in Limbo
As for the future of the River Arts District Summit Coffee location, it’s presently uncertain. Helfrich mentions that since they were leasing the 1,600-square-foot space, the next steps will largely depend on whether the landlord opts to rebuild. “We love being there and, over seven years, had built a really successful business down there. But, ultimately, there also are factors outside of our control,” he states. The River Arts District has undergone a transformation over the years, developing into a lively region filled with restaurants, breweries, and creative businesses. “It’s just back to square one. There’s nothing left of it,” Helfrich laments, recognizing the greater loss to the community as a whole.
Hope Amidst Devastation
Despite the heartache from the River Arts District loss, there’s some good news. Helfrich confirmed that their second café in downtown Asheville has survived the storm. “Our sort of macro understanding of Asheville is that downtown is largely unscathed,” he says, holding onto hope amidst the destruction. This glimmer of optimism serves as a reminder that while this storm has brought chaos, the resilience of the local community remains strong.
As Asheville begins its slow journey toward recovery, the collective spirit of supporting one another during tough times shines through. Whether it’s contributing to coffee sales or providing essential items to affected employees, the community is rallying together, proving that even stronger than the storm are the bonds forged in love and support.
