ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — This time of year, the Asheville area is usually teeming with tourists. But Tropical Storm Helene washed out roads and businesses. And Asheville’s water woes have added to the reasons tourists have gone elsewhere. That has left numerous small businesses struggling to make ends meet even as the community works to rebuild.
But several agencies have stepped up to help.
The Love Asheville From Afar campaign was launched by Explore Asheville in partnership with several other organizations in response to Helene-related damage.
The project was designed to help Asheville area and Buncombe County businesses connect with supporters near and far by creating a centralized online space where people can:
- Shop local products in online stores
- Purchase gift cards
- Make direct donations
The Love Asheville from Afar page is updated regularly.
The Explore Asheville website has also set up a way for people to check the status of local businesses. The new search tool will let you search by category or area. The listings show which places are open, temporarily closed, closed or have a call for status label. The statuses will be updated.
“The tourist season you thought would never end just did,” Black Mountain Mayor C. Michael Sobol said in a statement released last month. “The good people who came from elsewhere to help us will soon go home. The locals who stay will then be back to supporting and relying on their neighbors.”
Sobol said the best way to build back is to buy locally as soon as possible. Support local merchants and restaurants who are trying to stay open or reopen by buying from them.
“And, if you are able, do something extra. Help Valley merchants and restaurants buy time for things to get back to ‘new normal’ by purchasing a gift certificate, especially if they are offering free food or services,” Sobol said. “If you are able, tip generously and often, even if it’s free.”
According to the Discover Black Mountain website, many locally-owned businesses have already reopened, and more than 25 stores offer shopping online. Check the website for other listings.