The Old World Christmas Shop has been a staple of Asheville’s Billmore Village for 40 years.
Due to damage from Hurricane Helen, the store is currently located in downtown Asheville.
“We had 31 feet of water rushing through that area,” said store manager Laura Rathbone. “The store took on nine feet of water (and) five feet of mud.”
On Monday, the city of Asheville lifted its boil water advisory. More than 100,000 residents in western North Carolina can now drink and bathe using water straight from their taps.
But only 44% of businesses in Buncombe County are open after Helen ravaged the area in late September.
“We have significant debt,” Rathbone said.
Rathbone said tourism is very important to Asheville.
Cass Santandar, public relations manager for Explore Asheville, said people typically want to visit the city in October to see the fall foliage.
“The tourist economy could decline by 70% (in the fourth quarter of 2024),” Santander said.
Santander estimated that restaurants and small businesses in the Asheville area will suffer approximately $584 million in losses due to the loss of tourism.
Helen also destroyed Hannah Gibbs’ Lopit Shop in Biltmore Village.
“It’s our livelihood,” Gibbs said.
She became emotional talking about it.
“That’s a big deal,” she said. “You have to support yourself and your staff as well.”
Gibbs said she feels very lucky to have another store.
“So many companies don’t,” Gibbs said.
Gibbs’ Lopit Shop offered some of its space to a clothing store with nowhere else to go.
“Any sale is important for small businesses,” Gibbs said.
The iconic Omni Grove Park Inn has been closed for nearly two months. On Friday, they welcomed their first guests again.
“It was great to see everyone back,” said Isabel Miller, director of marketing and communications for the Omni Park Inn. “It was great to see the first guests arrive.”
Business owners and managers WRAL News spoke to on Tuesday urged people to visit.
