News Summary
Marshall, North Carolina, has reopened to visitors after being severely affected by Hurricane Helene. The town, known for its vibrant community, is gradually welcoming tourists back, with local businesses like Flow Gallery and Zuma’s Coffee leading the way. Despite significant damage and ongoing repairs, the town demonstrates resilience and a strong sense of community. Events like Marshall Magic Days are being organized to promote tourism and support local businesses, even as concerns about future flooding persist.
Marshall, North Carolina, has officially reopened to visitors nearly nine months after being severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. The small mountain town, located approximately 30 minutes north of Asheville, saw extensive damage as a result of the storm. During the hurricane, the French Broad River rose nearly 25 feet, leading to catastrophic flooding that washed out homes and businesses within the community.
As of May, Marshall has gradually welcomed back tourists, with local businesses reopening at a steady pace. Flow Gallery, a prominent establishment co-founded by Connie Molland, faced significant challenges during the recovery process. The gallery lost about 30 percent of its artwork due to the flooding, which also left over eight inches of mud across its premises. Molland, reflecting on the aftermath, described the emotional toll of witnessing the destruction firsthand.
Zuma’s Coffee, owned by Joel Friedman, faced a similar fate. The coffee shop was completely destroyed, necessitating a desperate climb through broken windows to reach the damaged space. Despite the initial challenges, Friedman noted that he experienced small victories each day, leading him to feel optimistic about returning to, or even surpassing, their pre-storm conditions. Six weeks after Flow Gallery reopened, Zuma’s Coffee was able to welcome back local customers.
Despite many businesses still undergoing repairs, the community has come together to support the recovery effort. Volunteers from across the country arrived equipped with tools and protective gear to assist with the rebuilding process. The importance of community support was emphasized by local businesses, showcasing resilience throughout the endeavor.
In addition to the reopening of Flow Gallery and Zuma’s Coffee, other establishments like Shady Side Florist have resumed services, with management underscoring the emotional connections they maintain with their customers. Similarly, Josh Copus, the owner of Zadie’s restaurant, witnessed his establishment suffer extensive damage, with 11 feet of water flooding the premises. The despair he initially felt was countered by the strength and support provided by the community, which facilitated his restaurant’s recovery efforts.
Although some shops in Marshall remain boarded up, a number of businesses have successfully reopened, demonstrating the town’s determination and strength in overcoming adversity. Among the reopened establishments is the Old Marshall Jail Hotel, renowned as the oldest operating jail in North Carolina.
To celebrate the town’s resurgence, Marshall is collaborating with nearby Hot Springs to welcome visitors back. An array of events, such as Marshall Magic Days, is being organized to draw in tourists, featuring music, local shopping, and market activities. Supporting local businesses is vital to the economic recovery of the area, as they seek assistance to rebuild and regain their footing.
Visitors will not only be met with the opportunity to enjoy the revitalized town of Marshall, but they will also find a thriving artistic community. Yet, this community continues to face challenges in securing necessary investments and support for restoration efforts post-Hurricane Helene.
In the aftermath of the disaster, residents are increasingly concerned about future flooding risks. There is a pressing need for infrastructure improvements, including levees and sewer upgrades, to better protect the town from potential future storms. As the community of Marshall works towards recovery, the focus remains on rebuilding not only physically but also ensuring that adequate safeguards are in place to prevent similar devastation in the years to come.
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Additional Resources
- WLOS News: Marshall Town Emerges
- Wikipedia: Hurricane Helene
- Fox Carolina: Marshall NC Welcomes Visitors
- Fox News: River Town Reopens
- CBS News: Recovery in North Carolina Town
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
