Asheville – Just seven months after Hurricane Helene sent raging floodwaters through both towns, Marshall and Hot Springs are rebuilding their communities. It’s a miracle that anything remains. While many buildings were destroyed, the sturdy brick structures withstood the storm and are still standing. Every building lost its entire inventory and equipment, leaving behind feet of mud. However, with local residents and businesses working together, along with numerous volunteers from across the country and beyond, they accomplished what some considered impossible.
Marshall Magic Days
Marshall Magic Days, held from May 1-4, celebrated the grand reopening of downtown Marshall, showcasing the resilience and strength of art and community. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, music, puppet shows, food trucks, and more. On May 2nd, a magic market took place, featuring local artists, makers, small businesses, and non-profits.
Zadie’s hosted live music daily. Josh Copus, the owner of Zadie’s, witnessed his restaurant being destroyed by 11 feet of water, while his friend Joel’s coffee shop, Zuma, floated down the street. He remarked, “I am a very optimistic person, but at that point, I was like, ‘we’re done.’ How do you come back from this?”
Chris Worley, the manager at Shady Side Florist, considers his customers to be family. He managed to fulfill orders for flowers for both a wedding and a funeral despite the extensive damage. Worley stated, “The third day, when we started shoveling out, people showed up in coveralls with a shovel that we had never met before. It really renews your faith in humanity.” Copus added, “I think that is really what saved me and saved the town.”
Not all businesses are open yet, and some that have reopened still have boards on their windows. What Marshall needs now is economic resilience; they need people to visit. Zadie’s future includes more live music events featuring Sheila Kay Adams, so be sure to check their schedule.
Other businesses that have reopened include Main Street Comics and Games; Zuma Coffee; On Your Bike; Mad Cow Brew House; Marshall High Studios, which offers global dance fusion; Flow Gallery; Marshall Acupuncture and Herb; Capitola Mill; and The Old Marshall Jail Hotel.
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a small outdoor town known for its great hiking, boating, and hot springs. Big Pillow Brewery owner Chris Donochod described it as “an outdoor lover’s paradise.” Located along the Tennessee-North Carolina border and with the Appalachian Trail running directly through the town, Hot Springs attracts hikers and visitors seeking to soak in the healing hot spring waters.
Bridge Street was completely inundated as the French Broad River flooded restaurants, shops, town hall, Hot Springs Spa, the library, homes, and Big Pillow Brewery. Donochod noted, “Our place was a mess; there was mud two to three feet deep in places. I didn’t expect a flood to come with that kind of violence.” However, the mountain residents are resilient and hardworking, and with significant assistance, they are making a strong comeback.
The Hot Springs Town and Trail Fest took place at the Hot Springs Resort and Spa on May 2nd and 3rd, sponsored by the nonprofit Rebuild Hot Springs, an organization dedicated to helping the town recover. The reopening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by an emotional Mayor Abby Norton, a cleanup hike, an Appalachian campfire featuring stories and ballads in traditional mountain style, a hiker fashion show, yoga sessions, a community folk dance, live music, games, vendors, and more. Best of all, the resort and spa has officially reopened with appointments available Thursday through Sunday. Eight spas have been rebuilt and are ready for bookings, so make sure to reserve in advance.
While this marks a beginning, there is still much work to be done. On your day off, consider driving or hiking out to these towns to show them some love.