Blowing Rock Businesses Suffer After Helene

BLOWING ROCK, N.C. —  “Business is down 60-70% behind last year’s numbers,” says Blowing Rock mayor Charlie Sellers.

Nestled along the Continental Divide in Watauga County, Blowing Rock was fortunately spared the worst of the physical damage wrought upon so many western North Carolina towns. But – the financial hole Helene left won’t be easy to fill.

Between peak leaf season and the cooler weather, Blowing Rock is typically bursting at the seams with visitors and business. But, if you take a look around downtown this Tuesday afternoon, what’s usually a booming time for business this time of year appears to be a bust.

“We could basically write October off,” says Tracy Brown.

Brown runs the tourism board here. He says Helene was a perfect storm – and not the good kind.

“October [has always been] our busiest month of the year, so the timing on this storm could not have been worse,” Brown laments.

The temporary shuttering of nearby attractions like the Blue Ridge Parkway and Tweetsie Railroad means fewer people are making their way into the popular tourist town – and local businesses are feeling the squeeze.

“Usually, we’ll have 50 to 60 people in here constantly running back and forth,” says Russell Normand, referring to his store in downtown Blowing Rock.

“So, it has been a really, really slow time for us.”

Normand has been running Neaco in downtown Blowing Rock with his partner for over two decades. He’s hoping ski season will help his business make up the lost ground.

“I think it’s going to really pick up and, you know, I’m just hopeful,” Normand adds.

WCCB Charlotte did manage to find a few tourists out and about – Emily Metzger is visiting from Columbia, South Carolina.

“It’s just a fun place to be, you know? You just feel like you’re home when you come here,” says Metzger.

And local officials are hoping you can make Blowing Rock your home for a few days this year.

“Come on up and visit. We’d love to have you,” Brown beams.

“Our restaurants are ready. We just had lunch, and those folks are ready to see some people, see our friends back up here. Come on.”