Western North Carolina mountain towns open for business, seeking tourists in Helen’s wake

Cindy Faust, owner of Maggie Valley Yarn Shop, says she and most of her neighbors have picked up the pieces left by Hurricane Helen and are ready to welcome tourists to their western mountain town. North Carolina.

“This area is so peaceful and welcoming,” Faust told Fox News Digital, adding that it was a “lifelong dream” to own his business in the area after attending college there and working in a company’s human resources for years.

“We really rely a lot on tourism, but the local community is also very supportive,” Faust said when asked how her business was doing since she opened her store last year.

She said this fall, Maggie Valley isn’t seeing the number of tourists she’s used to. The Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce also took notice and launched a social media campaign to welcome visitors.

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“Of course, there are areas nearby that are still experiencing a lot of difficulties: no electricity or water,” she said. “But Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Sylva and the surrounding areas are all open. Restaurants are open, businesses are open and we desperately want tourists to come this season and support us.”

With no sales in the past three weeks since Helene poured torrential rain, flooding the creek behind Faust’s store, she said her sales for the year were down 50% from the year last.

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Faust hopes spreading the word will help some of the massive crowds seen by Fox News Digital this weekend in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, make their way to the south end of Newfound Gap Road, the main scenic route through the park Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

She was only able to get to her store two days after Hélène’s death, but when she noticed there was electricity and water, she opened her doors to the community.

“We were able to host people, be together, share stories, support each other, and now we’re trying to get business back on track to be able to support ourselves and our employees.”

Faust suggests anyone interested in helping Western North Carolina residents recover from Helene contact Samaritan’s Purse, the Red Cross, local churches and local charities.

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The Charlotte native vows to weather the storm, no matter what.

“I’m here to stay,” she said, adding that people support her online business. “I’m definitely invested in the community and I just like to support people as much as I can.”