River Arts District businesses left in shambles: 'We definitely underestimated everything'

ASHEVILLE - The river had receded from its peak in the River Arts District, exposing the devastation to businesses caused by Tropical Storm Helene.

On Sept. 30, Larry Hopkins, owner of Ananda West, diligently mopped up the hair salon's mud-caked floor at 37 Paynes Way, suite 5.

Soiled salon chairs, bottled products and other supplies and equipment were brought out to the raised deck as Hopkins and two associates focused on the extensive cleanup that left the French Broad River adjacent businesses shuttered.

Hopkins owns two other Ananda West locations, but the RAD salon is the most impacted by Tropical Storm Helene, which caused the French Broad River to reach more than 16 feet by 11 a.m. on Sept. 27 and brought water to the business's doors.

He said the Merrimon Avenue shop sustained basement flooding and the downtown salon was spared.

Hopkins said the RAD salon, which opened in 2013, had a couple of inches of mud and an estimated 18 inches of rain, measured by the flood line on the walls.

Hopkins said on Sept. 26, he announced the businesses would be closed due to the storm. Towels were laid out in interior areas that had previously leaked during rain storms. Mats were removed from the floor to higher surfaces.

"I don't think there's anything we could have done unless we removed everything ― got a trailer," he said. "We definitely underestimated everything."

Hopkins, who lives near Chimney Rock ― a hard-hit town with businesses and homes leveled in the storm ― said it took several days to get out of his home to make it to the salon to assess the damage. He said trees required cutting to get out of his neighborhood and roads were "destroyed."

He said he hadn't called the insurance company for guidance or to file a claim due to lack of cell service.

He said 13 workers are employed at the RAD salon and 53 employees across the three locations are currently out of work. Still determining the next move, a plan hadn't been made for a return date for the staff or unemployment claim eligibility.

Hopkins said his immediate response was to the Airbnb guests staying at his nearby property who were left without electricity, and supplying them with food and water.

"I'm just taking it blow by blow, moment by moment," Hopkins said. "What's pressing at the most."

Ananda West neighbors other closed businesses, Bull & Beggar Restaurant, RAD Records and The Wedge Brewing Company, and mud coated the patio and interior floor of the wine bar, Bottle Riot, seen through the row of windows.

A stalled vehicle with remnants of mud sat abandoned in the middle of Depot Street. Further, vehicles trudged through the muddy waters, and a commuter passing called out of her open window, "I didn't know if I was going to make it through!"

At The Radical, a cleanup crew cleared mud from the lower levels of the multi-level boutique hotel. Community members sat on the property's outdoor stairs eating sandwiches and hot dishes prepared and distributed by the hotel's restaurant team on the other side of the building at 95 Roberts St.

Kevin Chrisman, executive chef of Golden Hour, said the free food would be given out until supplies ran out, and if anything remained, it would be boxed and distributed at All Day Darling the next day.

Many areas of RAD were inaccessible, closed to commuters and pedestrians, as service workers and their trucks lined Riverside Drive.

Photos documented flood waters risen to rooftops of Foundy Street businesses, including Foundation Studios, The Marquee, 12 Bones Smokehouse, Wedge Brewing at Foundation, RosaBees and Gourmand -- a restaurant intended to open this fall.

"I will probably have a more profound statement coming as soon as I can process this devastation, but for now…..mahalo to everyone who supported us for 5 long and beautiful years," a post on RosaBees' social media stated on Sept. 29. "We had a great time sharing the aloha with you. Stay safe out there."

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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and covered the arts, entertainment and hospitality in Louisiana for several years. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville's River Arts District left in shambles: 'Underestimated everything'