74 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com the upstate ROB’S STORY Rob Weeter, president of Capstone Lifestyles, Inc., a kitchen and bathroom design studio in Hendersonville, North Carolina, was out of the country with his wife when Hurricane Helene unleashed the floods, inundating their building with several feet of water. With airports across the region closed and flights to nearby areas overbooked, they were stuck in London until Oct. 7. And then, said Weeter, “When we arrived, we discovered that the landlord hadn’t done anything to mitigate the damage and dehumidify our showroom. Our showroom was a 3,000-square-foot space full of luxury kitchen and closet displays. We lost everything.” Weeter and his family got to work. “We were trying to save anything we could,” he said. “Product samples, some appliances, workstation items, etc. We had help from family members, friends and vendor reps, but there was no one available to pay to professionally help us.” They loaded up trucks and moved items to a couple of storage units. Unfortunately, the space wasn’t ready for occupancy, and it wasn’t safe to return. It could have been the end for Capstone Lifestyles, but, said Weeter, “through a friend who worked at Blue Ridge Community College, we were able to secure free office space in their Small Business Center for several months and continue to service our clients.” A stopgap, it kept the business going while Weeter applied for and received local grants. Then, he added, “through nothing short of a miracle, on Feb. 5 we found a place to call our showroom again.” After a fast and furious remodel, they reopened for business in the new location. In terms of the future, Weeter knows it won’t be easy. “The rebuilding of infrastructure and residential and commercial property is just getting started here,” he said. Several weeks ago, he took visitors to see a project that Capstone Lifestyles recently completed. “On the way back, I showed them a house we completed cabinetry in three years ago that was completely removed by a mudslide. It’s still a pile of destruction.” HOW YOU CAN HELP It’s a common refrain. Throughout the region much has improved, but there’s more to be done. Some businesses have reopened but many remain shuttered. Asheville’s River Arts District remains largely decimated, its artists seeking higher ground. It’s not the only area. In a vacuum, sometimes things fall apart. Vibrant, unique communities like Asheville and Hendersonville may change forever as chain restaurants and big box stores move in to fill the void. Other times though, something beautiful can grow in the wake of tragedy. Communities can come back, better than ever. You can help the communities of western North Carolina find that happier way forward. How? It’s easy. Visit. Stay in local hotels. Shop local. Eat local. Give to organizations like BeLoved Asheville. Reach out to chambers to see what businesses are reopening and go. The mountains of North Carolina have long been there for residents of the Lowcountry. Now, we need to be there for them. For more information about how to get involved or make a donation to residents and businesses in need, contact Asheville’s Chamber of Commerce at ashevillechamber.org. The resilience of Asheville as seen outside VJ’s Automotive. Photo courtesy of Layne Harvey.
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