The Asheville Indian Restaurant and the Stranded Christmas Market Join Forces
Although decorating the tree and listening to Christmas tunes puts Southerners in a festive spirit, helping those in need, such as volunteering at a food bank or purchasing Angel Tree presents, fosters a greater sense of purpose and camaraderie, particularly during the holidays. Consequently, when a year-round Christmas store in Asheville required assistance, the area's Wall Street came together to lend a helping hand.
One distinguishing feature of Asheville is its abundance of locally owned businesses. Although national franchises can be found in more commercialized areas, the city's quainter sections showcase the area's artisanal talent, from curated restaurant menus and art galleries to marketplaces and well-stocked boutiques. However, these establishments were under siege in late September.
"We woke up to complete and utter devastation." —Molly Irani, co-founder of Chai Pani Restaurant Group.
From Hurricane Ruin to Extending a Helping Hand
It was impossible to foresee the destruction in western North Carolina, leaving most residents in shock. "Everyone expected we might lose power as a result of fallen branches," said Molly Irani, who co-founded Chai Pani Restaurant Group with her husband, Meherwan. "We woke up to complete and utter devastation."
While most of Asheville was without power, their downtown restaurant, Botiwalla, miraculously had power. The Iranis quickly transformed the space into a community gathering place and a food production center for World Central Kitchen. The Iranis were not alone in their efforts to aid others, as the entirety of western North Carolina rallied to meet basic needs and ensure their neighbors were safe.
However, after the initial shock of the first few weeks, thoughts turned to rebuilding Asheville and returning it to its former vibrant state. Areas around downtown, such as the River Arts District and Biltmore Village, were flooded, leading to the displacement of businesses.
Asheville businesses heavily rely on the fall foliage tourist season and the subsequent holiday season, making the hurricane's timing particularly devastating. "It's an understatement, in my opinion, to say devastated," said Laura Rathbone, who manages Olde World Christmas Shoppe. "I cannot think of another word that could describe how catastrophic this was for a Christmas shop."
Ingenuity and resilience form the backbone of Asheville's economy. However, the hardship faced by many locals left Hannah Gibbs, the general manager of L'optique, concerned. The eyewear boutique has two locations in Asheville, one on Wall Street and another in Biltmore Village, both affected by Hurricane Helene.
Gibbs described this experience as "horrible and stressful," but she considered herself fortunate to have a second location, an advantage not shared by others. "That's a wonderful privilege," Gibbs said thoughtfully, although she couldn't abandon her neighbors in Biltmore Village. She then offered the front of the downtown optical shop, rent-free, to house businesses with undamaged inventory to sell during the holiday season.
A Displaced Christmas Shop, and Others, Find Holiday Hope
As Gibbs shared her plan with her Wall Street neighbors, gas stations and more local entrepreneurs decided to provide rent-free spaces for Asheville's artists and retail stores. Although Botiwalla faces Battery Park Avenue, the rear of the building is located on Wall Street, and Gibbs contacted the Iranis to utilize the space. They agreed, and Gibbs suggested an ideal tenant for the vacancy – a year-round Christmas store.
"Helene struck in the last days of September, taking probably 90% of our inventory." - Laura Rathbone, Olde World Christmas Shoppe manager.
Most people start thinking about Christmas in November, but Rathbone's season begins in January when merchandise for the following holiday rush is selected. The store receives orders at the end of summer to prepare for the fall buying season. "Helene struck in the last days of September, taking probably 90% of our inventory," said Rathbone.
The store's loss was not limited to the inventory, as the lack of tourist traffic during the busiest tourist months was a significant setback. Gibb's call was a lifeline for Rathbone. "I called Laura, and she was in tears and so grateful," Gibbs said upon informing Rathbone of the available space. The second-floor inventory in the Christmas shop was unscathed, and orders hadn't arrived, allowing the store to reopen on a smaller scale.
When Rathbone toured the space, she was overjoyed. "Just having this opportunity takes my mind off of the storm, the devastation, and the loss, and it offers us hope," she said. This optimistic outlook was essential as invoices were still due on damaged merchandise, and the cost of repairing storm damage and cleaning up was estimated to be hundreds of thousands of dollars.
However, Rathbone remains unfazed by the financial challenges, attributing her unwavering spirit to Gibbs' support and the kindness of her customers. "She's just such a wonderful person, and she's been a beacon of light on the street," Gibbs said of Rathbone. "I just can't get over the outpouring of love and support for us," Rathbone added. She also narrated the story of a Georgia Christmas shop owner who collected money for her store's relief efforts.
The fate of the Olde World Christmas Shoppe remains uncertain at the moment. Presently, it can be found on Wall Street, boasting multiple indoor shopping spaces for the holiday season, as well as an outdoor market every Sunday, all under the moniker of A Miracle on Wall Street. Despite the challenges, Rathbone remains optimistic. "I aspire for the hotels to be bustling, the eateries thriving, and to preserve the creativity here," she expresses. And with Ashevillians being known for their support, her holiday aspirations are likely to materialize.
For more details on the initiatives on Wall Street or to patronize local vendors, visit miracleonwallstavl.com.
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In the face of Hurricane Helene's devastation, Asheville's businesses banded together to support each other. Hannah Gibbs, the general manager of L'optique, offered her downtown storefront for free to affected businesses, including Olde World Christmas Shoppe, which had seen significant damage and loss. This act of kindness allowed the year-round Christmas store to continue operations during the crucial holiday season, eventually relocating to Gibbs' store and rebranding as "A Miracle on Wall Street." This initiative, along with other community efforts, shows the resilience and support found in the culture and lifestyle of Asheville, Southern Living's North Carolina destination.
