Rebuilding Together: Our Community Response to Hurricane Helene

Rebuilding Together: Our Community Response to Hurricane Helene

Updated October 9, 2024

Community Update After Hurricane Helene

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We wanted to reach out to provide some important updates and express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible community spirit we've witnessed in the wake of the recent hurricane.

Support for Those Affected

If you or anyone you know has been severely impacted by Hurricane Helene and is in need of assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us here or send us a direct message. We'll do our utmost to connect you with the right resources. The way our community has rallied to support one another has been truly inspiring, and we are committed to being a part of that ongoing effort.

These organizations are giving direct relief to WNC:

Cognative Brew House is Open

We're pleased to announce that the Cognative Brew House is back open from 8 AM to 4 PM, offering free high-speed Wi-Fi. The outpouring of support we've received has been overwhelming, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has stopped by. We are also resuming our regular shipping schedule for online orders, although please be aware that there may be minor delays with USPS outbound services.

Supporting Local Businesses

Western North Carolina relies heavily on tourism, and the hurricane struck during our busiest season. We encourage you to support small businesses throughout our region, especially as many are reopening and working hard to recover.  

Outdoor Recreation and Trail Updates

Our local economy thrives on outdoor recreation, and restoring this aspect of our community is vital. While some trails are still undergoing maintenance, opportunities to get involved in restoration efforts will be announced soon. In the meantime, if you're looking to ride, Fire Mountain in Cherokee and Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park in upstate South Carolina are currently open.

Taking Care of Ourselves and Each Other

Rebuilding and grieving are challenging processes. It's important to take care of yourselves so we can continue to support one another. We're all in this together, and every act of kindness makes a difference.

Looking Forward to Reuniting

We can't wait for the day we can all ride together again—it will be a celebration like no other!

Our Commitment to Our Team

We are grateful to share that we compensated our staff for the eight days we were unable to operate. Our team is the backbone of our business, and their well-being remains a top priority.

Thank you for your continued support and resilience.

Sincerely,

Austin & Andrea Bankert

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Hurricane Helene Update: 10/4/2024

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, our community here in Western North Carolina has faced some of the toughest challenges we've ever experienced. The storm brought widespread devastation, leaving many without power, clean water, and even basic communication for days. Despite the hardships, we've been amazed by the resilience and generosity shown by our neighbors, friends, and supporters.

Our Team's Status and Immediate Response

We feel incredibly fortunate that our entire team is safe, and we did not experience any major property damage. However, much of our community wasn’t as lucky. Washed-out roads have left people stranded, and the majority of us are still without power or clean water. For 48 hours, we lost Internet and cell phone communication, but even without those tools, we sprang into action to support each other.

Our retail store, the Cognative Brew House, was quickly transformed into a small relief center to provide essentials. Thanks to the incredible kindness of people from both within and outside the area, we received truckloads of supplies and fresh water to distribute to those in need. It’s been a truly moving experience to see how quickly and generously people have stepped up.

 

 

Shifting to Community-Wide Relief Efforts

As communications have started to come back online, we’ve decided to redirect all of our resources to support Helene Relief - Welcome To Hendersonville, NC, a local effort focusing on getting supplies to where they’re most needed. Recovery will be a long process, and our community is just beginning to rebuild, but the efforts of so many individuals and organizations are already making a huge difference.

Impact on Our Business and How You Can Help

While we're getting back on track, we want you to know that our small business is still operating, although shipping times are delayed. Now more than ever, your support means everything to us. Whether it's placing an order, sharing our story, or simply sending words of encouragement, every small action has a big impact. We’ve always prided ourselves on the community we’ve built together, and it’s this very community that is helping us navigate these difficult times.

For those who have the means, donating to relief efforts in our area is another powerful way to make a difference. We've listed some trusted organizations at the end of this post that are doing amazing work to help those in need.

Current Status of Our Team and Operations

Right now, some of our team members are spread across the country to ensure they have access to power, water, and Internet. We’re hopeful that we can resume normal operations very soon, and in the meantime, we’re doing our best to ship orders as they come in. As for the Cognative Brew House, WE ARE OPEN! We can't wait to see all your smiling faces again. 

Thank You for Standing by Us

We are incredibly grateful for your support and for being part of our journey. Whether it's through purchases, donations, or words of encouragement, every bit of help is instrumental in allowing us to continue doing what we love. We know that recovery will take time, but with our community's support, we're confident that we’ll come out of this stronger than ever.

Wanting to help? These organizations are giving direct relief to WNC:

Thank you again for your support. We’re all in this together, and every bit of help brings us closer to brighter days.

— Rachel Wood
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