When Hurricane Helene struck, it felt as though everything we had worked for vanished overnight. Casablanca Cigar Bar was destroyed in a matter of hours. This wasn’t just a business loss for us; it was deeply personal. We have been entrepreneurs in Asheville since our early 20s, starting our first business on Eagle Street in 2011. To see years of hard work and sacrifices erased by this storm was a blow we never anticipated. Despite the devastation, we knew we couldn’t give up—not after everything we had built, and not with the incredible support we have received from our community.

The impact was immediate and overwhelming. Our physical space, where we had created so many memories with our coworkers and customers, was gone. It was just as painful when it became financially necessary to make cuts to our team—people we had worked with for years, and who we expected to work with for years to come.

We have been very fortunate that we are still operational at our Casablanca Cigar Bar location in downtown Hendersonville and at Wall Street Market, our convenience store in downtown Asheville. The weight of the devastation still weighs heavily on everyone. It lingers in the air and in the interactions with others. There is a sense of vulnerability and openness that didn’t exist before. It is painful, but also, there is healing and catharsis, even in the monotony of daily life.

The road to recovery hasn’t been easy, but it has forced us to be more creative than ever before. One of our first steps was launching an online store, allowing customers to shop online and continue supporting us during this uncertain time. We also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help us recoup some of our losses. The unfortunate truth is that while our building structure was covered by flood insurance, our contents, furniture, fixtures, equipment, and inventory were not. This has been a huge financial loss that we are still navigating.

We have connected with other local businesses for support. The spirit of collaboration in Asheville has been one of the bright spots in our recovery. Taking part in the Miracle on Wall Street Sunday Street Fairs has been a wonderful way for us to connect with our neighbors and lift our spirits. It’s been a joy to see Wall Street come alive with such festive holiday cheer.

We’ve had the chance to collaborate with businesses we hadn’t previously worked with, expanding our reach and growing our network. We now have a humidor pop-up at Greenman’s Dirty Jack’s, where people can enjoy their cigar along with the finest craft beer in Asheville. We also have exciting upcoming events, including a Sip and Smoke collaboration at Hemingway’s Cuba and a New Year’s Eve rooftop pop-up at Antidote at Chemist Spirits, where we intend to ring in the New Year with hope and optimism.

It’s been incredible to see the ways in which our community has come together, supporting each other in the face of adversity. These collaborations remind us that even in the toughest times, resilience and innovation can lead to new opportunities. We know that we are not facing any of our current obstacles alone. Our story is also the story of many others. Business owners know that they must enter into any endeavor with a sense of adventure. We know that there is risk in the road we take. What we have faced and continue to navigate now is much bigger than us—bigger than what we could have ever imagined or prepared for. We also counter the feeling of this hardship, which is deeply personal to us, with the knowledge and understanding that our struggles are very minor in the face of the human loss and suffering that has affected our community.

Losing our space, our staff, and the life we had built was heartbreaking. The storm has taught us something powerful. We are learning to embrace change and move forward. We are learning to adapt and be flexible. The loss may have been painful, but it also makes us stronger, more connected, and more passionate about what we do.

The road ahead is still uncertain. We know there are more challenges to come, especially as the economic impacts continue to unfold. The calm that remains after the storm is as daunting as the storm itself. We are not deterred. The support we’ve received from our customers, our neighbors, and fellow business owners has been overwhelming. We feel more connected to this community than ever before.

We have learned that resilience isn’t just about surviving. It is about evolving and growing, even in the face of hardship. We are ready to face whatever comes next. That is the spirit that will carry us and Asheville into this new phase of growth and renewal. Casablanca may have been knocked down, but it isn’t out. Asheville may have been knocked down, but it isn’t out. The majority of businesses that are the beating heart of this city are open and operating. For those who are able and want to be a part of the comeback, the best thing to do is to simply go out. Help revive our local economy. Shop at a local retail store instead of making another purchase from Amazon. Treat yourself to dinner and a drink at one of our independent restaurants or bars. We are all anxiously waiting to welcome you back through our doors. Your visits truly make a difference. Asheville still has so much to offer, and there isn’t anywhere else we would rather be.