Corey Avenue Businesses Hold Craft Fest Two Years After Hurricane Helene

October 5, 2026 - 02:31

Business owners along Corey Avenue said they are settling into a new normal, now two years removed from the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. The street, once lined with shuttered storefronts and debris, has slowly come back to life, and this weekend's craft festival offered the clearest sign yet that recovery is holding steady.

Organizers set up tents along the sidewalk for local artisans selling handmade jewelry, pottery, candles, and woodwork. Food vendors filled the gaps between shops, and live music played through the afternoon. For many owners, the event was less about sales and more about proving the district can still draw a crowd.

"It feels different now, but different does not mean worse," said one shop owner who has been on the avenue for over a decade. "We rebuilt, we adapted, and we keep showing up."

Several businesses changed their layouts after the storm, raising inventory off the floor and adding backup power. Some trimmed their hours. Others expanded outdoor seating to take advantage of foot traffic. The craft fest, now in its second year since the hurricane, has become a marker of that resilience.

City officials said recovery funding continues to trickle in for infrastructure repairs, though some property owners are still waiting on insurance payouts. Despite the slow parts, the mood along Corey Avenue on Saturday was upbeat. Vendors reported steady sales, and visitors lingered well into the evening.

For the people who stayed and rebuilt, the festival is not just an event. It is a reminder that the avenue survived, and that the community around it intends to keep it that way.