NEWPORT, Tenn. — People are still working to recover what they lost when Helene made landfall on September 26th. Several buildings near the Pigeon River in Cocke County were hit hard. Downtown Newport had shut down after the flood as many businesses could not reopen. It's since reopened and several owners are working to get their businesses back up and running.
Kendale Ball opened his business, Simpl Cafe in June. Originally from Newport, he was excited to return home and make a place in the community. Then the cafe got flooded.
"Growing up in this town, I'd never seen the water reach this building or anything of that magnitude. I know there was always a potential being close to the river, but that was the last thing I ever thought would have happened," Ball said.
The flood waters damaged the floors, walls and equipment. Ball says he's still waiting on estimates for the total cost of the damages.
"A lot of our refrigeration failed because it was under floodwater. Some of the initial estimates on equipment, we're looking at anywhere from $45-60,000 on equipment. Building repairs are probably another $50-60,000. So, it's a substantial blow," he said.
He had managed to save some items: tables, chairs, dinnerware, an espresso machine and some others. He moved them outside on the patio and into a storage container in front of the cafe. Then when he came to work on Tuesday he discovered a woman had crashed her car into the patio posts and the container destroying several of the items he saved.
"So the little glimpse of hope we had of some of the things we were able to save were now, oh, we've got to replace these as well," Ball said.
He said during this time, it's been amazing to have the community's support. On Saturday, a small business in Wears Valley hosted a fundraiser. They pledged all of their profits from the day to Simpl Cafe.
"We just really wanted to do everything we could. We've been promoting, getting all of our locals to try to get their friends and family, everyone that's in town. We're close to a record day right now for us in our store history. So that's really encouraging," Stephanie Auer, the assistant manager for the Heavenly Roast said.
Ball said he's working to reopen as soon as possible but he doesn't have a timeline yet.