A little more than eight months after Helene's rains caused extensive damage, Hendersonville's Harris Teeter is set to reopen.
The grocery store, located at 636 Spartanburg Highway, will hold a grand reopening on Tuesday, June 10. The grocery store chain is calling the event "Taste of Teeter," as the public will be invited for complimentary food tastings, live music and special bar events. The event will be from 4-7 p.m.
“Hendersonville and the surrounding communities have inspired us by their strength and steadfastness in rebuilding," said Danna Robinson, director of corporate affairs and customer relations, in a news release. "We’re grateful not only to be a part of this community but to our customers and valued associates who have shown incredible patience and support throughout this journey."
Robinson also made this statement about the reopening:
This grand reopening represents our unwavering commitment to Western North Carolina and celebrates the strength and spirit of our neighbors who are dedicated to continue to rebuild after Hurricane Helene.
According to the release, the Harris Teeter location opened its pharmacy in January after operating through a mobile unit immediately after the hurricane hit in October. The grocery store also donated more than $1 million in food and funds to the surrounding community to support recovery efforts, and this included a $250,000 donation to MANNA FoodBank.
The Hendersonville store has been fully rebuilt and features store-made pizzas, Murray’s Cheese, Starbucks, fresh cut fruit, full-service floral and more, the release said.
Leading up to the grand reopening, Harris Teeter team members honored first responders who worked around the clock to help Western North Carolina recover from Helene. In partnership with Coca-Cola, Harris Teeter delivered goodie bags containing Coke and Harris Teeter products, along with $250 gift cards to first responder stations throughout Hendersonville and Asheville.
The initiative recognized the service and dedication of EMS, police, and fire personnel at six locations, including the Asheville Police Station, Asheville Fire Station 13, Buncombe County Emergency Services, City of Hendersonville Fire Department, Henderson County Emergency Medical Services and Henderson Police Department.
"We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the first responders who have shown extraordinary dedication to our community during this recovery period," said Robinson in the release. "Their service has been instrumental in helping Western North Carolina rebuild, and we're honored to recognize their contributions alongside our partners at Coca-Cola."
STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHendersonville Harris Teeter to reopen for first time since Helene