HELENE UPDATE
COMMUNITY STRONG: Footsloggers transformed from retail store to a stag- ing ground to help those devastated by the storm.
recovering outdoors, created what the store calls its “biggest Black Friday ever.” Community and Industry: A Network of Support The broader outdoor network of retailers, outfitters, and gear brands reinforced that recovery and support weren’t just local responsibilities—they were shared across the entire sector. In Brevard and Boone, the story was one of neighbor helping neighbor. Volunteers arrived from as far as Florida, nonprofits coor- dinated relief, and retailers turned their stores into lifelines. Both D.D. Bullwinkel’s and Footsloggers leveraged the gear they carried to serve immediate survival needs, from water filtration to shelter. Industry partners also stepped up. Astral Designs donated 5% of online sales from its GreenJacket LE to RISE Erwin for Helene relief and contributed gear to a raffle benefiting trail communi- ties. “At outdoor shows, people across the country ask how they can help us,” Footsloggers said. “It’s a tight-knit industry.”
24 GRASSROOTS STORIES to support the High Country community and experience the Surprisingly, November 2024— including Black Friday—became one of Footsloggers’ busiest months on record. Visitors, eager The stores themselves fared better than many neighbors, but the economic impact was imme- diate. Buyers froze open orders, negotiated extended payment terms, and shifted to smaller, more frequent shipments. Payroll protocols and staffing practices were adjusted to balance busi- ness continuity with the reality that many employees’ lives were still disrupted. October, typically Footsloggers’ busiest month, was a near-total loss. “We reopened a few days after the hurricane, but there were no customers,” says Fly. Rather than waiting for busi- ness to return, the team turned outward, collaborating with non- profits to distribute sleeping bags, water filters, and other essential gear. Vendors like LifeStraw and Exped donated products, allow- ing the store to become a vital community hub.
Lessons in Resilience & Looking Ahead
For many North Carolina outfit- ters, the past year emphasized resilience and flexibility. Foot- sloggers adapted operations— from inventory management to payroll protocols—learning to balance normal business with community support. D.D. Bull- winkel’s reinforced the power of local collaboration, showing that survival and recovery go hand in hand with neighborly care. “Seeing how the community came together... it really shines a light on the importance of the outdoor industry,” Fly says. “And it reminds you that being part of this community is special.” While access challenges for recreators persist—Footslog- gers continues to guide visitors through partially closed trails and disrupted river access points—the High Country outdoor scene shows strong recovery. Fly notes that Airbnbs are fully booked during this year’s peak fall season, trail access is improving, and the local outdoor industry remains tightly knit. “It reassures me how
important the outdoor industry is—and how much people care for the environment and each other,” she says. Despite ongoing recovery challenges, optimism en- dures. Businesses and visitors alike have adapted, outdoor recreation is rebounding, and Helene’s disruption has deepened the sense of purpose and connection across Western North Carolina’s mountain communities. A year later, Perkins contin- ues to serve on the Governor’s Advisory Committee for Recov- ery, highlighting ongoing efforts to stabilize the region’s econo- my. “The impacts are still here, and they’ll be here for years,” she says. “But the optimism is, too. It reshaped how we think about preparedness and reminded us that resilience is a community effort.”
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