Ingles said this week it plans to demolish and rebuild its supermarket in Swannanoa, nearly 10 months after Hurricane Helene devastated the area.
For months, the grocery chain had declined to say whether it plans to rebuild its store in the heart of hard-hit Swannanoa. Community members have pushed the company for transparency, noting that the store had been a lifeline for many residents without access to a car. In the meantime, local nonprofits have been filling the gap.
On Tuesday, Ingles’ Chief Financial Officer Pat Jackson confirmed the company’s plans to BPR. She said Ingles will demolish the existing building, raise the site elevation and build a new store. There will also be space for smaller retail tenants…