SWANNANOA, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Nearly a year after Tropical Storm Helene destroyed key businesses in Swannanoa, one of the community’s biggest needs is on its way back.
Peter and Beth Ballhaussen, owners of Town Hardware and General Store in Black Mountain, announced plans Saturday to open a new hardware store in Swannanoa’s Beacon Village. The store will be located at 119 Alexander Place, in an area hit hard by flooding from the Swannanoa River.
For residents, the return of a hardware store marks progress in restoring services lost during the storm. Community members have long pointed to three major needs since the disaster: a grocery store, a post office and a hardware store. A local couple recently announced plans to open a grocery store offering fresh produce, meat, dairy and pantry staples…