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Ingles is among the numerous businesses in Burke County that were forced to close due to damage caused when Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina. Several feet of water flooded Ingles.

Keith Flynn, manager of Ingles Market in Morganton, said he has been told the store will reopen March 25, 2025.

“I mean, it could be sooner, it may be a tad bit later, but, you know, I’m pretty sure we’ll be maybe a little ahead of schedule is what we’re thinking,� Flynn said.

He said the company decided to remodel entirely while working to reopen the 27-year-old store. The store was scheduled to be remodeled in five years, but that remodel will go ahead now, Flynn said previously.

Flynn said the remodel will be laid out similar to the Marion store. There may be new features when the store reopens, but Flynn said he is not sure yet.

In late October, Flynn said that floodwaters entered the store during Helene and rose 2 to 3 feet. After the hurricane, the store’s equipment, shelving and perishable food were removed, and the interior was emptied, he said at the time.

While the store didn’t suffer any structural damage, Flynn said in October that crews had cleaned out all the drywall to alleviate any potential for mold.

The Â鶹´«Ã½ store is one of four across the company that was forced to close due to damage from the hurricane. The other three locations are Swannanoa, Newland and Spruce Pine, Flynn has said.

The city of Â鶹´«Ã½ has issued building, electrical and plumbing permits to businesses and individuals rebuilding after flooding from Helene.

Silver Creek Restaurant, just up from Ingles Market, also had to gut its interior down to the brick walls and rebuild. Floodwater reached halfway up the building inside. It, too, has had to seek permits from the city to rebuild.

A week after the storm, one of the people helping to rebuild the restaurant, Ryan Cook, said owner Tom McCombs expected to reopen in 60 to 90 days. The last post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, dated Oct. 21, said they look forward to opening back up in the near future.

Other businesses that applied for permits in Â鶹´«Ã½ in October due to storm damage are:

• Pie Hole/Â鶹´«Ã½ Fee Owner LLC, 115 Independence Blvd.—building permit—Flood rehabilitation due to storm damage, redo metal studs, sheetrock wall covering.
• Mi Paloma Mexica/Â鶹´«Ã½ Fee Owner LLC, 131 Independence Blvd.—building and electrical permits—Due to storm damage, reinstall metal studs, sheetrock, wall coverings.
• Planet Fitness/LT Mimosa Hills LLC, 907 W Union St.—building and electrical permits—Due to storm damage and water intrusion, wiring for fire alarm system.
• International Moulding, 801 N Green St.—building permits—storm damage repair.
• Habitat for Humanity Restore/Â鶹´«Ã½ Fee Owner LLC, 111 Independence Blvd.—demo restoration
• KFC-Fulenwider Enterprises, 927 W Union St.—building and electrical permits—interior rebuild after flood. Has reopened.
• Oriole Drive LLC/Creative (daycare), 113 Bost Road—Repair from flood.
• Canal Coffee Co./Â鶹´«Ã½ Outparcel Fee Owner LLC, 853 N Green St.—interior renovation from storm damage.
• Smoothie King, 179 Independence Blvd.—Interior renovation from storm damage.
• HiTone Fitness, 171 Independence Blvd.—Interior renovation from storm damage.
• Hi Tone Large Gym/Â鶹´«Ã½ Fee Owner LLC, 111 Independence Blvd.—interior renovation from storm damage.
• Queen City/Normandy PRTN LLC, 307 Sanford Dr.—building and electrical permits—rebuilding as it was due to flood damage, permit for temp power and rewire as needed to make safe, install new switches and receptacles as needed.
• Normandy Property LLC, 309 Sanford Dr.—Rebuilding as it was due to flood damage.
• Brigam Properties, 114 Wamsutta Mill Road—electrical permit—Fire alarm repair for storm damages.
• Kirksey, L H III, Kirksey, W C, River Village on Sanford Drive—electrical permits—Due to storm damage.
• Thomas McCombs/Silver Creek, electrical permit, 908 Union Street W.—Due to storm damage, rewire.