The landscapes of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a jewel among the United States’ scenic byways, are not just a visual treat but a crucial economic artery for the communities in its embrace. However, a devastating storm, Hurricane Helene, has turned this lifeline into a haunting silence for businesses along its path, particularly impacting the vibrant Switzerland Inn in Mitchell County.
David Roe, a key figure in managing the Switzerland Inn, succinctly captures the essence of the situation with one word: “devastating.” The inn, previously bustling with visitors, now echoes with the absence of guests. The associated restaurant and cafe, accustomed to turning away eager patrons during peak times, now witness a mere fraction of their typical crowd.
Positioned just off a heavily damaged section of the parkway, from Mount Mitchell to Little Switzerland, the inn once thrived on the steady flow of tourists. Now, with an expected reopening not until late 2026, local businesses like the Switzerland Inn face the harsh reality of another stalled tourist season.
The impact on the local economy is immense. With around 16 million visitors annually, the parkway is not merely a route but an economic engine. According to the National Park Service, these visitors contribute approximately $1.3 billion to surrounding communities, a significant portion of which is now at risk.
Hurricane Helene left destruction in its wake, causing nearly 60 landslides and damaging roads, trails, and structures along the parkway. While some sections have reopened, key areas remain inaccessible, drastically affecting businesses like the Switzerland Inn, which has seen its revenue from food services and accommodations dwindle.
“If you come in from the south, from Asheville, there is nothing to stop at. So by the time people get to us, they’re very hungry,” explained Roe. The inn, typically a bustling hub from May to November, now operates at half its usual capacity, both in traffic and staffing.
In a bid to mitigate these losses, the inn will remain open through the winter, an unprecedented move aimed at drawing visitors during the off-peak season. “It’s gonna be a really great time to come up here and experience what the mountains have to offer up here during the winter. Not many facilities like ours are open during the winter,” Roe added.
Meanwhile, the Altapass Orchard, a nonprofit that relies on the parkway’s traffic, struggles with similar challenges. The orchard lost about 15% of its apple trees and saw a significant drop in visitors, impacting its revenue by $300,000 in 2024.
Sam McKinney, the orchard’s sustainability manager, highlighted the critical nature of the fall season: “We depend on September and October to get us through the whole season. Those are our biggest revenue months.” Despite these setbacks, the orchard managed to sell all its apples after a slow start, thanks to the support of local businesses and visitors.
Van Phillips, a notable figure in the local recovery efforts, emphasizes the broader economic pain: “The parkway is a big economic driver for everybody in Western North Carolina. But most of everybody’s back up except this stretch right here, and it’s been hurting.”
Kelly Jones from the Mitchell County Tourism Development Agency noted that while tax revenues appear stable, they don’t reflect the struggles of individual businesses heavily reliant on tourist traffic. “Those numbers are looking really great, but from a tourism aspect, I see, like, our retail and our shops along the pathway that are really struggling,” she said.
As the region braces for another challenging season, the resilience of its businesses will be tested. The hope remains that the extended winter season and the gradual reopening of the parkway can stem the tide of economic loss.
