Rising from the Floodwaters: Village Pub’s Story of Resilience and Renewal in Biltmore Village
When Hurricane Helen tore through Western North Carolina, it left behind more than just broken roads and shuttered businesses—it left scars on the soul of the community. One of the many local favorites impacted was The Village Pub, a beloved cornerstone of Biltmore Village in South Asheville, where laughter, comfort food, and community spirit once flowed as freely as the taps behind the bar.
But every storm has a story—and this one is about comeback.
We sat down with Dave Herrington, General Manager of Village Pub, to talk about the devastation and the quiet determination that followed. In the days after the hurricane, Dave walked into a space he barely recognized. Equipment was lost. The kitchen was down. The staff, like so many others in the area, were reeling. For a moment, it felt like everything they had built was slipping away.
And yet—hope held on.
“We had two choices,” Dave shared. “Close up… or rebuild. And we chose to rebuild.”
That decision sparked a new chapter. With unwavering support from ownership and the local community, Dave went to work—not just on restoring the physical space, but on reimagining what Village Pub could become. A key part of that transformation? Hiring an entirely new kitchen staff, focused on fresh energy, culinary creativity, and a renewed sense of purpose.
The result is more than a comeback—it’s a reinvention.
“We’re bringing new flavors, new ideas, but keeping the same heart,” Dave said with quiet pride. “The pub’s always been about people. That hasn’t changed.”
As the doors open once again and the sound of clinking glasses returns to the Village Pub, it’s not just about food or drinks. It’s about showing what’s possible when a community rallies, when leadership steps up, and when we all refuse to let disaster have the final word.
This story is more than a spotlight—it’s a tribute to everyone rebuilding from Hurricane Helen. To every business finding its footing. To every family putting the pieces back together. And to every person who still believes that something beautiful can grow where the storm once hit hardest.
🎥 Watch our full interview with Dave Herrington on YouTube.
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