Bean Trees Cafe was flooded after Helene. The owner said she wants to be a source of hope and inspiration for the Hartford community.
COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — Several areas in Cocke County saw extreme flooding from Hurricane Helene. The Hartford community is known for its rafting opportunities being right off the Pigeon River, and the river’s floodwaters damaged houses and businesses.
The Bean Trees Cafe is one of those businesses. Michelle Cuellar started the business as a coffee shop. Then over the past 21 years, she’s built a restaurant and made her livelihood.
“I need to open my business so I can bring my employees back to work, so they can piece their lives back together. I went from 21 years of a successful business to now not having a job. The bills keep coming in. I need to repair things so I can open back up and that …