Boone small businesses devastated after Hurricane Helene [Video]

BOONE, N.C. — As the cold creeps in and efforts continue to restore power, Boone businesses are in survival mode after Helene hit. 

Many closed after Helene came through, tourism is a must for the town to get back on their feet. A new restaurant on King Street is trying to walk that balance of understanding the situation but needing business to return.

“This is where initially where the water and mud happened and destroyed our kitchen,” Ben Burns, co-owner of Taco Boone-Dó, said, showing WCNC Charlotte’s Colin Mayfield the damage. 

Helene didn’t just wash away entire homes, businesses and lives, but also nearly took out dreams of local entrepreneurs like Burns and co-owner Cole Kernstine who just opened the taco restaurant in August.

“Right as we were getting a feel for running this business and what it meant to …