GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) — The head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) visited Greenville to learn how Hurricane Helene impacted small businesses.
Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman toured Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery on Tuesday. The property flooded in the storm and was without electricity for three days. The store’s generator was stolen forcing staff to sell food as quickly as possible before it spoiled.
“The coffee shop was two and a half feet underwater,” Jac Oliver, a co-owner of Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery, said. “The seats of the picnic tables were submerged.”
“We threw away all of our perishables or sold them at a loss,” Mary Walsh, a co-owner of Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery, said. “The community came out in full force and helped us clear our fridges out.”
While touring the cafe, Guzman explained how the SBA can support Walsh, Oliver and other small business owners.
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