BOONE, N.C. — The Walmart Supercenter in Boone reopened Friday, months after flooding from Helene forced the store to shut down.
During the closure, the company provided $10 million in grants to relief organizations and truckloads of food and water to western North Carolina.
Channel 9′s Dave Faherty was there Friday for the grand reopening. He spoke with customers who were so excited they showed up hours before the store reopened.
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The reopening included a ribbon cutting, and one of the store’s own workers sang the National Anthem as associates gathered to welcome customers back.
Joshua Daniels is the Boone Supercenter’s manager and will never forget when the area flooded during Helene and three feet of water poured into the store.
“We got the customers out and we had associates that were here. We’re thankful that no one got hurt. Everyone got out safely,” Daniels said.
Two and a half months later, the store is finally in shape to reopen.
Channel 9 was there as Lex Stout and Maxine Horton were among the first customers to return.
“I’ve been up since 5 a.m., I took a shower. I’ve been waiting for this,” Stout said.
“Walmart is a big part of this area and I have really missed it,” Horton said.
Since the storm hit, the Walmart in Boone provided washers, portable showers, blankets, and heaters to families in need. The company has given out more than a half million meals and provided support pay for workers who missed shifts because of the flooding.
Tammy Dickenson has worked at the store for 28 years and is thankful to be back.
“To know that we our store back. Our community back. Seeing all of our customers coming back this morning is great,” Dickenson said.
During the reopening, Walmart also passed out several checks to local nonprofits.
They’re still working to get the produce, meat and bakery reopened. Officials said the Supercenter is scheduled to fully reopen in February.
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