When Hurricane Helene tore through western North Carolina, the historic Green River BBQ in Saluda suffered a devastating blow. A mudslide and falling tree severely damaged key parts of the restaurant, including the kitchen, dining area, walk-in cooler and freezer, roof, propane tank and outbuildings. The path to reopening requires more than just repairs—it means building a costly retaining wall, stamped by an engineer, with estimates ranging from $225,000 to $1.5 million.

As the owners continue to grapple with overwhelming costs and disaster recovery hurdles, Partner Community Capital (PCAP) stepped in to provide critical support, while they await an affordable estimate on the retaining wall.

“The aftermath was overwhelming. We didn’t know how we would move forward,” said Green River BBQ co-owner Brianne Haas. “PCAP stepped in at the right time and offered solutions that actually worked for us.”

PCAP’s Chief Lending Officer, Erika McGilley, maintained consistent communication with Green River BBQ from the beginning, ensuring the team knew they were not alone in their rebuilding efforts.

“Our goal was to make sure Green River BBQ had the resources they needed to recover and continue serving the community,” McGilley said. “They are an important part of Saluda, and we wanted to do everything we could to help.”

To ease financial strain, PCAP allowed Green River BBQ to pause payments on its existing loan until construction is completed. Additionally, PCAP is providing an emergency construction term loan to rebuild.

More than just a financial lifeline, PCAP’s support safeguarded the restaurant’s long-term stability.

“Without PCAP’s support, we would have had to let our employees go while we figured out how to fund the repairs,” Haas said. “The community has been anxiously waiting for us to reopen, and PCAP made that possible.”

The impact of PCAP’s assistance extended beyond the restaurant. Green River BBQ is a cornerstone of the Saluda community, and its absence left a noticeable void. Without PCAP’s support, the owners would have had to lay off employees while seeking alternative funding.

Reflecting on the recovery process, Haas said PCAP was by far the easiest financial partner to work with.

“PCAP stepped up with tailored, accessible assistance when it was needed most,” she said.

PCAP’s commitment to making the impossible possible has ensured that Green River BBQ will not only survive but thrive once again. As the restaurant plans to rebuild, it stands as a testament to the power of community-driven financial support, proving that with the right partners, resilience is always within reach.