Spruce Pine Coffee Shop Devastated by Hurricane Helene Damage, Owners Seek Community Support

1:08 PM EST |October 24, 2024|Lauren Ramsey|, , , ,

By: Lauren Ramsey – Wise News Network

The interior of DT's after the floods caused by Hurricane Helene. The floor is being covered by inches to feet of mud in places.
DT’s Blue Ridge Java after the flooding from the North Toe River receded. Submitted by: Taylor Trabold

Spruce Pine, NC (WNN)- DT’s Blue Ridge Java, a 20-year staple of the Spruce Pine community, was destroyed by sudden flooding, leaving its owners searching for ways to rebuild without taking on substantial debt.

“We lost everything,” said Taylor Trabold, daughter of owners David and Tricia Nivin. “Something that they’ve built for 20 years… it breaks you down.”

Recent Expansion Compounds Loss

The devastation comes just months after the business celebrated its 20th anniversary in March with an expansion into an adjacent retail space. “Less than six months of having that expansion and so much work, the effort that we put into it… all of it gone,” Trabold said.


No Warning Signs

The flooding caught the business completely off guard. “It was business as usual Thursday,” Trabold explained. “We thought we might lose power… but we had a festival scheduled on Saturday, we had a large catering order scheduled the next week.”

DT's Blue RIdge coffee shop, before the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
DT’s Blue Ridge Java’s storefront before Hurricane Helene. Submitted by: Taylor Trabold

Community Response

Despite not being native to the area, the Nivins have built strong community ties. “When you do make your place in the community the way they have, we have some great neighbors, really great people in this community who want to help take care of us,” Trabold said.

Seeking Assistance

Rusty Wise interviewing Taylor Trabold in front of the damaged DT"s Blue Ridge Java.
Trabold during her interview with WNN. October 17th, 2024 by Mason Beam (WNN)

While FEMA and Small Business Administration representatives have been in contact, most immediate aid options involve loans, which the family hopes to avoid. “If they take out a loan to rebuild their business… we don’t need loans right now,” Trabold emphasized.

Ways to Contribute

If you would like to support DT’s Blue Ridge Java in their rebuilding efforts, you can make donations through the business’s GoFundMe campaign or send contributions directly via Venmo. For more information or additional donation options, community members can contact the owners through Instagram or Facebook Messenger. Details about how to donate are also posted on boards covering the storefront, where cleanup efforts are currently taking place.

The Trabold family (the location owners) posing inside of the DT's Blue Ridge Java before Hurricane Helene.
Taylor Trabold and her parents Tricia Niven and David Niven in DT’s before the flooding. Submitted by: Taylor Trabold

GoFundMe Campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rebuild-dts-blue-ridge-java-and-its-community

Venmo: @Tricia-Niven

DT’s Blue Ridge Java Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dtsblueridgejava

DT’s Blue Ridge Java Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/dtsblueridgejava?igsh=MTl0eTNrNzB0cHNweg==

Temporary Move

DT’s Blue Ridge Java is temporarily relocating to L&L Furniture and Appliance Company at 274 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC 28777. This move will allow them to continue serving the community while they work on rebuilding their original location.

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