There are places that don’t just serve food. They carry memories, they are parts of daily routines, plates full of flavor, laughter, conversation. Ole’s Guacamoles was one of those places in Asheville. And when Tropical Storm Helene struck in late September 2024, it didn’t just rain — parts of our city, including Tunnel Road and its businesses, were washed away.
Ole’s Guacamoles & Asheville’s Revival: Taco by Taco
The Storm Hit
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Helene arrived late evening September 26-27, 2024. What started as heavy rainfall surged into catastrophic flooding. Records show rainfall and swollen rivers beyond what many had ever seen.
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In the early morning after the worst of it, floodwaters on Tunnel Road and along the Swannanoa River Road roared in. Businesses along the corridor — including Lowe’s, Walgreens, Goodwill, U-Haul, and a business strip where Ole’s Guacamoles sat on a corner — were inundated. Mud, water, debris everywhere. Walls breached. Interiors destroyed. Some properties were nearly wiped out.
Ole’s Guacamoles’ location on Tunnel Road was entirely devastated. Water flooded inside, equipment ruined, artwork destroyed, framed photos and interiors rendered unusable.
The Damage Along Tunnel Rd & Swannanoa River Rd
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Goodwill: Damaged badly, but was among the first of the major businesses to reopen, offering hope. See the Goodwill reopening video by clicking HERE.
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Lowe’s: Suffered severe interior damage — was closed for repairs; now reopened. See the Lowe’s reopening video by clicking HERE.
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U-Haul facility: Trucks carried downstream, storage and yard flooded. Significant wreckage and loss. Rebuilding in stages.
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Walgreens: The façade, interior, shelves — all inundated. It has been undergoing cleanup, remodeling, repair; no firm reopening date posted, but the community watches and hopes.
Ole’s Guacamoles: More Than Just a Mexican Restaurant
Ole’s was more than tacos and guac. It was:
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A gathering place for lunch, dinner, business meetings, after-hours get-togethers, birthday parties, and more. Vibrant staff. Margaritas flowing. Plates full.
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Located in a bustling strip on Tunnel Road — accessible, visible, beloved. Interiors warmed by ambient light; walls decorated; patrons always part of the scene.
Then, in a single event, much of that was wiped away. It wasn’t just loss of food, it was loss of ritual. Loss of place.
The Path Forward: New Home in Biltmore Village
After assessing the damage, Ole’s Guacamoles made some tough decisions:
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They chose not to rebuild in the old Tunnel Road location.
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Instead, construction is underway in Biltmore Village, in the building formerly occupied by Moe’s Barbecue (another local staple that was heavily damaged and opted not to reopen in that location).
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This new spot is itself in an area that saw flood danger — essentially on Sweeten Creek Road in the Village. But Ole’s is choosing to be part of the comeback.
Why This Matters
When Ole’s returns, it’s not just for the guac or the tacos or the margaritas — it’s for the soul of Asheville food culture. Tunnel Road devastated so many lives and livelihoods. But when places like Goodwill reopened, Lowe’s opened its doors, Walgreens began its repairs, and Ole’s builds again — that’s our collective revival.
We need Ole’s Guacamoles back in full. We need memories remade. We need places where we celebrate, connect, eat, laugh, plan. And food is often the easiest way to gather and heal.
What You Can Do
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Mark your calendars: when Ole’s new location opens, come out. Support with your dollars.
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Share the story. Talk with friends. Let folks outside town understand what this means.
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Don’t forget that every business opening, every “we’re back,” matters. We rise together.
Ole’s Guacamoles is about to make new memories for all of us in Biltmore Village. Let’s be there. Let’s celebrate. After a storm, this is what community rebuild looks like — taco by taco, margarita by margarita, thank-you by thank-you.
Just like Ole’s Guacamoles, businesses all across WNC are rebuilding, re-imagining, and preparing for a stronger future. But here’s the thing — if people don’t hear your story, they can’t support you.
Growth isn’t just about good food, good service, or a good product. It’s about visibility. It’s about reaching travelers before they even arrive, and showing locals that you’re here, you’re alive, and you’re part of the comeback.
That’s where we come in:
Websites that get found and work as hard as you do. Social media that builds real community, not just posts. Storytelling that connects your brand to people before they ever step through your doors. Next level. Not secretary social media that only keeps your business standardized.
A rising tide floats all boats. Let’s make sure your story is one of the ones that lifts Asheville higher. Contact us today — let’s build your comeback.