10/06/2026
1 year ago today, Oct 2, 2025, we re-opened our doors after an entire year of struggling, fighting, building, crying, bleeding, digging, mucking.
After Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina, our neighbors in Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia, I'm sure we all experienced a feeling of hopelessness. We watched our lives change in mere moments.
That morning we had no contact with the world outside of our own. We didn't know the scope of what had happened. We only knew our friends and neighbors were hurting and needed help.
Hot Springs
We gathered at SaraJo's Station. We formulated a plan of action and divided into committees. By dividing, we were uniting. Does that make sense? Maybe not to the outside world, but it did to us.
Egos were set aside. New friends were made. Relationships were repaired. It took EVERY one of us to see survival.
We didn't see "natives vs. transplant." We saw neighbors helping neighbors. We saw a community that had a strong love for Hot Springs.
Spring Creek Tavern
The love we felt was beyond our expectations. Groups came out to clean. Organizations gathered supplies. The world reached out to offer their hands.
As we celebrate the 1-year anniversary of our re-opening, the love we felt from others is now bestowed upon them. Tim & Amanda and the Spring Creek Tavern would not be here if it weren't for all of these things, all of these people and all of this love.
We want to recognize some of these people, businesses and organizations that helped us through this rebuild, BIGGER, BETTER, STRONGER! I'm sure I'm missing some important people, donors and friends. Please forgive me. It's been a long 2 years!
Andy Turner, you played a pivotal role in our rebuild and we can't thank you enough.
Angela Johnson, my sister, you stepped right in and got us in touch with Paul Risen who was able to put that big steel beam in the corner of the building, ensuring the safety of everyone about to go in.
Bo Wallace, your decades of friendship (and big machines) put so much love into this rebuild. Kenny Rathbone and Aaron Gosnell your work definitely does not go unnoticed. Willett Electric, Tommy Manning, Chris Pelletier, your hands and hearts are all over that building.
Our volunteers....there were so many that we want to recognize and I'm sure I'll miss some. Adam, Steve, Alex, Kai, Rachel, Bo...y'all shared so much of your life and love with us. Speakeasy Improv, Mars Hill students & faculty, Madison High students & faculty, Ty Snelson & Joey Logano's Pit Crew.........all of you should be proud of your efforts and hard work. And, please know how grateful we are and how much we appreciate you!!!
Our friends at Gentry Hardware, Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Hot Springs Rafting, Vinyl Pies, Vaste Riviere, Big Pillow Brewing, Iron Horse Station, Artisun Gallery, Bluff Mountain Outfitters and Spring Creek Motel. You, friends, have shown your resilience and strength. Our love for Hot Springs and each other is evident. We are proud of you all as well. To***co Road, Smoky Mountain Diner, SaraJo's Station and Hillbilly Market, you all kept us fed, hydrated and sane through the past 2 years. You gave us all a little bit of "normal" in some of our darkest times.
We received financial donations from all over the world. Our families, our friends, our customers, total strangers who just love Hot Springs. We couldn't have done this without you and your help.
Dot Dot Dot Charlotte, Underground Hound in Warsaw IN, Moo & Brew in Charlotte, XO Acres in Newcastle IN, Round Mountain Clothing in Del Rio TN, Raven Newsome Disc Golf.......you all contributed to the rebuild, the staff and our hearts. We truly felt the love.
Tim & Cowboy. These 2 men spent hours, days, months on this rebuild. Their hands touched EVERY part of this building. Their blood, their tears, their anger, their frustration, their sadness, their exhaustion, their confusion. The world sees your hard work. There is not one minute of your time and efforts that goes unnoticed and unappreciated.
Cow, I can't express my gratitude and love for you bestie!!!!! I knew there was a reason you came back to Hot Springs. I will never be able to repay you for all you do and have done.
Timmy, I will never be able to express enough how proud I am of you. You never gave up, no matter how bad it hurt, or how bleak the future looked. You are my hero.
All of our friends and family.......You ARE Spring Creek Tavern and Spring Creek Tavern is YOU!!!
