Chimney Rock Gemstone Mine

05/26/2026

With heavier rain expected to move in later today we will be CLOSING EARLY TODAY (5/26) AT 4 PM to ensure our staff can get home safely. We expect to re-open tomorrow (5/27) at 10am.

05/13/2026

We are hiring! We have immediate openings for awesome, energetic sales associates with a passion for people and gemstones!

05/08/2026

05/07/2026

We are Back!! Can’t wait to see everyone again!!

More than a year and a half after Helene, many WNC businesses are still finding their way back.

04/19/2026

MAYOR PETER O'LEARY'S SPRING 2026 UPDATE

The Village is coming alive with activity in its first full spring and summer since Helene, with visible recovery efforts everywhere. Main Street is open, welcoming visitors to shop, dine, and experience the ongoing revival. Visitors are encouraged -- Lake Lure is full, Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is open, and the Boulder’s Trail extension offers stunning views. As a reminder parking fees support rebuilding efforts.

✔️ Many businesses reopened on July 25, 2025, after being closed for 10 months; Chimney Rock Park and Hickory Nut led the way.

✔️ Business is around 50% normal, but we are open and more shops are reopening and rebuilding continues.

✔️ Before the flood, there were 44 businesses; all were damaged, 15 destroyed. Now, 25 are open and more are reopening.

✔️ 9 more businesses plan to reopen this year, including Chimney Rock Gemstone Mine, Bubba O'Leary's General Store (addition), Michael’s Sportswear/Chimney Factory Outlet, The Hickory Nut (in a new building), Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground, and Whistle Hop Brewing Company, the newest member to our Village. Burntshirt Vineyards Tasting Room & Bistro - Chimney Rock, The Best View Inn at Chimney Rock and Hickory Falls Inn are waiting on sewer lines to be replaced.

✔️ The “Raise the Rock” recovery plan is ongoing, outlining a vision for the Village’s future. The initial engineering work is underway by McGill Engineering forsStreetscape repairs and improvements. The plan is partly funded by $5.5 million in NC Commerce grants. Construction is expected to start in fall and finish in about a year.

✔️ Pending an EDA grant, a proposed business hub will provide five business locations to be initially offered to those Village businesses that were totally lost and a new central business district public restroom. Planned construction is winter 2026/2027.

✔️ Riverwalk improvements are being coordinated with NCDOT. A $1.7 million carbon reduction grant from NCDOT is supporting streetscape work.

✔️ Community groups, including Spokes of Hope and the Amish, continue to assist with recovery. Precision Grading & Disaster Relief are extending their work, helping property owners along the river.

04/05/2026

Waterfront Retreat on Main St

11/30/2025