Help rebuild DT's Blue Ridge Java and it's community!

On Friday, September 27, hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina with a force none of us could have imagined. The devastation left behind is unimaginable and our hearts are broken. Among the countless places destroyed, DT’s Blue Ridge Java, our beloved coffee shop that has been at the heart of this community for over 20 years was ravaged by 10 feet of rushing floodwater. What was once a warm and welcoming space filled with friends, laughter, the aroma of coffee and countless memories is now in ruins. In an instant, everything we’ve poured our hearts into was swept away.

But this story is not just about us. It’s about the entire community that has lost so much. Homes have been swept away, businesses destroyed, and lives uprooted. Families are grieving, not just for their possessions, but for a very fabric of their lives that has been torn apart.

Yet in the midst of all this despair, what we’ve seen in the faces of our neighbors and friends is courage, resilience, and hope.

The people of Spruce Pine have been nothing short than extraordinary, coming together to help one another when it feels like all is lost. Some are hiking miles to bring supplies to loved ones, while others are clearing roads, helping neighbors and providing whatever aid that they can. It’s moments like these that remind us of our strengths and that this isn’t just a place to live, it’s a family.

For those who have never been to DT’s, it is so much more than just a coffee shop. It’s a safe space where people come to find connections, comfort, and warmth. It’s where we’ve celebrated milestones, both big and small, and where our community has always gathered, especially in times of need.

Just this past March, we celebrated DT‘s 20th anniversary, expanding the space to better serve everyone– our family, our friends, our cherished customers. We were so proud of what we had built, and now, only a few months later, it’s all gone.

However, through it all, we are so thankful that our incredible staff – our DT’s family – has made it through safe and able to support each other in these difficult times. We also know that this family is ready to fight alongside us to bring DT’s and this entire community back to life.

So many people have reached out, asking how they can help us, and now we’re hoping you can do just that.

With heavy hearts, we begun the painful task of assessing the damage and it’s overwhelming. We are desperately dreaming that we will be able rebuild DT‘s Blue Ridge Java and restore the historic Wylie building. This building which has been a cornerstone of our town and is also home to other small local businesses whose livelihoods have been shattered along side ours.

Please help us restore what we have lost so we can continue serving the community the best way we know how. Any additional funds raised will be distributed to the local community, others on Lower Street and Downtown, Spruce Pine.

We are eternally grateful for every donation, every share, and every act of kindness that brings us one step closer to healing and rebuilding.

(This GoFundMe started and managed by the daughter of the owner's and DT's manager, Taylor.)