Help Rebuild Live Oak Gastropub: A Beloved Family Restaurant

Hurricane Helene hit the small mountain town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, with unimaginable force, flooding homes and businesses—including Live Oak Gastropub, a cornerstone of the community. Owned by Executive Chef Bryan Myler and his wife, Deanna Buchanan (a native of the Western North Carolina mountains), Live Oak has been a local favorite, known for its reimagined American fare and warm, welcoming atmosphere.

At Live Oak, employees are paid a living wage and treated like family. Deanna and Bryan are dedicated to their amazing team and beloved community. They are heartbroken beyond words, grieving and in shock, yet filled with gratitude for the outpouring of love joining their community as volunteers work tirelessly to help clear debris from Lower Street. Lower Street is lined with family businesses and restaurants. 

Unfortunately, despite being outside of the floodplain, Lower Street was engulfed by the swollen Toe River, which rose to unimaginable levels during the storm. Without flood insurance, the cost of rebuilding is overwhelming.

Bryan and Deanna are passionate about reopening Live Oak’s doors and continuing to serve the community they love. But they can’t do it alone. Your donation, no matter the size, will help them restore what was lost and bring back the heart and soul of Live Oak Gastropub.

My name is Melissa and I started this GoFundMe on behalf of Deanna and Bryan because they are still without power, water, and little means of communication. I live in coastal Alabama, though my heart will always be in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Deanna Buchanan, the co-owner of Live Oak, is my chosen auntie, and my parents, Danny and Amy, own the building where the restaurant is located and also reside in Spruce Pine. I would drive in to help, but I’ve been advised not to do so at this time, so I am doing what I can from afar to help Bryan, Deanna and the rest of my family rebuild their lives. 

The funds raised will go directly toward rebuilding Live Oak Gastropub and/or helping Deanna and Bryan in any way possible to recoup their livelihood.

Thank you for your kindness and support.