Help Support Sunnyside Trading Co. After Hurricane Helene
Donation protected
October 6 **Update** Thank you so much for your generosity and support! It truly means the world to us. Words cannot properly express our gratitude.
I have changed our fundraiser goal to reflect the reality of the situation.
As these days unfold, we are finding that the mud that is covering everything is toxic and dissolving peoples shoes... We cannot get into our building to fully assess the damage, if anything at all is salvageable.
And we are also so sad to learn that one of our team members, the amazing Annie, lost her home as well.
In the midst of all of this, Stuart is having to figure out where to move, pack up his life, and make big decisions in the wake of a natural disaster.
They need help, and they need it now.
Thank you for your continuous support.
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Hey everyone, I’m Charlotte, Stuart’s daughter. In 2016, my dad and I moved to Asheville and started Sunnyside Trading Company together. This store is more than just a business—it’s the result of years of my dad’s hard work, passion, and dedication to creating something special in this vibrant and amazing community.
Today, we face unimaginable loss.
Hurricane Helene has left our beloved store and 12,000-square-foot warehouse in the River Arts District completely destroyed. The building is condemned, and everything inside—years of carefully curated history from around the world—is gone. My dad has lost everything, including his apartment in Biltmore Village. On top of everything else, he is now trying to find a way to get his personal belongings and furnishings down from the top floor and into storage before they condemn and close off the building completely on Oct 10.
To say we’re devastated is an understatement. Our lives have been turned upside down. There are literally coffee tables hanging from ceiling beams. It is all very surreal.
But in this moment, our biggest concern is for our incredible Sunnyside staff- Annie, John, Ed and Klaus. Thankfully, everyone on our team is safe, and no one else lost their homes, but the shock is real.
The devastation is beyond words. Our lives have been turned upside down, and we’re still trying to process the enormity of what’s been lost and how to rebuild from here.
Luckily, everyone on our team is safe, and no one else lost their homes, but we are all in shock. Our community, especially the River Arts District, is devastated.
As we begin to process this catastrophic and life-changing event, my goal is to support our Sunnyside family during this time of transition and uncertainty. This fundraiser is to take care of our people.
While the future of Sunnyside is unknown, I do know this: the Asheville community is resilient, powerful, and will rise from this. We will find a way to move forward.
If you’ve ever experienced the magic of Sunnyside—if a piece of our store adorns your home (and wasn’t lost to the hurricane)—we deeply appreciate your support, whether it’s a $5 donation or simply a prayer. Every bit helps during times like this.
Thank you for being part of our story and for standing with us as we face this tremendous challenge.
Additional Resources:
We know that many are facing hardship after Hurricane Helen, and if you're looking for broader ways to support Asheville's recovery, here are some other resources:
With endless gratitude,
Charlotte & the Sunnyside Family
(arrow on the left is Sunnyside, completely submerged)
Organizer and beneficiary
Charlotte Hough
Organizer
Asheville, NC
Stuart Hough
Beneficiary