FAQs

Are your stores open?

The Mast Store Annex re-opened on Saturday, October 12, and the Mast Store in Downtown Asheville re-opened on Friday, October 18. All locations are open with regular and holiday hours through Christmas (follow this LINK to check hours). We urge you to be careful when traveling in areas affected by the storm and to stick to the main roads. You may encounter delays and detours, so plan your visit accordingly. Be respectful of residents and those assisting with the recovery.

Were your stores damaged in the storm?

Most locations had little or no damage from Helene. The Annex had some damage from high water and mud, but our staff had made prior preparations to minimize the loss of inventory. The Annex re-opened on Saturday, October 12.

When will the Asheville store open?

The store in Asheville is fine and didn’t experience any damage from the storm. The Asheville Mast Store re-opened on Friday, October 18. 

How can we help?  

There are many ways you can help our storm-damaged communities. First and foremost, most communities are open and welcoming visitors. This year's holiday season will be VERY important to many downtowns in the mountain region to ensure the survival of their unique mix of businesses. So, please consider giving gifts from the mountain region.

There are a number of funds set up to provide assistance for individuals, parks and natural resources restoration, and small businesses. You can help by making a monetary donation or by donating your time. Our recent blog, Passing Christmas Magic Hand to Hand, has a list of places that are on the ground and helping.

You can also purchase Mountain Strong items. The response to our Mountain Strong shirts and stickers has been incredible. THANK YOU! Going forward, $10 from the sale of each t-shirt and hoodie and 50% of sticker sales will go directly to organizations helping people recover from Hurricane Helene.

The Mast Store is supporting the Hunger and Health Coalition in its High Country headquarters community and MANNA FoodBank, which serves the area in and around Asheville if you would like to support them, too. 

Also, if you have a favorite restaurant, attraction, or business, you might consider purchasing a gift card for stocking stuffers or to get a head start on your trip next year.  

Where can I volunteer to help?

So many people are coming to the mountains to volunteer, and we are so very appreciative. It is hard to coordinate individual volunteers at the command centers, but there are organizations that are working with established local worksites in devastated areas. Go to North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, All Hands and Hearts, Americares, BeLoved Asheville, Baptists on Mission, Mennonite Disaster Service, and Samaritan’s Purse to play an active part in the recovery. There is room for everyone to help, and these organizations will train you onsite.

Can I help your employees?

We are exploring a way to make this happen. While all our employees have been accounted for, there are some who have lost a lot. First, you can shop with the Mast Store online and at any of our open stores. There may be other ways in the future, so please check back with us a little later.

Can I come up to ski?

Yes! As of December 6, four snow sport resorts are open, including Appalachian Ski Mtn., Beech Mountain Resort, Sugar Mountain Resort, and Cataloochee Ski Area. You can check the snow reports HERE for all NC resorts, including Hatley Pointe and Sapphire Valley when they open. Snowtubing at Hawknest is open for the season - you can find out more HERE.

Is the Blue Ridge Parkway open?

A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway is the highlight of any visit, even in the wintertime. The Parkway sustained a lot of damage during Helene - from downed trees to complete washouts of the roadbed. Some areas have been re-opened, including most of the roadway in Virginia and small sections around Asheville. The roadway, services, and parks along the Parkway are typically closed during the winter. This year's closures will include much of the roadway to allow for repairs and evaluation of trails and other resources. Please respect closures for your safety and that of those working on repairs and evaluation. This WEBSITE has the most updated information for closures on the Parkway. It also links to an INTERACTIVE MAP of closures.

If you would like to support the clean-up efforts along America's Favorite Scenic Drive, make a donation to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the official partner of the National Park Service.

Can I place an order online?

Our website is back online! We appreciated your patience while we were working to re-establish our infrastructure.