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After Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, few places were hit harder than Asheville’s small inns and bed & breakfasts.
In this episode of Asheville Reboot, Alex Jarbo sits down with Randy, owner of Bent Creek Lodge
and president of the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association, to share the remarkable story of how his mountain lodge survived and rebuilt after the storm.

Randy talks about:

• The chaos of being trapped during the hurricane while hosting guests for a wedding weekend
• How the community came together as power, internet, and roads were cut off
• The long journey of recovery across Asheville — from the River Arts District to Biltmore Village
• The return of tourism along the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Why 2026 could be the strongest year yet for local hospitality

This is more than a story of survival — it’s about Appalachian resilience, community spirit, and the revival of one of the most beautiful regions in America.

🎧 Tune in to hear how Asheville’s independent lodges like Bent Creek are helping lead the comeback.

🌄 Connect & Learn More

🏡 Engadine Inn & Cabins
Website: www.EngadineInnAndCabins.com

Instagram: @engadineinnandcabins

Facebook: facebook.com/EngadineInnandCabins

YouTube: @EngadineInnAndCabins

🎧 Asheville Reboot Podcast
YouTube: @AshevilleReboot

Substack: ashevillereboot.substack.com

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In this episode of Asheville Reboot, Alex Jarbo talks with Justin Belleme, co-owner and CEO of Romantic Asheville
— the region’s locally owned romantic travel guide to Asheville and Western North Carolina.

Justin shares his journey from building websites as a teenager to founding JB Media Group, one of Asheville’s leading digital agencies, and ultimately acquiring Romantic Asheville — a platform that has become an essential hub for visitors exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, local attractions, and small businesses.

They discuss:

• How Romantic Asheville has supported local tourism recovery after Hurricane Helene
• The balance between paid and organic search in today’s AI-driven marketing landscape
• How Justin uses tools like ChatGPT and Claude to refresh content and improve SEO
• The challenges and opportunities facing Western North Carolina’s hospitality industry
• What the future of tourism looks like as Asheville continues to rebuild

💡 About Romantic Asheville:
RomanticAsheville.com
is an independent, locally owned online travel guide dedicated to showcasing Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It helps millions of visitors discover where to stay, eat, hike, and explore — from romantic getaways and outdoor adventures to local events, festivals, and hidden gems across Western North Carolina.

🔗 Connect with Romantic Asheville:

Website: RomanticAsheville.com

Instagram & Facebook: @RomanticAsheville

🎧 Watch and Subscribe:
YouTube: Asheville Reboot

🌄 Connect & Learn More

🏡 Engadine Inn & Cabins
Website: www.EngadineInnAndCabins.com

Instagram: @engadineinnandcabins

Facebook: facebook.com/EngadineInnandCabins

YouTube: @EngadineInnAndCabins

🎧 Asheville Reboot Podcast
YouTube: @AshevilleReboot

Substack: ashevillereboot.substack.com

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In this episode of Asheville Reboot, Alex Jarbo visits Hoopers Creek Bee Company
in Arden, North Carolina — just minutes from the Asheville Airport — to talk with owner John Robertson about the fascinating world of beekeeping in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

John shares how his family business grew from a backyard hobby into a 500-colony operation producing some of Western North Carolina’s most sought-after honey, including the rare and prized Sourwood Honey.

We’re especially proud to share that Hoopers Creek Bee Company has installed hives right here at Engadine Inn & Cabins, where our historic property is home to a very special Sourwood tree. You can now taste the results of this local partnership — Honey Creek Bee honey is available for purchase at Engadine!

You’ll learn:

• How mountain elevation affects honey production
• What makes Sourwood honey so rare and valuable
• How hurricanes and weather patterns impact bee colonies
• The growing importance of local honey and sustainable beekeeping

Whether you’re a honey lover, gardener, or just curious about life in the mountains, this episode will give you a sweet new appreciation for nature’s hardest workers.

🎧 Listen now to discover how Engadine’s own Sourwood tree helped inspire a delicious collaboration.

🌐 Learn more: https://hooperscreekbees.com

🌄 Connect & Learn More

🏡 Engadine Inn & Cabins
Website: www.EngadineInnAndCabins.com

Instagram: @engadineinnandcabins

Facebook: facebook.com/EngadineInnandCabins

YouTube: @EngadineInnAndCabins

🎧 Asheville Reboot Podcast
YouTube: @AshevilleReboot

Substack: ashevillereboot.substack.com