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While company officials said in early June there is no exact reopening date for the grocery store location, work on renovations could start soon. The state approved the plans and revisions on June 20. The store has been closed since late September 2024.

The new plans call for, in part, for the demolition of the existing deli and produce departments, construction of new deli and produce departments, a new custom sink in the seafood department and updated self-service equipment including hot and cold food bars, according to a letter from the state division of Public Health to architectural and engineering firm of Robertson Loia Roof.

The plans also place sinks in particular areas of the store, such as seafood and meat departments, materials for floors, walls and ceilings and plumbing. The location for Starbucks will still remain where it was in the updated plans.

Facing Starbucks, the floral section will be to the left. The ice cream freezers will be moved to the back wall next to the meat freezers. The beer and wine section will remain at the far left front of the store.

Plans also call for:

• Triple salad bar group spread apart for wider aisles between
• The deli is planned to have a burrito bar, a pizza station and a sandwich station.
• Two widened island cheese cases.
• A modified window eating bar will be added.
• Two deli kiosks, with one of the kiosks being located in front of salad bar.
• A new produce department, with a produce prep island.
• Five regular checkout lines and 14 self-checkout registers.

In an early May email to the state division of public health, Kevin Hardy, with Robertson Loia Roof, said his company is working on three stores that were damaged during Hurricane Helene: Morganton, Spruce Pine and Swannanoa. He said the scope of work for the Spruce Pine store is similar to the Â鶹´«Ã½ store plans.

In early June, Jonelle Sigmon, public information officer for the city of Morganton, said Ingles Markets decided to stop construction until the company could get updated drawings to make the inside of the store more functional for customers.

Ingles Market was flooded when Hurricane Helene battered western North Carolina.

Several feet of water flooded the grocery store on Carbon City Road as Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina on Sept. 27. After the hurricane, the store’s equipment, shelving and perishable food were removed, and the interior was emptied. The company planned to give the store a remodel before opening. The store was initially expected to open this spring.

Sigmon said the company told the city’s development and design department it is committed to reopening the Â鶹´«Ã½ store.

Pat Jackson, chief financial officer for Ingles Markets Inc., said in early June the company will likely hold a grand reopening when the Â鶹´«Ã½ store does reopen.