Chimney Rock Post Office to Reopen and Park Hours Limited

The local branch of the United States Postal Service in Chimney Rock is scheduled to reopen Feb. 23, restoring in-person mail access nearly 17 months after closures tied to damage and disruption from Hurricane Helene.

Officials confirmed the 366 Main Street facility will resume operations at noon, with weekday hours set from noon to 4 p.m. and full retail and post office box services returning. Rep. Tim Moore said he pressed the agency earlier this month to restore service, noting repairs were complete and a prior inspection deemed the site ready for reopening. The news comes nearly six months after a car hit the building.

Federal postal guidance identifies restoration of mail services as an important milestone in disaster recovery, particularly in smaller communities where residents depend on physical mail for medication delivery, financial correspondence, and business operations. For Chimney Rock, the reopening represents one of several indicators of ongoing stabilization after Helene’s regional impacts.

But municipal notices show rebuilding remains active across multiple fronts.

Public hearings scheduled

Village officials announced that two public hearings are scheduled for Feb. 17 regarding a conditional-use permit request for a short-term rental at a duplex at 192/194 Southside Drive. The Planning Board will meet at 3 p.m., followed by the Village Council at 5:30 p.m. The hearings reflect continued zoning and development activity as officials manage recovery-era housing and tourism pressures.

Recovery initiatives underway

Local leaders continue promoting long-term redevelopment through the Raise the Rock recovery plan — a strategic roadmap intended to guide investment and decision-making as the village rebuilds infrastructure and commercial capacity. 

Separately, the nonprofit Chimney Rock Economic Development & Investment Team, known as CREDIT, is coordinating business-restoration support within municipal limits. The organization’s work is aimed at assisting damaged or displaced businesses through partnerships and financial assistance programs.

Applications for a small-business grant program administered by CREDIT are being accepted through Feb. 18. Grants of up to $5,000 — supported in part by funding from the Duke Energy Foundation — may be used for repairs, equipment, or improvements intended to strengthen competitiveness and restore operations. The program is administered independently of village government, though it targets businesses operating within municipal boundaries.

Eligibility requirements state recipients must be operating locally by Jan. 1, 2026, and grant funds are paid directly to vendors or contractors. Projects funded must be completed by March 25, with reporting required afterward. 

Tourism and access updates

Municipal messaging emphasizes that businesses are open and visitors are returning, though access remains limited along some regional routes. Parking is available on the western edge of the village, with limited street parking, and officials recommend travelers approach via NC 9 through nearby Lake Lure. Other routes remain restricted to local traffic following storm damage.

Visitors planning to enter Chimney Rock State Park are encouraged to reserve entry times in advance, as the attraction remains a key driver of economic recovery in the tourism-focused community. The park is currently open winter hours, from Thursday to Monday, according to their website.

Symbolic milestone amid ongoing work

While the post office reopening marks a significant federal service restoration, local notices underscore that rebuilding remains active and multifaceted — spanning zoning decisions, nonprofit aid programs, infrastructure access, and tourism promotion.

For residents and business owners, the return of postal operations signals progress, but it arrives alongside continuing policy discussions, grant opportunities, and planning sessions shaping the village’s longer-term recovery trajectory nearly a year and a half after Helene’s disruption.