Investor buys flood-damaged Biltmore Village depot for restaurant revival

The historic building at 30 Lodge Street in Biltmore Village changed hands Jan. 12, 2026, when a local investor purchased the former Village Wayside Bar & Grille property for $581,000. Represented by James Harrison of Whitney Commercial Real Estate, the buyer acquired the 2,826-square-foot structure that was originally built as the Southern Railway Depot and that suffered severe flood damage during Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27, 2024.

The sale price works out to roughly $206 per square foot, a data point that signals both the appeal and the challenges of commercial real estate in flood-prone, tourism-oriented districts such as Biltmore Village. The new owner is expected to lease the building as a restaurant, a move that would restore a food-and-beverage use to a high-foot-traffic corner of the village and preserve the property’s role in the local hospitality mix.

For residents and business owners, the transaction has several practical implications. First, it improves the chances of a quick reuse of a damaged, vacant storefront that has been a visible reminder of flood impacts. A new tenant would revive employment opportunities and sales activity in a neighborhood that relies heavily on visitors to nearby attractions. Second, the sale highlights the balancing act between historic preservation and flood resilience: the depot’s history adds cultural value, but future occupancy will likely require retrofits or mitigation measures to reduce the risk of repeat damage.

The former Village Wayside owners plan to relocate their operations to the Grovewood area near the Omni Grove Park Inn, with a targeted reopening by winter 2026. That move shifts one established operator out of Biltmore Village while keeping the brand in Buncombe County and concentrated near another tourism hub. For local patrons, the relocation means a temporary loss of the familiar Lodge Street venue but the prospect of a new dining option in Grovewood and the possible return of a restaurant on Lodge Street under fresh management.

From an economic perspective, the sale demonstrates investor confidence in Biltmore Village’s long-term demand for dining and hospitality space despite recent climate shocks. It also underscores the need for business owners and municipal planners to prioritize floodproofing, insurance planning, and permitting clarity so that recovery investments translate into sustainable, resilient businesses.

The takeaway? Watch permit filings and tenant announcements this spring—these will indicate whether the site will quickly become an active restaurant again and whether owners are investing in resilience. Our two cents? Support local businesses through transitions, and push for common-sense flood protections so Biltmore Village’s historic buildings remain both vibrant and secure.