Businesses remain closed months after Chantal, owners hope to open soon: 'Had to rebuild everything'

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- Joe Brown remembers the damage from Tropical Depression Chantal at Chapel Hill's Eastgate Crossing shopping center.

"You couldn't come in," Brown said. "It was blocked off on either side, so you couldn't even get in the parking lot for a long time."

Three months later, several businesses remain closed.

Restaurants, such as the Loop, told ABC11 News they aim to reopen by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the Great Outdoor Provision Co. plans to reopen this month, according to general manager Chad Pickens. He said he's excited to reopen just in time for the Holidays.

"We've really had to rebuild everything down to the studs," Pickens said. "We took off all the drywall and the wood walls and the wood floor, and now everything's looking like it's coming back."

While other businesses, such as Trader Joe's, are open, the shopping center's options are still limited.

"It's devastating to any part of the area whenever businesses close," Stefanie Ferreri said. "I've had to change where I shop ... so it's been nice to be able to come back to at least Trader Joe's and some of the other facilities that are open again and make it part of your routine."

ABC11 Eyewitness News has reached out to Kite Realty for comment.

"It feels like a restoration of normal," Pickens said. "These last few months have been just very different than what I've been used to for the last few decades. So, getting back up and running is really exciting for us."

SEE ALSO | In Orange County, financial toll from Tropical Storm Chantal flooding surpasses $54M