LANDRUM — Since reopening his restaurant in a new location, CARO-Mi Dining Room owner Dane Stafford is more than thankful for getting a new start — with lots of help along the way.
It's been a trying eight months since Hurricane Helene's flooding lifted and twisted the restaurant's former location on Highway 176 in Tyron, N.C. Pre-flood, the Pacolet River flowed just a few feet from the front entrance, with a bridge connecting the parking lot to the restaurant.
But that changed Sept. 27, 2024, and it left his restaurant in ruin. Without flood insurance, the future looked bleak. Stafford had little doubt he would reopen, but the question became where. Soon after, a search was launched for the future home of CARO-Mi Dining. The restaurant, which opened in 1945, has had a few locations across two states over the years. Its latest reincarnation is at 909 E. Rutherford St., Landrum, where it opened April 23.
A month after reopening, Stafford reflected on his journey to make it happen. On May 22, he did what he always does: prepped lettuce in the kitchen prior to opening for the day. He wasn't alone. Two of his long-time employees — Susan Gilmore and Sandra McDowell — were peeling shrimp and cutting pieces of ham.
When the storm's damage shut down the business, nobody really knew what would come next. Gilmore has worked at the restaurant for the past 25 years, and McDowell for 20 years.
"We didn't really know what was going to happen and thought maybe there wouldn't be a CARO-Mi anymore," Gilmore said. "It feels great to be back and all of our customers are happy to see us back."
The new location offers the same amount of seating as the former site. It also has something the former site did not have: a covered outdoor patio. Stafford said customers can expect the same Southern-style food on the menu that was offered in Tryon. He's waited a while to start cooking steaks again, but expects to introduce them again soon on the menu. Overall, Stafford said Landrum has given his business a warm welcome and the location has exceeded his expectations.
"I am pleased to be able to continue the business that has become a tradition for many people across the Carolinas," Stafford said. "Our customers are excited to have us back."
There are reminders of the former site at the new location. Sports pennant flags from its old restaurant hang from the ceiling. And wood from its former location was used for a standing table where people can dine.
Stafford doesn't think much anymore about what happened to his business. He's looking forward these days, hoping to grow his customer base. About a month ago, Stafford revisited the site where his restaurant nearly washed away down the river. The building has since been removed.
"Whenever I go there, I just think about all the good memories we had there," Stafford said. "A few weeks after it happened, I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but I knew I was not going to rebuild there."
He's still adjusting, but the transition has gone better than he could have imagined. Stafford expects to have an official ribbon cutting in a few weeks. Most of all, Stafford said he's thankful to everyone for helping him get reopened.
"It's been a little overwhelming all the help we have got up to his point," Stafford said. "I could have never done it without the help of so many people."
Most of the former employees from the Tryon location have transferred to the new location. It's not far from Interstate 26 and just outside downtown Landrum, which is near the state line.