A pastry shop in Asheville, N.C., serves as a haven after the storm

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — While most businesses remained shuttered in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, on Monday at least one place in downtown Asheville offered storm-weary residents a kind word, a cup of coffee and even a cookie.

Old Europe Pastries on Broadway Street emerged from the hurricane that made landfall in Florida on Sept. 26 in somewhat better shape than most of its neighbors. When its doors opened last week, general manager Abby Moore fed her hungry neighbors the wedding cakes she had made for ceremonies later canceled by the storm.

But with no money coming in and supplies dwindling, Moore was forced to lay off her staff. They came to work anyway, even though they wouldn’t be paid.

Standing at the entrance of the cafe, the workers distributed what was left of the soda, peanut butter crackers, juices, cheese and raw eggs they still had to anyone who asked.

They bantered with old customers and new, all of whom seemed surprised to find the cafe open in Asheville’s otherwise desolate downtown.

Landon Morgan, 35, said he didn’t know if Old Europe Pastries would survive or where his next paycheck would come from. But at this point, he said, it didn’t matter.

“Everything is up in the air,” Morgan said. “We love our community, so we want to make sure everybody has something to eat and drink. It’s really painful to see people suffer the way that they have been.”

Hurricane Helene and its relentless flooding killed more than 200 people across the Southeast, and the death toll is expected to climb as dozens of people remain unaccounted for. Residents saw their homes and cars wash away, and many survived with only the clothes on their backs.

Nina Barczynski, 31, the assistant manager at the cafe, said she didn’t know what would happen to the shop and acknowledged that paying the bills would be difficult over the next few months.

For now, Barczynski said, her aim is to keep her city as caffeinated as possible.

“It keeps me sane to be with my co-workers and friends, who become so much more than that during this time,” she said. “If and when we’re open, I’ll always have a job here.”

Employee Rhiannon Webb, 24, said being able to return to her old job gives her a sense of purpose even if she isn’t being paid.

“I was tired of sitting at home and ready to do something else,” she said. “I’m born and raised here, and it makes me feel better to give back.”

For Asheville resident Sue Hagedorn, walking a mile from her home to Old Europe Pastries for a latte and a chocolate chip cookie was part of her daily routine. Being able to do it at least one more time was a comfort to her.

“I appreciate them being here,” Hagedorn, 63, said. “I come here every day for coffee.”

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer said recently that the city’s most pressing need was restoring water and cellphone service, as well as bringing in food and other basics, and then repairing damaged roads and bridges.

Manheimer said FEMA had been on the ground delivering supplies and providing aid for several days. She said she had spoken directly to President Joe Biden about the challenges ahead for Asheville.

“We have a total catastrophic loss in our community,” Manheimer told NBC News. “This is the biggest test we’ve ever faced.”

The city is taking steps to bring downtown back to life, with the announcement Monday that the U.S. Small Business Association had opened an assistance center at the Chamber of Commerce.

“The center is focusing on providing disaster relief in the form of low-interest loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters impacted by the storm,” the city said.