Black Mountain businesses stand strong with help from fundraiser

Sale of t-shirts nets more than $2,000 for local merchants 

The Valley Echo

Visit Black Mountain, an independent website that promotes tourism in the town, has raised $2,300 for local businesses through the sale of its Black Mountain Strong t-shirts. Courtesy of Tom and Kim McMurtry

An initiative designed to support local businesses struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic is giving area residents a chance to express pride in the community. 

A fundraiser launched by independent tourism website visitblackmountain.net, offers t-shirts depicting an image of N.C. with the words “Black Mountain Strong '' next to a heart over the town. The campaign has raised more than $2,300 for local businesses so far, according to Tom and Kim McMurtry, who own and operate Europa on Cherry Street and produce Visit Black Mountain.

The shirts, designed by the McMurtrys, are available for $20 - $24 each at bmstrong.visitblackmountain.net, while customers have the option of choosing the local business that receives $10 from the purchase.

The fundraiser offers help to businesses that rely on tourism to remain profitable, according to organizers.

“Many downtown businesses in Black Mountain are true ‘mom & pop’ shops who are dependent on tourism,” the McMurtrys said. “Since most are considered nonessential, they’ve been closed since mid-March. Many don’t have the resources to begin selling their wares online, and many are too small to qualify for some small business relief funds. Buy a t-shirt to help these vulnerable businesses survive and stay ‘Black Mountain Strong!’”