Chimney Rock Mayor Peter O'Leary is proud of the progress merchants have made getting storefronts ready to re-open.

Chimney Rock State Park was closed after the storm. The Town of Lake Lure posted on its Facebook page that opening the park is one way to restore tourism to the area and strengthen the economy.

The lake is hopeful of being open by the summer season. In Chimney Rock, Mayor Peter O’Leary said reopening the state park on ...