This video was created by Carsyn Yates. You can check out her website or give her a follow on Instagram @carsyn.creatives.
“We call it a vortex,” says Aaron Gosnell, the owner of Tobacco Road: Bikes, Burley & Brew, describing the unique draw of Hot Springs. “It’s one of those places where, if you are meant to be here – body, mind, soul – then there is no place that touches you like this place.” Aaron’s connection to Hot Springs runs deep, rooted in memories from when he was just six years old. He recalls watching his father help rebuild the town after the devastating flood of 1977. “It brings a smile to my face knowing that they’re putting back what my father put back in 1977.”
Aaron has witnessed firsthand the strength and resilience of this community, especially in the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. Despite the heartbreak and ongoing challenges, the spirit of Hot Springs remains unshaken. “Once you kind of get over that sadness, understanding that you have to get this back and we all work together and do what we need to do,” Aaron reflects.
Tobacco Road has been a beloved fixture in the community long before the floodwaters came crashing through downtown. It has always been a place for locals and visitors alike to gather—whether it’s to grab some libations, catch up on the latest news, or hang around the campfire, swapping stories and strumming songs into the night. “The community here is one of the most strong-knit communities that you’ll ever find,” Aaron says. “After Helene, that was made evident when everybody went into their skillsets and did what was needed of them at the moment at any given time.”
Tim and Amanda Arnett, owners of Spring Creek Tavern, share a similar sentiment. “Immediately, there’s a crowd up at the gas station the next day, so that we can all start working on things, getting things cleaned up, and checking on people. First and foremost, everybody in this town that has been involved from day one has been doing everything they can to make sure everyone is safe and has what they need,” Tim recalls. For Tim, there’s something deeply special about Hot Springs. “Hot Springs is a very unique kind of place. We’ve talked about it with people for years. There’s something about this town that when you cross that river, and you come into town, you feel a change.”
“These mountains, once they get into your soul, the wind just blows cold anywhere else.”
-Aaron Gosnell
Tim and Amanda have poured their hearts into Spring Creek Tavern for over a decade, creating a space where neighbors gather over food and drinks, old friends reconnect, and newcomers are welcomed like family. “One of the things I always tell people that is so great about this town is, in so many other places I’ve lived, the question someone asks you when they first meet you is ‘What do you do? What do you do?’ In Hot Springs, they ask you, ‘What do you like to do?’” Tim says with a smile.
When the storm hit, Spring Creek Tavern was among the hardest hit, the damage leaving behind devastation. Yet, despite the battering, the tavern’s heart remains strong. Tim and Amanda, alongside their dedicated team of volunteers, are pouring their energy into rebuilding both the tavern and their lives in Hot Springs.
“Hot Springs is where I want us to be for the rest of our lives,” Amanda says. She adds, “The biggest challenge has been acceptance. It’s hard to accept what’s gone. It’s hard being without our people. Both employees, customers—I miss these people.”
Uncertainty may shape the journey, but it will never break the spirit of this town. The road to recovery twists and turns, demanding patience and resilience, yet through it all, the will to rebuild remains. Tim makes one last plea to folks watching the recovery from afar: “Do not forget us. To get everything back to the way it really should be, we are probably looking at years. So, this is nowhere close to over. We are going to need so much more help still. Everyone has been amazing, but don’t forget us. Please keep checking on us.”