Ingles says Morganton store will reopen in 2026 or 2027

After months of uncertainty for Burke County shoppers, Ingles Markets says the Morganton Ingles on Carbon City Road will reopen, with the company confirming in a new quarterly filing that all three stores still closed by Hurricane Helene will return to service in 2026 and 2027.

Ingles’ Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Dec. 27, 2025, marks the first definitive statement from the company that the Morganton store, along with locations in Swannanoa and Spruce Pine, will reopen after suffering heavy damage in the September 2024 storm. The filing does not specify reopening dates for individual stores.

Ingles officials have not commented on the status, construction progress, or projected reopening schedule for the Morganton store when asked. The Black Mountain-based grocer has not filed any updated store development plans with Morganton, city officials said.

The continued closure of the Morganton store has reduced grocery options in Burke County, pushing many shoppers toward longer drives and more crowded alternatives, particularly during peak shopping hours.

While Burke County residents continue to wait for the Carbon City Road location to return, Ingles’ broader financial picture shows a company that has strengthened over the past year. The grocery chain reported higher sales and sharply increased profits compared with the same quarter a year earlier.

Net sales rose to $1.37 billion for the quarter, up 6.6% from $1.29 billion in the same period a year earlier, according to the filing,

Profitability also improved. Ingles reported net income of $28.1 million for the quarter, up from $16.6 million a year earlier, an increase of nearly 70%.

Gross profit climbed to $334.6 million, representing 24.4% of sales, compared with $301.1 million, or 23.4%, in the prior-year quarter.

Operating and administrative expenses totaled $295.4 million during the quarter, compared with $280.7 million a year earlier.

Interest expense declined to $4.6 million from $5.0 million as the company reduced its overall debt load. Ingles reported total debt of $511.5 million at the end of the quarter, down from $529.4 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2025.

The company reported capital expenditures of $36.4 million during the quarter, slightly below the $37.8 million spent in the same period a year earlier.

As of Dec. 27, 2025, Ingles reported one outstanding letter of credit totaling $500,000 under its $150 million line of credit and no other borrowings under that facility.

Ingles said in its filing it believes its financial resources are sufficient to meet planned capital expenditures, debt service, and working capital needs for the foreseeable future.