Looks like Ingles will open after all

Ingles has submitted a new building permit application for its Morganton store, signaling progress after months of delays following Hurricane Helene.

The company prepares to resume renovations with a new layout for two store sections.

The new building permit application and associated plans were received by the city on Friday, March 20, according to Sigmon. That same day, plan review was completed by Development and Design Services staff.

The store has been closed since Hurricane Helene flooded the Carbon City Road grocery. In October 2024, after the hurricane swept through, the city automatically issued a building permit to Ingles to start repairs.

The plans Ingles submitted are the same ones that received approval from the city shortly after the storm, according to Chief Building Inspector Mike Fincher. The design includes a swap between the deli and produce sections, intended to relieve congestion during lunchtime as folks wait for their favorite deli meals. He added that the company plans to also renovate the checkout area, and that the pharmacy upfits were already completed before the company paused work last year.

The deli, which was previously behind the Starbucks kiosk, will now be along the right side of the building. The switch is a multi-million dollar move, shifting plumbing, HVAC, and electrical components, which is why a mound of concrete sits in the store’s parking lot.

“There’s no sinkhole in the building,” Fincher said, addressing just one of the many rumors associated with Ingles.

“It’s great news,” Morganton Mayor Ronnie Thompson said.

“Anything to get that store open, we have to do it. We’ll make an exception for them. We need that store open.”

In December 2024, Ingles applied for a new building permit so the company could make further renovations. In January 2025, Morganton approved and issued a building permit for renovation.

Ingles paused construction in late February or early March 2025 after notifying the city of plans to pursue a new design. Under city regulations, the company only had a six-month window to resume work. They did not, so a new permit was needed.

Construction won’t begin immediately. The building permit will be issued once Ingles identifies a contractor who provides workers compensation, lien agent, other information required by State regulations, and payment for the permit is received.

Fincher said he has been in contact with Anya Szymczakiewicz with Robertson Loia Roof Architects and Engineers, who said a contract has been awarded with a company that will lead the construction, though Fincher said the general contractor has not been named.

Once all the paperwork has been signed and the city has received payment, Fincher said he will be able to legally assign the building permit. From that point, subcontractors handling HVAC, electrical, and plumbing will have to apply for their respective permits.

Fincher stressed that the city does not control how long the mobilization period is for contractors, but that the steps taken so far are positive.

“It’s positive progress in the right direction,” he said.

Permission is also in place for ongoing internal demolition works and upkeep of existing refrigeration systems, according to Fincher.

When contractors do begin work, there will be no expiration on their construction permits as long as work is ongoing, Sigmon said. If contractors stop work, they have a year to resume before they would have to restart the permitting process.