Hurricane Helene Impact and Project Skyline's Mission

In this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, host Max Trujillo chats with John Seelbinder, of Local Icon Hospitality and owner of multiple establishments, including the newly relocated Merchant and the Architect's speakeasy, Green Light. The conversation covers Seelbinder's unexpected role in disaster relief following Hurricane Helene, where he transformed his Spruce Pine hotel, The Skyline Village Inn into a critical hub for rescue and relief efforts. Despite his new nonprofit commitments with Project Skyline, Seelbinder continues to innovate Raleigh's food and beverage scene with upcoming projects like the Embargo Bar. The discussion also touches on community resilience, the importance of public and private mobilization during crises, and the continuing needs of affected areas. The NC F&B Podcast is produced, engineered and edited by Max Trujillo of @Trujillo.Media For inquiries about being a guest, or to sponsor the show, email max@ncfbpodcast.com