The City of Tarpon Springs is hoping to bring customers back after a number of businesses had to temporarily close in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
- Tarpon Springs to hold 'We survived Irma weekend' event
- City officials hope event will bring back customers
- Commissioners waived city ordinances for Saturday, Sunday
The city has dubbed this Saturday and Sunday "We survived Irma weekend."
It has been over week since Irma hit and the Court of 2 Sisters is still drying out.
Owner Cindy Commstock said, "It was totally gone. You could see all the way up to the bottom floor up there."
While there are still repairs needed to be made, Commstock was able to reopen in a matter of days.
"You just go on adrenaline. That's what you do because you know it's going to be more of a disaster if you don't tackle it right then," Commstock said.
The situation is the same for a number of businesses. They weathered the storm and then worked really hard to get their doors reopened. Which is something the city would like to highlight with an event this weekend.
Commissioners voted to waive city ordinances on Saturday and Sunday, allowing businesses to display merchandise and banners outside their shops and restaurants.
After losing power for a week, Tarpon Tavern owner Dan Jenkin hopes the push will bring back customers.
"We had to for health concerns, throw everything out. And that amounted to about $5000 worth of product," Jenkin said, sending a message to customers across the Bay Area, "We survived. Stronger than ever."
The City of Tarpon Springs will also be hosting a Wine Walk on Saturday from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.