Businesses on the Davis Islands are rebuilding after Hurricane Helene brought record storm surge

TAMPA, FL – Small businesses on Davis Island have spent the last week cleaning and disinfecting their stores after Hurricane Helene, which produced a storm surge of approximately seven feet. As of Thursday, some stores were reopened, others remained closed.

The Davis Islands Pharmacy sustained significant damage, but the owner told FOX 13 it is open with limited hours and is currently filling prescriptions. However, they will be closed on weekends until further notice.

The Grecian Island restaurant will remain closed for an extended period of time after a storm blew two feet into the family-owned restaurant, destroying its equipment, freezers, refrigerators and chairs.

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“It’s definitely a surreal experience,” Eleni Liras said of the family restaurant. “You know, we’re just a small breakfast and lunch place, but Davis Islands and the community there really mean a lot to my family and me.”

Liras told FOX 13 he hopes to reopen “maybe within a month,” but “earlier if (they) can.”

Meanwhile, DI Coffee Bar will reopen on Friday morning and will offer coffee through an outdoor window.

“We have been closed since the storm. We were here early in the morning and we were starting to get the water out,” said DI Coffee Bar owner Ramon Perez.

MORE: A popular Ruskin restaurant destroyed by Hurricane Helene is turning into a donation center for families

Perez told FOX 13 about 80% of everything in the cafe was destroyed. Additionally, we plan to resume playing live music from Friday evening.

“I think normality on the island would be good right now,” Perez said. “So no matter if there’s high water – and we’ve had it – we’ll be playing live music tomorrow night.”

Normalcy is what Pioneer Cleaners & Laundry strives to bring to the island.

“I mean, washers and dryers are fried,” Phyllis Watson-Miller of Pioneer Cleaners said Thursday. “Oh my God, that was crazy.”

TO READ: Tampa opens third “comfort station” to help those affected by Helene

Staff are grateful to have been able to remain open throughout the week to help residents wash clothes and bedding.

“I just hope people know we’re here for them,” Watson-Miller said.

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