INDIAN ROCKS BEACH — The sun was shining on a perfect Friday afternoon as Largo residents Lionel and Joyce Deschaine sat on a bench outside Original Crabby Bill’s, waiting for the restaurant to reopen for the first time since Hurricane Helene.

Signs of the devastation caused by the Sept. 26 storm were still visible throughout the region, from closed beaches to piles of debris further saturated by Hurricane Milton’s rain two weeks after Helene. But some beach businesses have reopened, and crowds of overstressed residents are lining up to welcome them back.

“We were waiting for things to reopen on Gulf Boulevard to start looking normal again,” Lionel Deschaine said. “They’re slowly getting better, but it won’t be weeks before they’re back to normal; It will take more like three to six months. “So we need to come here as often as we can to support these businesses as they get back on their feet.”

Elsewhere outside Crabby’s, regulars and newcomers began filling the outdoor bar area shortly before 4 p.m.

“This is a great place,” said Belleair Beach resident Carol Chestnut. “People really care. The last few weeks have been really hard for everyone. But today I had a little hitch in my step knowing that the restaurant will be reopening because the Loder family really cares about their employees and the (Indian Rocks Beach) community.”

Matt Loder and his son, Matt Jr., were busy shucking oysters inside their restaurant in anticipation of a large dinner crowd.

According to the Loders, the damage caused by the storm surge in Helene forced the family to replace almost everything, including equipment, flooring, walls and nearly every piece of furniture.

“It was the worst amount of cleanup I’ve ever seen, especially with two storms in a row,” said Matt Loder, whose family opened the iconic restaurant in 1983. “Afterwards we were all sweeping the sand and it just seemed never ending. It just wouldn’t end.”

Loder praised Original Crabby’s team for working together to reopen.

“The team and the family did this together and it shows the character of the people,” he said. “Our customers, our neighbors, even our competitors, we all help each other because we are all in this together.”

Coco is back

Coco’s Crush Bar IRB, on the northern tip of the island, was another of the island businesses that reopened. Others include PJ’s Oyster Bar, Guppy’s, Groupers, IRB Creamery, Beach Waves Grill, Hurricane Eddie’s and Villa Gallace, according to the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce website and social media posts.

Coco’s manager Heidi Dobb said business is a little slower than usual this time of year, but those who walk through the door are grateful for the reopening.

“It’s definitely not the same, but we’ve been consistent,” Dobb said. “People like that we’re open because there’s a good energy here. “It’s a fun place and you make friends with a lot of people, especially at times like these.”

Although the city’s Oktoberfest and other area events have been canceled due to the storms, a crab festival is planned for this weekend and a Halloween party on November 2 to help keep the positive weather going.

“The saddest part is the mom-and-pop places that are devastated and can’t reopen,” Dobb said. “But we all help each other because we are all in this together.”

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