HOLMES BEACH, Fla. — Cold beer and customers were flowing in when Duffy’s Tavern in Holmes Beach reopened Friday after two months.

The news spread quickly, not only on Anna Maria Island, but also in Bradenton and Sarasota.

“I knew we would be busy, but the turnout was amazing,” Peggi Davenport said.

Davenport and her four sisters run the business their mother bought more than 50 years ago. In September, Duffy’s was closed for the annual 3-week holiday.

“The 25th, the day we were supposed to reopen, was evacuation day,” Davenport said.

Like much of the island, Duffy suffered the double whammy of back-to-back hurricanes; There was water damage from Helene and wind damage from Milton. During Helene, a storm surge brought several feet of water into Duffy’s. A line drawn with a pencil on the inside of the rear door marks the waterline. Some of the plates lining the wall below the bar were washed away.

That’s when Milton arrived and left a hole in their kitchen ceiling.

But when the doors opened late Friday morning, locals came out in full force.

“Duffy’s is an institution and we are all here to support our local businesses,” Bill Shuman said.

Shuman was a longtime islander but now lives in Bradenton. He was happy to be with familiar faces at the bar.

“I love burgers and beer,” Shuman said.

Duffy’s is known by locals for having the coldest beers and best burgers on the island. The unpretentious burgers are served alone on a cardboard tray. Duffy’s, which has been cash-only for years, now also takes Zelle, Venmo or Apple Pay.

Jessica Andrus grew up on the island but now lives in town. She’s friends with the sisters at Duffy’s and was there on Friday to support them and enjoy a burger.

“It’s nice to see normalcy returning and to see society being where it is,” Andrus said.

Lucky to escape major damage to his home, he helps out whenever possible.

“Everyone works really hard. You know, whenever you had free time, you’d just sit around doing nothing and feel guilty. You knew someone needed help,” he added.

Lisa Kightlinger was ecstatic to learn Duffy’s was open again for her beach birthday weekend.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so excited. Best, coldest beer, best burger on the beach,” Kightlinger said. “Life seems to be back to normal again.”