SARASOTA, Fla. — Many businesses in Sarasota's St Armand's Circle are still closed as repair work gradually kicks into high gear. But many folks who worked there are coming to terms with the fact that they will be out of work indefinitely. One couple who worked at different stores in the circle are now out of a source of income after the hurricanes hit.
For Laura Rybak and fiancé Andrew Patterson, their first hurricane season since moving to Sarasota from Iowa 5 months ago wasn't at all what they bargained for.
"When we decided to evacuate, that was the first time that since my parents had passed away back-to-back that I had no family and we had nowhere to we had nowhere to go," said Laura Rybak.
"Right away, when we got here what happened was Debbie and we were told what that was was rain with a name. But it ended up being a little bit more than rain with a name as it flooded out all of our coast but it didn't really hurt us and we said we could handle this. Well shortly Helene came and completely knocked out my store on Armand's Circle and we were 4 feet underwater the whole entire store," said Andrew Patterson, who worked as a store manager at Pepper Palace on St. Armand's Circle.
Both Rybak and Patterson were immediately without work after Hurricane Helene initially flooded out stores and restaurants in St Armand's circle which is home to around 140 businesses and the nearby Lido beach. The destruction of the storm chased away all the shoppers, diners, and sunbathing tourists. However, they thought it would be a temporary and short-term situation as repairs got underway and businesses tried to recover and reopen.
"And then came the next storm, Milton, which kind of solidified that our store was indefinitely closed after the work had already started to take it out again and that really hurts," said Patterson.
It's a similar situation across the quadrant at the iconic Foxy Lady boutique where Rybak worked. The store is gutted and undergoing renovation. Instead of the eye-catching, cute, and trendy fashion displays at the window, a giant green dumpster is the main feature in front of the store.
"We depend on the tourists, you know. I went from being one to being a part of that lifestyle wanting to contribute and give back. That was something Andrew and I were eager about, to sell happiness for the rest of our lives and I will tell you this is leaving us in a place of fear. We are unsure what the future will bring because will there be a season or will there not be a season," said Rybak.
Rybak and Patterson said they are going to have to get creative and resourceful with trying to find not just new jobs but additional sources of income to not only help them stay in Sarasota but also to reinforce them against future shocks from Mother Nature.
While some stores remained boarded up, others had work crews moving stuff out, drilling, or clanking on fittings. Some of the business owners said it could take up to three months before some of them could reopen.
"And then we're going to have to see how it's going, you know, it depends on the people if they come back. It's a lot of stress because you know we never expected this. Everybody expected two feet, but no it was four or five," said Jaime Casanova, Alvin's Island Boutique.
The few businesses lucky enough to open are also hoping jolly patrons return to fill up seats quickly for the sake of their workers who depend on tips to boost their wages.
"It's beautiful weather today but no one's walking the streets. Usually, we have a lot of the residents walking the street, taking a jog. It's definitely sad. It's like a ghost sometimes," said Yvette Nguyen, Shores Restaurant, St. Armand's Circle.
While uncertainty is the watchword for business owners and workers, what's certain is that it's a very difficult time for a community known for its vibrancy.
"Moving forward, the reality of the situation is that if something doesn't turn around quickly, we permanently are going to have to pivot our plan for our future because sustainability in Sarasota will not be a thing," said Rybak.