The devastating Hurricane Irma that struck the state of Florida in September of 2017, has left terrible destruction in many parts of the state, especially in Tin City of Naples, Florida. Numerous different businesses endured a shot at Tin City, an old fishing complex on the Gordon River that has been changed over into shops and eateries. The sheer force of the hurricane leveled the place and left an indelible mark to the people and the businesses that thrived there. This gorgeous waterfront shopping and restaurant center in downtown Naples would take a lot to recover.
Tin City, which for a considerable length of time has delighted in a spot on Naples Bay as an inside for shops and restaurants had nearly been totally lost.
And although the place took a beating from the storm, many business owners who rely on tourism hoped to bounce back and get up on their feet as soon as possible. One huge obstacle that that many businesses in the Tin City faced was the destruction of their dock. The dock has been a major tourist attraction and had been the site for restaurants as well as small boats and other watercraft. Fortunately, just weeks after the storm, a weeklong effort from local engineers resulted in emergency repairs that would make the docks suitable for use once more. This repair also prompted the reopening of the many restaurants in the area. The local engineers placed temporary pilings and added anchors to make the dock complex safe for people again. Gov. Rick Scott personally attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the reopening of Tin City.
This effort was seen as a great step towards recovery and these encouraged engineers to draft a master plan for a new boardwalk and the fixing of the seawall. The boat captains were also very much concerned about their damaged boats and looked for ways to either replace or repair them. Because of these collaborative efforts Tin City went back to business as usual in just a short span of time. There are businesses that decided to remain closed for an extended period, with owners deciding to make larger improvements, renovations and to undertake changes within their stores and establishments due to damage brought about by Irma. But elsewhere in the area, diners were filled with hungry people; store owners smiling outside their shops, people were walking around enjoying ice cream and candies it’s as if the storm never happened at all. Naples Mayor Bill Barnett said he expects business at Tin City to pick up even more in November.
Hurricane Irma has been a major catastrophic event for the people not just from Tin City, Naples but for all of the people in Florida as well. Yet in the face of this adversity, people remained and shall remain strong as the people seek to rebuild bit by bit all that nature has destroyed. People in Naples, Florida believe that this display of tenacity and inner strength is what will get through most of us in these most trying times and because of it people from other places shall see the true beauty that lies within the Paradise Coast.
