Naples businesses glad to reopen while following Phase 1 guidelines

For the first time in over a month, restaurants allowed people to dine in and sit outside while following Phase 1 guidelines. Retailers welcomed people in their stores for the first time in weeks. And people say it’s giving them a sense of normalcy.

On 5th Avenue in downtown Naples Monday night, businesses and restaurants and shop owners were happy to open their doors once again.

People were happy to walk the streets downtown. Restaurants and businesses tell us it felt good to be open again. They had customers but hope the pace picks up even more.

The sounds on 5th Avenue seemed to be slowly coming back to life.

“You can already feel the vibe on the street,” said Mary Ladd Tait, the owner of Back of the Bay. “There’s people back and commotion.”

Restaurants fired up their grills, and employees put on their masks—local businesses opened up their doors as well.

“It saved my life and probably saved my store,” Tait said.

Tait has owned her store for over 35 years.

“I was so full of clothes to begin March, our biggest month of the year,” Tait said. “And to have to close was devastating.”

But Tait said Monday was a good day, so good it made her emotional.

“Our regular customers came in, and they made a special trip down here because they really wanted to support us,” Tait said. “And they thought about us.”

Throughout the day, customers went to support the restaurants as well.

“Was it busier than expected? No,” said Gordon Stojkoksi, the owner of Aqua Seafood & Steak. “It’s staggering in and out very slow. But that’s OK, baby steps. Let’s get the people used to coming back in.”

Stojkoksi says they are just happy to be open again.

“Twenty-five percent is better than zero percent,” Stojkoksi said.

Everyone was taking all safety measures in hopes business will pick up even more.

“We’re taking all precautions,” Tait said. “We had our air ducts and our filters cleaned and our carpets and cleaning services.”

Customers were social distancing with tables in between them. Many owners have said customers have been very generous with tips trying to help them out.

“We are sanitizing the menus after every use,” Stojkoksi said.