MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — Shoppers have been out in full force this week, but this year’s Black Friday is especially meaningful for many local shops in Madeira Beach still bouncing back after a tough hurricane season.
After being closed for two months, workers at The Bronze Lady said they are hoping to make up for lost time.
“We really need your support,” store manager Savannah Huskie said. “We really need you guys to come out here and help us. We have been closed for two months, and it’s very important for us to have you here shopping with us.”
The family-owned gift shop has been a staple in the community for decades, but hurricanes Helene and Milton forced them to close their doors.
“Our entire Johns Pass was affected,” Huskie said. “We did receive a lot of water outside of our store, so we did have to do some repairs.”
After weeks of repairs and uncertainty, the store opened on Black Friday. Huskie said they’re hoping this weekend’s holiday rush will help them make up for lost time and lost income.
“It’s heartbreaking, honestly. But I am truly amazed. Every day you drive through here and walk through here, it’s getting better,” Huskie said. “We’re not putting up with it. We keep going forward.”
With small business Saturday tomorrow, local shops are counting on community support to bounce back from a difficult year.
“This year, Small Business Saturday really means a lot to us,” Huskie said. “I know it’s easy to sit on the couch and order anything you need, but we have a website.
The other businesses in this plaza said that every sale counts, especially after a challenging year.
