Tarpon Springs – The Tarpon Springs historic Sponge Docks are buzzing once more this weekend as crowds pack into the annual Sponge Docks Craft and Artwork Competition.
The pageant is a welcome sight for native retailers, who spent a lot of the previous yr recovering from extreme flooding brought on by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Many companies alongside Dodecanese Boulevard took on a number of toes of storm surge from the Anclote River. Some retailers have closed completely, whereas others spent months gutting their areas and hoping to draw guests again.
What they’re saying:
Arnold Serafin, who owns Serafin de Cuba Cigars, says his store took on about 36 inches of water.Â
“We had by no means handled this earlier than, so it was type of decimated. A whole lot of companies have come again. Sadly, some have closed,” he mentioned.
Serafin added that weekday foot site visitors has been gradual, however occasions like this weekend’s pageant carry a much-needed spark. “Right now is a superb day. A whole lot of of us are strolling round. Good site visitors,” he mentioned.
Guests like Robert Hawthorne, who drove in from Spring Hill, say the occasion is a spotlight. “It’s nice. There’s so many individuals. There’s a lot stuff happening. It’s great,” he mentioned.
READ: Manasota Key residents nonetheless working to rebuild, restart one yr after Hurricane Milton
The Sponge Docks Craft and Artwork Competition continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to five p.m.
What’s subsequent:
The thirty seventh Annual Tarpon Springs Seafood Competition returns November 7–9, providing one other probability for native companies to attract in crowds and hold momentum going.
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The Supply: Reporting by FOX 13’s Jennifer Kveglis and interviews with enterprise homeowners and guests.
