ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — The Swigwam Beach Bar on Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach officially reopened on Wednesday after being closed for more than a month due to damage from Hurricane Helene

What You Need To Know

  • Rob Williams said, like most business owners, he does not have flood insurance and spent $29,000 to reopen about one month after Helene’s storm surge sent 18 inches of seawater inside the Swigwam

  • Williams survived what he called the worst October ever, but despite the setback he considers himself one of the lucky business owners.

  •  The Swigwam reopened on Wednesday

“I think for the area, it’s going to take at least one year to recover completely,” said owner Rob Williams. “I’m happy we’re open because with so many people affected, especially the people that come in here all the time, they need a little relaxation.”

Williams said, like most business owners, he does not have flood insurance and spent $29,000 to reopen about one month after Helene’s storm surge sent 18 inches of seawater inside the Swigwam. During the time it was closed, Williams said he tried to supplement the income of his seven employees as best he could.

“They went from making money to making no money,” he said. “I kind of couldn’t do much, but I gave them a little bit each week to get them by.” 

Robin Miller, the President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber, said it’s hard to get exact numbers but estimates about 40 percent of the businesses in St. Pete Beach have reopened — but most at limited capacity. The chamber has been doing a ribbon cutting at each business when it reopens.

Williams said all four eating and drinking establishment on Corey Avenue have reopened but many of the other businesses remain closed. The bar owner is thankful to the City of St. Pete Beach for helping to clear debris from the avenue to make way for the Sunday morning market.

“That was a big impetus for them to really clean the street because the Sunday market brings so many people here, local and tourists,” he said. “So having that really makes it feel like we’re almost normal again, but it’ll still be a while.”

Williams said his home in the Gulfport area wasn’t damaged during Helene but two weeks later Hurricane Milton blew his front doors wide open and rain ruined his floors. He calls it minor damage compared to his siblings.

“My sister, she lost all the contents plus two cars,” he said. “My brother. Same deal.”

Williams survived what he called the worst October ever, but despite the setback, he considers himself one of the lucky business owners.

“A lot of people lost their business and their house and their vehicle and any source of income,” he said. “So I do feel blessed that we’re open for business again and we’ll make it.” 

Williams has a nearly 40 year history with the Swigwam. He was an employee at the former location for 23 years and has owned the Corey Avenue business for almost 15 years.