TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — Ricky T's Bar and Grille welcomed back customers on Friday for the first time since Hurricane Helene devastated the barrier islands in September.

What You Need To Know

  • Crowds welcomed back Ricky T's on Friday

  • The bar and grill has been closed since Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Tampa Bay on Sept. 26

  • Customers can't come inside because repairs are still in progress, but there were drinks, food trucks, and live music in the outdoor area around the business

  • A grand reopening is expected in the coming weeks, and Ricky T's will be open select days until then

"It's been a long time coming," said owner Brad Piche.

Crowds had already gathered at the outdoor bar and in a blocked off a section of 106th Avenue shortly after the business opened at 4 p.m.

"We want to watch sunsets. We want to listen to live music," said customer Kenneth Crawford.

"We flew down just today, just for this event," said Sindy Klonke, who lives in both Detroit and Tampa Bay.

Piche said he didn't initially think it would take this long to get back up and running.

"We had goals to clean up and do our best to get going, and the further we dug into things and started fixing things, it just didn't work out that way," said Piche.

He previously told Spectrum News he didn't just want to rebuild, he wanted to make repairs that will make Ricky T's more resilient when faced with future storms.

It's still a work in progress. Drink tents were set up in the street, and food trucks filled in for the still closed kitchen. The public wasn't allowed inside.

Drink tents and food trucks were set up in the streets at Ricky T's Bar and Grille in Treasure Island. The kitchen is still closed and the public isn't allowed inside yet as the business still continues recovering from Hurricane Helene. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)


"We just wanted to get open and have a party to get the Treasure Island spirit back, because we've been down for a while," said Piche.

Customers said they were just happy to be there.

"Ricky T's is the heartbeat of Treasure Island. It always has been," said Crawford.

Crawford said businesses shuttered by the hurricanes weren't just beloved local hangouts: they were people's livelihoods.

"The bartenders, the wait staff  — all the people you know who thrive out here, they got nothing, they're fighting just to survive — just to see them back here making money, it's a great thing," he said.

Klonke said Ricky T's has been a part of her and her husband's lives for nearly 30 years.

"We got engaged here, and we love this place," she said. "We had our wedding night here. So, yeah, it's just home to us."

Klonke said they lost everything they had in Tampa Bay when her mother's home in Paradise Island was damaged by Helene. She said it's good to see Treasure Island continue taking steps to get back to normal.

"It feels so good to give back and see everybody, and the beach is back open, and all these people are finally coming out. We have traffic again," she said.

Piche said Friday wasn't the grand reopening — that's still at least a month away. It will be open this weekend and March 6 - 9, from 4 p.m. until about 11 p.m.

Future dates will be posted to the Ricky T's Facebook page.