PUNTA GORDA — After losing all their Thanksgiving and Christmas revenues, Punta Gorda Chocolate & Wine owners Steph and Patti Herndon say city-contracted workers stole items from their businesses.
Patti Herndon also owns Punta Gorda Coffee & Tea. Both businesses rent space from the city at the Herald Court complex, which flooded during the two back-to-back hurricanes in September and October.
The Herndons and other tenants of Herald Court have long contended the city didn’t do enough to protect the properties from flooding during the storms, and that they have no one they can speak with on city staff about the problems. Their speaking time is three minutes during public input at City Council meetings, just like anyone else who wants to communicate with the city…