ENGLEWOOD — Toby Delbridge’s three businesses around Englewood have seen a lot of ebbing and flowing of Florida’s hurricanes.
He said he was extremely lucky to have the minimal amount of damage that he did at Barefoot Trader and Beach Co., and the Old Florida Gallery.
Both Barefoot Trader and Beach Co. are on Manasota Key, across from Englewood Beach. The area was hard hit by both Helene and Milton’s storm surge.
“They didn’t flood as much,” Delbridge said. “We’re waiting for carpeting at Beach Co., and at Barefoot, we actually decided to do some more renovation.”
There’s no influx of guests coming to hang out on Manasota Key, with the beaches being closed and debris removal amping up.
“There’s not really a customer base for us, so we’re going to be patient,” he said. “We’re shooting for the week before Thanksgiving at Barefoot, and Beach Co. will probably be open as soon as they get this carpeting in.”
Delbridge lives above Beach Company, normally. During Helene and Milton, he was in the process of remodeling the apartment.