ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The city of St. Augustine is working hard to shake off the perception that the city is struggling to bounce back after Hurricane Matthew.
Nothing, not even a Category 2 hurricane, can mess with St. Augustine’s holiday spirit.
Especially when that holiday cheer means big bucks for a city dependent on tourism dollars.
The city is gearing up for the 23rd annual Nights of Lights which kicks off Saturday.
“It's really going to be better than years past,” said Richard Goldman, president & CEO of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau.
Goldman said they’ve spent 20 percent more on promoting Nights of Lights this year because of Hurricane Matthew.
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“One of the things that happened is that video of the folks on the front of the Casablanca Inn that went viral, so we have a number of people concerned about us in the U.K. and in Europe,” said Goldman.
The flood waters are long gone and now garlands, lights and ornaments line up the Bayfront, but getting back to normal hasn’t been easy for everyone.
Nick Hilbrich, general manager at Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille, said it took them five weeks to open back up.
“We had to completely gut the entire restaurant on the first floor down to concrete walls, and it took a lot of time to do it right,” said Hilbrich.
Harry’s opened Friday night. On Monday, tables were busy as customers enjoyed their meals in the new and improved dining room.
“Excited to be back, and come on down to Harry's, guys,” said Hilbrich.
Hilbrich said Nights of Lights is one of the busiest times of the year and he hopes this year will be no different.
Cox Media Group
