PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Local businesses are suffering from the unbearable side effects of red tide, like the smell.
The sign on the Yogurt City’s door says its all, "Due to the severity of red tide, we are closed today."
Owner Egypt Waller shutdown the shop all week.
“It’s not even worth being open. Can’t pay the electricity. It’s not worth it.”
She says Yogurt City normally brings in a few hundred dollars a day, but the last time they were open, the total take was just $31.
Most stores and restaurants at John’s Pass are still open, but foot traffic is way off — even with the lure of free parking.
“This is the worst it’s ever been,” Waller said.
A couple of miles away on Treasure Island, there are massive amounts of dead fish in the intercostal.
Fisherman Dan Condron says the smell is the worst you could ever imagine.
“It’s pretty bad. I’ve already had two mates quit because of it.”
He and his clean-up crew are earning a living the only way they can right now.
They’ve had three boatloads of dead fish before noon.
“Lot of fishermen are straight up out of work because nobody can fish right now because, as you can see, it’s all floating on the surface.”
Yogurt City’s owner says they plan to re-open Friday.
They are also looking into a special loan to help get them through this.
All businesses affected are encouraged to register for help online at FloridaDisaster.Biz.
