Businesses Slowly Reopening After Irma

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Patrons wait ouside / GPB News

Power is slowly being restored in Macon following high winds from Hurricane Irma that knocked down trees and power poles. Many businesses opened up Wednesday for the first time.

Grow Restaurant owner Saralyn Collins put out an appeal on Facebook after being closed Monday and Tuesday. She said, “I’m not usually one to overtly beg for business, but we are broke due to this storm. We lost everything in our cooler, had multiple caterings cancelled, and have had to close the shop for two lunch shifts. But, we are going to be back tomorrow in full force and if a notion should strike you, we’d really appreciate your business this week, and next more than ever.”

Lacey Resch saw the post and gathered a group of friends together to have lunch. She said, “Saralyn said they were off on Monday and Tuesday and had to throw everything out and we would just love it if we saw y’all so here we are.”

Resch was not alone. The line for lunch at Grow stretched out the door and people had to wait for a table. Dozens of to-go plates were also ordered.

Collins said, “It was insane in a great way. Someone left me $1,000 in $100 bills without leaving their name. Nobody has ever done something like that for me before. I full on ugly cried in front of my crew. I don’t think I’ve ever done that.”

Collins said she’s been in the restaurant business 25 years and has never seen anything like it. “I’m grateful for the support of my community.”

Around 60,000 people in Macon lost power due to Irma. That number is now down to 23,000.