CABBAGE KEY, Fla. — Cabbage Key, a private island just north of Upper Captiva was mostly spared by Hurricane Ian. The island, only accessible by boat, reopened two weeks ago.
But staff said business has been slow with many people losing their boats in the storm or hesitant to get back on the water. Thursday was the first day ferry boats like King Fisher Fleet out of Punta Gorda visited the island since the storm.
More than 50 visitors were greeted with a “Welcome back” sign.
“It’s good to be here. It’s good to leave your house and come out and see something like this and be part of it…,” said Sophia Haunisch.
The island’s restaurant, Cabbage Key Inn, is now open seven days a week. For the next few days until the island’s internet is restored, the restaurant is only accepting cash payment. Despite losing a hurricane shutter during the storm, somehow only three one-dollar bills are missing from its infamous cash wall.
“I was really happy on one hand that the buildings did great. They cleaned the restaurant up so fast. A lot of the vegetation has been taken out,” said Tour Boat Captain Randi Hess.
The island’s iconic water tower is still standing too.
Cabbage Key’s rental cottages reopened Thursday night.
For more information about Cabbage Key, click here.
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