Nearly a month after Hurricane Helene, Tampa Bay’s coastal restaurant and hospitality sectors remain hard-hit, and countless residents who lost jobs on the beaches are still searching for work as businesses struggle to reopen.

The Saltwater Hippie bar in Madeira Beach reopened a week ago, but across the street, its sister property, the Brass Captain bar, sustained major damage and remains closed. 

Lisa Herod, a manager and bartender at Saltwater Hippie, explained that staff from both bars are now working at the single open location, though with reduced hours. “We’ve had to cut hours. Instead of one bartender, we have two; instead of two, we run three,” she said. “Everyone has a job, but we’re all hoping the Brass Captain can reopen soon to provide more opportunities and space for locals to enjoy.”

While the adjusted hours offer some support, they’re not enough to help all employees maintain their livelihoods. “There’s a tight job market, and this isn’t the only area affected,” Herod noted.

CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas is seeing the widespread effects, particularly among those in hospitality. According to Steve Meier, co-interim CEO of CareerSource, “Businesses in Hillsborough and Pinellas reported that about 900 employees were permanently laid off, and another 2,200 were temporarily laid off.”

Mylissa Graves, a longtime food service worker, has been especially affected. With over 30 years in the industry, she normally holds multiple part-time positions at venues like Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg and the Mid-Florida Amphitheatre. “I don’t have any income coming in, and I’m not sure how I’ll pay rent,” she said. “It’s hard to find a job when places are still rebuilding.”

To assist those affected, CareerSource is hosting a two-day disaster recovery job fair. On November 6, the event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas Tampa Center at 9215 North Tampa Avenue, Suite 101, and on November 7, it will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Petersburg College EpiCenter in Clearwater. Special opportunities for veterans will be available starting at 10 a.m. on both days.

Meier encouraged attendees to bring resumes and an open mind, as some employers will conduct on-site interviews. Additionally, CareerSource is advising eligible individuals to apply for disaster unemployment to help recover lost income.

Herod emphasized that as restaurants gradually reopen, the local service industry could see a revival. “The service industry is our bread and butter here on the beaches. When you take that away, you don’t just lose tourist destinations; you lose jobs and livelihoods.”