Business owners recovering from hurricane damage are rebuilding with resilience in mind.  

At local favorite Ricky T’s, a hugely popular destination in Treasure Island, staff members are celebrating the completion of renovations designed to withstand future storms. Owner Brad Piche prioritized hurricane-proofing the restaurant, a beloved local fixture for decades.  

To enhance durability, the restaurant’s drywall has been replaced with waterproof material, while the wooden deck and bar have been swapped for concrete.  

Piche estimates the $1 million investment will streamline recovery efforts should future flooding occur.  

“By eliminating wood and other porous materials, we’ll be able to clean up much faster after the next storm. While some equipment might still need to be replaced, our ability to reopen quickly will be drastically improved,” he said.  

Piche has observed a growing trend of businesses fortifying their properties with storm-resistant materials as they prepare for hurricane season.

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(Image credit: KSL News)

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