Fishermen's Village has officially reopened its doors for the first time since Hurricane Milton, drawing eager visitors to shop, dine, and enjoy the views.
Capt. Ralph Allen of King Fisher Fleet, a boat charter business operating in the village for more than 40 years, expressed his relief that his fleet thankfully merged unscathed from damage.
“We got very lucky. Not one of our boats got a scratch,” he said.
Friday marked their first sightseeing tour, with many guests signed up.
Recognizing the emotional toll of the storm, Allen said that people are eager to return to normalcy, enjoying simple pleasures like sitting by the harbor.
Kathy Burnam, marketing and events manager, highlighted the village's unique charm.
“There’s really no other place like Fishermen's Village," Burnam said.
She praised the community’s hard work to restore the area, emphasizing the importance of reopening for local merchants and restaurants.
Local resident Suzanne Smiles shared her excitement.
“Everyone in Punta Gorda wants to support each other. We’re just happy that it’s open again," Smiles said.
For those wishing to stay overnight, Fishermen's Village said their suites on the second floor are partially reopened.