Downtown Stuart restaurants say a slow summer is giving way to their busiest season yet
Owners point to returning seasonal residents, new apartments and a calendar packed with events.
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Summer on the Treasure Coast is never easy for restaurants. This one was harder than most, owners in downtown Stuart say, with a wet August and high insurance bills squeezing thin margins.
But reservations for October and November are running well ahead of last year, according to a survey of 22 downtown businesses by the Stuart Main Street organization.
“We had nights in July where we sent the kitchen home at eight. Now I’m hiring two servers.”
New neighbors
Three apartment buildings opened within walking distance of downtown this year, adding nearly 600 units. Business owners say those residents eat out on weeknights, which helps smooth the swings between tourist season and summer.
The city’s events calendar is also busier, with the return of the monthly art walk and a new Sunday market on Flagler Avenue.
Costs remain
Not everything is rosy. Several owners said commercial insurance premiums rose by a third or more this year, and finding experienced kitchen staff remains a challenge. Still, the mood on Osceola Street is noticeably brighter than it was in August.
