WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Verdes Tropicana Bowl in West Palm Beach was empty Friday night. But come Tuesday, the general manager is expecting a crowd of bowlers again.
"It's really been a challenge, especially not knowing when we were going to reopen," Brett Herman said.
Herman said in the 61 years his business has been open, this has been the toughest six months ever.
"We really had to get creative and go over all the financials with a fine-tooth comb, cutting every nonessential cost we could," he said. "We, unfortunately, did have to furlough our staff, approximately 20 staff employees, for a number of months."
Gov. Ron DeSantis made the announcement Thursday that Palm Beach County will be moving into Phase Two. It's an announcement for which business owners have been waiting.
Phase Two, which will begin Sept. 8, will allow businesses to reopen in stages. The first increment includes entertainment venues like movie theaters and bowling alleys with limited capacity. Retail stores and gyms can go to full capacity.
"So, after the executive order is executed, I would say that probably close to 95% to 98% of businesses in this county will be back open in some form or fashion," Palm Beach County Mayor David Kerner said.
Back at Verdes, Herman said there's not a lot to do to open back up Tuesday. He's expecting good times from here on out.
"It will absolutely be a fantastic day," he said.