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Algae forces closing of at least one business

Posted at 12:21 AM, Jul 03, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-03 00:21:51-04

The first business of the 2018 algae season is closing up shop on the Treasure Coast.

The owners of Riverfront Kayaks in Stuart will announce the closing of their business Tuesday blaming the poor water quality for dismal sales.

That business owner will not focus on bicycle sales.

Now other business owners are worried they'll face a similar fate.

Not a day goes by Jordan Schwartz at Ohana Surf Shop doesn't think about it.

"We worry about that every day," said Schwartz. "Worse this algae gets, the worse business gets."

That thought became a reality for a Stuart Kayaking business.

Mike Conner, a part-time fishing guide, knows the feeling. He remembers the "Lost Summer" of 2013.

"I lost about 50 trips, 450 dollars a trip," said Conner.

In 2016, several bait and tackle shops met their demise.

That's why people like Jordan and Mike keeping fighting.

"We should have a good wave of activism. This is three times in 10 years we've had this," said Conner.