Owners of Herald Court businesses in downtown Punta Gorda asked City Council why the city, acting as their landlord, has not moved to repair their units that were flooded from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The businesses’ leases with the city stipulate they are responsible for everything inside their leased units, including the drywall and flooring, City Manager Greg Murray and the City Attorney David Levin said at an Oct. 16 meeting.
Upon hearing the city was not responsible for the owners’ wall and flooring damage from floodwaters, Vice Mayor Bill Dryburgh and council member Melissa Lockhart expressed outrage. “I want to have something done for these people today. We’ve got to do something.” Dryburgh said.
Lockhart said the drywall and floors have already been removed from her own business that sustained flooding from the surge.
Mayor Lynne Matthews said the businesses can’t wait. It will be “two to three more weeks before drywalls are totally infected with mold,” she said.
Some of the owners described how Hurricane Milton’s surge delivered the final blow and shut down their businesses at Herald Court after they experienced less severe water intrusion from Hurricane Helene two weeks before.
After hearing their testimonies, Council voted unanimously to rewrite their leases and assume responsibility for replacing drywall and flooring.
Patricia Haley Herndon, owner of Punta Gorda Chocolate & Wine, Punta Gorda Coffee & Tea, and Haley Handcrafted Chocolate appealed to Council for help with repairs.
She said her businesses are closed, she had to throw out all of her chocolates and food products and her nearly two dozen employees are out of work. Although she cannot use her rented units, “I still have to pay my electric and rent,” she said Oct. 21 while waiting for the city to send workers to remove drywall and flooring after everything was dried out.
She estimated her losses totaled more than $100,000.
Other businesses at Herald Court include Artisans Atelier, Morgan Stanley, Dream Salon & Spa, Gorda Bowls, The Refindery Market and Otherside Ink.
Jamie Richardson, who owns Gorda Bowls, said her business “is at a complete standstill.” Leroy’s Southern Kitchen, which is co-owned by her husband, Lee Richardson, had a completely different experience with its landlord.
She said Leroy’s landlord “has been more than accommodating and was in our restaurant six hours after the first storm.”
Drywall and flooring were replaced, then after Hurricane Milton the landlord again replaced drywall and flooring, she said.
“My establishment, Gorda Bowls, is a different story,” she said.
Lisa Schmoldt, who owns Otherside Ink, a tattoo and piercing salon, said she’s been a tenant for 11 years and hopes Milton was not “the final blow.” She said she misses getting a Gorda Bowl, and some of the tenants got their hair done next door at Dream Salon.
Another tenant, Leonard Viggiano, who is one of the owners of The Refindery Market, said, “We feel like we’re out there on our own and we’re just urging you to help us as much as you can.”
Dream Salon & Spa is temporarily operating out of the Brighter Than Ever Salon in Punta Gorda, 425 Cross St., Suite 212.
After Council voted to amend the leases, Dryburgh met Hernon at her business.
She praised the city’s Public Works Department and Don Snyder, a facilities maintenance electrician, who visited her establishments and expressed optimism that the Herald Court businesses will be able to open.
