GRAFTON, Ill. — The umbrellas are going up at the ice cream shop on Main Street in Grafton. But like so much around the city, these bright green shades are so new that they still have the tags on them.
The family ice cream shop's been open all season, but Mayor Rick Eberline says it was "losing money most every day."
That is, until River Road reopened this week.
"We noticed that the sales had more than doubled yesterday alone," Mayor Eberline said.
He said the increased traffic is a welcome sight for the tourism-dependent local economy.
"We have been just totally devastated financially in this town, and to see the traffic and the people in this town come back means there is hope," he said. "Hopefully, the businesses can recover."
Mayor Eberline estimates even businesses that stayed open reported a loss of up to 85% of their business. But they're hoping to turn that around.
One person particularly hard hit is the Hawg Pit BBQ Barn's owner Cory Wiemelt, who just bought the business.
"I grew up on a river camp. I've scooped a lot of mud," Wiemelt said. "I always swore I'd never do it again, but now look at me."
Wiemelt had rain boots on, his shirt soaked through as he hosed down the cement floors at his business. He's pushing forward with hopes to open soon, and he said the whole area's pitched in to help.
"There are no competitors here," Wiemelt said. "It's pretty heartening."
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