Businesses look forward to the Fourth

This was written as part of a Independence Day package for the weekly.

Independence Day is a good reason to take a vacation, skip cooking and visit local businesses willing to cater to your everyday needs.

“It’s a time to be with family and be away from the house,” said Colleen Brady, manager of Vincenzo's on the Bay.

Brady, along with local businesses in Bonita Springs and Estero, is hoping the Fourth of July — which this year falls on a Wednesday — ends up bringing with it a big payout.

“This is big business for us because everybody is on vacation and they tend to eat more,” said Brady whose expecting to serve an additional 40 to 60 dinners throughout the week.

The same is what Kelly Olsen at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Estero is hoping to see as taxis and buses drop vacationers off.

“It will be pretty busy based on last year,” said Olsen who is the hotel’s spokesperson.
“Our business if pretty steady but we are looking to pull in a good week.”

The good week will come as a result of vacationers taking off days prior to the holiday and the following days as well.

“The Fourth of July is always a long weekend. ... We will have a lot more people,” said Olsen about the hotel that is expecting more people including a lot of families.
“This is the slower season for us, as it is with most hotels, but we will have a steady week.”

Heavenly Scent Flowers in Bonita Springs is also expecting a solid week because they will be doing a lot of behind the scenes work in preparation for the city of Bonita Springs celebrations.

“In reality the Fourth of July isn’t a big holiday like Mother’s Day but we are excited about it,” said Susie Sayger, who will spend most of her time working prior to the holiday.

Sayger and her staff will be helping parade participants with floats and decorating the Riverside Park band shell.

“We will be closed that day because the parade route runs in front of our shop but its going to be an exciting day for us,” Sayger said.

“It’s more a family holiday with the floats, parades and things. It’s an excuse for us to have a day off ... have fun.”