- May 15, 2024
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Hidden Treasures on Rose Bay suffered significant damage from Hurricane Irma. Photo by Tim Briggs
After losing part of its signage, Hidden Treasures was still able to open the Friday after the storm. Photo by Tim Briggs
Part of Hidden Treasures' dock got pushed up to the shore as part of the several feet of storm surge that affected the restaurant. Photo by Tim Briggs
Picnic benches were destroyed as storm surge affected Hidden Treasures restaurant in Port Orange. Photo by Tim Briggs
Several wood panels on docks have been destroyed as a result of Hurricane Irma. Photo by Tim Briggs
The new wood flooring and high-top tables inside Hidden Treasures. This area was all previously cleared out by the storm, but has been rebuilt quickly. Photo by Tim Briggs
Despite losing the last two letters on its sign, hundreds of wood panels and almost its entire dock, Hidden Treasures restaurant on Rose Bay in Port Orange was open the Friday after Hurricane Irma.
There have been significant damages, but the crew at Hidden Treasures has worked hard over the past week to rebuild what it lost. Part of the dining area near the center of the restaurant needed to be redone, and it has been, which to Jim Shaynak and the restaurant, has actually been a blessing in disguise.
“The wood in here was very old, so we knew the storm would have the effect on us,” Shaynak said. “But we’ve done an excellent job to be able to open a lot earlier than we originally thought and now this room is all brand new, so it's about looking on the bright side."
The initial forecast of Hurricane Irma had Port Orange in dire straits, but despite the indirect hit, the damage to Hidden Treasures is enough of an inconvenience to have to build back about a quarter of the waterfront property.
Prior to the arrival of Hurricane Irma, Hidden Treasures held a 50% off deal on everything in the restaurant.
Shaynak and the rest of the folks at Hidden Treasures did it because they weren’t sure what they were going to have left. With news of storm surge in low-lying areas, they had the deal and people flocked, wondering if it might be one of the last times at the Rose Bay location.
The other two Hidden Treasures restaurants in Daytona Beach and Ponce Inlet sustained damage, but Rose Bay suffered the worst of all.
There are some who now will have to wait be able to sit on one of the high-top tables overlooking the beautiful Rose Bay, but Hidden Treasures is working hard to build everything back to how it was, and with the new room already built, it appears as though that could happen sooner rather than later.
“We’re committed to our customers and we wanted to open quickly after the storm,” Shaynak said. “For some of these kids, this serving job is their livelihood. They need the money and those tips, so we are glad we were able to do what we could to get back up and running.”
There’s work to be done, but Hidden Treasures braved the storm, and are now improving as a result of it.
