- November 26, 2024
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Chef Maria Mays has run Back to Eden Vegan and Vegetarian Cafe for 11 years, but now she's worried about how much longer she can continue.
"Already, I'm in danger," she said.
Located at 210 S Central Avenue in Flagler Beach, Back to Eden is one of over 15 businesses within one block of the new Compass by Margaritaville hotel at the once-empty 10 S. 2nd Street, across from Veteran's Park.
The hotel broke ground in September, and the first block of South Central Avenue — between State Road 100 and South 2nd Street — has closed for the entire 18-month construction period. Since then, the hotel's framework has already started going up, aided by a large on-site crane.
Mays said the closure of Central Avenue from S.R. 100 immediately impacted her business. The last several Christmases, she said, she would take reservations from visitors to Flagler Beach for dinner and make a good amount of money. This past Christmas though, she said, she made only $48 from one set of customers.
"I'm all alone at this," Mays said.
"I'm all alone at this."
— MARIA MAYS, Back to Eden owner, chef
The hotel’s developer, Sun Partners, LLC, and contractor, Welbro, submitted a traffic maintenance plan that included closing that section of South Central Avenue until construction ends in 2026.
At a Flagler Beach City Commission meeting on Oct. 26, City Manager Dale Martin said the MOT plan was developed in a collaboration between city staff — including administration staff, city planners and previous city managers — and the developer.
City Commissioner Jane Mealy said in that meeting she didn't think a major road should be closed down for that length of time.
She has since been convinced of the necessity, though, she said, after meeting with WelBro's team — both for the crews to work on building materials, the safety of people walking directly where construction work going on, and the amount of space needed to operate a crane that large.
"Am I in love with the idea? No," she said. "But it is one street, and there are ways to get around it."
Mays said part of the issue is the detour signs directing traffic away from where her business is located on South Central Avenue and South 3rd Street.
Now four months after groundbreaking, Mays said she's searching for a second job to help pay her bills, and has opened up her restaurant additional hours on the weekend, and began taking wares to the Farmers Market on Saturdays and and Veterans Park for the First Friday events.
"Am I in love with the idea? No. But it is one street, and there are ways to get around it."
— JANE MEALY, Flagler Beach City Commissioner
Mike McDermott, co-owner of Yes, Coffee, which just moved to its new location on Dec. 8 at 213 S. 2nd Street said the cafe has been doing well so far, even with the construction. Because of the detours, he said, people often have to drive by the location, and the construction workers themselves frequently stop by for a drink.
They've had a good month so far, McDermott said, and for now, Yes, Coffee will take it day by day, but he's not overly concerned.
Mealy said there is no easy answer for businesses that have concerns, but those that do are always welcome to bring their concerns to the Flagler Beach City Commission.
"They can come to a meeting and talk about their problem. And maybe collectively we can come up with something," she said. "[But] I don't have an answer."
Mays said she is excited for the day the hotel opens — it will bring a lot of business to the area, she said, including her shop, if it's still around by that point.
She's looking at every opportunity she can to bring in business, Mays said. This is her livelihood, she said.
"It's gotten so bad for me here," she said. "...It's breaking my heart."
