On September 26th, Cedar Key, Madeira Beach, and other spots in Florida were hit full force by Hurricane Helene. Some of our good friends and best partners had their businesses physically wiped out during the storm and storm surge that day. We checked in with Vicki Ferrari of Sweet Brewnette to hear their story and to talk about how they plan to respond.
Sweetwater: You all suffered some very serious damage in Hurricane Helene. Can you describe what it did to your place of business?
Vicki Ferarri, Sweet Brewnette: Sweet Brewnette was catastrophically affected by Hurricane Helene. We sit on Gulf Blvd in Madeira Beach with the beautiful waters of the Gulf in our sight and the intercoastal waters behind us adjacent to our parking lot. On most occasions this is a blessing, but with this Hurricane we learned of the wrath those waters can produce.
We have been open in Madeira Beach since Nov 10th, 2015. Since then we have become a favorite spot for locals, a return destination for vacationers, and a place that felt like home for our crew.
On Sept 26th, 2024 Hurricane Helene ravished Sweet Brewnette when our town was hit with 8 ½ ft surge waters. Our front doors were severely damaged allowing for flood waters to come rushing in like a raging river. It flipped 300lb coolers upside down, ripped furniture out to later be found hundreds of feet away from the building, destroyed all electronics, supplies, equipment and left a wake of mud and sewage behind.
We, like most on the island, lost everything. What wasn’t ripped away, was left rotting in sewage, saltwater and mud. It took almost a week for the island to be safe enough for us to even come back on to see the devastation.
And within a few days of us coming back on the island, and gutting the café, we were evacuated again as Hurricane Milton was headed straight for us.
SW: Where are you all at in the aftermath? What are the prospects of opening up again in the near future?
SB: The aftermath has almost been as heartbreaking as the day I saw Sweet Brewnette turned into a pile of rubble. I was immediately overwhelmed with the financial burdens of a thriving business coming to a halt, having to lay off the Sweet Brew Crew and how that affected them, and learning how to tackle the mound of paperwork required to get assistance from our government. Which at the date of this interview is still non-existent since their funds are depleted and congress refuses to come back and address the needs of the people affected by this catastrophe.
Insurance has denied all claims citing all subsequent policies such as food spoilage and interior damage was due to the initial incident of the Hurricane, which they don’t cover because of “flood”. A policy which they dropped after the last close encounter of a Hurricane, knowing they may need to pay eventually.
Sweet Brewnette is owned and operated solely by one woman, me. So I have put my big girl pants on and will navigate my way through this pile of $*!#. Even though I am solo, I am not alone. I have been reminded of this by loyal customers, friends, family and so many that my little café has made an impression on.
I am starting this journey by offering Sweet Brewnette’s amazing coffee for sale online for brewing at home. I fill these orders and ship them myself daily, which fills my heart to know so many people have come to love it.
I am also fighting to get answers about the possibility of reopening at our location in Madeira Beach, as I have learned there may be some regulations that will not make that possible. So I am actively researching other locations.
Sweet Brewnette will come back in 2025 because this story is far from over.
SW: For folks who want to help, what is the best way for them to plug in and support you all?
The best way to help is to keep us fresh in the minds of everyone. Keep sending me your videos, pictures, stories, morning cup of brew and let me know if I can repost them. It will take me a little time to get the pieces back in place, so ordering coffee, and spreading the word to your friends and family to do the same really helps. I will stay fresh on social media with any progress.
Please visit Sweet Brewnette at this link and send Vicki photos, videos, and messages to keep her spirits up and to show her how you support Sweet Brewnette!!!