Manayunk bounces back to business after Irene

Less than one week after Hurricane Irene drenched the coast and flooded many parts of the Philadelphia area, local restaurants and stores on Main Street in Manayunk are drying out and getting back to business.

“Manayunk has a history of bouncing right back when the water levels recede,” said Howard Moseley, director of government relations and infrastructure at the Manayunk Development Corporation, in an earlier interview about preparations for Irene. 

Dodged a bullet

Dwelling, a furniture store located at the intersection of Main Street and Shurs Lane, is prone to flooding due to its location on the lower end of Manayunk’s Main Street.

However, President Michael Dornblum said the business didn’t suffer any damage and was able to get back to business on Monday morning.

“We really dodged a bullet,” said Dornblum. “There was no actual flood water in the store. Other than the loading dock, the only other place where water came in was the records room but there was nothing in there.”

Dornblum said the only casualty of the flood was a lamp that he broke trying to get it to the second floor of the establishment.

The shop’s door was blocked with heavy sandbags and plastic sheeting was well-placed.

Dornblum said the worst flooding damage occurred during Hurricane Floyd in 1999. He said his company has learned a lot since then.

“We were so prepared that it certainly made it a little easier to deal with,” said Dornblum.

Dormblum sympathized with first-time business owners who were dealing with flooding for the first time.

Not all doom and gloom

One of the iconic images of flooding in Manayunk is the back deck of the Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant.

The brewpub is well-respected for its quick return to business after an event like the Irene flooding. Owner Mike Rose was busy directing cleanup efforts at his restaurant this week.

“I’m tired of all the doom and gloom stories about Manayunk,” said Rose.

The Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant released this further statement on its website: “Hurricane Irene hit the Brew Pub hard this weekend, but the staff here is working even harder to soak her up and clean her out.  We certainly have appreciated all of the supportive emails, Facebook messages, tweets and phone calls that have been pouring in with concern and best wishes.

The restaurant opened back up on Wednesday while its neighbor, Mad River, re-opened on Thursday.

Calls and emails made to Mad River’s co-owner Max Tucker were not returned at press time.

While it has taken other businesses some time to get back to normal, many are relieved that they weathered the storm and are back to business.

“This is the best month that we have had,” said Dormblum.