Early pre-Labor Day business along Crystal Coast

Judging by the looks of vehicle and pedestrian traffic along places like Atlantic Beach, Labor Day weekend has already began.

By: Arthur Mondale | WNCT
Published: September 03, 2010

ATLANTIC BEACH, N.C. - The visible effects of Hurricane Earl have come and gone in Carteret County. And evacuation orders have been lifted from Emerald Isle to Atlantic Beach.

So have tourists returned? And will business along the coast boom into Labor Day weekend?

Judging by the looks of vehicle and pedestrian traffic along places like Atlantic Beach, Labor Day weekend has already began. But who's already cashing in? Afterall, within roughly 24-hours, Carteret County has seen countless tourists evacuate...and quickly return.

Bus as a visitor, an unexpected change of plans isn't cheap.

Now that things have officially changed for the better, businesses are more optimistic. The Crystal Coast Visitors Center says tourism spikes along the coast between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

So businesses are hoping for a profitable end to the season, because obviously heavy pedestrian traffic on the sand doesn't necessarily mean long lines in the stores.

Hotels too are optimistic, many report bookings and re-bookings so far have been steady. As of Friday afternoon, the Atlantic Beach Sheraton reported being over 75% full.

Proving the storm has passed and the monetary impact appears to be over.