Pensacola Beach Businesses Close Ahead of Storm
By Claire O'Neil
Thu, October 8, 2026
Updated Thu, October 8, 2026
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Pensacola Beach businesses, from shops to restaurants, are planning to shut their doors on Friday as evacuation orders remain in place.
Surfers and visitors enjoyed a final beach day before the storm, with double red flags flying high. Businesses, however, say they will be hunkering down and securing their establishments.
"We are going to try to go through as much food as we can today," said Lindsay Stanley and Renee Mack, bartender and general manager of Paradise Bar and Grill, which will be serving its last customers on Thursday and closing its hotel. "And we just pick everything up, and raise it up two feet. And pray."
The Sneaky Tiki Bar began loading outdoor furniture to store away, while owner Jennifer Jackson expressed her hope that this would not be their first hurricane experience.
"We have a plan... but we just secure everything we can," she said.
Kevin Flynn, owner of The Reef, is sending all staff home and closing his doors on Friday afternoon. He's preparing for potential storm surge and wind damage, moving computers and other items from lower shelves.
ECUA announced it will shut down water and sewer services on Pensacola Beach beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday. Services will be restored once it is deemed safe to return.
Many businesses hope to reopen on Saturday afternoon, but of course, that depends on the weather.