Seafood is selling on Labor Day

Naples restaurants see a boost in business

CREATED Sep. 3, 2012

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  • Seafood restaurants in Naples see a steady Labor Day crowd Video by fox4now.com

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NAPLES- Seafood restaurants in Naples are seeing an increase in business during the Labor Day weekend.

Latosha Bentley works as a waitress at Pinchers Crab Shack. She says she does not mind working the holiday. Infact, she prefers it.
 

"Everyone that lives around here comes out. They like the scenery and they like to watch the boats go by... all the kids have fun. it's a great time. I love it."

Pinchers off of 5th Avenue South in Naples is a hot spot this Labor Day holiday. The parking lots at Tin City are packed. Pinchers tell me their waterfront location and fresh sea food is bringing customers inside.

"Everything we're serving, we're catching, we have control from the water to the table," said Jason Camp, Pinchers Crab Shack.

The majority of visitors are coming to Naples right now from other parts of the state. The Convention and Visitors Bureau tells Fox 4, Labor Day is one of the biggest holidays and tourism numbers continue to climb.

"July numbers, visitation up over 6 percent and the really good number is direct spending from our visitors is up 12 percent over a year ago," said Jack Wert, Director of Collier County's tourism.

Another seafood restaurant, PoBoys Shrimp Shack on Tamiami Trail is also seeing a full house. The restaurant opened just over 6 months ago.

"I was thinking about being closed because Labor Day you think of the beach and parks or whatever, but I got a full dinning room at 11:00 am," said Shawn Teeters, Owner of PoBoys.

Teeters said the restaurant has been offering creative deals to keep customers coming back. For example, the restaurant is offering a free burger with the purchase of drinks and fries. The meal ends up costing alittle over $5 dollars.

Restaurant owners are glad to see a boost in business. Wert says the majority of visitors right now are driving to their destination in Naples and are staying just over 4 days.