CAPE CORAL, Fla., -- The green algae has been making employees at Fins Seafood and Bar Restaurant sick. But the manager says there's a silver lining: an increase in customers.
“We’ve done a bit more in sales," said Karen Morris, manager of Fins. "A lot of people are staying away from the waterfront restaurants.”
Morris says less people are going to restaurants right on the beach and are coming further inland for their food where she is located. However, Morris says even inland on Del Prado Blvd the smell of algae is creeping out of neighborhoods and flooding the streets.
“I have to hit my rescue inhaler more often, I always have these on my shift," explained Morris. "I probably have to hit these two times on my 8-hour shift."
Morris isn't the only employee finding herself getting sick. Fins' Waitress, Sarah McLaughlin, says she has severe anxiety that has been made worse by the algae.
"[The algae] made it really difficult to breathe and now [my anxiety] is starting come back,” said McLaughlin.
Morris says the restaurant tries to offer incentives by hosting things like concerts and trivia nights, to help customers forget about the bad smell.
