Bridge closure could actually bring more business for some

OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — Monday marks the start of the six-month long bridge closure in Oak Island. The G.V. Barbee Bridge will be closed until April.

It is a closure that has been a long time coming. Now, there will be only one bridge to get on and off Oak Island. For some businesses, the closure could mean even more customers.

“We don’t look forward to it because it’s very inconvenient for the community, but we are here to help them out. If they need anything, we are here,” said Orazio Falcone, who owns Falcone & D’s with his wife.

Falcone’s restaurant is near the Swain’s Cut Bridge, which is the only bridge people will be able to use to get on and off the island. He says they have already been seeing more customers.

“We increase the kitchen. We increase the stuff in the kitchen. We increase the stuff in the dining room – the servers, the bartenders. So we want to make you guys comfortable,” said Falcone.

The alternate route Oak Island residents will take to get to 133 or 17 could take an extra 30 minutes. With the added traffic, it could take even longer.

“I will have to give myself more time in the morning. And I will have to give myself more time as I go other places, especially if I go to Southport and things like that,” said Ruth Ann Ferraro, the store manager of Mermaid Cove.

Despite the inconvenience, she says the closure could actually bring more business to the store. Businesses are trying to keep a sense of normalcy during this time.

“So they want to find a place to go. They want to find a place to stay, to eat. So we are here. We are here for them. We share our home with everybody near,” said Falcone.

Businesses say they want to help ease the transition for people. Falcone says they have even brought in more seafood from places like Southport to make it more accessible to customers.