Treasure Island business owner forced to close store after area storm damage from Hurricane Helene
Jan 14, 2025
Julianne Causey was the owner of Isle of Style, a consignment store on Treasure Island.ABC Action News first interviewed her back in October, just days after Hurricane Helene hit Florida.Her shop was filled with mud and debris. Most things were ruined after Hurricane Helene slammed several feet of water inside.She lives just a few minutes away. Her home was also damaged by water.You know when you have 10 inches of damage in your house, pretty much all of your furniture is ruined, all of your appliances are ruined, all of your air conditioning, your pool pump, your pool heater. I mean, pretty much you have to gut your house, said Causey.We wanted to check in on how things were going now, three months later, so we caught up with Causey at her house. Shes still working on fixing things there.I mean, you can see were still doing construction in the bedroom, and were still working on baseboards and painting and sanding. The kitchen... needs backsplash, and my oven still does not work, said Causey.So many things are still not the same.Its still kind of a jumbled mess. Were still trying to work it all back in its not easy. It definitely isnt, said Causey.We didnt meet up at her store this time because she had to shut it down.The tourists are not back. And really I couldnt afford my rent because you really need tourists and locals to buy from you, to stay in business. And theres hotels that are still not open, lots of them, said Causey.Things here just arent back to normal.Unfortunately, a lot of businesses cant afford to stay open with no business coming in like at least what they had, said Causey.Although she had to close her consignment shop, Causey tries to find the silver lining.It was something that I always dreamed of doing and I got to do it. Not many people get to do what they dreamed about doing, said Causey.She works to stay positive even after dealing with so much.Its a trauma when you go through something like this and so you have to pick up the pieces and try to pick your spirits up, said Causey.Yes, you can cry, and you can be upset, and you should when terrible things happen to you. But you cant let that be how youre going to be the rest of your life, she added.Now, shes looking ahead to whats next.I know that theres been a door closed but that theres a lot of doors out there, and another one is going to open, and maybe its going to be better than Ive ever dreamed... Im open for my next dream. Which Im not sure what itll be yet, said Causey.My husband was like, 'So whats on your list? You know, of things you want to do next?' And I said, well, Id like to work for ABC Action News, she shared.You never know.But theres one thing she knows for sure.This is my happy place its going to be okay, everything is going to be okay, said Causey.