With the Tampa Bay Rays back in St. Pete, people who live and work in the area are celebrating.Business owners in the area say they are excited to see an increase in foot traffic from the team being back at Tropicana Field.WATCH : St. Pete businesses hopeful as Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field St. Pete businesses hopeful as Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field"We do everything we can, specials, salesand we do have less employees at this pointbut thats ok. Weve been running with a skeleton crew," said Cathy Andersen, who works at a restaurant called Zaytoon.Mary Khalel and Cathy Andersek own a restaurant called Zaytoon.They said ever since the Tampa Bay Rays left St. Pete, its been hard to stay open."It was rough, it was rough for everybody on Central, and it was a hit or miss. And it was a lot of missing," said Khalel.Owners of Zaytoon said when the Tampa Bay Rays left the area, they saw a 55% decrease in business.But on Monday, all of that began to change."Lots and lots of folks down here, it was so wonderful to see againstreets were packed, it was crazy good," said Andersek.The Tampa Bay Rays returned to Tropicana Field for their home opener on Monday."Even hours before the game people were starting to come into towneven afterwards, so many folks walking, it was wonderful to see," said Andersek.Business owners said with the team back at the Trop, theres a renewed sense of community."It was fun energy seeing a lot of groups with their Rays gear, all the jerseys back and walking around," said Fernando Sanchez.Sanchez is the chef at Noble Tavern in Downtown St. Pete and said his restaurant isnt usually open on Mondays, but they made an exception for the home opener."I think it will make a huge difference, especially for all the businesses around here, you know. Its a greatthis whole little area around Tropicana, youre going to see a boom in foot traffic everywhere," said Sanchez.Khalel and Andersek said, despite it being a gloomy year and a half in St. Pete, they are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel."After what we saw yesterday it was the greatest feeling ever," said Andersek. ...read more read less