John Mullen

Staff Writer

Optimism reigns supreme at some West Beach businesses in Gulf Shores on the eve of Jimmy Buffett free show to draw visitors to the Gulf Coast.

Tom Cook of Pier 33 Grocery and Stephanie Williams of Ike’s Beach Service are keeping a hopeful outlook in the wake of the BP oil spill that continues to wreak havoc on the summer tourist season.

Cook was sitting on a raised platform reminiscent of old-style neighborhood store and contemplating the beach business climate.

He’s looking for a boost from Buffett.

“We’re hoping it’s going to be good,” Cook said. “The weather has improved a little over last week. We are hoping for the best.”

Stephanie Williams agrees.

“We want to keep a positive outlook,” Stephanie Williams said.

Cook’s store is like a beach shop, grocery store and restaurant rolled into one. You need household supplies for your condo stay?  He has ‘em. Need a hot lunch? He and his staff will hook you up with one.

“We’ve been here since 1978,” Cook said. “We see a good many (customers) come back year after year and certainly they come in day after day.”

And those customers offer encouraging words.

“They’ve had good things to say toward us and we appreciate it,” he said.

Cook doesn’t believe the slowdown in business — 50 to 70 percent in June — will cause him to close his doors.

“We will be here,” he said. “We’re optimistic it will go away one day and it will be soon.”

Stephanie Williams, whose office is just east of Pier 33 Grocery on the beach road, believes the business operated by her husband since 1978 is also here to stay.

They have service beaches from Fort Morgan to Perdido Key with beach chairs and.

“We’re Southerners, that’s what we do,” she said. “Ike has been doing this since 1979, I believe, right after Frederic. I’ve been here 20 years helping out.”

The oil spill has been described by some as the hurricane that won’t go away. Stephanie Williams says it’s worse.

“I think that it’s probably been a little bit more devastating than that simple because we don’ know when it’s going to end,” she said.

“With a hurricane, you can prepare for that and you know what you’re expecting. There seems to be finality with it.

“This, we don’t know how long it’s going to take or what to expect. I think people along the Gulf Coast are used to hurricanes, but they’re not used to this. Even visitors know how to handle storms, but nobody is used to this.”

Hard at work

In the meantime Ike Williams and his business partner Kenny Keelin are hard at work trying to keep things going.

“Both are going to do what it takes,” Stephanie Williams said. “They have a vested interest in the coast in the long term, not just this season. That’s our livelihood.”

They have also been involved in beach cleanup so they have it ready when customers show up.

“He’s working at night cleaning up.” Stephanie said. “Keep your own business running during the day and clean up at night. He’s a hard worker, always has been.”