Neptune Grill reopens nearly a year after Hurricane Helene devastated Gulfport | Neptune Grill

Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene devastated Gulfport’s waterfront, two beloved businesses have reopened their doors.

Neptune Grill and Let It Be Ice Cream were among the hardest hit when storm surge and historic flooding left the district in ruins. Today, they are once again welcoming customers.

When the storm swept through Tampa Bay last September, Neptune Grill, a family-run seafood and Greek restaurant, took on more than four feet of water.

For co-owner Dia Vartsakis, who operates the restaurant alongside her father, Gus, the extent of the damage was overwhelming.

“I remember returning to the restaurant after the storm and turning the corner to find everything damaged. We found our food blocks down the street,” Vartsakis said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

The aftermath of hurricane helene at Neptune Grill in Gulfport | neptune grill

The restaurant, located at 5501 Shore Boulevard South, has been a Gulfport fixture since 2011.

In the wake of the storm, however, nearly everything had to be replaced: walls, floors, electrical systems, kitchen equipment, furniture, and more.

Federal relief never came through, and permitting delays slowed the process further.

It wasn’t until mid-February that the family received the green light to rebuild.

“Every year, we’ve added something or renovated parts of the restaurant. We saw our time, energy, passion, and livelihood destroyed. It was heartbreaking,” Vartsakis said.

Today, Neptune Grill is cautiously back in business, offering a limited menu Thursday through Sunday while contractor Buildet LLC completes renovations.

The inerior damage inside neptune grill after Hurricane Helene | neptune grill

Hours currently run from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Even with limited offerings, fan favorites like gyros, stuffed grape leaves, jambalaya, chicken fresco, burgers, and sandwiches are available.

Live music on the patio, another community favorite, is also set to return.

Vartsakis credits local support for helping the business survive. The Salty Nun, a now-closed LGBTQ+ bar in St. Pete, held a fundraiser during the closure to support displaced Neptune Grill staff.

Vartsakis, who also owns the multi-tenant property, has begun floodproofing efforts with impact windows and structural upgrades to better withstand future storms.

New funiture, decor, and paint inside Neptune grill | neptune grill

Of the building’s tenants, only Neptune Grill and Let It Be Ice Cream will be returning. Qi Crystal Energy and Paw Paw’s Pet Boutique will remain permanently closed.

Let It Be Ice Cream, located at 3127 Beach Boulevard South, also suffered catastrophic damage.

Owner Talia Skorupa remembers opening the door to chaos.

“It was a complete mess, and our fridges and freezers, which were full of ice cream, rolled around, crashing into each other, spilling ice cream all over the store,” she said.

For months, Skorupa considered relocating to downtown St. Petersburg or Tierra Verde. But once Vartsakis confirmed approvals for rebuilding, she decided to stay.

Let it be ice cream after sustaining damage from hurricane helene | let it be ice cream

On August 22, the whimsical shop reopened with a fresh interior makeover, including a pastel ceiling mural of melting ice cream and new shelving.

Nine of its classic handcrafted flavors have returned, including butter pecan, chocolate peanut butter, cookies & cream, Gulfport Gecko (mint and Oreos), and strawberry.

Specialty and seasonal flavors rotate weekly, and customers can also order ice cream cookie sandwiches, pints, iced coffee, and pie slices.

Let It Be Ice Cream now welcomes visitors every day of the week, with hours running 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, until 9:30 p.m. on weekends, and 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays.

The reopening of Neptune Grill and Let It Be Ice Cream adds to a growing list of Gulfport establishments returning since Hurricane Helene.

After almost a year closed, Let It Be Ice Cream returns to Gulfport | let it be ice cream

Popular Gulfport establishments, like O’Maddy’s Bar and Grill, Gulfport Brewery and Eatery, and Tommy’s Hideaway, have all resumed service.

Others, including Hurricane Eddie’s, GulfPerk Coffee Bar, and the Gulfport Casino Ballroom, remain closed but plan to reopen.

Even as celebrations continue, the work is far from over.

More than 500 properties in Gulfport remain under review for substantial damage.

City officials are finalizing a watershed management plan to better protect low-lying areas, with a vulnerability assessment by Advanced Engineering and Design Inc. expected later this year.

For Gulfport, the return of Neptune Grill and Let It Be Ice Cream is more than just two reopenings. It’s a symbol of perseverance.

“To see our staff and regulars return with smiles and tears of joy makes everything worth it,” Vartsakis said.