VERO BEACH — While the Vero Beach barrier island was almost totally shut down by midday Saturday, the venerable Riverside Cafe was not only open, but resembled the scene of the kind of hurricane party normally associated with Key West.
The Riverside, as near as our reporters could determine, was the only drinking and dining establishment still open on the barrier island — and at mid-afternoon, it was hosting the type of crowds normally present to watch NFL out-of-market Sunday football games.
A bartender said a decision as to whether the Riverside would be open for the first Sunday of the NFL season would depend on the impact Hurricane Irma will have on Vero Beach tomorrow.
