They're back; Snowbirds a boon to local economy

Traffic jams up, lines at registers lengthen and businesses begin hiring seasonal help.

The traditional kickoff for the economic snowbird season remains last week's "Black Friday" with retailers anticipating a healthy four-month season ahead.

Restaurants double staffs to handle the seasonal business increase. The temporary residents provide an economic boost to the area until about the end of March, when the snowbirds take flight north again.

From Fort Myers to Naples restaurants go into overdrive to meet demand.

"Our business doubles in season; tourism is very important to us," said Taste of New York Pizzeria & Café owner Deanne Serwin. "Snowbirds start trickling in about the end of October and we stay busy until almost April."

The controlled mayhem of a commercial kitchen in full operation started before 9 a.m. when calls for delivery meals began. Later, the restaurant's 100 seats fill up for lunch.

Business is so good the full Italian restaurant plans to expand with a location in Cape Coral in December.

The same routine played itself out through other restaurants south to Naples.

"We start adding staff at the end of October," said Maxwell's on the Bay owner Peter Sereno. "We double our staff to 60 when we are at peak season."

Many of Sereno's employees return year after year to work at the Naples restaurant, a continental dining fixture for 20 years. The restaurant has a few condominium buildings for use by staffers who work up north, usually at an affiliated restaurant in Rhode Island for the summer.

"I'd say many of our employees enjoy working at both locations," Sereno said. "Many like our manager and chef have also been with us for almost 20 years."

The economy may not be the best, but people still like to eat out. In fact the downswing in employment throughout the area may have improved the quality of his seasonal job applicants, Sereno said.

"This year, maybe because of the economy, we don't have to sift through the applications as much," Sereno said. "I see a lot of applicants with college degrees who need jobs. I've hired teachers who use the money to supplement their incomes."

Other business hirings seem to be more along the holiday time period and could last until the end of January rather than the whole snowbird season.

Big corporate employers such as Barnes & Noble, Toys "R" Us, Target and others did not have specifics on after holiday season hiring.

"We hire about 60 to 70 team members at a store nationally for the holidays. It varies with the store's needs and location," said Ana Williams, a Target spokesperson. "We start hiring in October and it looks like we continue until January."

Company officials parroted Toys "R" Us spokesperson Lisa Lewin's speech," We offer competitive pay at market," when asked about pay scales.

The Publix supermarket chain used to hire seasonally but stopped.

"We plan for business fluctuations all year long," said Shannon Patten, a Publix spokesperson. "We keep our stores fully staffed all year long."