HYANNIS, Mass. — It was an explosive holiday weekend on Cape Cod. Tourists returned in droves as people went out and celebrated the lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions in Massachusetts.
“I was shoulder-to-shoulder with people for the first time in a year plus, so, I loved it. Getting back to normal,” said Mitchell Clark, a Dennis resident.
In some towns, restaurant sales were record-breaking.
According to Elizabeth Wurfbain, executive director of the Hyannis Main Street Improvement District, numbers were off the charts with large parties taking advantage of indoor dining. At the Duck Inn Pub on Main Street, some customers were turned away after hitting capacity.
“It was electric,” said bartender Kody Cahoon. “It was great, everybody all over just coming in. And it’s good to have it back open.”
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Down the road, Common Ground Cafe reported having their busiest Sunday since the pandemic began.
“Just really, really busy,” explained manager Joe Goldovitz. “Everybody seemed to be out having a good time, nobody was impatient, anything like that. Everybody just seemed in a really good mood.”
Many tourists stayed inside due to the weekend rain.
Patric Harrington of Arlington said he and his family spent much of their time playing board games at a house in Brewster. They did, however, check out some local shops.
“We did do the Cuffys run. We got all the kids their sweatshirts from Cuffys.”
While Monday was quieter with people heading home, business owners said they were very optimistic that this summer will be a busy one.
“All the bookings are up, anyone who is coming is spending, they have money to spend,” said Lynn Mitchell, owner of Mrs. Mitchell’s Gifts. “Everybody just seems thrilled to get out.”
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