In Rain And Shine

Buck Starts Here

By most reports it was standing room only in Montauk over the Memorial Day weekend. Restaurant owners and motel managers alike reported brisk business throughout the weekend. And because rainy weather cheated visitors out of Sunday, many lingered on Monday, generating a profitable weekend overall.

"It was much better than last year," said Jean Gamba, a front-desk receptionist of the Ocean Beach Motel. Ms. Gamba said reservations for the rest of the summer also seemed to be up compared to last year's.

Renee Alversa, manager of the Born Free Motel, agreed. "We had a wonderful weekend," she said. The Born Free is almost booked for the entire summer. "And they're long stays," Ms. Alversa said, "not just a night or two here and there."

Don't Go, Rain!

The Royal Atlantic Motel, which sits on an ocean dune in downtown Montauk, is already 80 percent booked for the summer, according to Anthony Kalimnios, the owner. He said 150 of 162 rooms were occupied on Memorial Day weekend. "Now we just need the weather," Mr. Kalimnios added.

Restaurants and shop owners may be the only ones who appreciate rainy days. Jim Hewitt, who owns the Shagwong Tavern, had to call employees in earlier than scheduled on Sunday to keep up with the demand of hungry customers. "Because of the rain it was as busy during the day as we usually are at night," he said.

Roberta Gosman Donovan, whose family owns Gosman's restaurant, also claimed a good weekend "in spite of the rain." Waiting lines for a table during the day and evening were as long as an hour, she said.

Bernadette Castanza of the Montauk Beach Store confirmed that the weekend had been good to her. Since this was the shopkeeper's first year in business, however, she had little to compare it to.

If the weekend was any indication of what's to come, it may be time to hang out the Help Wanted signs!