JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Nearly two weeks after Irma hit the Jacksonville area, many businesses in the city's historic San Marco neighborhood were still closed Wednesday.
Flooding damaged buildings and destroyed merchandise. Now, there are piles of debris, gutted storefronts and virtually no foot traffic.
"To see how dead it is, it's really frightening," said Kevin Burns, owner of Beer:30.
Business owners, including Burns, are still recovering from high floodwaters caused by Irma.
RELATED: Many San Marco businesses closed as they clean up from floodwaters
Some businesses lost just about everything -- fixtures, furniture and even merchandise. But despite their losses, business owners are staying "San Marco Strong," which is a new campaign Burns started with the San Marco Preservation Society to help support local businesses.
"We have to come together because if we don't, we'll have the empty storefronts. We'll be going back to where we used to be and that's not what we need for the area," Burns said.
The San Marco Food Store took a hard hit. It's already tens of thousands of dollars in the red after Irma. In the midst of repairs and cleanup, they've opened their doors.
"It makes you want to cry when you think, 'What a total loss,'" said "Mary" Mashhour with San Marco Food Store.
Many people in San Marco know "Mary," who has worked at the store for more than 10 years. She considers her customers to be family and has stayed positive through this entire ordeal.
"Whatever we lost, it's only stuff. It can be replaced. Thank God we didn't lose any lives," Mashhour said. "They are strong deep inside and with the help of everybody, they will get back up, I'm very sure of that."
Events are already in the works for the "San Marco Strong" campaign to raise money to help businesses and residents alike get back on their feet. The community is the process of developing the events.