Business not booming on Dauphin Island

DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WALA) - The dining room was practically full at Barnacle Bill's. But in Memorial weekends of the past, the Dauphin Island restaurant would probably be completely full.

"I would say we're probably running in the 75-80% of previous Memorial weekends," said owner Bill Lindley. "If it wasn't for the last minute bookings that we got on the island, we would've been in trouble this weekend."

Lindley said the holiday weekend gave business a boost, but the rest of the time, the oil spill has created a dip in business.

"We're not getting that much business from BP or their subcontractors," he said. "They've got out of state catering options down here handling some of that, not giving the local operations a shot at it."

Lindley said by dining with local restaurants, BP could actually save some money they'll have to pay in business claims.

"They can be mitigating their losses right now by doing business with the locals. We're surprised they're not doing that."

Real estate broker Grace Tyson said those BP contractors have been filling up her rental properties, but overall, business is still down.

"We do have places that are full," said Tyson. "There are some extra places that are available, but the typical Memorial weekend you have fishing tournaments, let's go to the beach, kick off the summer. That's not the general feeling. We're trying to make that happen, but it's just not here."

Not here, unlike the threat of oil.