Earl watchers party through night

Many business owners remained open Friday, despite the hurricane warnings, and the intermittent downpours. John Scott’s Surf Shack, on Dune Road, put up a big sign in their window, “Go Away Earl,” and started serving “EARL-y Bird Specials” for lunch at 11:30 a.m.

“People are coming here to see the water — Dune Road is a popular sight-seeing place,” said owner Sean Casey. “So far we’ve had about 60 people here for lunch, and we’re also serving hurricane drinks and “dark and stormy” rum drinks. I plan to stay open as long as I can.”

More than three hours after Earl had come and gone — shortly after 2 a.m. — there were still more than a dozen customers at the bar.