Businesses up and down the streets of Edgartown had signs taped to their storefront windows this week, echoing a refrain that’s known all too well to year-round Islanders.
“Sorry, we’re closed.”
It’s school vacation week here on the Vineyard, which means even some of the hardier year-round businesses close their doors as students and parents exchange backpacks for suitcases to embark on well-deserved vacations.
Over the weekend, families boarded the ferries with plans to head to the golden beaches of California or the canyons of Arizona. Others took to northern New England, strapping skis and snowboards to the roofs of their cars.
The exodus leaves behind empty sidewalks, docked boats and still roads. The Island reaches its deepest lull during February break and the people who remain behind say the silence is palpable.
“I can literally hear myself breathe,” said Michael Power, the assistant general manager at Aquila Cafe in the YMCA lobby.
Normally, when the clock strikes 2:10 p.m. on weekdays, the cafe is flooded with teenagers eager to grab a smoothie and chat with friends after a long day of notetaking and tests across the street. But during February break, Mr. Power said it’s painfully slow.
“Whenever there’s a school break, you can hear the crickets,” Mr. Power said. “If somebody dropped a pen from upstairs, you [could] hear it.”
Abigail Leighton, the YMCA wellness floor coordinator, said vacation week is one of the only times of the year that she can find a parking spot with ease.
Ms. Leighton oversees the YMCA gym and said many of the personal trainers have had a large drop in appointments for the week.
“Yesterday I came in and was like ‘uh, do I need to be here?’” Ms. Leighton said.
The pace of February vacation week does offer the gym and others a chance to undertake a deep clean, or catch up on other put-off tasks. Morning Glory Farm was closed this week to do renovations; Edgartown Books shuttered for inventory.
Since many businesses opt to take a break, the vacation week can be fruitful for the ones that stay open.
Sharky’s Cantina, one of the few restaurants open on Circuit avenue in Oak Bluffs, had four tables immediately filled when the eatery opened on Tuesday.
The Barn Bowl & Bistro is another business that profits this time of year. On Tuesday around noon, many of the lanes were in use and cars lined the street around the bowling alley.
Kids were running up and down the hallways in between bowls, joking about the points they scored and discussing who they thought would win.
“During the day, we tend to be busier than when kids are in school, because there’s nothing for the kids to do,” said Chris Petropoulos, the service director.
Mr. Petropoulos has been working at the Barn for six years and said the bowling alley has a steady flow of business throughout the year because bowling is an activity that’s fun in every season. When other entertainment businesses close for the off-season, the Barn profits.
“All the seasonal places get closed down, and then even some of the year-round places, around this time of year, will take two weeks off so their staff can go have a vacation or do a deep clean . . .” Mr. Petropoulos said. “There’s nowhere else to go. They’re going to come here.”
While some turn to bowling, other Islanders look to books. The Vineyard Haven Library sees an increase in traffic during February break because people have time to read, watch movies and attend events.
“It’s the time when you don’t have to hustle all day, every day…” said Aria Nevin, the children’s librarian.
Ms. Nevin said that on Monday 51 books were checked-out in the children’s section. The week before averaged around 20 each day.
The library offers many events during February break because it knows kids that stay on the Island need activities. Jennifer Rapuano, the young adult librarian, leads Craftapalooza every day during the break, and kids can come be creative with the buckets of pom poms and pipe cleaners she’s been collecting for more than 15 years.
Edgartown Cinemas also tries to provide extra entertainment for kids that stay on-Island.
Anne Evasick, the theatre manager, said she’s added matinees each day for families and tries to show movies that appeal to kids, such as the Oscar-nominated movie Flow that stars a cat, Paddington in Peru and Captain America: Brave New World.
While the weather has been warm, making business slow, Ms. Evasick said it’s important to the theatre to remain open for the community.
“A lot of the daycares are also closed this week, and the parents need something to do with the kids…” Ms. Evasick said. “It tends to be very slow, but we’re here for the people who couldn’t go off Island and on vacation.”
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