If it were a typical summer season at Rockaway Beach —concessions would be completing their fifth week of business.

But 2020 is anything but business as usual for the boardwalk vendors. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic — city beaches did not open to swimmers on Memorial Day weekend.

The city did allow the concessions to open — but with no swimmers and little guidance from officials, many took a wait and see approach before doing so.

Maribel Araujo who owns Caracas Arepa Bar just opened her Beach 107th Street stand last week.

“It affected us big time. Because we project our summer on these operations that goes from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. It basically caught a third of our season,” said Araujo.

Araujo says she’s had to make a number of changes to make operations safer starting with reducing her staff by 50 percent — she could not have the same number of people working in the kitchen and behind the counter.

“I feel very sad because this is the essence of Caracas Rockaway and all the Rockaway concessions is to give back to the community where we are and hire locally kids that are out of school,” said Araujo.

Araujo says staying above water and dealing with all of the new protocols and changes have been a challenge. But she’s adapting. She chose to eliminate tables and chairs on her patio space so customers can socially distance themselves while waiting to order. She says it’s important that people continue to take the virus seriously — even as the city is getting ready to move into phase three of its reopening.

“This is a summer where we have to do it in a safe and healthy way and if we don’t do it together — we’re not going to make it happen. We’re going to go back to Phase One,” said Araujo.

Many people we spoke with are excited after months of coronavirus closures. The rituals of summer are finally returning — but city officials hope that people will heed caution while soaking up the sun.

“I just really would like people to adhere to social distancing and personal space and give everyone the space they feel safest with,” said Annette Szydlowski, a Rockaway Beach Resident.

City beaches officially open to swimmers at 10 a.m. Wednesday. That’s when lifeguards will return to duty for the first time this season.