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Staten Island Pharmacy Flooded Out By Sandy Back In Business

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A Staten Island business has celebrated its re-opening 14 months after being devastated by superstorm Sandy.

As WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting was held Monday for Midland Pharmacy.

"We had seven feet of water inside the building and everything was ruined," co-owner Lou Spadafora said. "We wanted to come back for the neighborhood, for the community."

Staten Island Pharmacy Flooded Out By Sandy Back In Business

The money to rebuild came from savings, grants and loans, Haskell reported.

"It is great. I can walk here. This the best thing that ever happened," a long-time customer told Haskell.

Rep. Michael Grimm was on hand for the grand re-opening.

"It's that hope factor. People need to see some progress. And unfortunately, there's been very little," he told Haskell.

Roughly a third of the businesses on Midland Avenue are still closed, Haskell reported.

Spadafora expects it'll take a year before business is back to normal.

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