An iconic Jersey Shore restaurant that was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy will finally reopen, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend holiday.

Construction crews have been hard at work over the past 5 ½ months to rebuild Donovan’s Reef. The bar and restaurant, which has been around since the 1970s, was destroyed by the storm. Only a little bit of the original building was left standing.

“It was devastating. We couldn’t get in here, Ocean Avenue was covered in sand,” says co-owner Michael Carducci. “The only thing left was our tiki bar.”

There have been more signs of recovery around Sea Bright. A grant helped pay for new sidewalks, trees and curbs around the businesses.

Donovan’s Reef is expected to open Saturday. The building may be brand new, but Carducci says that not much else has changed.

“The atmosphere is the same. Certain clientele walk around barefoot, or in [their] bathing suit. People enjoy their feet in the sand,” he says.