OCEAN CITY, Md.- Help wanted signs can be seen up and down Coastal Highway in Ocean City, including the one outside Fager's Island.
"Looking for help in the middle of July is definitely unusual," admitted Kevin Myers, Fager's general manager.
One of the reasons local businesses have been struggling to find workers is because J-1 visa students, or international students who attend local colleges, usually make up a great deal of the seasonal workforce. Myers says Fager's Island usually hires a good amount of J-1 students, and they often keep in touch long after they return home. He says it was disappointing the program could not go on this summer, but the restaurant has had to adapt.
"Obviously we went into the summer thinking we would have more staff, and then when the program wasn't able for obvious reasons happen, it affected us," he said.
Fager's Island is not alone. According to the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, around 4,000 J-1 students work in Ocean City each summer.
President Donald Trump signed a ban on J-1 visas back in April that will be in effect until next year due to the coronavirus.
"We usually have around 12,000 seasonal workers, so that's a big chunk of our seasonal workforce employees. And it has made a very big impact on our businesses," explained Nancy Schwendeman, interim executive director of Ocean City's Chamber of Commerce.
On top of COVID-19, it's also forced some businesses to close to give workers a break.
Victoria's Crab House closed Monday evening to do just that.
"It was a real hot day today, and we're short on help, and I didn't want them to quit on me. Help is really tight, and I treat them right - I take good care of them because I don't want to lose them," explained Ernest Emerson, the owner of Victoria's Crab House.
Despite being short on workers, and having to move his operations outdoors, he says it has been a good summer, and that the price of crabs are starting to drop.
Restaurants and other businesses in Ocean City are just facing hurdle after hurdle this summer. The Chamber of Commerce is hoping to help.
A virtual job fair to fill positions throughout Ocean City. For more information, click here.