Alcatraz temporarily closes for repairs

SAN FRANCISCO (NBC, KYMA) - San Francisco's iconic tourist attraction, Alcatraz, is about to get some needed repairs, but it will force a complete closure of the rock for three weeks, getting some Embarcadero vendors concerned about their bottom lines.

One of the final ferries of the weekend makes its way back to Pier 33 Sunday evening with Alcatraz visitors aboard.

"I had a blast here. Gone to the golden gate bridge. I did a lot today," said Stan Brown, an Alcatraz visitor.

Brown wass feeling especially lucky about his Alcatraz tour because he knows "The Rock" will be closed until November 19, and if he waited until Monday, he'd be out of luck.

"This is the last of three weeks. They are gonna be down for a little while. I'm really glad that all of these people are gonna make it, and I tell you what the lines are filling up on the island," Brown expressed.

The closure for dock repairs means the area will lose thousands of daily visitors for three straight weeks, causing concern for small businesses, especially vendors who set up shop daily at Pier 33.

Carmen, the owner of Nothing But Fruits, said she won't lose 100% of her business, but she will lose a lot, and it worries her because business is always bad when Alcatraz closes.

Jose D., a pedicab operator, said he'll make route adjustments until the tours start again.

"I won't be stopping here. This is our zone, and I won't be waiting here anymore...probably the next few weeks or so," Jose explained.

The island will be completely shut down, meaning no public tours, cell house visits or private drop off, until the repairs are completed.