The tiny town of Lantana is preparing for what is likely its biggest happening in its nearly 100-year history.

In an historic event itself, President Donald Trump will meet next week with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is expected to stay at the Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa in Manalapan on Thursday and Friday. The hotel is just on the other side of the Intracoastal Waterway from Lantana, adjacent to the town’s beach and public parking.

Security is expected to be so tight that it will shut down almost an entire portion of the town — nearly all of public beach parking. Police predict a "traffic nightmare" for residents and any brave visitors. All roads will be open, but traffic is expected to be "bumper to bumper."

"In a nutshell I would pack up and go home now, go north as far as you can," Lantana Police Chief Sean Scheller told residents and the Town Council on Monday.

Read: Low-flying helicopters have Lantana residents fuming

David Stewart, Lantana’s mayor of 17 years, said previous presidential visits didn’t cause this much commotion.

"I remember when the president of Finland was here and when our President George Bush was here and when our President Gerald Ford was here, it was never any of those types of problems," he said. "It’s amazing, that, I mean, they weren’t taking over anything."

The meetings between Trump and Xi Jinping are expected to take place at Mar-a-Lago, which is in Palm Beach, about seven miles north of the Eau.

But with the Chinese president’s presence comes a tremendous amount of additional security, separate even from what Trump brings to the area on his frequent visits. Those in Trump’s arrival and departure path know what to expect: closed roads and airways, and snarled traffic.

Authorities are expecting 40 Greyhound buses to drop people off near Lantana’s beach with about 80 percent of the parking slotted by the Secret Service.

Read: FAA to Palm Beach County: Let jets land at Lantana Airport

If there’s too many protesters, the Secret Service might close the Lantana bridge. And some type of barrier will be set up Tuesday along a portion of Ocean Avenue and on Ocean Boulevard that will make that area look like an "impound."

But with all the chaos does comes a benefit: a spot in the limelight.

"I think it’s wonderful. I think it’s great for the economy, and Florida, and right here for Lantana," said Boca Raton resident Carol Shiffman, who also resides in Connecticut. "It’s the biggest thing to happen in the area. It’s very special."

Hypoluxo Island resident John Franchina said the benefits out weigh the inconvenience. "It’s good to give exposure to this area. It’s got to be helping tourism. It’s a trade-off. Public safety has to come first," he said.

Franchina’s wife Elizabeth said she thinks the trip could encourage the Chinese to visit the area to see where their president stayed in America, benefiting the local economy.

Lantana’s mayor admits there are pros and cons.

"It’s going to be a temporary inconvenience for security reasons if he does stay there, but it’s just temporary and you have to look at the pluses that come with a visit by a president of a large country," Stewart said. "All the support staff it takes and all the additional business that local businesses will probably receive from that."

But some businesses think the security will stop potential customers those two days.

Across the street from the Eau is Plaza del Mar, which hosts an outdoor green market every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Debbie Khan sells fresh vegetables and fruit at the market, and is concerned her business will suffer.

"Don’t shut down the minority or small local businesses," she said.

John Calomiris owns Dune Deck’s Mimosa Cafe, a restaurant that sits next to the Eau atop of the beach, and already is expecting the visit to negatively impact his business. He’s worried about customers being able to get to the restaurant, and if the bridge is closed, even his staff members. On average, he feeds between 300 and 400 people per day.

"It’s a big loss for us but it’s exciting too," Calomiris said.

Calomiris isn’t moved by the Chinese president’s stay, but smiles while wondering aloud if Trump might come to see Xi at the Eau.

"Maybe he wants to come here, bring the president here," Calomiris said.

Dune Deck isn’t planning anything different in case the presidents visit, but Calomiris said if Trump requests a particular dish, he’ll make it.