GATLINBURG (WATE) – Business owners in Gatlinburg are anxious to get back to work after last week’s wildfires. Officials said Monday the city is set to reopen to the public and for business on Friday, which will be 12 days since the fires ripped through the city.

“I’m excited. We have been cooped up in the house for well over a week,” said Mechelle Logan.

Logan works at Ober Gatlinburg and is one of many workers anxious for the city to repoen.

“It’s going to be nice. I’m ready for normal,” said Allen Cox.

Normal is hard to find in Gatlinburg now.

“I was tickled to death my house was standing but walking into it – the smell is overwhelming,” said Cox.

Cox is still trying to wash that smell out of his clothes.

“We still have a long road to go, but we will get there,” he said.

Friday will be one step closer to getting there for these workers.

“I’m ready to see all of our friends. The people we work with,” said Logan.

Logan hasn’t seen them since the evacuations last Monday. Many people hope for a bit of normalcy.

“It’s going to be a while before everything gets back to normal. All the destruction. All the buildings,” said Matthew Jones.

“I’m ready for these tourists to start pouring back in so we can see them,” said Cox.