MARIGOT–Despite its deserted appearance, one or two new restaurant businesses are quietly installing themselves in Marina Royale, Marigot, confident that by the 2019 start of tourist season, the once thriving marina will have regained its reputation for fine dining, ambience, and boutiques.
Looking at the marina now, that’s hard to imagine. The scars left behind by Hurricane Irma are very evident but there has been a clean-up and the side of the marina that housed some small businesses and the dock-master’s office has been completely demolished, reportedly to make way for new shops.
Talk to anyone at the marina and they are looking at the long-term prospects, resigning themselves to keep ticking over for another year, trusting that the Collectivité will not let the marina be abandoned.
The most recent opening, or reopening, has been Le Croissant Royal, formerly La Croissanterie, on the west side of the marina next to Tropicana. After the hurricanes the previous owners decided to retire and it was bought by two of its employees Yvose and Vick Malivert who have worked there for 26 years. The restaurant, which first opened in 1986, is open for breakfast and lunch from 7:00am to 4:00pm. The new owners say the size is the same as before and the prices are the same.
Tropicana, which closed on Saturday for the summer but reopens again in November, is also confident in the marina’s recovery.
“We are seeing more action now, than a few months ago,” waiter Christophe from Tropicana observed. “Where they have demolished the dock-master’s office, that section will reportedly be replaced by shops and the dock-master’s office will move to the Auberge du Mer side of the marina which in turn will be developed more to cater to the marine side of business. That’s what we are hearing.
“It’s good news that things are moving. Marigot really needs this marina. I’ve been here for over 20 years and I remember how good it was before. But what is important is for the Collectivité to take care of what is outside the marina; the parking and security. Tourists need to have parking areas that are safe and in good condition.”
On the opposite side of Tropicana, the former Chanteclair restaurant is undergoing a renovation, to be renamed Be Kool. Next to them will be the bakery and restaurant Sarafina which is relocating from the Boulevard de France on the waterfront. Sarafina is occupying two spots, one for the bakery in the former Fontaine Pajot marine business office and next door in the former La Belle Epoque for its restaurant/snack, Patisserie and Salon de Thé.
“We will be opening the bakery part in September,” disclosed owner Medhi Gaucher who noted his insurance claim has only partly been paid. “But the Patisserie will open in the first quarter of 2019. I wanted to stay on the waterfront in the same place despite the risk but did not get an agreement with the owner.”
Main a la Pate, Creperie du Lagoon and Big Sip are among restaurants currently open for business on the marina as well as a handful of shops.
Considerable work still needs to be done in the marina, notably to replace the wooden decking walkways. To date there is still no news from the Collectivité as to its reconstruction plans for the marina.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/79115-le-croissant-royal-sarafina-confident-in-marina-recovery
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