Unfortunately the story is not in the online Daily Herald, but there is a story today regarding a plan to re-do part of Orient Beach, parcel AW34, whatever that is. I assume, without knowing, it's where the majority of the small restaurants are. I'm not sure if it is a done deal or not, but the plan apparently is to have some pre-fab type creole structures, each to house two restaurants. There will be a tourist market, walkway, parking for 80 cars and a proper access road, and praise be, public bathrooms! The plan would require closure of the businesses in June, rehab through the end of September and reopen around the beginning of October 2015.

Overall to me it sounds good, except for the closing for the summer part. Not sure how the restaurants will survive, being closed for 4 months. Maybe individual restaurants would close at different times?

We have heard rumors of something like this for a while.

I was concerned that Gonzalo might give fresh impetus to it. ( Or maybe it's just coincidental.

We have seen developments like this a number of times in our area and generally for one reason or the other the majority of the original businesses don't survive the transition.

It might be nicer as far as amenities go, but I would miss the funky mix of places that are there now.

Exactly.

I'm wondering if the same person who now controls Kon-Tiki and Bikini also controls those parcels of land?

From what I heard, that is the case. But I have no direct evidence to support it.

It makes sense, though. And based on what he did at those two places, I suspect we've seen the last of that "funky mix" as you so appropriately call it. Sad.

To me, I think the 'funky mix' was kind of an eyesore, but I am probably in the minority. According to the story, supposedly the plan was met with approval by the current lessors, which I doubt, but we shall see. I wish the story was online for others to read it and see what their take is on it. Perhaps it will be in one of the other online sources.

This is from Today newspaper This story doesn't have the details of the DH story.

We tend to stay at the other end of Orient where the beach is usually much wider but that isn't to say we haven't stayed down by Andy & Cheryl's on many occasions. It will be interesting to watch this unfold.

I understand, and to an extent, agree, Carol; but that area had a more Caribbean feel to it for me. And while we generally stay at Kakao when we're on Orient, I still enjoy the occasional meal at Aloha. Those spots were also lower-priced options than the places further north, which obviously appeals to a lot of visitors.

Hopefully the outcome of this will not to be to raise prices, but to make the area a bit more attractive and user friendly.

Well said.

It's just sad that Aloha, Leandra's, Andy and Cheryl's, Le String, Orange Fever, Ethnic. Etc might be replaced by pre-fab beach bars.

Whenever we go into Aloha, for example, we remember when Koko and Marina started it before they moved on. Memories of Andy in both of his locations on Orient. Etc.

It will just be sad.

I wonder if it will be a similar type of arrangement as the Grand Case Lolos. Aren't they owned by the Collectivité of St. Martin and leased to the individual operators? It seems to work well. (as long as the proper taxes are paid)

I have no idea who currently owns the land, either on Orient, or in Grand Case.

I for one, would miss the uniqueness and funkiness.
Chez Leandra's is our most favorite spot, and we've enjoyed Leandra and Zelman's ideas and changes over the years!

2 parcels are leased to different individuals that make up the OB "strip" the steel gate behind Kontiki separates them. The building areas are subleased. Maybe they'll add a Mickey D's.

And as for a Tourist Market. Didn't they try it once and it/they burned down?

SXM??? Wendell

Aloha was nice inside. Many of the others, especially from the outside, were an eyesore..

I for one liked the funkiness. I have been in the restaurant buisness for 35 years and I liked seeing hard working people realizing their dreams. The setting was the best for a great late afternoon lunch with quality food.

As with everything, new and improved means higher rent and that means higher prices or lower quality or both.

I really thought the restaurants from Pedro's to the gate gave OB fayon

So now they will all look alike. Cookie cutter establishments.

You think that's an improvement ?

That's what I call an eyesore.

Will agree to disagree on that.

We were at Chez Leandra's for lunch today and they have done a great job of rebuilding their deck. Much larger with tables and chairs instead of the picinic tables. The place next to Leandra and Organge Fever are also hard at work with new decks. It would be a real shame if all this hard work was demolished.

It's not the deck that is destroyed it is the hopes and dreams of a better life by working hard. When then the storm hit everyone on this forum wanted to spend some cash and help these people out. If it is some generic building with no soul and some corporate entity counting the cash, what's the point of having a special place without the special people.
Miami Beach, Palm Beach, Nantucket, Manhattan, Aspen try to get started there now compared to the 70's and 80's. Goodbye Orient.

I also am a fan of the "funky mix" with the "Caribbean feel". My 3 faves on that end of the beach are Orange Fever, Ethnic and Chez Leandra. And hopefully, nobody will try to "improve" the Club Orient end (except Club O). <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Umbrella.gif" alt="" />

I agree completely! The "funky mix" is what makes Orient Beach unique. Sounds like they want to turn a wonderful place into an Aruba clone.... Let's make it pretty for the American tourists!

Add us to the list of those that appreciate the individual funky feel to the beach bar/restaurants along the Orient strip. We would be extremely dissappointed to see this go the route of some planned development. It is our opinion that a lot of pride, hard work and dreams would be cast aside if the possible suggested changes were made. As someone else said, a lot more at stake than just buildings. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Some truly great replies here, TravelHat, Biturbo, Chuck,, brucenSusan and others

For those of you old enough to remember, it reminds me of a song called "Little Boxes" popularized by Pete Seeger.

It begins:

"Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes made of ticky tacky,
Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes all the same.
There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one,
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.

And the people in the houses
All went to the university,
Where they were put in boxes
And they came out all the same,
............"

I don't really believe there is much I can do, but we just arrived on island today, and we'll do what we can by visiting not only the small places we normally frequent, but also the ones that we don't usually eat at.

Ashamed to admit it, but we have never tried Chez Leandra.

We'll fix that omission in the next few days.

WEEDS!

Count me in also in enjoying the OB strip as it is. Don't get me wrong. I have always been a fan of progress but for some reason I just picture OB with the rustic "Caribbean Style" shacks. I think that rustic setting is a major part of the ambiance of the area.

Just my humble opinion but..........

We don't spend all that much time on OB these days, reason being, we loved it in it's natural state prior to ALL the changes that happened years back when the beach was initially developed to that which most know today, and the only 'eatery' along the beach was the 'guy with the BBQ' where you ate whatever he offered that day or went hungry. Now that was real 'island feel' or 'Caribbean quaint' IMO.

But that said and out of the way, I can't help but notice that with each major modernization that happens across the island, many of us stand in outrage over the loss of the Caribbean feel, yet as the improvements are completed and in place, we enjoy the new feel and convenience they provide just as much. I'm willing to bet the same thing will happen along Orient Beach as long as there is a good mix and prices remain within the realm of 'affordable' so that all can enjoy.

So many felt the same way about the Boardwalk in Philipsberg, the new airport and the current cruise ship port but most will admit they are all welcome and pleasant improvements. I suspect, once done, we'll all get over the loss of that which once was and will come to enjoy the new feel, as long as so many of our friends aren't displaced because of the changes. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

If they lose the individual character of each establishment, it will be a great loss. If they can somehow maintain that and add the conveniences they list, that would be great. The difficultly, obviously, will be in finding the balance.

My first thought also! What a great show and theme song! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

I agree with Ted and Jan, the funky mix was our favorite part of the beach. If we wanted to go to a beach with Ticky Tack stores and restaurants we could stay right here in our home town.

We've had funky mix for a while now... we've never had Ticky Tacky... We say give it run until the next hurricane. We've enjoyed the ticky tacky changes in Orient Village area.

Yes, Orient Village has worked out fine.

But it replaced weeds, scrub and an overgrown area.

Not actual people and places.

Hmmm, lots of differing opinions from all the SXM veterans.
I am still looking for the survey from OB owners/lessors asking for our opinions. I would imagine they are going to do what they think they have to do in order to stay in business. Part of the allure of many Caribbean places is the individuality and uniqueness of the brick and mortar - or maybe better described as palm fronds, hibiscus, and bougainvillas - but I think the real draw is the people, the natural parts like the beach, the mountains, the countryside. Most of the restaurants/bars we have visited are pretty much Americanized/Canadianized - sometimes you aren't sure if you are in SXM, or Hawaii, or Houston, LA, etc. We love Orient Beach and I don't think the general feel is going to change a lot. We all do what we have to do.

We are planning to come to St. Martin in January and always look forward to the fun beach bars and laid back feel of Orient beach. We especially have always liked Orange Fever and Ethnic and we are wondering are they rebuilding these two beach bars? Also if they rebuild and then decide to move forward with these new plans will they tear everything down that has been rebuilt in June? I think this would be a big mistake, and I am sure others will agree. We don't need or want cookie cutter buildings, Orient is one of our favorite beaches for the uniqueness that it holds. Sure hope they reconsider.

It seems to us the area could use some livening up. By 4:00 most days the boat people have left and the places are closing up. We've often thought a good business person could get a great party scene going in the late afternoon hours with all the incumbent beach folks.

I think all the helter skelter building at water edge is probably the reason the beach is eroding. The constant grooming and grading of the sand, removal of seaweed, heavy foot traffic, raking and fluffing sand up for wind and water to easily take away is no help. The beach bounces back a little at times, but as a whole the beach is disappearing, and whatever they put there, or rebuild is not going to last, unless they get so far back that they're on rock/lava.

Just spoke to one of the workers in front of one of the establishments in question. He was very surprised to learn that the plan had been reported in the newspaper. He too was upset that the individuality of the structures will be no more. However, he did say a lot can happen between now and June. He was hopeful that parts of the plan my change.

Comment from manager of an Orient Beach hotel: This plan refers to all the small beach bars between Pedro's and Kontiki. It is not a Luftman project. Every time there is a hurricane with major damage this same issue comes to light. Further I will believe it when I see it. ...Jim

Like I said in the original post, I couldn't tell from the original newspaper story whether this was supposed to be a done deal or not.