Opening of New Restaurants on Orient

The old post is getting long so I thought I would start a new thread for the contest. The challenge is to pick the week (starting with a Monday) that the first establishment would open (as defined by serving food or drink for money). The reward is a free drink at the Perch ($10). Below is the list of guesses with the first listed for a given date having priority for the prize.

10/5/15
10/12/15 ChunkyDunkin DavidinChelseaMA
10/19/15
10/26/15 fabila BeachKitten
11/2/15 DICKG islandgem Margarita
11/9/15 Biturbo leslieridler louise
11/16/15 Petwa Carol_Hill Ted_n_Jan
11/23/15 SXMScubaman bdeeley jmbcomms
11/30/15 thesimpsons JohnandBev
12/7/15 sxmdoc Vikki52
12/14/15 gotaluvit TravelHat chiaoo
12/21/15 CampJimmy
12/28/15 jeepers sxmojo
1/4/16
1/11/16
1/18/16 DanNJessica
1/25/16
2/1/16
2/8/16 madg1108
2/15/16 mahokid beechbumms
2/22/16
2/29/16 Monty
3/7/16
3/14/16 gracie105
3/21/16
3/28/16 BGH
4/4/16
4/11/16 SeaStar
4/18/16
4/25/16 biglar

Additional guesses are welcome!

Howdy from the Burgh.
I pick 12/28/2015 and even if I don't win, I'll still drink at The Perch everyday next February. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Ok, I'll pick 1/4/16. Happy New Year!

So does the person win who picks the closest date without going over the actual retail date or is it the closest on either side of the opening date?

My understanding is that you pick a week (Mon-Sun) and the date you give the OP is the Monday of this week.

May see you at the Perch in February!

Sounds good to me. See ya there! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

I'll take 1/11/2016. Would have taken 1/4, but Pony600 beat me to it!!!

If there is a tie... Do we spin the wheel???

gotaluvit,

If you win I'll buy your drink. Only thing is we don't arrive on island until 2/1/16, so couldn't leave the money with Willie until then.

I looked at the previous post again because I didn't think I picked the same date as someone else. Mahokid shows that he picked January 12th (which would maybe be January 11th?) You might need to double check with him. I don't mind sharing the winnings though <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Thanks! Won't be a problem since we don't leave until February 4!

Hey y'all! We're on record as saying early 2016, so we'll take March 21st. Got a vested interest - we'll be there 3/25 - 4/3, so we sure hope its a go by then!

Perfect!!

Checking out all the pics on other sites, seems like March 2016 is looking VERY good! Optimistically!

Walked down by construction on 13th. Five of the units are sheet rocked and taping looked to be complete. Still lots of work to do both on buildings and grounds prep. Guess I lost my place in line.
Club O beach is in great shape, not super wide but from Papagayo's north easy two rows of chairs, narrowing to one row approaching the Perch.
Nice slope into the water with a small step about waist deep. No sargassam at all and a very small presence of seagrass. Water warm and very clear.

I don't know about March 2016 but based on the most recent pictures, an opening in 2015 is very unlikely. Here are 2 pictures taken yesterday and posted on a Facebook page. The 1st pic shows the most advanced units in the project. The second pic shows the least advanced ones.
People, draw your own conclusions.

Chunky--If you're still on island, would love for you to post some pictures.

Carol -- Doug will be on the island for quite a few more weeks, lucky guy!

OK, good, hope he can keep us updated here!

From these two pictures alone, it appears that progress has slowed. For those who have built homes you know how fast things happen at the end when the contractor can smell that check. Not saying we are that far along, yet...

One more from yesterday

Sand gravity--ugghhh. Lounge, cooler, water, back to lounge, into cooler again, repeat. Made it as far as blue umbrellas today.
Chris n Paul just showed up.
Gotta go.

Yes, get that sand gravity, for sure!! But have some pity for those of us stuck at home!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I will take 1-4-16 <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Ohhhh that last pic does not look good. Notice the water has almost taken the seaweed to the sea wall. Afraid what we have seen at other locations on Orient, the rock sea wall in front of Perdos and Papagayos, the result has been less sand in front of those locations. Don't like sea walls they change the dynamic of the natural movement of sand once the water makes it to the wall.

Have seen the same type of erosion in Playa del Carmen. Unintended consequences. What goes in front of the new establishments will undoubtable have some unfavorable consequences somewhere else on the beach.
Walkig by the other day I saw several of the beach fence posts that were already undermined.
Will TRY <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> to overcome sand gravity tomorrow and take another walk tomorrow up that way.
Just as an update, this am a very little sargassum on the Club O beach section. Not remotely enough to cause any problem. Only limited sea grass floating in the surf.
Beautiful day on the beach.

OK folks, here is an updated list...not looking good for October or November picks but who knows... We still have some early 2016 picks available!

10/5/15
10/12/15 ChunkyDunkin DavidinChelseaMA
10/19/15
10/26/15 fabila BeachKitten
11/2/15 DICKG islandgem Margarita
11/9/15 Biturbo leslieridler louise
11/16/15 Petwa Carol_Hill Ted_n_Jan
11/23/15 SXMScubaman bdeeley jmbcomms
11/30/15 thesimpsons JohnandBev
12/7/15 sxmdoc Vikki52
12/14/15 gotaluvit TravelHat chiaoo
12/21/15 CampJimmy
12/28/15 jeepers sxmojo plequerre
1/4/16 pony600 bigbobthib
1/11/16 Alaskan
1/18/16 DanNJessica
1/25/16
2/1/16
2/8/16 madg1108
2/15/16 mahokid beechbumms
2/22/16
2/29/16 Monty
3/7/16
3/14/16 gracie105
3/21/16 DandM2812
3/28/16 BGH
4/4/16
4/11/16 SeaStar
4/18/16
4/25/16 biglar

OK, hopefully someone on island will post some updated pictures soon!

OK,
10/12/15 ChunkyDunkin DavidinChelseaMA you guys are out
10/26/15 fabila BeachKitten not looking good
11/2/15 DICKG islandgem Margarita definitely on life support
11/9/15 Biturbo leslieridler louise hope springs eternal
11/16/15 Petwa Carol_Hill Ted_n_Jan ehh...they need to get on a horse

Ok - I am aiming for 2/12/16 - we arrive that day and it would be great if something was open before valentines day??!

Hoping for 2/14/16!

This construction just ain't fun anymore. These poor restaurant owners, staff, the shop owners and staff, now have been shut out of their livelihood for either almost or over SIX months now. I do hope they are all doing okay...and hope they get back to work ASAP. This project is costing these folks a ridiculous amount of lost revenue. People like Cheryl, who I know was planning on reopening...now I hear she isn't. She saw her years of hard work go right down the drain, by being closed for so long...and I am sure the other seven restaurants, and retailers are in the same boat. It is a TRAVESTY that the collective(sp) has had these people closed for more than double the time that they originally told them....and now we are less than a week from ''Season'', and looking at the pictures sure seem they are still at least a couple of months away from opening. It's sad. Progress is one thing.....but at what price??? Wishing all those involved here the best of everything, and hope they can get back to their lives real soon.

Well, no, it hasn't been six months yet, anyway.. They were closed around the middle of June. So far, four months. Anyone have any new pictures or updates?

These 2 pics were taken last week from what the FB poster wrote.

Actual construction started the first week of August so we are coming up on 3 months. I think the original estimate was for 4 months of construction so end of November? Seems optimistic. It does appear that the first unit is nearly done including the foundations for the awnings shown in the original renderings.

what are those concrete square pads for? The feet for a wooden deck/boardwalk?

does look like at least a couple weeks of feverish work. I guess they'll all be open by Christmas.

Deck pads most likely. The first two are coming right along. I wonder if they will let them open or will they have to wait for the one down the end to be completed.

End of Nov, even for the most advanced units, seems optimistic to me too considering that the exterior is not completed and the interior is just a shell.
We'll see when they'll be able to serve their first meal/drink.

We're here now. They had at least a dozen people working on the units yesterday. Its been raining a lot lately, so that alone could cause delays, but at least when the weather cooperates, they are working.

I'll say 1-4-16

I'll take 1/11/16, our arrival date in paradise...

Still looks to me like 2016 is the right bet!
Roads/parking, drainage, inside fit-outs, furnishings, arguing over lease rights, etc. Lots of work to do yet and opening still looks several weeks or months away.

I will take 2/22/16, please.

I'll see BerneandGary's Feb 22, and raise you a Feb 9.

OK, I updated the list. If you see 2 or more names they are in order of when their guess was received. Remember, that I specified choosing a Monday so if the guess was after a Monday I put it under the Monday of that week.

We still have some (now) good looking dates open for first time players!

10/5/2015
10/12/2015 ChunkyDunkin DavidinChelseaMA 
10/19/2015
10/26/2015 fabila BeachKitten
11/2/2015 DICKG islandgem Margarita
11/9/2015 Biturbo leslieridler louise
11/16/2015 Petwa Carol_Hill  Ted_n_Jan
11/23/2015 SXMScubaman bdeeley jmbcomms
11/30/2015 thesimpsons JohnandBev
12/7/2015 sxmdoc  Vikki52
12/14/2015 gotaluvit TravelHat  chiaoo
12/21/2015 CampJimmy
12/28/2015 jeepers sxmojo
1/4/2016 dannan
1/11/2016 mlachance
1/18/2016 DanNJessica
1/25/2016
2/1/2016
2/8/2016 madg1108 mitchnkim Ritchard
2/15/2016 mahokid  beechbumms
2/22/2016 BerneandGary
2/29/2016 Monty
3/7/2016
3/14/2016 gracie105
3/21/2016
3/28/2016 BGH
4/4/2016
4/11/2016 SeaStar
4/18/2016
4/25/2016 biglar

What happened to my name? I was 1-4-16

Had a look at the buildings today and the structures themselves would appear to be complete or almost complete. But of course that is just the buildings. Nothing inside them like stoves fridges etc and of course that is a big project in itself. They were laying down some fill in the parking area out back which almost looks like they are going to pave it. Wonders never cease. They have also built quite a few little stands for vendors in the rear.

We are going to be down 3/7-17....I'm hoping!!!

Hi. Would appreciate some pictures, if you can. If you don't know how to post them, you can email them to me at chill@info-res.com

Sorry pony, you are correct, you own that week. I will update the list!

We walked down there today, and I meant to go back after lunch and take pictures, but didn't get out of the lounger once my tummy was full. All of the exteriors are complete, including paint, and they are installing sun sails for shade in front of each unit. The units are closed, so you can't really see what the progress is inside.

Thanks! And I believe Alaskan had 1-11-16.

Sounds encouraging
Next issue will be the license lottery
Can't believe the licenses have not been given, but guessing if they had then the news would be out. So maybe no license agreements until some sort of official handover? That way the officials get that day in the sun and then another day in the news announcing the new licensee's
If that is the case it will be like a last minute gold rush race to get open
J&B

OK Folks, I made some errors in the list that I have corrected.

10/5/2015 DavidinChelseaMA 
10/12/2015
10/19/2015 ChunkyDunkin
10/26/2015 fabila azranger
11/2/2015 DICKG islandgem BeachKitten Margarita
11/9/2015 Biturbo leslieridler louise
11/16/2015 Petwa Carol_Hill  Ted_n_Jan
11/23/2015 SXMScubaman bdeeley jmbcomms
11/30/2015 thesimpsons JohnandBev
12/7/2015 sxmdoc  Vikki52
12/14/2015 gotaluvit TravelHat  chiaoo judymike
12/21/2015 CampJimmy
12/28/2015 jeepers sxmojo plequerre
1/4/2016 pony600 bigbobthib  dannan
1/11/2016 mahokid  Alaskan mlachance
1/18/2016 DanNJessica
1/25/2016
2/1/2016
2/8/2016 madg1108 mitchnkim vacationeer2 Ritchard
2/15/2016 beechbumms
2/22/2016 BerneandGary
2/29/2016 Monty
3/7/2016
3/14/2016 gracie105
3/21/2016 DandM29212
3/28/2016 BGH
4/4/2016
4/11/2016 SeaStar
4/18/2016
4/25/2016 biglar

To make it a bit easier, here is the list of people who chose dates first.

10/5/2015 DavidinChelseaMA 
10/12/2015
10/19/2015 ChunkyDunkin
10/26/2015 fabila
11/2/2015 DICKG
11/9/2015 Biturbo
11/16/2015 Petwa
11/23/2015 SXMScubaman
11/30/2015 thesimpsons
12/7/2015 sxmdoc 
12/14/2015 gotaluvit
12/21/2015 CampJimmy
12/28/2015 jeepers
1/4/2016 pony600
1/11/2016 mahokid 
1/18/2016 DanNJessica
1/25/2016
2/1/2016
2/8/2016 madg1108
2/15/2016 beechbumms
2/22/2016 BerneandGary
2/29/2016 Monty
3/7/2016
3/14/2016 gracie105
3/21/2016 DandM29212
3/28/2016 BGH
4/4/2016
4/11/2016 SeaStar
4/18/2016
4/25/2016 biglar

I am going to allow new players to choose dates for one more day (until 9 AM tomorrow) and then close the contest and see what happens!

I'll take 3/7/2016 please

mort--no offense, but my goodness, I hope you're not correct! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" />

..either way, I hope to be seeing you guys and the rest of the Regatta crew on that date! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I 'll take 04/18/2016 !

Ok, now we will go for 1/4/16 since we can see progress!

The fencing came down two days ago with some touchup painting of the shops plus a coat going onto the small ticket selling booths.

Yesterday morning there was a three cornered tent up on one of the platforms in front of each shop.

However, instead of two corners on poles with the third anchored at ground level, all three corners were anchored to poles leaving a nice pocket in the center to collect dozens of gallons of rainwater!

Since there was a brief shower overnight, the problem was obvious!
Today the fly was down but who knows if the correct design is part of the plan.

There are anchors for poles at probably all platforms!

You already had 12/14 already. Didn't think you could pick another but I may be mistaken.

Any pictures, anyone????

OK, I will take 1/25 if it is still available..

I will take 2/1/16 but I sure hope its sooner, it is a long walk from the Perch to the next drink! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

I was way off but that was wishful thinking. I'll choose our daughter's birthday, March 13.

Can we just choose another date if the one we chose has already passed? I did not think we could do that, but perhaps the rules have changed. My chosen date has passed too.

Yes, gotaluvit said you could only pick a date now if you haven't picked before, and I THINK they were going to stop accepting any new guesses around today. It's all for fun, anyway--not like someone might win a free trip! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Devil.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I thought it was a free trip........to the bar! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

OK, we are all closed up with only one week in April open so someone is likely to win. I did specify only one guess per poster, sorry. Here is the final list with the winner getting a free (maybe 2 now) drink at the Perch ($10) to be delivered via a mystery hat hung in the bar.

Now the challenge is to get these things up and running!

10/5/2015 DavidinChelseaMA 
10/12/2015
10/19/2015 ChunkyDunkin
10/26/2015 fabila
11/2/2015 DICKG
11/9/2015 Biturbo
11/16/2015 Petwa
11/23/2015 SXMScubaman
11/30/2015 thesimpsons
12/7/2015 sxmdoc 
12/14/2015 gotaluvit
12/21/2015 CampJimmy
12/28/2015 jeepers
1/4/2016 pony600
1/11/2016 mahokid 
1/18/2016 DanNJessica
1/25/2016 Cats2 
2/1/2016 DPD1968
2/8/2016 madg1108
2/15/2016 beechbumms
2/22/2016 BerneandGary
2/29/2016 Monty
3/7/2016 mort
3/14/2016 gracie105
3/21/2016 DandM29212
3/28/2016 BGH
4/4/2016
4/11/2016 SeaStar
4/18/2016 extreme
4/25/2016 biglar