Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
Left: Co-owner of Margaritaville Caribbean, Brian Jardim (right), talks with his dad, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, at the smashing new Margaritaville Grand Turk during the opening of the Grand Turk Cruise Centre last Friday. - CONTRIBUTED. Right: Brian Jardim of Margaritaville chats with the chief minister's wife, American actress Lisa Raye McKoy. - PHOTOS BY JANET SILVERA
WHY SHOULD Jamaicans have all the fun? Grand Turk is rocking now with Margaritaville in town. The 18,000 square foot property, which can seat 450 guests, is now officially in full swing after it was 'opened' last Friday.
But this was bigger than just Margaritaville. The Grand Turk Cruise Centre, which was also opened on Friday is a vacationer's Mecca. The pier and 13-acre complex provides you with great shopping and of course, recreation. Though Margaritaville has been open since February, they held off the big celebrations until everything was finished.
"We have infrastructure some islands don't have. This is one of the best fishing and diving locations in the world. So all we needed now was somewhere on the dock," explained André Dixon, chief operating officer of Margaritaville Caribbean.
All the 'belongers' (as Grand Turk residents call themselves) seemed to have come out for this one; some even going for the dapper Sunday-best look.
Chief Minister Michael Misick could only marvel at the 'explosion' of investment and development to take place in his island in the last two years. So around 2:30 p.m. (Turk time, Jamaica is an hour behind) the ceremonial ribbon was snipped and the fireworks added even more illumination to the already-bright Friday afternoon.
EXCITED ABOUT PROSPECTS
Co-owner Brian Jardim told The Gleaner that he is very excited about the prospects for the Grand Turk location.
"The number of cruise ships originally projected to call looks a lot more for the future. We get most of our business from them and the rest from locals, but I am pleased and look forward to opening up in Grand Cayman later this year."
So, now that we were officially in party mode, the cruise ship passengers, locals and journalists just spending a few hours in paradise, went inside to take in the newest Margaritaville around.
A two-story party haven, complete with a huge swim-up bar and an area for live entertainment awaited. The buzz was electric and guests could either splash in the waters of the Caribbean or hang out by the poolside while sipping a few beers; especially Latitude beer which is Jamaican brewed just for Margaritaville.
The DJ kept everybody (who was listening to him) groovy with some good old American songs.
The menu was also very Jimmy Buffet-style with nachos to start off, delicious tortillas and juicy cheeseburgers. So, where will Margaritaville pop up next? Grand Cayman, folks, and word is it's even bigger than Grand Turk. Oh well, more fun for the Caribbean!
