We recently saw 2 interesting hotel development news here on St. Croix. This is great news for tourism and the hospitality industry on island.
Hotel on the Cay
On an October 24, 2022 Facebook post, Governor Albert Bryan announced that the Government of the Virgin Islands has signed a fully negotiated and executed lease agreement with Christiansted Harbor Resort and Marina LLC for the redevelopment of the historic 7.2-acre Hotel on the Cayproperty (photo above). Governor Bryan is transmitting that agreement to the Legislature for its approval and ratification. Under the terms of the agreement, the company will receive a 60-year lease and undertake a two-phased $25 million renovation of the resort which includes:
renovation of the 55 existing hotel units
upgrades to the pool and existing restaurants
construction of 60 additional hotel units
dock extensions and ferry improvements.
To contact the hotel, call 1-855-654-0301.
Chenay Bay Beach & Resort
Also on October 21, 2022, Chenay Bay Beach & Resortannounced on their Facebook page that the property is officially under new ownership and management that day. They plan to re-open the restaurant in a few weeks and will be completely rebranding the property, renovating all cottages, building two new pools and a new restaurant. The cottage renovations will begin right away, the plans and permits for the pools and new restaurant will start later. The owners aim to break ground around April 2023, pending permitting, and be complete by November 2023. Call the resort for reservations at +1 340-201-1309.
We saw an article from The Caribbean National Weekly about the top 6 reasons to visit USVI. If you are planning a vacation in a tropical island around the winter holidays, visit the US Virgin Islands and all it has a lot to offer! Read article here.
The Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef (winter 2022-2023)
The Seaborn at Frenchman’s Reef (winter 2022-2023)
The Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort’s 75th Anniversary (St. Croix, December 2022)
St Croix Crucian Festival (St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, December 11-January 27)
The Caribbean Charter Yacht Show (St. Thomas, December 8-11)
UberSoca Cruise (a stop in St. Thomas)
YES US Virgin Classic Is Back for More (St. Thomas, December 29-January 3)
In the future, visiting St. Croix and the other US Virgin Islands may get easier. As many may know, US citizens can visit beautiful US Virgin Islands without a passport because they are a US territory. Did you know that there is new bill has been introduced to the US Congress House Judiciary Committee, and if they approve The Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act, this bill would allow visitors from the Caribbean to receive a nonimmigrant visitor visa exemption to enter the US Virgin Islands, for up to 45 days. named 6 reasons to visit the US Virgin Islands.
This is big news for Virgin Islanders planning to be first-time homeowners! On October 20, 2022, Governor Albert Bryan introduced a new home loan program for moderate income Virgin Islanders. Governor Bryan said this new VI Slice Moderate Income Homeownership Program will help first-time homebuyers secure financing to become homeowners through a partnership between the Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) and local banks that will be administered through the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (VIEDA).
Oriental Bank, FirstBank VI, Bank of St. Croix, Banco Popular, and Merchant’s Bank are part of the program. Governor Bryan emphasized in the announcement that the program is part of his administration’s effort to turn more Virgin Islanders into homeowners.
The program will provide up to $200,000 in gap financing to Virgin Islanders who qualify for a conventional mortgage through any participating bank and meet the other requirements of qualification for the program. According to the VI.gov website, applicants must be first-time homebuyers who meet established household income requirements; attain a commitment letter for a mortgage loan based on underwriting standards of the primary financing lender; be able to make a minimum earnest money deposit of $5,000; and be a resident of the territory for the last three years prior to the signing of a sales contract, with the exception of those applicants who were prior residents of the territory for at least 10 years and have now opted to return, or whose birthplace is the U.S. Virgin Islands.
More information about the program, read the program fact sheet from the official Virgin Islands government website here.
When owners Damon and Yonka Maynard purchased Cafe Fresco in 2011, they never imagined the impact they would have on the community. Now 11 years later, the husband-and-wife team are reimagining their restaurant with a revamped name in a new location.
Originally opened in 2005 under previous owners, the Maynards became the owners of Cafe Fresco in downtown Christiansted in July 2011. “We have worked in the restaurant industry for over 30 years,” said Yonka. “The opportunity to purchase the business presented itself and everything came together in a way we couldn’t imagine.” Noting it to be an easy transition, Yonka and Damon made the restaurant their own with delicious lunches made to order and exceptional service customers have come to expect and enjoy. Located on King Street in downtown Christiansted, Cafe Fresco’s welcoming space in the courtyard of the historic Penthenny Building saw a multitude of people over the years. A physical sign hung over their door with the phrase “enter as strangers, leave as friends.” The Maynards shared they have made more friends than anyone could ever deserve, which is why they are excited about welcoming friends into the next chapter.
October 28th will be the last day in their current location in downtown Christiansted. In December 2022, Cafe Fresco will officially become Fresco’s Kitchen & Pub House at their new home in Gallows Bay. Customers can expect much of the same they’ve grown accustomed to with a few new details. This larger space will include indoor and outdoor seating for up to 90 people alongside a full bar. Their indoor air conditioned space will have a sports bar feel with several TVs throughout the space playing your favorite sports games. The outdoor seating in the new courtyard features ample shade thanks to the large mango tree. Expanded hours will include evenings and weekends and a larger space means a bigger kitchen. “We’re most excited about that,” said Yonka. “We’ll be able to have more help and create new dishes, which was a challenge in the previous location.” Customers will be happy to know that menu favorites will be available in the new location with new fun additions to the menu, not to mention a full bar with new cocktails, drinks and desserts. They also plan to host a weekly Sunday brunch that will segue into Sunday football.
The Maynards will use the month of November to get the new space ready for old friends and new ones. Interior designers Twila Wilson and Kobie Nichols are managing the decor and all the finishes in Fresco’s Kitchen & Pub House where guests can look forward to a warm, welcoming space perfect for the entire family. “While we are changing the name slightly and moving to a new location, not much else is changing other than a renewed energy being injected into the restaurant.”
Get a taste of Cafe Fresco before they close their doors on King Street on October 28th. For all the up-to-date details on the restaurant, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usvistcroix.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
Since 2016, Dale and Yvette Browne of Sejah Farm VI have organized a local food competition on St. Croix that focuses on bringing community awareness on local food availability in the territory. Bush Cook Chef Cook is where the island’s best and brightest chefs use their ingenuity to prepare unique dishes using locally grown crops and produce available to them. As an island with a 95% import rate, the ability to own, control and consume our food is how we ensure food sovereignty and security in the U.S Virgin Islands.
At 10am on Friday, October 21st, the three-day event kicks off with a free event featuring a host of family-friendly activities. Cooking workshops, elementary school cook-off, live music, farm tours and school supplies giveaway are a few of the activities to expect on Day 1. This day will also highlight ways to bridge the locally grown food gap between local farms and government assisted programs like SNAP & WIC. “We want the local food system to impact everyone,” said Yvette. “Oftentimes, families in these programs are unable to afford the best of the produce and crops available in the stores where they typically shop, and we want to change that for them.”
The main event takes place on Day 2. This all-day cooking challenge is where trained chefs and home cooks compete by preparing dishes using only locally grown ingredients and traditional cooking methods such as the coal pot, three stone setting or the pit oven. The cooking starts from 7am with food samples available from 1pm for attendees. Tickets are $40 for adults, $20 for children 6-12 years old and those under the age of 6 are free. Live music will be provided by DJs alongside the popular Cool Sessions Brass plus enjoy a spirited performance from Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies. For the final day, attendees will experience an expertly prepared farm-totable dinner complete with five courses. The most formal event of the weekend, this dinner will be a collaboration prepared by the Bush Cook Chef Cook participants. Attendees are welcome to bring their own bottles of wine, spirits and beer to enhance their farm-totable dinner experience. Two dinner times available – 5pm and 8pm. Advanced reservations are required due to limited seat availability. Tickets are $70 for adults and $30 for children.
Bush Cook Chef Cook takes place from Friday, October 21st through Sunday, October 23rd at Sejah Farm located at 9B Estate Castle Burke in Frederiksted. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite or at Sejah Farm. For more information, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sejahfarmvi.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
