TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Cheri’s Café might not reopen

Sadly, I don't see how if you are losing $50,000 to $100,000 per year you continue to operate for 7 years? They did have a heck of a run but I also think the concept had run its course also.

I'm kind of confused by the "might not reopen", as opposed to will or will not reopen. There was a post here a while ago in which it was discussed that she owns the property there, so I'm thinking she is done personally, but she is going to sell, one way or another. The land has to be worth a lot of money, one would think. So, if someone wants the name, she will sell that, but if someone only wants the land, then she will sell just the land. As JD says, the concept is way too tired for today anyway. You can't have the same show for 30 years..

We had just recently began visiting and we liked it.

But only as a place to have some drinks and appetizers waiting for other restaurant’s reservations.

It seemed too much bar.......... and not enough restaurant or lounge to keep as a primary destination for those dining from the French side.

Great location and as we said we enjoyed all the drinks and appetizers we were ever served.

It has been several years since I have eaten there but many reported decent meals. The show was very tired. I think they got some repeat business, a lot of first-timers. I highly doubt it was a dining destination for many, especially from the French side.

She had many good years... We remember going a few times in the late 80s, and 90s. this was a very lay back place for folks who wanted a simple meal, and some entertainment... but all of the above got lost with all new resturants and places to be entertained... Yes, it got old... She had her day, and I believe its now over... And for what its worth!!! She is not a young woman anymore, why bother at this point???

as i have stated many times over the years....i was NOT a fan of Cheri's. The show wasn't just old....it was ANCIENT. It hardly changed in the thirty years we have been visiting the island. I think the lack of ''noise'' coming from Cheri's will be a big boon for all the other restaurants in the area. I hate seeing any business close, especially due to Irma...but can't feel to bad about Cheri's. She surely had a wonderful run.

Sherri’s was great the first time we went, thirty or thirty-five years ago or so when our kids were young and it was enjoyable. It was a great place to grab a burger or a light dinner or snack back in the day. Although even back then, if the choice was Sherri’s or the Paradise Café, Sherri lost out every time.

I have to say, for the past many years, we plan our dinners at Moulin Fou to coincide with the weekly closure of Sherries so we don’t have to deal with the noise and can enjoy dining al fresco. Time to hang it up and give another entrepreneur a shot.

But they did make perhaps the best Guavaberry coladas I’ve ever had!

For the last ten or more years....we also have planned our Le Moulen Fou on the nights Cheri's was closed. Usually at least two out of the three weeks we are on island. The first few times we went to Cheri's it was fun....but year after year...when we would walk by...and no what songs and ''shtick'' would be next...I said enough is enough, and avoided Cheri's like the plague for the last 15 or 20 years.

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Agree with the staleness of the show at Cheri's. Embarrassed to say that I have the two disk CD by the performers...lol

In the early 90's it was fun, especially for first time visitors or a large group. There was also dancing. Halloween was fun.
Later we only went for food, and tried to sit near the road so we wouldn't be dragged into the show.

It is a good place to get LATE food. Burgers were good, but can't say I've even been there since 2002....so yeah, that's 15 years! Wow. Time flies.

Will be interesting if anything new goes in. A problem was always the dang bathrooms, or lack thereof. You had to go across the street under the casino. Always a line in the heyday. Also an attendant working for tips.

Cheri’s was alway the first night stop for us. We always enjoyed that first night. The bartender named Cordell was fun and had a great memory of faces and drinks. We would sit down, he would look over and smile. In a matter of moments I had a Carib and Grace had a Guavaberrt Colada without ordering. He’d shake my hand and say hello mon, a year has gone by already.

The show was stale and campy but it was a no brainer first night. Someone once told me no one goes there anymore, yet it was always crowded. To each, his own.

Wow Pat i have not heard anyone mention the paradise Cafe in a very long time just think if they had any parking how well they would have done it was a great set up and the food was good the setting perfect. I still have a decal from there.i went up there a few years ago to see what was there looks all run down , I was surprised at what I saw . Great memories glad we had them .

We didn’t even know there was a show. I guess we always went by before/after.

Paradise Cafe was one of our absolute favorites along with the original Frigate at Mullet Bay ‘back in the day....’

That was living at the top of line . Really miss , but can't reflect to much right now. Have to deal with reality now.
But thanks .

Sorry actually this was meant for Pat's quote.

Personally I am happy they won't open as I am sure the wonderful Moulin Fou restaurant won't miss them closing. The only night we would go to Moulin Fou was Tuesday as Cheri's is closed Tuesday nights. The loud carnival atmosphere with the MC screaming out to tourists was less than inviting for diners. It is one thing to please your audience but when you affect your neighbor restaurants ; it is not acceptable.
Cheri is a very nice person and did very well for many years but I won't miss the place in the evenings. She served very nice food at reasonable prices and I am sure the 1st timers will miss her place. Also across the street with the Mexican restaurant closed due to Irma. I won't miss their blasting music at all.

My husband and I will miss Cheri's if it doesn't reopen. We've owned at the Royal Islander since 1992. We've seen many changes over the years, but there was always Cheri's. We've met so many wonderful people that work there....bartenders, waiters, host and hostess, it seems like family. No, it wasn't a 5 star restaurant, but it was a good place for families to just chill, have fun and forget about their problems. In earlier years it was the place to be on Friday or Saturday night....great music and dancing...a great place to gather with friends. One of the things we loved the most was if we were just heading over across the street.....you heard your name called....you look over and you see Cordell and a few others waving...LOL We'd barely get in and already we were hugged several times. Over the years we have met a lot of wonderful people.....a few who have become very dear to us.

Unfortunately.....Sometimes good things have to come to an end. We hope that someone else opens a similar operation that everyone can enjoy as much as we enjoyed our many years there.

Just a note......3 Amigos [another place we've had an absolute ball at] is all repaired and opened back up last night for New Years Eve.

Can you fill us in on what is going on at the Royal Islander??? Last I heard they weren't planning on opening until end of Summer....but can you report on the actual damage there??? First reports after Irma, were that it wasn't as damaged as the other places.....but was being used to house the guests stranded from the Sonesta right after Irma. There has been little communication from the staff itself to us owners. Any information would be greatly appreciated

The above was meant for IslanderCpl to respond. Thanks

EdB........I can't report on any actual damage to the Royal Islander.....like the rest of the owners we've been told a possible opening at the end of July. They are still working with insurance adjusters and contractors and when they get the final report is when they are going to let owners know of the timeline. However, I've seen pictures of some of the rooms......sliding doors gone/broken, furniture strewn around, broken / missing doors and windows. I was told the brand new pool liner that was installed last year will have to be replaced. I know it's hard for people to have the wait and see attitude......but that is where our head is at......we went through this back in 95 after the lesser hurricane. It took many months for all the repairs to the resort, but it came back in great fashion! I trust when they are ready and have all the information they will let the owners know just as they did in the past.

We will stop in to the resort in March just to see how things are progressing, and of course to see some of the staff.

i remember after luis it was little communication also....but the ''blackout'' this time has been nerve racking. i know some rooms were destroyed....along with the pool and pool area...but original.y heard somewhere that they thought the rest wasn't as bad as previous storms. i have wrapped my head around the fact, that we won't be there for our march to april weeks, but would love a wee bit more communication from the staff to the owners. thanks for the info.