TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Lee's Roadside Grill Closing? Updated

Below is a link to a facebook post my by Lee's. It sounds like they may actually be closing Feb. 1. You will likely need a facebook to see this. As most of you know, this has been a long running topic for some time now.

LINK

Yup...sounds like the day has come....sad

Doesn’t make any sense. I think that post was very vague. Why on earth would they have dumped so much money back into the place. I asked what was going on around New Years and was told they weren’t going anywhere!

That is VERY vague...and sounds as if they might not close willingly, and have something planned? "Come and take pictures"?

My guess is the request for pictures is to show the destruction (if it happens) and how unfairly Lee is being treated if in fact that is the case. He has already stated he would likely return at another location if eventually forced out.

Someone may have already covered this, but this is our take on the scam by the Government. It is pure big money, greed, and corruption in politics.
We went to Lee's last night and they said that last week in front of both side's attorneys, The judge told them that they would not have
to close until another suitable site was found for them and was built and they were able to operate. Then yesterday they received a letter telling them
that it was their last day.
I hate to say this, but I did have great lobster there last night for the first time, because of the special price to help get rid of it at $15.00/pound.
It's very very rare that we have Caribbean lobster, love the Maine ones.

Could it be that the letter that Feb 1st would be their last day is the formal start of the process to have Lee's actually start to relocate? Hoping that they indeed relocate and it's up and running when we arrive in May.

It indeed may be a government scam. Lee is a local St. Maartener so if anyone could beat it I would think he could. One thing that concerns me is the way in which Lee's has expanded. It is way larger than when he started out and I have often wondered if this was done per his lease agreement or if he just took it upon himself to take more area that he did not have a right to?

There are usually at least 3 sides to every story.

Soooooo...what happened?

No idea as I am not on the island. A local friend posted a picture on facebook of a sign at Lee's. It was referring to putting 30 people out of work but that is all I have seen so far.

Nothing new on Lee's Facebook page either as to what has transpired.

Correct. I looked there also.

I had so many friends join me at Lee's

We're you there today? And if so what happened?

We had dinner there tonight. They don’t know what is going to happen. Were told by the courts that they would be closed to-day but opened as usual. It is now out of the courts and between them and the other party.

And the saga continues. Looking for it to continue all the way through May while we are there.

I drove by there yesterday and it looked like business as usual.

Update

There is a video interview with Lee.

I don't understand the link under the video interview that talks about another two months respite? Government is supposed to provide him an alternate location and if they don't, he will leave voluntarily? Doesn't make sense.

I agree...if the Government doesn't give him a suitable place to move to he will just vacate in two months...why would the Government even make the effort if he will leave anyway?

After all, it is St. Maarten and we all know the government does a lot of things that make no sense.

What a perfect comment for a ‘like’ button.

There might be more to that article but is only available to people with a paid subscription. Answer to your question might be there. I'm not a subscriber but am also curious.

Drove by Lee's last night and they were operating as usual, didn't have time to stop in and talk to Claudy, he was very emotional the night before.
I can see why.

In the herald today.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/73313-not-moving

A post on Facebook today makes it sound as though it is being dismantled today.

Saw that. Posted 2 hours ago. They were sitting there and watching "our workers" demolish Lee's little by little

For you on Facebook here is a public posting on Lee's page.
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=lees%20roadside%20grill

Drove over to LEE'S an hour ago, the grill was going and everything looks like it is still there.

There has been nothing new posted from Lee about what is happening now on his Facebook page. Thought there might have been some update considering all the replies and condolences he has received.

There sure seems to be a lot of "back and forth" and conflicting information as to what is going on.

Exactly. It made it sound like they were dismantling it yesterday "piece by piece" which went against the "give the government two months to find me a relocation place" which ALSO is a bit iffy

We arrived on island today and Lee's is still open. Spoke with an employee at the Royal Palm and he said Lee is fighting the issue and they will still be open until further notice.

Still open as of lunch to-day

Friends tonight tell us this is the last night. He has given up the fight.

Hope not but he has to start at sometime to relocate. I just hope he does. Such an iconic business in St Maarten.

IMHO, there is something that is NOT being straight about!

I agree. I will try to check the status today.

Stopped in to Lee's at 4:00pm today . Spoke with a woman who seemed to be management. She said they are taking it day by day. They are serving dinner tonight.

Still open at 6:00 tonight but maybe packing up-didn’t go in.