TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Karakter

I saw on their Facebook page that they're "on vacation from November 1". No real explanation, except that they will be closed for "one month minimum". Anyone know what's going on there? We haven't had the best experience there the last couple of times we've gone, but love the location and it was fabulous when Jorrit was there.

No idea, but this is an odd time of year to be closed for a month.

Jorritt? You’re dating yourself, Georgia, and all of us who knew him, too. Great memories made there for sure.

For sure, the restaurant was much better when Jorrit was there.

Something sounds amiss to be closed that long and just as high season is ramping up.

I will date myself with having met Jorrit and his wife/partner when Karakter was just a thought. I think either they were staying at Horny Toad or her parents were and we met them and they told us about their idea of a bus restaurant down the beach.

J.D. everyone knows you are old, there is no dating yourself. It would not be surprising to find out that you and Ms. Pat rolled out the welcome wagon to Chris. 😁

Happy Birthday.

Hold on there! We’re not quite that old………are we? 🙂🙂

Yes it is closed. We walked by there yesterday and saw what I think was they lady property owner unhappy at some guys doing some work there. I heard that the current from the employees that the Karaketer owner was having vendor, money , tax, health dept etc problems and was trying to sell it without the landowner permission because she is ready to build condos there. You would have to be crazy to get involved in that. Some French is trying to buy it guy so if thats correct expect more LOUD obnoxious Techno music. They use to attract that kind of customers. By the way the same land owner lady also owns the land down that the other new Beacon Hill beach bar is on and is have legal issues with them also. Let's see, maybe another beach bar heaven only knows what Simpson needs more bars. Its gossip but people are asking.

Apparently, Jessica, who owns where El Zafiro used to be, owns that property there also. Not sure what you mean about "Let's see, maybe another beach bar heaven only knows what Simpson needs more bars", as Karakter is already a bar.

Don't have any idea how things work there, but I wouldn't think Karakter could sell the business without her permission? Who knows.

"Don't have any idea how things work there, but I wouldn't think Karakter could sell the business without her permission? Who knows."
All depends what was in the lease agreement.

Who knows? SXM has some weird laws.

Not a lawyer but I would think you would need the landlords blessing for such a thing or at least smart for any buyer to get it. I 'think" the issues are the lease is expiring soon and Jessica is building condos there. plus their is a issue with Gov on the use of the property not being food etc. Jessica does have rights to the land where the other beach bar is (dinghy?) and little guest house is by Beacon Hill which again a lease was given by the Guest house to the bar which the landlord did not approve which was needed. Another mess.

pat has a little time on me, both in age and with time going to SXM but we both remember Mullet Bay when it was operational.

If Jessica is involved, I would expect issues.

OMG!!! Did you just see above where J.D. called you out on your age? I think you might have to let it slide because today is his birthday. 😁

pat may beat me up for this!

No, she will wack me upside the head for starting the age thing, you're a golden boy, she will probably send you a cake an admonish you about hanging out with the likes of me.

pat and John are first rate quality people. I hope she spares me.

Pat actually think you’re both a couple of sillies and doesn’t get her knickers in a knot over such trivia. I think she thinks good thoughts for and of both of you and see, Brian, you’re even benefiting from JDs birthday. Him? I’ll deal with him later!! 🙂🙂

Are you signing autographs later and if so, where?

Pat, I am indeed, and am proud of it! I don't have anywhere near the island longevity that you and John do (notice I said nothing about age), but we definitely remember Karakter when Jorrit owned it. His tapas menu was the best!

In 2017, after Irma, we ended up in Curacao for our normal November vacation, and had the pleasure to visit Karakter's in Curacao and see Jorrit and Marleen. What
they created in Curacao is amazing.

I can't think of a better way to wish you Happy Birthday GK, noting that we met at Karakter in 2008 so this thread fits. Pretty sure that was the year, I think I hosted what was I believe the 2nd TTOL Party held there and that was the beginning of a great friendship. I have certainly met and created friendships with a lot of people over the years from TTOL events but none as great as the friendship that we have built over these years. So Happy Birthday and looking forward to celebrating in just a couple weeks!

WHOOOOOOOOOP WHOOOOOOOP!!!
T

Sooooo...the breakdown is that Karacter is closed now?

Kinda sad

Mark Meijjer, the owner, said this afternoon that they were closed for much needed renovations with an expected reopening date of 15 December. Hopefully he was being straightforward and they will reopen after the mentioned renovations.

As a frequent visitor to Simpson Bay and Beacon Hill areas, this is probably not good news for those that like peace and quiet night. That story not fully forthright. From what I’ve heard from neighborhood chat was that they have partnered with the owners of the former District 721 that burned down this year after a lot of issues with their neighborhood , government about with loud music and parking etc. A real island nuisance that unfortunately is going to be repeated now in Simpson Bay…..possibly. Some Coco condos owners are not happy about more cars and noise and going to the government to make sure proper permits, inspections , approvals have been issued. I know the government is very protective of that land next to the airport and on the beach, a lot of controversy about property, boundaries, beach etc so I would not bet on anything new in December plus as I remember they still have a issue with the property owner. It’s a nice spot but seems like it’s might get out of control. As like a lot of things on sxm this is just rumors and speculation so who really knows until we seen it.

At least on this thread, it seems like you are the one that is promulgating many of the rumors, innuendos and speculation.

Just my thoughts to an asked question and not the only one. As I said it was speculation because someone else said it was closed for vacation then later another said something was amiss, then they said they weren’t on vacation but remolding. These treads tend to have a lot rumors on various topics certainly not just me or this topic. Supposedly they have said now closed for remolding so very soon we will see what was rumored or facts. We can fact check then. My husband and I stay at a few different places on Simpson Bay and love it and everyone in the area knows about the noise issues. I certainly hope a lot isn’t true but I believe a lot is true but time will tell. Again just IMO , we don’t need another Roxy screaming music into wonderful Simpson Bay
At 2am and history will repeat. I prefer the original Karakter from years and years ago. I think the area has a very valid concern. That’s the buzz but If you’re friends or speaking with the owner maybe you do have some better insight but time will tell all.

That was indeed an epic party, and the beginning of a lifelong friendship! See you soon!

Seems strange that they would close now after having the busy part of hurricane season to make renovations.

Agreed, very strange timing.

I feel like there's more to this story than they're sharing online.

"I feel like there's more to this story than they're sharing online."
In most cases there always is.

I hosted a TTOL party at Karakter in 2008 and met Annie Sullivan there. Sweet memories! I had already met you and Georgia.

To answer my opinion to those comments ...yes timing is odd. Not sure if you would call this rumor or speculation but from an employee that had worked there they had been struggling to stay open with money , government and landlord issues and just make a deal with the owners of District 721 that burned down. They also had lots of issues with Gov and the neighborhood because of very loud music late at night and no parking. So now partners that don't care about anything but making money. As one that loves and stays on Simpson Bay and in Beacon Hill we know these owners history and know the type off crowd they like to attract. Kind of an alarm bell as what could be coming. The employee doubts they have proper Gov permission which is speculation but chances are true. We stay in BSV from time to time so know they will have that new Dingy Bar and now the new Karakter in the middle and a good chance blasting music until very late. Nice that they are remolding as long as they respect the neighborhood and all the parking problems and it does NOT turn into a nightly wild loud late RAVE party. Otherwise they can expect more problems from Government. We are on Island for another week....Lets see how far they get and see what is really happening.

So tough to remember all the details of yesteryear, MJ and I hosted a party that first year that Karakter was open in November, which I am pretty sure was 2008. It was our first week being on island after Karakter opened. I believe that is when we met David and Georgia, but we hosted another I think the following year and it could have been then that we met D&G. Certainly a lot of great memories there and that makes it that much harder to put dates or even years to it. I think we met you at Happy Bay, but could have been at B&E's prior.

I hope Karakter only gets better, I hope that Marys Boon and the others in that area have a welcome neighbor when all said and done. I will remain optimistic until proven otherwise.

Optimistic, what a nice word.


*Karakter's opened in June of 2008. Jorrit was kicking around the idea for a couple of years.

Why not be optimistic, I can't control it. My only vote is with my money on the island, and what little influence I might have on others because we all know, "pimp'n ain't easy"!

Karakter started good and humble and then went over board with the music . Heard every night from home , not good .

Us to when staying in the area lots of noise and traffic late at night , buzzed people fighting. Crazy. Get ready for worse because the new district 721 owners have a bad reputation for loud music and disrespect for their community. Hopefully the government shuts down the construction. I would not be surprised if it’s not approved or permitted. Of course that’s just speculation.

The government sure did give Jorritt a lot of grief when he tried to erect a small retaining wall there to add to the safety of his establishment. We were there to witness them demanding he remove it in compliance with the high water boundary rules.