Businesses close at Grand Harbour

Three bars and a coffee shop, all owned by the same proprietor, closed last week in Grand Harbour. 

The leaseholder of the properties, Kerry Lawrence, said an ongoing dispute with the owner of Grand Harbour led to the closure of Beaches sports bar, the Rouge Lounge cabaret, the outdoor Carp Bar and the Blue Mountain Cafe last Tuesday. 

Mr. Lawrence hopes to reopen at least Beaches in the near future, but declined to comment on speculation he would relocate to the Clubhouse in Treasure Island. He said he would retain all 34 staff – including 20 Caymanians – on his payroll from the bars and coffee shop. 

Meanwhile, Treasure Island owner Harry Lalli said no deal had been signed with Mr. Lawrence, but indicated talks had taken place, saying that “a lot of people come to me. We explained that the hotel is for sale, so there is no long-term solution there.” 

Like Treasure Island, the Grand Harbour complex is up for sale, listed at roughly US$45 million. Some of the premises at the complex, including Hurley’s supermarket, Healthcare Pharmacy and Bush Doctor Ltd., are tenant owned and not included in the sale. 

Divided into five plots, however, each is being marketed separately. Many residential sites within the plots had already been sold, according to lead real estate agent for the property Jeremy Hurst, owner of International Realty Group. 

Beaches opened approximately one year ago, replacing the Dog House sports bar. Rouge Lounge, Cayman’s first “show bar” and semi-burlesque club, opened in July on the premises of the adjacent Brick House bar and restaurant.