USVI-On-Line

Saw the item at on-stjohn about Panini Beach closing. Went to this place on Sunday in Bradley Beach down the Jersey shore of all places and thought it could work pretty well as a replacement.

http://finsusa.com/

Food and vibe is sorta like California meets the islands. Indeed, they describe themselves "Southern California influenced by Latino, Tropical Island, and Asian flavors".

Simple, super fresh and very tasty wraps etc. with interesting combos of ingredients, good smoothies, nicely decorated space with bright colors, vintage surfboards hanging from ceiling, and flat screen TVs showing surf videos, indoor and outdoor music featured great reggae mix.

So who wants to cash out and expand this "Trop-i-cali" via Jersey gig to the Panini Beach location on St. John?

Fun idea, but I wonder what leases are looking like at Wharfside Village? Retail in Northern Virginia is over $45 per square foot. Let's say you're open 330 days per year with 3500 square feet. That means the first $500 or so of income every day goes to just paying the rent.

Yep, I've thought about it!

Cheers, RickG

Hey Rick at least the menu, restaurant, and web design is already done with this one = cost savings on start up right there.
You would have to tweak some things, like substitute local Mahi for some of the seafood items.
And you don't need high priced/highly skilled chefs for this kind of food.
But I agree the monthly nut must be huge on STJ and the restaurant business is very tough anywhere.

Panini Beach has about a week to go ... word is that that another restaurant's already set to go in the space. The operator already is involved in some other businesses at Wharfside.

This week's St. John Radio podcast features Janet Kleiner, Panini Beach's owner. Serious stuff ... 10 years of effort, and she's outta there.

Thanks Frank. Hey, my News of St. John email came through while I was reading this. Woohoo! Something to read during lunch.

Cheers, RickG

Years ago, probably 1997, we ran into an appraiser doing work in the USVIs.

I was a commercial appraiser/assessor at the time and we started talking shop at the bar. He threw out lease rates of $3,600 per month for small retail/restaurant space.

That was 10 years ago, I would imagine it doubled since then.

Wow - this makes me sad. We went to Panini Beach at least once every visit for ages. Nice people, good food. I wish her well and will miss the yummy pasta

Loved the Chicagi Style Beef sandwich for lunch...also a great Caesar Salad!!! Hate to see them go. Being a small restaurant owner...I completely understand though! Ten years for them was...I think...a great benchmark! Best wishes for them! Can't wait to see who's next in line!!!

Frank-- GREAT peice on the owners of Panini beach. I've read your news on line before, but this is the first time I listened to one of your podcasts.. you have an AWESOME voice!!

I do a lot of radio interviews here in DC with my "day job" and I can always appreciate a rich voice and good delivery!!

Keep up the good work and I'll try to listen more I'm sure your advertisers will be glad to hear that!

Gromit ...

Thanks for the kind words.

The podcasts take a lot of time to produce, as YOU can understand.

Now, if only an advertiser would beat down my door What St. John business wouldn't want to reach the island's fans this way?

What I like about Frank’s site is that is provides a different type of information about St. John; things you might not hear or read about on a travel forum.

Gromit – My uncle is in the radio business and I am often surprised to meet the people behind the voices as they often don’t look like what their voice sounds like. Frank “looks” like his voice