ZIHendo Feliz en los Trópicos

We had a nice chat about business yesterday with a restaurant owner on la Ropa.

She agreed with everything that "Lupita's husband" has been saying about visitors this summer. She shared that Rossy's hotel, which is normally 100% full, is running 20 to 30% occupancy. The hotel next to Jungle Pizza is empty, and most of the other small ones are too. She is having no dinner business.

Instead of 2 weeks off in September, she will close the entire month because last year there was no business. Great time to do a very through clean of everything.

This winter and next summers plans are to be open for the 5 winter months 7 days a week, all three meals. No Sunday afternoon off or Tuesdays. Next summer, open for breakfast and lunch, and dinner? Not on the nights Jungle Pizza is open, and probably not at all. There has been almost no interest in dinner this summer, and in the winter, it becomes reservations necessary.

Staff? Normally she hires a few more waitstaff for winter, but this year she plans on just keeping who she has so that they will make enough to hold them through reduced hours next summer.

Hopefully it is a good winter season and next summer is no worse. Hopefully other business owners are making plans too.