Razed to the blackened sand by a non-deliberate fire, as concluded by police investigators, there is a spirit of resilience at Johnno’s and Dad’s Beach Restaurants and Bars at Road Bay, Sandy Ground.
As Fitzroy (Johnno) Edwards and Delbert Mussington try to come to grips with their huge and unfortunate loss, both men, with the help of volunteers and their own passion for service, are racing to get their businesses back on track. It is a must for both Anguillian entrepreneurs as Johnno’s and Dad’s are the two hotspots for locals and visitors during the upcoming busy and crowded August holiday season – as well as on all general occasions.
For several days now, since the police gave permission for the removal of the charred debris left by the early morning fire on Wednesday, July 11, volunteers went speedily to work. With the clearing of the areas, building materials were soon rushed to the sites and reconstruction work immediately commenced. By Tuesday, this week, July 24, the new wooden columns and roof frames were already in place – a surprising accomplishment in a very short time.
Both Johnno and Delbert, having overcome their initial shock, were most present, expressing their thanks and appreciation to all and sundry assisting them.
But the swift rebuilding, and perhaps the need for permission, did not escape the keen eye of planning and building personnel who reportedly visited the scene.
Commenting on their presence, Johnno told The Anguillian newspaper: “As you can see, we are doing a rapid build back. Quite a number of people in Anguilla feel very sorry that Johnno’s is not here now, but we are trying to fill back their hearts. The planning or building people passed through but not with any big, big pressure. I think, may be, somebody in authority told them to back off or something like that.”
Asked how soon he thought his business place would be completed, he replied: “That I can’t say, but we are moving on. People are going to miss Johnno’s if we are not here in August, so we are doing our best to make it look that we are here, rather than not here.”
He continued: “I am grateful to the whole public. They came out with all the power they could. There is a local guy called ‘Bubber’ who hangs around here, helping me to do any l’ll thing. He has been very, very physical [helpful]. Mr. Grieg Hughes has been giving whatever help he could with his men and equipment, and has been very instrumental. I am thanking them with all the love in my heart.”
It is understood that a number of other friends, many abroad, are participating in a fund-raising campaign for Johnno’s.
Delbert Mussington, who was blunt in some of his sentiments, told The Anguillian: “Dad’s and Johnno’s have been accidentally burnt or wilfully burnt… But here are we trying our best to get back our buildings and I am in a hole: not a hole, a well. Nobody is reaching out to me. I am doing everything on credit and with the little money I had. I am down to ground zero right now. Nobody – not even the Government – is reaching out to me. Only the few fans I have in the United States are donating through go-fund, but it is going quicker than I am getting it. Only Grieg, Mr. Hubert Hughes’ son [and others], have put us where we are. I don’t even have money to buy galvanize or plywood. If I had it, it would already have been on. I am stuck for financial support. Nobody on the island, but Grieg, has come to our needs as well as my cousin ‘Bubber’ and ‘Crumpo’.
“What hurt me today is that, after a fire, I am not responsible for, and lost over 200 and something thousand dollars, the building and planning people came talking about a plan and to stop us from doing something to get back some money. I am building back the same structure I had…We are not stopping because we know what we have to do to have a good carnival for our guests, from America and all over the world, who are looking for these two spots. These are the two tourism spots here and this is my only survival.”
It was not possible to reach the island’s planning or building personnel for comment.
Johnno began his business at Road Bay in the early to mid- 1980s and Dad’s (with an off-island partner) followed some five years ago. Both restaurants and beach bars have been assets to the culinary and entertainment life of Anguilla over the years. They have been providing a popular and well-needed service to tourists and locals alike in a fun-filled and relaxing atmosphere, adding much to the boat-racing, Summer Festival and other activities at Road Bay.
Meanwhile, businesswoman, Ms. Anne Edwards, a former Deputy Principal at Campus B of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, also suffered much loss when the fire spread to her two nearby buildings. Ms. Edwards, sister of Johnno, also needs the sympathy and support of the public.
