The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest attended the official opening of Zorbas Restaurant and Zsa Zsa Mojito Bar in Port Lucaya Marketplace on Friday evening.

Zorbas Greek Restaurant has been in business in Freeport for the past 26 years, operated by the Vikatos family. The founder Gus Vikatos died last year, but his son is now running the family restaurant business.

The restaurant employs over 100 Bahamians. Despite challenges facing many businesses in Port Lucaya Marketplace due to the closure of the Grand Lucayan Resort, and a recent restaurant fire, the Vikatos family did not lay off staff.

Zorbas expanded the business, opening a café and pastries section that features authentic European pastries creatively crafted by Greek pastry chef and culinary artist Georgios Kantartzis. The opening of the pastry café has been a dream of founder Gus Vikatos, who unfortunately died before it came to fruition.

Nick Vikatos and Noel Clarke are partners in Zsa Zsa's Mojito Bar. They are also partners in Agave Restaurant in Port Lucaya Marketplace, which opened about four or five years ago and offers a mix of Pan-Latin cuisines, Cuban themed mojitos and Mexican margaritas to Argentine malbecs and Spanish riojas.

Dr Minnis commended Mr Vikatos for the confidence in opening a new café and pastries section of Zorbas restaurant, and a mojito bar.

Dr Minnis, who had earlier attended the launch of an entrepreneurial programme in Grand Bahama on Friday at Pelican Bay Resort, told guests that his government is committed to facilitating the creation of more small businesses in Grand Bahama.

He said that the programme offers grants to young people interested in starting small businesses. In addition to providing capital/funding of $5,000 to $10,000, he said the government would also provide training and business mentors to the candidates to ensure that their businesses succeed.

Dr Minnis also stated that they are committed to the revitalisation of Grand Bahama, and said he would be back in Grand Bahama soon for the relaunch of the sale and purchase of the Grand Lucayan Resort.

The anchor hotel was the main economic stimulus in Port Lucaya and many businesses at the marketplace rely on visitor traffic from the three resorts. The hotel closed last October after sustaining significant damage following Hurricane Matthew. Dr Minnis mentioned the signing of a contract with the Grand Celebration on Saturday to resume ferry service to Grand Bahama, and the introduction of a second cruise ship in mid-April.

The prime minister commended Mr Vikatos for the decision not to let staff go, despite tough economic times in Grand Bahama.

"The relaunch of Zorbas' and Zsa Zsa - that was a great success," said Dr Minnis. "This restaurant plays a pivotal role helping to build and support the Port Lucaya Marketplace. And I hope to be back very soon to witness several other signings of big contracts here … that I am sure many of you know where I am going."

Minister of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson also attended and gave brief remarks.