Joe Issa support helped spur re-opening of once famous Jamaican Little Pub restaurant and bar

A newly released article published by the West Coast Times newspaper on December 29, 2014 athttp://www.northcoasttimesja.com/?p=2263, declares the once famous Little Pub restaurant and bar in Ocho Rios on Jamaica’s north coast tourism belt, which was destroyed by a fire in 2002, re-opens thanks to the support of Chairman of Cool Corp and philanthropist, Joe Issa, to former owner Keith Foote.

The North Coast Times article, which says the famous Little Pub restaurant and bar has re-opened at the Island Village shopping and entertainment complex on Main Street in August this year, coincides with the 12th anniversary of the fire which gutted the original Little Pub building on the same street a few hundred metres away from the new location.

Foote, who along with his family has re-opened Little Pub, praises Issa for the support given to him. “I am grateful to my family and the support of Joey for being able to re-open Little Pub again,” he says in the article contained in the 19-year-old community newspaper, which covers four north coast parishes, including St Ann and specifically its Ocho Rios town, where it has its offices, also on Main Street.
Recalling the passion he had for Little Pub back in the days, which was largely credited for its popularity and which will be needed again for the success of the new Little Pub, and his trauma when it all vanished in a flash, he says it was then that Issa assisted. According to the article Foote had earlier lost substantial sums due to a small loan that went bad during the 1990s financial crisis in Jamaica caused by the high interest rate regime.

The resilient businessman notes that his family aside, “Issa’s assistance was second to none” during the 12-year search for a perfect place to re-locate Little Pub, where a lot of visitors frequent and there is space and privacy, which was also credited for the success of the former location. Foote also says “throughout my seemingly endless search Joey was in contact with me and encouraging me.”
The Little Pub’s new location at the Island Village shopping and entertainment complex is said to occupy two contiguous units stretching from the central stage to the pond and it accommodates about 1,000 persons. It is also said to be favourably located near facilities frequented by tourists and locals alike.

Fisherman’s Beach also known as Columbus Foot Beach is around the corner from Island Village. Its main draw, the article says, quoting Jamaica Travel and Culture.com, at http://www. jamaica travelandculture.com/destinations/st _ann / ocho_rios /Columbus-foot-beach.htm. comes from its authenticity – a Jamaican fishing beach lined with wooden shacks and lean-to structures, where fresh-from-the-ocean seafood dishes are served in a rustic environment.

Little Pub is also said to be a ‘stone throw’ from the recently refurbished Ocho Rios cruise ship pier where some 30 per cent of the islands cruise ship passengers disembark, but recent news of the imminent switch by Carnival Cruise Lines to the Falmouth pier next summer, will see a reduction in the number and frequency of passengers walking through Island Village and into Little Pub.

In addition, the Island Village is also home to the popular Margaritaville entertainment venue, from which Foote expects to draw customers. Its website athttp://www.margaritavillecaribbean.com/welcome_ochorios.html says it is the fourth and largest in Jamaica and was Christened in February 2002 by franchise owner, billionaire , who staged a beach side concert with his band, just steps away from the cruise ship pier, and that it “has proven to be a hit with locals, cruise ship passengers and resort guests.”

In business, however, the presence of popular facilities nearby can also bring competition, but in the article, Foote distinguishes Little Pub from the rest: “Margaritaville is seen as a club, but the Little Pub is broader…Margaritaville doesn’t have karaoke or jazz and blues and Little Pub will also cater to the entire family rather than adults only…the teenagers can come…the mothers and fathers can come.”

With respect to its target market, Foote says in an earlier Jamaica Observer article published on September 24, 2014 at http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/ Ochi-s-Little-Pub-reopens, “We don’t just focus on the tourists only. We plan to hold parties, weddings, corporate receptions and cater to general passers-by in Ocho Rios.”

A peep into its menu shows that Little Pub customers can feast on a variety of dishes such as jerk pork or chicken, sautéed snapper, grilled king fish, or fresh lobster. The restaurant also offers pub-fare favourites, including burgers and an assortment of desserts.

Commenting on the future of new Little Pub, Foote points out in the North Coast Tines article that “we’ve re-opened four months now and we are getting great reviews, we’re like a new kid on the block, I’m humble and want suggestions, a lot of people know me and expectations are high but I have Joey, who I can call upon at any time for assistance.”