On June 1, Heineken and DIVICO Distributors launched a “Meet You at The Bar” initiative to support the recovery of local bars and restaurants from their COVID-19 closures. The initiative was inspired by Heineken’s worldwide “Back the Bars” programme to support bars and restaurants. “Meet You at The Bar” is a local initiative that provides product support, also encouraging customers to visit the outlets that have currently reopened.
Consumers can purchase a specially marked pack of Heineken at participating supermarkets, where they will then receive one “bar buck” – a specially designed coupon redeemable for one beer from the Heineken portfolio at various local bars/restaurants. So your first beer is on Heineken! And since we are all looking forward to having a drink (or two), it was time for a little Q&A with some of these great venues.
Cappuccino
- How has the pandemic changed the course of your business?
Before pandemic, we were open 24/7 – our restaurant never slept. Now we have an opening hour and a time to close. It’s very hard because Cappuccino is not designed to be closed. We’ve been doing dine-in – but in disposable containers to minimize the risks of the Covid-19. Customers are adapting to these changes. We also had to reduce our staff hours, being that there are fewer shifts; and though wearing a mask is a must for the employees, it’s exhausting. Of course, without the tourists on the island, the Simpson Bay area is not the same – our sales decreased to more than 70%.
- What do you hope to see within the next few months?
We hope to see the airport reopen and we should be receiving tourists – with our precautions of course. When the United States controls their COVID-19 status, things will be getting back to normal, but before that, I believe we will be using a mask for a good while.
- Why did you choose to partner with Heineken?
Heineken took the initiative to give people and businesses an opportunity to start to have a “normal” life again. I found it was a way to start and I liked the idea.
- How do you feel about the “Meet You at The Bar” initiative?
I would say it’s a way to move the people, make the businesses have customers and move their product as well. It’s a win-win situation for businesses, customers and Heineken itself.
Captain Frenchy
- How has the pandemic changed the course of your business?
It’s a little bit more quiet than usual, but we’re happy to see our customers again! It’s time to take care of local people!
- What do you hope to see within the next few months?
We just hope to work enough to keep all the staff. But for sure we’re awaiting December for the next tourism season!
- Why did you choose to partner with Heineken?
Because they’re number one. Heineken is the best partner since long time on the island for events or sponsorship.
- How do you feel about the “Meet You at The Bar” initiative?
Good idea! After two month of quarantine, it’s a good deal for all the places to restart their business.
Greenhouse
- How has the pandemic changed the course of your business?
It brought it to a standstill.
- What do you hope to see within the next few months?
We hope to see some tourists and, of course, the local crowd – especially on Friday nights.
- Why did you choose to partner with Heineken?
Heineken is a superb brand. Known the world over, it’s always a winner.
- How do you feel about the “Meet You at The Bar” initiative?
Great promotion, great idea, great way to give back to the island and to get people out of their houses and into the restaurants/bars.
La Bodega
- How has the pandemic changed the course of your business?
The pandemic has affected my customers in the following sense: They are coming more regularly; they are eating and drinking more; they are happier and more socially interactive with each other.
- What do you hope to see within the next few months?
I hope to see an increase in tourists and clientele from Dutch St. Maarten. We appreciate that out clientele came back immediately after the lockdown was lifted; we are grateful for our customers.
- Why did you choose to partner with Heineken?
Heineken is a renowned brand and the staff is friendly and professional. They accommodate our wishes, and this also benefits the business.
- How do you feel about the “Meet You at The Bar” initiative?
In these times, it is a very fortunate opportunity for us to be able to meet and greet! This is why SXM is so unique! Great idea... we are all for it.
Lagoonies
- How has the pandemic changed the course of your business?
Well, it stopped business totally from one day to another. I guess it’s difficult to know how people will hang out if they will be stressed or prefer to stay home? Some for sure not, but it’s also a challenge to make people behave and keep socially distant in the most social place, which is a bar restaurant! Also, if most people lose their job because of the loss of tourism, then they won’t go out either. It is difficult to predict the future of the food and drink transportation – only the future will tell us.
- What do you hope to see within the next few months?
I hope to see many people changing their way of consumption and buy locally instead of all imported. Lagoonies works as much as possible with local products. We hope everybody starts to grow vegetables and fruits at home!
- Why did you choose to partner with Heineken?
We like their energy and it’s an old partnership we have: Lagoonies supports Heineken and they support Lagoonies.
- How do you feel about the “Meet You at The Bar” initiative?
It is a cool idea. We need social life more than ever after all this time in lockdown. And it’s the purpose of a bar to share time and meet people!
Nowhere Special
- How has the pandemic changed the course of your business?
We have definitely felt the effects of the pandemic. We have had to reduce our operating hours, reduce menu items to ensure freshness, and sadly reduce the number of staff on shift.
- What do you hope to see within the next few months?
Hopefully, tourists will start returning to the island and we can start to feel some “normalcy” again. Who would have thought we would miss the Simpson Bay traffic days?!
- Why did you choose to partner with Heineken?
We have been working with Heineken since we opened after Irma in 2017. They have always been creative with their promotions. Their staff is also very persistent.
- How do you feel about the “Meet You at The Bar” initiative?
This is a wonderful way to get people out again! We look forward to seeing old and new faces back at Nowhere Special!
Participating Bars & Restaurants include Nowhere Special, Red Piano, The Pub, Da Waterhole (Mullet Bay), Dinghy Dock, Karakter Beach Bar, Mary’s Boon, Sunset Bar & Grill, Soggy Dollar Bar, St. Maarten Yacht Club, Driftwood Bar, Yo & Jo Sports Bar, Ama(sterdam) Bar, TJ Coalpot Café, Kwantung, Breedy Pit Stop, LCD Valentines, Abu Ghazi, Francis Bar, Willie Paradisio, Seabreeze Bar & Restaurant, D’Marietza, Greenhouse, La Bodega, Snoopy’s, Lagoonies, Cafe Rembrandt, Oasis Restaurant, Audi’s Bar, Kwan Tung Restaurant, Captain Frenchy, Beirut, Cappuccino Bar & Restaurant, Buffalo Wings and Lee’s and more!
Visit www.divico.shop for more information and the full list of participating supermarkets and bars/restaurants. We hope to see you there!
