We’ve got some pretty exciting news to share with you today. If all goes as planned, Pirate’s Bight will reopen by the weekend. How great is that?!
As many of you may know, Pirate’s Bight over on Norman Island burned down last month. It happened during the early morning hours of October 1, the day they were scheduled to start preparations to reopen for the season. But sadly, the fire destroyed the restaurant. (Click here to read about the fire and to see pics.)
There’s some pretty good news to come out of this, however, First, the owner, Dr. Henry Jarecki, has continued to pay his employees their full salaries since the fire destroyed the restaurant. We spoke to a few of the waitresses Tuesday who were busy cleaning up the new space, and they were all very appreciative of that. So kudos to Dr. Jarecki.
And second, it looks like island time did not prevail over at Pirate’s as the restaurant is expected to reopen by the weekend. Double kudos to that.
They’ve constructed a temporary bar and makeshift restaurant to the left of the dock and it looks quite nice. (The restaurant that burned down was located to the right of the dock.) The manager hopes to reopen Thursday, but it may take an extra day or two for it to happen. Either way, it looks like one of News of St. John’s off island spots will be back in business by the weekend. Thank goodness for that!
As far as the main building is concerned, that area is also undergoing construction. Concrete was being poured Tuesday and the structure is going to be rebuilt very soon. That area is expected to reopen completely by February.
Here are a few pictures taken Tuesday:
That’s great news! Can’t believe they go things almost back up and going so fast. Thanks for the update!
Wow, I didn’t know about the fire. Glad no one was hurt. I have fond memories of the old place. Oh well, the new one will get character quickly I am sure!
Memories of the old old place or the place that burnt down which was completely renovated a year before?
New bar looks great! Can’t wait to see it when everything is done.
I’m going on Friday, gonna have a Bushwhacker in your honor.
didn’t know about the fire either. Glad to see it will be back open soon and that the owner continued to pay his staff. World needs more people like that.
What happened to “Island Time”??
That is wonderful news!! I didn’t think we’d hear about the rebuild finishing so soon. Great work to all involved! Can’t wait to get back down to visit.
Cheers!
Great news for a unique place. Amazing work on their part!
Norman Island, home of Pirates Bight Bar, Restaurant, and Gift Shop, is perhaps most famous for being the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, Treasure Island. However, Norman Island also has a rich documented history of acting as a hiding spot for Pirate booty.Documented history for the island dates back to the early 18th century when a Spanish galleon called Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe buried 55 chests of silver coins after the crew mutinied aboard the ship.