An Angry Letter to Jimmy Buffett

[Eco]

I like to listen to him, admire his business skills (high profit margins/branding/protecting the brand) but the actual product is sub par. I've been to 5 or so of his places in 3 different countries and it's the same thing. I wonder if he actually ate the food on his last reach to Negril last year?

[Kristine]

thanks Marley...I'll have to give (at least) one a try this reach

[marley9808]

thanks Marley...I'll have to give (at least) one a try this reach

Oh yes...You MUST! LOL, (at least) one...too funny

[Mr.Glenn]

I remember before Margaritaville was in Negril that space on the beach was occupied by a restaurant called "runaways". (At least I think I remember that's what it was called). They had good food with a lot of atmosphere. I was saddened to see it become a "Margaritaville". There were always a number of cats looking for handouts. Things are constantly changing in Negril. I'm still a bit pissed at the loss of the "for real" bar. It was a great place to wet your whistle during a walk down the beach.

[Homegirl]

I would not go there or MBJ airport either,local is the best way. Just saying.

[Alfred's Taxi & Tours]

JB didnt "take it over" he actually became partners with the local owners and transitioned it into his brand rather than sue them...just saying...Ian and Brian did well in that merger!!!

[Chet & Coleen]

Depending on who we are with we end up at Margarittaville to buy t-shirts for gifts back home just about every trip. I'll almost bet Coleen has those free (what is it a 6 oz glass) margarita coupons in her travel bag right now. As a driver my complaint would be the parking, but as a Jamaicaphile getting angry is like a rogue wave it comes it passes it is washed away by soft sea. NO Problem,,,,,

IMHO w/o looking through rose colored sunglasses I'm going to give Jimmy a pass on Margaritaville. From the flip flops at the front door to the trampoline in the water I believe Mr Buffets contract with me on this one is a themed amusement park no more no less and like any amusement park capitive audience pricing reflects the investment of developing the ambience. As I sit here writing I look up at a forest of red palm tree rare hamburger markers stuck in an oversize cork from the airport restaurants, to us it's not the great hamburger in paradise it's the paradise in which we are sharing the hamburger as we head back to the reality of the real world.

The best value in Negril if I desire to invest in the time is the oversized drinks in the theme glass that offer the next one (s) at a discount price.

But you know for the countless number of hours on boat, on deck, driving long treks on dark nights, laying in a hospital bed that Mr Buffet has whispered escape into my ear about He Went To Paris and A Pirate Looking At 40 and African Friends and Everbody Talkin and Jamaica Mistaica and Back To The Island,,,,,,,,, I'm going to give him a pass on the management of his tourist trap

Ricks Cafe (who all has some of the old coins in a drawer that you had to buy to purchase their stuff in the past), Margarittaville, Dolphins Cove and a few more attractions are just attractions,,,,, they are not the Jamaica dreams I dream as we anguish over airfares and stealing time to get back to the Island.

[Fred Stripe]

I dont go to Margaritaville when Im in Key West....

[MoGlenn and Sweetsop]

Nick, don't know what you are complaining about. It sounds like things are improving there based on our last time there.

[Kahuna3]

Bertie and all the other Margaritaville bashers . . .

There are many, many, many locals who are well employed at Margaritaville, check it out.
Check the local tour buses from MoBay to Margaritaville that bring bus loads to the beach, people who buy, drink and enjoy Negril. = $$$ for the tourist industry.
Check the local providers of supplies to Margaritaville - a very good business.
Taxi drivers do a good trade transporting people from the AIs to/from Margaritaville.
The Breakers drop a ton of cash at the events at Margaritaville (and have a good time) which is great for the local economy, some of these kids come back to Negril when they get older - if they can remember where they were.
I could go on.

Granted, Margaritaville is not for everybody (for me, the Red Stripes are too expensive) but it is part of the beach scene and it does a lot of good for the local economy.

As for Jimmy - his early recordings - from the mid '70's - were instrumental in drawing me to the Caribbean, and eventually Negril, and for that Jimmy, thank you, thank you, thank you . . .

K3