Arawak Cay Vendors President “We Will Rebuild”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The smell of smoke still hung over Arawak Cay on Monday as vendors returned to what was left of their businesses after a fast-moving fire tore through the western end of the popular dining strip.

Seven restaurants were destroyed or severely damaged, including the iconic Goldie’s Conch House, Red Snapper, On The Edge, South of Florida, Brother Eddie’s Kitchen, and Trudy’s Bar & Grill.

Owners spent the morning walking through piles of rubble, twisted metal, and charred beams trying to make sense of the losses. Among them was Trudy Johnson, owner of Trudy’s Bar & Grill, who sat quietly under what remained of her roof.

“There’s no electricity so there’s nothing much I can do… my greatest concern right now is the freezers, coolers, and the food,” Johnson said, adding that for now she is simply waiting.

Fire crews are said to have responded within minutes on Sunday morning, but the cluster of wooden structures helped the flames spread quickly. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Rodney Russell, president of the Arawak Cay Conch, Fish, Vegetable and Food Vendors Association, spent the day meeting with affected vendors and overseeing cleanup efforts.

“We know there are a lot of expenses. We have to put the electricity back in place before any work could be done,” Russell said. “Once the government reinstalls the infrastructure, like electricity and water, we’ll begin construction.”

Russell, who also lost part of his business and part of his home, acknowledged that the emotional weight of the disaster is settling in.

“I’m grateful that no one got injured… and we are able to start all over again.”

As vendors wait for the site to be restored, the future of Arawak Cay’s beloved eateries remains uncertain, but spirits on the ground suggest they are determined to rebuild.