Palapa Bar and Grill Scott and Jodi

Thank You to the friends and family that shared so much to recover the ruins of the Palapa Bar and Grill.

The story...
In the early summer of 2016 the owners were forced to relocate amid controversy related to the access to the original location.  Having just settled in to the new location hopes were high to recover start-up costs associated with the new location.  The plan was to continue treating visitors like locals, the staff like family and the locals like friends. On August 4, 2016 the rising sun revealed a sunken dream. 

 Scott & Jodie woke up to a pile of rubble following Hurricane Earl.   A decision to rebuild and keep the staff and locals employed was the first order of that dark day.  While repurposing as much local lumber from their ruins, recovering sentimental memorobilia from friends, family and patrons both living and lost, some people trash talked a "Greedy rich American trying to steal from the locals..while collecting a fat insurance check."  The Palapa was uninsurable due to the beautiful location and mortgaged beyond belief.

It gets worse.
In lieu of flowers.... Early the morning of September 29th Scott's mother Bonnie went to be with her  husband Don & daughter Jenny. Bonnie expressed her wish to have donations made to this campaign in lieu of flowers.  Even though Bonnie loved flowers she knew how much of a struggle it has been to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Earl.  Bonnie's other children, Jeff, Sandy & Michael agree with her wishes to help Scott and Jodie rebuild the Palapa Bar & Grill.  As kids growing up on Anna Maria Island and now as adults we understand that a small business in a small community helps locals.  Thank you for your donation and please consider visiting Scott and Jodie where you will see the spirit of Harnish family working hard to make the world a better place.   One of Bonnie's favorite phrases "You Better Belize it!" 

So as 2017 arrives the struggle continues and donations will still be used to support the local economy and pay off the storm debt of employing and amazing staff and their extended families as well as locals who not only helped rebuild but bolstered the faith in the good people of San Pedro and Ambergris Caye Belize.  Visit Palapa Bar and Grill on facebook to see the efforts to rebuild or better yet visit Scott & Jodie and the amazing people of Belize.  You Better Belize it!

Bonnie celebrating her Island life days before she passed. 





Please Help! Hurricane Earl has destroyed the Palapa Bar and Grill in San Pedro Belize.  All of Scott and Jodi's blood sweat and tears were thrown into a rubble pile on the beach.  The loss is heartbreaking.  Priceless family trinkets, gifts and life statements from departed family and friends, First Responder patches and memorabilia from around the world, Wedding photos from guests, signatures and autographs from the best family of customers and musicians. "Living the dream" has become a temporary nightmare.  
Please help! The Palapa is not just a bar, the staff and locals depend upon the financial support from tourism.  The local families of the employees, suppliers, purveyors and associated businesses are about to suffer beyond belief.  The sooner we can rebuild the Palapa the sooner we can help the locals as well as Scott & Jodi.  The commitment to keep the Palapa viable has been proven over and over.  Trust in the fact that Scott and Jodi have invested more than blood, sweat and tears to get to where they were on August 3rd.  On August 4th, devastation.  
Photo of rubble in San Pedro

Flipper's is gone, the deck is gone. The booze, the lights, the sound gear, TV's, all gone.   Maybe the shot stick will be found?

This is what the island community lost...