The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

and NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

Uncertainty surrounds the future of a well-known downtown Nassau restaurant, after its owners confirmed to Tribune Business they had closed for at least “a temporary period”.

Tamara Van Breugel, wife of proprietor Freddy Van Breugel, told this newspaper that he was “taking a wait and see approach” with the Charlotte Street-based Van Breugel’s Restaurant.

“He (Freddie) has closed for a temporary period, and he has taken a wait and see approach for a few days,” Mrs Van Breugel said.

“We don’t want to say much on it right now but he’s taken a wait and see approach.”

The property, a popular venue with downtown Nassau and Bay Street workers, was recently rebranded as Cafe Sands.

This newspaper understands that the Van Breugels have been seeking a buyer for the business, and reduced staffing levels and operating hours while they waited for a deal to emerge.

Tribune Business has been unable to contact Mr Van Breugel for comment, and the restaurant’s telephone number just rang out when called by this newspaper yesterday.

A Tribune photographer saw no restaurant activity when taking pictures of the property at 12.30pm this week, a period that would normally see peak lunchtime business.

Jimmy Sands, the Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company’s founder, also confirmed to Tribune Business yesterday that Van Breugel’s/Cafe Sands had closed.

He explained that he had allowed Mr Van Breugel to give the property “a facelift” by rebranding it using the Sands name, and that it had only been a marketing exercise for himself and his business.

Asked whether he planned to take over the business and restaurant operations himself, Mr Sands laughed, and joked: “If I every get into the restaurant business, you’ve got permission to shoot me.”

Explaining his involvement, he added: “I did that with Freddy. The only thing we did was brand it for him. We had no involvement in the place; only branding it for him. He just wanted a facelift.

“He still managed it and everything, like Van Breugels. It’s a shame and it’s disappointing [it has closed], but that’s how it is. It’s unfortunate, that’s all.”