Amid the sounds of loud horns and the chatter of people conducting business in Roseau, stands a café which claims the attention of almost all locals and visitors who pass within and outside its walls.
DNO was able to experience the uniqueness of Ruins Rock Café on Tuesday as its staff got the restaurant and bar prepared for the curious eyes of the incoming tourist visitors. One cannot help but notice the distinct decor created by the various types of artwork hanging on the walls inside the café. The different colored signs, masks, and wooden carvings all contribute to the out of the ordinary ambiance of the café.
As the interview continued, L’homme recalled one of the biggest challenges which he had to endure during his ten years of business. In September 2012, government contacted L’homme explaining to him that he should shut down his business since they intended to convert his café into a vendors arcade.
L’Homme noted further that despite plans of the government he will continue to push his business since he believes it has a lot to offer to the tourist and Dominica.
This year the Ruins café is celebrating its tenth anniversary after rising rapidly to popularity for its locally made rums and spices. The establishment offers 66 different rum punches made with only herbs and fruits from the island, and over 20 different flavors of hot sauces made with only fruits from the island.
In addition, a variety of 129 different spices from Dominica can be found at the café.
Manager and proprietor, Serge L’Homme, in an interview with Dominica News Online said although the café had a few challenges over the years, the experience so far can be regarded as a good one.
“It was a hard ten years but a nice decade because I learnt a lot, I put a lot in place and now I’m heading for another ten years,” he said.
He said the anniversary celebrations are going to be great.
“The tenth anniversary will be great, it will be something to look up to and will coincide with the 24th of December. The real date was the 1st of October but we were unable to do anything since the tourist season started so late,” he said. “We will make it a Christmas event but it will highlight everything that belongs to us locally. It will be an entire day activity because on that day there will be a cruise ship. We will have a band playing from 9:00 am on December 24th until about 1 or 2 am.”
L’Homme who is originally from La Plaine added that he hopes that his business will become a landmark and a tourist hot spot in Roseau.
He noted further that despite plans by the government to shut down his business and convert the café to a vendors arcade he will continue to push it since he believes it has a lot to offer to tourists and Dominica.
“So far many members of the government realize how important that establishment was for tourism and they also realize that it is something that honors our heritage, our culture, it is in the middle of Roseau and so close to the tourist it allows us to promote yearly, none stop, who we are and what we have to offer,” he said.
He stated that with his plans for the Ruins in the future, the café will become the spot to remind Dominicans of who they are.
L’Homme explained that everything that is served at the cafe is done right there.
“Everything in the Ruins is being made right here. Some of the spices we will import because we don’t have all but most of them we have it here. We have clove, black pepper, ginger but we have a little of everything so there is enough for us but not enough to sell for the rest of the world so therefore we bring in some, not all,” he explained. “The bar is because of the spices because I start flavouring rums, vinegar and from there people liked it so I had to open a bar just for that. That is the only bar that has only local drinks.”
When I visit I personally look for Serge and I can tell you if you give him a chance to release all his ideas,hurray for Dominca!!!! you WILL finally be on the map. Serge knows what the tourists likes and he will continue to give that to them.Stop trying to put a good man down.
Break down the place already
Good to know you are still going to work at keeping the ruins open. My family are looking forward to visiting the place when they all come over next year.
White the Cafe may be a great business concept, the building is an eye soar in the heart of the city. Also this building may have structural issues from it’s initial destruction. What if there is an earthquake as was in the case of Haiti, this building can perhaps be a hazard to public safety. A better suggestion is that the property should be redeveloped into a beautiful commerce and leaving space that will bring beauty into the heart of Roseau and the cafe and still operate there. If the Mayor want to really clean up Roseau perhaps that is where she should begin. For Roseau to be a viable international City these a the steps that must be taken for future grow in commerce and tourism. I know this comment will touch some nerves, but think about the future of the city as well as the future of Dominica. If Dominica is going to compete with the likes of Barbados, St.Luce etc. these are some of the strategic matter it must consider.
Where as what you say concerning public hazard may be true, turning this place into a beautiful commerce as I understand it, will definitely take away the authenticity of the place. beautification yes, cleaning up yes but no modernisation
I agree with your position. In fact, the original structure can and should still remain as part of any renewed structure however a more modern face life to the property can set the stage to make that intersection one of the most beautiful in Dominica if not the Caribbean. For instance, if you travel to place like St.Thomas, Barbados, Jamaica the Bahamas and even major North American and European cities, They preserve old building such as this one and modernize them into functional structures that first maintain the community heritage while reinvigorating the the city. Perhaps a lesson that can be learned from because the Old Market has so much potential for creating a space for fine dinning, commerce and a place where both Dominican and Tourist alike can truly enjoy. Essentially, attracting more investment and ultimately creating more jobs for Dominican. Am not oppose to the current restaurant operating there, just that we gotta think of the future growth of the City particularly with the prospect of an international airport that will attract more visitors to the city so it is just a good way to start thinking about the future and how to make Roseau a visitors favorite destination.
thats what the people pay money to come and see, ruins not fancy stuff and if fact if they reconstruct the building they should give it and abstract outlook
I give that place five stars,a nice cool out spot and clean natural restaurant.
Congrats to Ruins rock Cafe! Keep up the good work despite the challenges! DNO, you are really a breath of fresh air in reporting!
Good on you Serge, That is the 1st place I go to whenever I land Home, and I always recommend people to attend to the ruins for the Natural Juices and Food..
Man I love that place… It always feels like coming home
Continue what u doing..Keep up the quality and hospitality u and your staff maintain,,They will try to stop u or shut u down because they lack the for-sight and vision u have,,
Never understood why the govt wanted to shut down this place…been on a few cruises and this is what many of the visitors run to when they get off the ship…bars, bars, bars,such as senior frog and margarita Ville ..all these souvenirs are the same in every island..we need more entertainment spots in Roseau while the ship is in port…
So a man should be allowed to trespass for 10 years after repeatedly being informed that he is squatting and breaking the law he still persists… You are right why should he be closed down for progress sake… after all this country has no law, no constitution!!!
It is one of the best places to visit in Roseau. It is what Dominica is all about. Keep up the good work.