Kipco's Opening

February 1999 Table of Contents - Current Issue of The Abaco Journal - Abaco Bahamas' Home Page

A Strictly Abaconian Place
by Bill Durrell

For what seemed like forever Kipco, proprietor of Marsh Harbours largest source of used car parts, talked of an open air bar on the corner of his junkyard. Few thought it would ever happen.

Then young John Hardy entered the scene and Kipco found a partner in the venture worthy of not only sharing his vision but also bringing along talent and an energetic desire to make it work. Nobody had ever seen or perhaps expected that from John before. It was rumoured that until this union was formed this lad was one of those young men seemingly like a fish out of water, sort of flopping around busily and clearly going nowhere. After being made the manager and with the support of Kipco, John became more like a bonefish on the run.

Many months were spent by these two unlikely partners scrounging the beaches and who knows where else for the materials needed to create their dream. Constructed almost entirely from material rescued from Abaco's beaches, this place radiates the feeling of Abaco in much the same manner as the 21 Club radiates the aura of New York.

When the Grand Opening was announced, six of us from up north ventured down to Kipco's to celebrate the event at his new open air (with a roof) bar. We had no idea what to expect. It was a great show.

The evening's entertainment included fashion shows, dancing with two different bands, and some short but poignant acknowledgment speeches.
At best guess there were consistently over 250 people present, some always leaving and some always coming. Huge amounts of various Bahamian foods were served from an outdoor cooking area. Why they didn't run out of cold beer boggles the mind.

Among those acknowledged were Kipco and his young manager, John Hardy. It was made clear that without the hard work and commitment the place would never have opened. Indicative of John's efforts were the Christmas tree lights some 60 feet up on a Abaco Pine towering over the establishment. When all attempts to get a picker to place the lights failed John was up the tree in a flash, meticulously trimming the tree from top to bottom with lights.

Its our understanding the place was still packed at 2 am with one segment of the fashion show to go. Keep an eye out for future events. If they bear any resemblance to the opening your attendance will be a treat.

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