Juan Dolio - South Beach of the Caribbean !!!

[frank recktenwald]

Originally Posted by Fernandez

There can be no arguing that long term benefits will be felt in the area of Juan Dolio, as eventually things will fill up. However, as opposed to the tourist market that existed here, the demands of the market will depend on alternative local services and entertainment. The tourist does not require the same services as the resident. The tourist is provided most of the services directly from the hotel. However, residents require excellent schools, water services, water treatment, consistent security and policing, area beautification, good roads, restaurants, tailors, laundry, supermarket, and so much much more. I think the frustrations are best directed towards large residential- not touristic- construction on the beach, with less than 150 yards from their land borders developed for commercial reason.
Again, Developers are interested in selling developments- residents who invest and/or purchase in the area are suffering the lack of the other requirements that together make an area interesting for full time living, and which promotes better values on investments made in the area.

The developers have a responsibility to the area to ensure that their projects encompass more than just beach sales. They must invest to ensure that the projects blend and add value to the existing, while advancing all aspects of social living that make a project viable long term and the overall contribution to the area a positive one.

Thats why the Romans built good roads everywhere they went.

Do agree with you for the most part and that's also the philosophy of Metro. However we're not looking for the all inclusive hotel tourist, that era is over for JD. We're looking for the middle class and up, people who do not wish to be just limited to the hotel services and have some money to spend.
This off course will mean as you mentioned that the services in general have to be improved and they will be!
It's just a matter of time and believe me if I wasn't convinced of that I would not waste my time here.

[Snake]

Did anyone notice that INAPA wasn't giving water for 5 day's, my water pump broke down cause of the problem, and had to pay to get it fixed, for there problem, they could at least tell you when these things happen. Also Costa del Sol didn't have water for 3 day's cause of this problem, you would think that with all this construction going on they would get a little more smarter.

[frank recktenwald]

Originally Posted by Snake

Did anyone notice that INAPA wasn't giving water for 5 day's, my water pump broke down cause of the problem, and had to pay to get it fixed, for there problem, they could at least tell you when these things happen. Also Costa del Sol didn't have water for 3 day's cause of this problem, you would think that with all this construction going on they would get a little more smarter.

About INAPA I don't know about Costa del Sol I do!
I don't know where you got your information but let me tell you it's BS.
For the record one of our pipes broke leaving us without water for the afternoon and night, that's it!!!

[Snake]

I't not BS, cause my friend who lives there called me last night and he told me, and my cisterna was empty, this morning he informed me that everything was back to normal, and also we have agian water on the bvld. Why would anyone have to lie.

[Matilda]

Originally Posted by Dre Broeders

The higher spending expats don't buy in a colmado.
They go by car to a supermarket in San Pedro de Macoris.
Perhaps. I hope we get a supermarket here in Juan Dolio with the same prices as in San Pedro de Macoris.

Well the expats used to buy in my colmado before they left. They may do a weekly shop in the supermarkets in San Pedro but they would use us for emergencies such as the odd bottle of wine or whisky, phone cards, meat, and anything they ran out of. Also fresh bread every morning.

Unfortunately many have now left.

[Dre Broeders]

Originally Posted by Snake

Did anyone notice that INAPA wasn't giving water for 5 day's, my water pump broke down cause of the problem, and had to pay to get it fixed, for there problem, they could at least tell you when these things happen.

Every day we are checking if there is coming water in the cisterna.
If your waterpump get dry it get damaged.
How do you you think that INAPA can warn you in a bananacountry?
THIS IS NOT USA.

[Fernandez]

Originally Posted by Matilda

Well the expats used to buy in my colmado before they left. They may do a weekly shop in the supermarkets in San Pedro but they would use us for emergencies such as the odd bottle of wine or whisky, phone cards, meat, and anything they ran out of. Also fresh bread every morning.

Unfortunately many have now left.

The lack of tourists is a drain on foot traffic, and thus a drain on income/sales. Future expectations can be for a percentage of the new apartments to retain permanent residents, and thus the traffic will build back up to a more fixed stream of customers needing a variety of items to stock and maintain their units. At the same time, the market will revert upscale, and the demands on local businesses will be to upgrade their locations to meet these new buyer needs. Thus, while the Colmado might continue to exist for basic goods, if they were to choose between the regular colmado and an upscale store (newer designs, newer lighting, air-conditioned, etc..), they will gravitate to the newer looking location.

Those upgrades will payoff when the units are sold, more come to use them, and others stay on a permanent basis- The local restaurants will also need upgrading and others will bring new ones to the area that will provide a more refined feel. I think that this is already starting to be seen in the area, and I understand that a few restaurants are already planning closed expansion with comfortable seating.

I think all businesses in the area will need to reinvent themselves to suit a different client, using marketing and visual promotion to steer clients to them - Its a difficult and costly proposition - but if the future brings these developments, all who have invested time and money in the area will be forced to parallel their focus to gain market and remain a viable business going forward.

It would be nice to have a Group organized to coordinate the commercial with the residential development, including existing businesses so that they can gain comfort and prepare for changes which these projects will (and are) bringing.

[Fernandez]

Also, the Costa del Sol/Marbella/Costa del Sol 2 etc.. should concentrate their buying on the local business groups that surround their projects. If the projects need cleaning stuff for the apartments, chlorine for their pools, food for their workers etc., they should direct these purchases to the local businesses to help them during the weaker periods, and also to allow these stores/businesses to continue operations while only workers and labor staff are present.
Perhaps this can be coordinate by meeting with Metro Management. It might cost them a bit more to buy locally, but it would also allow for businesses to remain operation and be a welcome best business type of relationship. If members from the Metro Group read this, it might prove an important help to the area. You might want to include some of the Embassy Suites and other Hotels in the plan.
Just an idea-

[Snake]

Originally Posted by Dre Broeders

Every day we are checking if there is coming water in the cisterna.
If your waterpump get dry it get damaged.
How do you you think that INAPA can warn you in a bananacountry?
THIS IS NOT USA.

Yes but we have USA prices everywhere, there quick enough to come and tell you when you owe them money. What's going to happen when everything is finished on the bulvd, and they carn't surply enough water.

[Matilda]

Originally Posted by Fernandez

At the same time, the market will revert upscale, and the demands on local businesses will be to upgrade their locations to meet these new buyer needs. Thus, while the Colmado might continue to exist for basic goods, if they were to choose between the regular colmado and an upscale store (newer designs, newer lighting, air-conditioned, etc..), they will gravitate to the newer looking location.

.

I agree but to a point We have continued to be successful as we had 3 markets - tourists, ex pats and locals and did not concentrate on only one group. Those businesses which only concentrated on tourists or ex pats are the ones who have closed.

If someone wants to open a posh airconditioned supermarket, which i know is planned, that is fine with me, as I doubt they will open 6.30 am to 10pm, nor do home deliveries, nor provide 1 egg, nor sell at prices which are not ridiculous. There is room for everyone.

Even though there wil be thousands of expensive condos on the beach we are still in the Dominican Republic and I will continue to cater to Dominicans and Haitians who live here - as long as they have not been forced out by then - and those foreigners who want to shop in a Dominican store.

Matilda