Another year, another storm: St Ann’s Bay restaurant owner loses business again

There was a smile across Pamaline Baggo’s face even as she dug beneath the rubble of the remnants of her seaside restaurant in St Ann’s Bay in St Ann on Wednesday.

The smile belies the daunting task she now faces to rebuild Miss Pam’s Fish Joint, from scratch a second time in a year.

Miss Pam’s Fish Joint was one of about nine wooden shops along the main road in St Ann’s Bay that were destroyed by Hurricane Melissa when it made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday.

The shop suffered a similar fate during the passage of Hurricane Beryl last July, Baggo told The Gleaner.

“There’s nothing I can do about it. I’m not going to cry, I’m not into that,” she responded when asked how she managed to maintain a smile amid the adversity.

“I just pray to God and ask him to help me, protect me and guide me along the way,” she added.

During the interview, she was joined by workmen who tried to clear the pile of wood, zinc and other debris scattered everywhere.

Baggo insisted that she will rebuild her six-year-old business, but acknowledged that the challenge will be daunting.

She said after the devastation caused by Beryl she rebuilt her shop at a “significant cost” and sacrifice.

“I didn’t get any help. I had to borrow loans and work and pay it back. I’m still paying off loans,” Baggo said.

- Livern Barrett

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