By Nelson A. King
A 2020 survey released by the
Restaurant Association showed
that nationally, about one in
six restaurants — representing
nearly 100,000 restaurants —
closed either permanently or
long-term during the first six
months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last summer, at the height of
the health crisis, when New York
State Gov. Andrew Cuomo put a
halt on all entertainment events,
Blue and Bougie party promoter
Jamaican Jerry McDonald was
on the lookout for opportunity
in the food industry.
Four months into the crisis,
McDonald, who in the parish of
Manchester in Jamaica and currently
resides in Connecticut,
was presented with an opportunity
to purchase a struggling
restaurant in the Bronx.
McDonald said he took the
plunge, and, on Dec. 1, 2020, he
became the proud owner of the
brand name Coffee Bay Restaurant,
at 3431 Eastchester Rd.,
the Bronx.
“It was a risk I was willing to
take,” McDonald told Caribbean
Life. “This pandemic won’t last
forever; so, I gambled with the
idea to launch my restaurant
against the odds. That is how I
have lived all my life.
McDonald, a school teacher
and marketer by profession, said
he had acquired some experience
Caribbean L 20 ife, MAY 21-27, 2021
in the restaurant business
a few years earlier.
An entrepreneur at heart, he
said he had the full desire now
to run his own business.
“I huddled with my family
and got their advice,” McDonald
said. “I also spoke with everyone
I knew in the restaurant industry.
After doing some research,
I quit my full-time job to make
Coffee Bay Restaurant a reality.
” Today, McDonald said Coffee
Bay has thrived, despite COVID
restrictions, which have caused
some local eateries to close their
doors.
Asked what has contributed
to the success of the Bronx
based Coffee Bay, the former
teacher said: “Coffee Bay is
more than a restaurant. It is a
movement.
“I crafted Coffee Bay into a
full-fledged restaurant and coffee
house all in one spot, with a
retro Caribbean style decor that
sets it apart from all others,” he
said. “Our slogan is ‘food and
culture,’ because we are not just
about food but the experience.
“Plus, we have the best customer
service ever,” he added.
“We are truly taking the Jamaican/
Caribbean culture to the
world, and we are winning.”
The take-out only restaurant
is open for business from 7:00
am. to 9:30 pm. Mondays to
Saturdays.
McDonald said the breakfast
menu includes ackee and saltfish
(Jamaica’s national dish),
roast breadfruit, callaloo, omelet
and pancakes.
For dinner, tantalizing,
mouthwatering Jamaican/Caribbean
dishes, specially prepared
by the in-house chef,
includes signature items like
coffee salmon; shrimp espresso;
garlic wings; sizzling, spiced
jerked chicken; curry goat; and
oxtail.
Bronx Borough President, Nathalia Fernandez (left) with
Coffee Bay Restaurant owner, Jerry McDonald while being
hosted at the Bronx eatery recently. Jerry McDonald
McDonald said he also serves
coffee lemonade and coffee
smoothie.
On Sunday, he said the restaurant
sells various flavors of
ice cream.
Jamaican party promoter turns
Coffee Bay Restaurant owner