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Luxury housing forces Keith to move lunchcart to BAA

KEITH'S Kitchen, a Victoria Street fixture, has been kicked out of its home of nearly 20 years by developers building a cluster of luxury housing in the vicinity.

Keith DeSilva, who operates the lunchcart with his wife, Elaine, and Ceon Smith, said he was officially notified of the move only a month ago, but has since managed to secure a new location in the parking lot off Bermuda Athletic Association Field.

"We've been here for 17 years," Mr. DeSilva said. "We were pre-warned in October when we were told that negotiations were taking place and that (former Premier and businessman) Sir John Swan, would probably be the new rental agent for the Victoria Street parking lot.

"In January, we got a letter stating that they didn't wish to renew our contract and that (Sir John) would be taking over the lot for construction, and eventually for parking. I think the problem was that we were so close to the new building. I would imagine that anyone who's paying a significant amount of money for a condo would not want it to be next to a lunch cart."

Sir John's complex, Atlantis, is now under development. When completed, the luxury accommodation - which sits on Parliament Street - will include 68 one- and two-bedroomed units.

The finished project will adjoin the parking lot now home to Keith's Kitchen. Expected to be completed this year, the complex will include a heated swimming pool, gymnasium, recreational roof-top terrace and gourmet shop.

"It's definitely a sad situation," Mr. DeSilva added, "but we have no bones to pick with them. I really can't cry the blues. We had a very successful, very pleasant 17 years here. We're looking forward to a new challenge in a new location.

"Seventy-eight per cent of our customers are of the motoring public - truck drivers, service personnel - and, as one pointed out, our new location is only four minutes away from where we are now. But it is disappointing. We've been here for so long and the pedestrian customers that we have, we will miss. We got to know so many of them."

Having spent so many years in the area, Mr. DeSilva said he was looking forward to seeing the positive changes he imagined would take place once the project was completed.

"I like the area so much, I can only see it enhanced by all this. It's progress. I imagine that eventually, they'll probably put in a more upscale-type parking lot with an electric gate. It will be nice to see the changes in this area; to see it develop into a nice neighbourhood.

"When I first moved here, people asked, 'Aren't you nervous being so close to Court Street?' I was never nervous. I never had a problem. But, hopefully, the development will help rid some of the stigma of the area.

"We looked at a lot of avenues, some on Victoria Street as well, but decided that BAA was our best bet. Our time here has been nice. There are no hard feelings. Honestly and truly, they have been very co-operative. But it is a shame, in a sense, to have to move so soon."

Keith's Kitchen's last day on Victoria Street is next Friday, February 28. When the lunchcart moves to its new location, it will operate within its usual hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.