Leo's Chicken closed?

Tried calling the restaurant phone # and a recording says the number has been suspended. Hmm...

Bummer...I didn't even have a chance to try them.

Maybe they just closed for Sept. as many restaurants and businesses do in the territorty since it is historically known to be height of hurricane season as well as a very slow business month.

I'd think if they were closing temporarily/vacationing they'd have a sign on the door and/or have information on their FB page. I checked the latter and there's no mention of anything.

Didnt the Leo's guy always post here in response to issues with the restaurant?

Where is he now?

If they are really closed, then they're just another one added to list of failed businesses at that location. I don't know what it is, but it seems like that location might be cursed or something.

It's a prime location with plenty of traffic, but businesses continuously fail there. :S

I wonder how much is the rent there.

If they are really closed, then they're just another one added to list of failed businesses at that location. I don't know what it is, but it seems like that location might be cursed or something.

It's a prime location with plenty of traffic, but businesses continuously fail there. :S

I wonder how much is the rent there.

For some odd reason, IMHO, a drive-thru, at least when in was Church's, would help that kind of a business a lot... Then, I also remember reading here a lot of mistakes, lack of service, limited availability of items, and, in such a small island, that kind of thing does travel super fast...

I am on my way to STX as I write this, and I already have a list of the places I will go to because of the service and quality... and, of course, I always stay at the Carringtons Inn...In STX, once you get into a business, you have to put a tremendous amount of effort and never, EVER, let the your guard down...

Oh well, it is sad if they are gone, if that is the case...

Leo closed... no sign, nothing... Just like Church's... I drove past the Honda dealership... empty too... I hope it is due to maintenance (I've noticed that before)... I went to Blue's Backyard... closed until October the 22nd (sure it is a well deserved vacation)... No chicken, and no ribs... bummer... Grrrrrrrrrrr

Just curious - did anyone find out anything definitive about Leo's? I'm not on STX but am simply curious as the co-owner was quick to respond on this forum to customer issues with assurances that everything would improve once the kinks were worked out.

I just sent Leo a pm to respond to the thread...best to go to the source for info...

hmmm...2 days since I sent a pm to Leo...guess there's no need to reply since he doesn't want/need our money anymore...

Another one bites the dust!

Another one bites the dust!

Likely so and, if so, just another to add to the very long list. So many people come here with the best intentions but have no clue about running a business here and are under the illusion/delusion that their successes elsewhere will easily translate to the islands. The very fact that so many even very long established chains have consistently tried and failed over the years should be an indicator - but they all think theirs will be "different". In this case the whole concept of bringing in "fresh" chicken was a nail in the coffin even before the doors opened.

Hope they didn't lose too much money.

Another one bites the dust!

Likely so and, if so, just another to add to the very long list. So many people come here with the best intentions but have no clue about running a business here and are under the illusion/delusion that their successes elsewhere will easily translate to the islands. The very fact that so many even very long established chains have consistently tried and failed over the years should be an indicator - but they all think theirs will be "different". In this case the whole concept of bringing in "fresh" chicken was a nail in the coffin even before the doors opened.

Hope they didn't lose too much money.

What a bloody depressing sentiment.

Sure, starting and operating a business is no picnic down here, but to say that prospective entrepreneurs have no-clue is sending the wrong message.

Truth is, many folks have started ventures here and continue to do business. While our current economic climate is difficult it can be done. We are open to new business here on St. Croix.

Sorry to see Leo's close after he did so much to instill customer service and aspire to a quality product.

I always hated to see people come with such high hopes and eventually fail. I have to agree with OT, the "fresh chicken" concept was ill-conceived from the start. But this is such a good location, I just can't understand why nothing works here.

We seem to be burying the body without knowing if it is actually dead.
Hope it's not true that the business has closed for good but the costs of running any business in the VI is formidable.
Hope they are just closed for slow summer month and will be back.

Another one bites the dust!

Likely so and, if so, just another to add to the very long list. So many people come here with the best intentions but have no clue about running a business here and are under the illusion/delusion that their successes elsewhere will easily translate to the islands. The very fact that so many even very long established chains have consistently tried and failed over the years should be an indicator - but they all think theirs will be "different". In this case the whole concept of bringing in "fresh" chicken was a nail in the coffin even before the doors opened.

Hope they didn't lose too much money.

What a bloody depressing sentiment.

Sure, starting and operating a business is no picnic down here, but to say that prospective entrepreneurs have no-clue is sending the wrong message.

I said "so many people" not "all". Of course there are those who succeed but compared to those who fail the number is minimal, particularly in the restaurant business. When you've been here for a few decades you might notice the same inexorable trend. Moving here just to live and work for someone else is a tough adjustment for most; moving here to open a restaurant business with no prior experience of living and doing business in the USVI is infinitely tougher.

Yes, there are many barriers to success and they can be very different here than initiating and operating a buisness anywhere else. But a driven individual (or group) with an idea and capital, willing to do due-dilligence and risk assessment, and work hard, can do it. We should try to be more encouraging, instead of sending the message to not even try.

Our economy is at a tipping point. We need to foster new businesses and new ideas, grow our tourism and agricultural bases, and encourage new investment and growth. With new ideas come new opportunities. And though there may be some failures along the way, reamining stedfast and encouraging the positive is the only way we will turn the corner.

We need more positive sentiment here.

I just can't understand why nothing works here.

Seems for businesses there's two reasons. Overhead including wapa, and the fact that MANY employees just don't care about their job. I've got some intel into big box here and can't imagine small businesses making it when I hear about some of the asensine things that employees do while working here.

Agree with Alana. Just chill - all info will come out when it should. Pretty soon islander is going to have to rename this board to the VI relocation and negativity board.

I think LindaJ is referring to the particular location...a busy intersection, available parking, good visibility from roadways, yet business after business closes.

Pretty soon islander is going to have to rename this board to the VI relocation and negativity board.

Don't confuse practical advice with negativity. It doesn't happen very often but occasionally someone will come to this board with plans of moving here to open a restaurant and so many people leap in and give advice on what's needed (Asian, Mexican, good chicken, etc. etc.) and fill the thread with encouraging words of, "Come here and I'll support you!" The problem is that few, if any, of these people have ever owned and operated a restaurant here and most not any kind of business.

To put down people who've "been there done that" and know all the pitfalls, and further suggest they should wear with flair the mantle of optimistic encouragement is no help at all to those looking for information.

I think LindaJ is referring to the particular location...a busy intersection, available parking, good visibility from roadways, yet business after business closes.

There might be bodies buried on that property...lol. I think there's an old folktale in regards to that property but I'm not sure. I'm going to have to check with my mom and confirm if that's the location in reference to the folktale I heard her speak about.

But I do remember back in 1989 when there was a gas station, an appliance store, and I believe that BF Goodrich was also there

There are several excellent chicken farms on this island. Plenty of fresh local meat for all.

There's plenty of fresh chickens running wild everywhere all over the islands.