SEPTEMBER 18, 2023
Raise your hand if you would like to work on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world!
It’s a daydream for many, and in a few short months, the ExplorUS staff can say they actually DO work on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The hospitality company was recently awarded a 10-year contract by the Magens Bay Authority to manage the beachside café and bar at Magens Bay Beach on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
ExplorUS will rename the restaurant Fairchild’s Beach Bar & Grill to pay homage to Arthur S. Fairchild, who generously donated 56 acres of his private land in 1946 for the enjoyment of all “without discrimination of any kind as to race, creed, color, or national origin.” Today, Magens Bay Beach is a popular excursion for cruise ships, and combined with island vacationers and locals, the beach welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
“It’s not work if you love what you do and work in some of the most beautiful places in the world,” says Frank Pikus, CEO of ExplorUS. “We cannot overstate how happy we are to partner with the Authority and create a shared vision for a greatly improved concession for beach visitors. We have already received a warm welcome at Magens Bay and cannot wait to continue developing friendships with locals and visitors alike. A beachside café and bar is the perfect place to leave your worries behind and strike up conversations while enjoying the warm sun and salty air.”
Fairchild’s will be run by a local staff of highly experienced professionals who will focus on delivering a superior visitor experience. Chef and longtime St. Thomas resident Patricia LaCorte will lead the operations. LaCorte owns several local restaurants and is well-known in the Virgin Islands for her vast culinary expertise. She has created a new menu for Fairchild’s that features classic foods and island favorites. Serving as General Manager will be Bill Cooke, who has extensive experience in the food and beverage industry, most recently at a resort on the Virgin Islands.
Fairchild’s new menu of mouthwatering dishes is inspired by local cultures. Caribbean-spiced mahi-mahi tacos, conch fritters, coconut shrimp, and jerk-spiced chicken wings are featured on the menu, along with classics such as burgers and freshly made pizza. Beachgoers can soak up the sun while sipping a Magens Mule, Mango Mimosa, pina colada, or a number of other tropical drinks and beers.
The grand opening of Fairchild’s Beach Bar & Grill is set for mid-December.