Les Bananiers restaurant has closed its doors

The news came abruptly on Friday March 21. In an online publication, Valérie Kraemer and Frédéric Debotte announced the closure of their Colombier restaurant, Les Bananiers. This forced decision comes after a three-year legal battle with the owner of the premises. "After nearly twenty years in Saint-Barth, bringing to life a simple but demanding restaurant, where accessible gastronomy and service in the pure French tradition were a priority, we have been evicted by the owner of the premises," wrote the restaurateurs. With the tireless help of an admirable team, we worked hard and passionately to offer a varied, sincere and affordable alternative to those who like to eat well without ostentation. But the island is changing. It's being sold to the highest bidder. Taste is being lost, and so is moderation. "And to thank all their customers, their teams, their suppliers and all those who have supported them.
The conflict between the owner (SCI Landrieux) and the restaurant owners (Valentin Gourmet) began in 2022. Since May 15, 2007, Les Bananiers had been leased to the restaurant owners, who paid SCI Landrieux a monthly rent of 2,000 euros, and Sarl "Les Bananiers St Barth" a monthly fee of 2,000 euros for running the business. In 2022, a new contract was proposed: 6,000 euros per month including royalties and rent. This proposal was rejected by the restaurant owners. This led to legal proceedings. On October 3, 2022, the Commercial Court dismissed Valentin Gourmet's claim and ordered the eviction. On April 18, 2024, the Basse-Terre Court of Appeal upheld the lower court's decision. The restaurant owners then decided to appeal to the Court of Cassation. Last Thursday, March 20, despite the three arguments put forward by their defender to appeal to the Court of Cassation, the restaurateurs' request was rejected. It was a "crushing blow", says their lawyer, who is convinced of the merits of the arguments put forward by his clients since the start of the proceedings. "There was a real substantive debate on the fact that the management lease had been running for fifteen years, and we were clearly asking for the lease to be reclassified as a commercial lease", says the lawyer. For it is precisely on this point that the dispute has centered for the past three years.
Preferring to anticipate the enforcement of an eviction order by the gendarmerie, the restaurant owners preferred to leave the premises and slide the key under the door. Leaving nine employees without jobs and closing an establishment that still managed to attract locals and tourists every day in a simple, friendly atmosphere. All the messages we receive give us strength," confides Frédéric Debotte. Right up to the last day, our reputation was built on all the people who worked with us. Everyone brought something to the table. An idea, a line of conduct, a demand. We're going to relaunch. "It remains to be seen what will become of the space that has housed Les Bananiers for almost twenty years.