Evita's started in Montego Bay in 1984, on the sea, just below Round Hill Hotel.

Eva Myers, owner of a villa at nearby Tryall, saw the need for an attractive club-entertainment place in the Great River area.

She built an all-bamboo place with disco, 10-foot screen and projector for sporting events and live bands. It was so well built, it became 'an attraction'.

As time went by, Eva found out that the market for an entertainment centre at its location and the expenses for entertainment were not that profitable and, therefore, added Italian cuisine, as Eva is Italian.

marketing tours

Now, along with the food, Evita's, because of its location, was marketing tours to tourists, through tour operators, which included transportation from the hotels, dinner, drinks, music and a live show.

This worked well, but required continuous follow-up with the tour representatives.

In 1988, Hurricane Gilbert hit and Evita's on the sea was totally destroyed.

Instead of rebuilding there, Eva decided to look for another location that would be better for business and found the present one, in Ocho Rios.

Evita's reopened on December 4, 1989, as an Italian Restaurant and has been in business ever since.

The present location has been better for Evita's business as, in Ocho Rios, Evita's clientele is not only tourists, but also includes the Kingston clientele who have weekend dwellings and apartments in Ocho Rios and have travelled well enough to appreciate Evita's cuisine.

To attract more business and please the tastes of its American, European and Jamaican clientele, Evita's adds new items, while keeping a traditional Italian menu.

Also, to keep the interest high, specials are always featured, to include:

Discounts for the local clientele

Special two-for-one entrées on Tuesday evenings

Free movie tickets with dinner on Sunday and Thursday evenings

Free glass of wine on Wednesdays

Free desserts on Monday to anyone wearing blue

Happy hours on Saturday, with live entertainment.

Also, to ensure its presence on the market, public relations is not neglected. Eva tries to maintain its visibility through billboards and belongs to associations related to the hotel and tourist industry.

Eva Myers (second right), owner of Evita's Italian Restaurant, shares the spotlight with hard-working members of staff (from left), Ivy Martin and Erica Gray, laundry attendants; Alfred Nevins, maintenance and gardener; Sonia Buchanan, housekeeping; and Mary Allen, laundry attendant.