Trader Jack’s chalks up ‘Silver’ milestone

Trader Jack’s celebrates 25 years of being on the rock on 6th of June, and to mark the occasion, the popular bar/restaurant is staging a week of activities featuring entertainment, spot prizes, giveaways and on Thursday and Friday, special local lunches with a local string band to accompany lunch.
Trader Jack’s doors have opened several times since 6th June 1986 – racking up a total of four constructions, thanks to a series of cyclones over the years. Despite the heartache of these setbacks, Cooper has had an enjoyable quarter century of fun and highlights.
When Jack Cooper first built right on the water, he had never experienced a cyclone - that’s why I built on the beach he chuckles! He was about to find out what the sea could unleash, as a result of Cyclone Sally in 1987. Sally would be the first of three times that the restaurant has been re-built – all due to extensive wave damage.
Following Cyclone Sally in 1987, Jack filled in a two-year gap by working at the Hibiscus Restaurant and got further work at the Brisbane Expo in 1988. The restaurateur was also able to generate more money to get going again by accepting $10,000 contributions from five local businesses.
But then Cyclone Pam arrived on Cooper’s birthday, turning the 8th of December 1997 into a day to remember.
Meena was next in 2005, causing thousands of dollars of damage, but Cooper still found the energy to keep on going and to give it one more shot and built a temporary makeshift service outlet called Jack in the Box. Cooper attributes his success to his wonderful staff. They have responded well to new technology over the years, but unfortunately a lot of them leave after training for NZ or Australia.
Cooper tries to employ only locals, but sadly has also had to import staff. Cooper’s motivation all those years ago was to find a spot where you could eat and look out at the sea. Twenty five years is a long time to be in one spot muses Cooper, and I am losing some of the energy I used to have. There are not many restaurants, even in New Zealand, that have been going for more than 25 years. There is however one restaurant here on the island that has been going for over twenty five years and that is Tumunu.
Cooper’s latest venture is Bamboo Jacks which will specialize in Asian foods. The restaurant is due to open in the next couple of weeks. At least if I get washed away, I have another business jokes Cooper. He’s also about 30% of the way through writing a book, which will be named “Thirty Years Behind Bars”. As for the next 25 years….well, says Cooper, I’ve just had my 3rd 21st birthday a couple of years ago, so I plan to just take it easy from here on in!

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