SUN IS SHINING Garvey Lake of Anguilla’s Sunshine Shack

The Sun Is Shining and the Weather Is Sweet

THE CHEERFUL MOTTO OF ANGUILLA’S SUNSHINE SHACK—EVERY HOUR IS HAPPY HOUR—IS ONE THAT NOT ONLY MAKES YOU SMILE, BUT COMPELS YOU TO MAKE IT AN ESSENTIAL, IF NOT THE FIRST, STOP WHEN YOU’RE IN ANGUILLA.

Sitting proud and cutting a colorful swath against the white sand beaches of Rendezvous Bay, the Sunshine Shack is open every day except Tuesday and, as owner Garvey Lake explains, “It’s a place to spend the whole day, from 10 am to 4 pm, with beach chairs, good food, good drinks and, most of all, good vibes.” We caught up with Garvey as he prepares for yet another busy season, assuring us he’s got the blender, the snapper and the reggae ready for our next visit.

After the devastating hurricane of 2019, how is the mood at the Sunshine Shack?

Well, you know, it’s always good vibes at the Sunshine Shack. Yes, we did suffer severe damage during the hurricane, losing the whole shack to the ocean and the winds, but we built it back. It took us four to five months to rebuild, working every day from 6 am to 9 pm, but people came out and helped. They came every day, and that’s what kept me going. The vibes are always good at the Sunshine Shack as we offer genuine local food and we’re a family place. You can spend the whole day with us listening to reggae music and hanging out.

The Sunshine Shack is well known as one of the friendliest spots on the island, so much so that guests want to leave their mark—and they do so with sharpies, handprints and even donated license plates from their home states. When and how did that all begin?

It started around year 2000, during the first two or three years we were open. People came and wrote their names on the shack, and then one person brought me a license plate, followed by another person, and then the rest is history. The handprints, though, may have actually been the first thing, and I started those . . . so it may have all started with me!

You guys have quite a merchandise collection. When did that begin?

We had T-shirts since the very beginning that were locally made. Then about four years ago we brought on Jeanene Wilson, and she brought us to a bit more of a professional level with social media and a website, and we started making more T-shirts, hats and tank tops. We’re going to bring the hats back this season. What’s on tap for this year?

We’re going to introduce burgers to the menu, which currently includes lobster, crayfish, chicken and snapper lunches. Of course we’ll still have our signature drinks: the BBC (Bailey’s Banana Colada) and the FSS Passion, a passionfruit-based drink with rum.

How do you get your supplies?

Luckily, we live on an island surrounded by water filled with delicious snapper and lobster. I work with a local fisherman, Eric, who keeps a stash for me every day, but we are truly blessed.

What do you want to say to newcomers to the island?

First, “Welcome to paradise!” Next, come over and get some good food, enjoy the good vibes and great reggae. We have Omari Banks playing live every Sunday, and it’s the perfect place to let your hair down and spend the day, so come join us.

What’s the secret to your longevity and success?

The staff and I remind ourselves every day that people coming is a gift. We just maintain what we are doing at the Shack and we work hard and do it to the best of our abilities. I guess people like it. The secret to our success would be hard work, dedication, persistence and Miss Jeanene Wilson, who helped us take off. Ultimately, it’s the great attitude, great staff, teamwork and consistency.

LEARN MORE AT sunshineshack.net