Interview with Alvin from the Secret Garden in Kuta Bali

Here is a short interview with Alvin Hancocks, owner of Secret Garden on Pasar Agung, Poppies I. Kuta.

Baliblog: Alvin when the bomb in Kuta went off where were you?
Alvin: I was here (Secret Garden restaurant on Poppies I in Kuta) in the back.

Baliblog: How was has your business been in the last year and a half?
Alvin: Over the last year it has gone really good. I have expanded the garden area in Pasar Agung and put a bar across from the restaurant on Poppies I. We have Balinese dancing here, I've already had a meeting with a guy today, we're going to have live band that are going to give their services and equipment free.

Baliblog: The place is looking nice as the trees get bigger.
Alvin: Yes. The 2-story SportsZone bar has enhanced the place a bit as it has brought more people in. We are working alongside each other but we are not direct competitors. When the guys started building it we had meetings from day 1, we're working together.

Baliblog: SportsZone is definitely a draw. I knew a young American married couple who were always coming down here to play pool, rather than going to party on Jl. Legian.

Alvin: The SportZone bar has definitely changed Pasar Agung, it's given it another dimension. You know, for some people it's good, for some people its bad, the older people like to sit there more quiet, but generally it's brought in more people. My other bar out the front on Poppies I, is always busy, as there is a different atmosphere there.

Baliblog: Have you spoken to any other expat business owners and what has been their response to the bombings?
Alvin: Yes I have. The man who has got the Kuta Townhouses, between Poppies I & II, for him its business as usual. He has got a lot of interest, he has already sold 7 out of the first 15. He is still getting inquiries and actually 2 people came the other night. They said 'don't rules us out, we're still going to buy 1 or 2 units'. They also said they had to back to Australia, everybody wants to know what's happening here but they would be back again.

Baliblog: Did you ever close after the bombings for any period of time?
Alvin: No.

Baliblog: I saw TJ's was closed, but they are open again.
Alvin: It was closed because of Galungan. What we did here was to open at 4pm. We rostered the staff so that opened everyday, but for 3 days we didn't open till 4pm. Again very successful. All the regulars know, they all come at 4pm. I don't think its going to be like last time, but we're not going to have the booming trade that we've had for the best part of this year.

Baliblog: I'm thinking its going to be a lower than normal Christmas, but hopefully back to normal for next summer.
Alvin: This year it hasn't been seasonal this year. You get around a lot more than me, but right here it's been a steady flow, you know. People come and go and it's been like that for the last year. People say is it high season or low season, its seems to be just 1 season. Maybe because that is the client base we've got or the regular customers coming through, they are following on all the time.

Baliblog: I remember periods before the bombs when Poppies II was just busy, busy, busy. I live in Seminyak and I see times when Kuta is busy and Seminyak lulls a bit and vice versa.

It's kind of cool because so many people have invested in the future of the tourist industry here. These guys have put up money to get SportsZone going and there are all these other new places opening up. I see many hotels, bars and restaurant renovating too. It's nice to see people making and effort, they believe in the future.

Baliblog: How has your business expanded since the 2002 bombing?
Alvin: I started with 15 staff and now I have 20 full time staff and 15 part time, so you could say it we have had a 100% increase in staff.

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Alvin is a real pillar of the community and many people in the area owe their livelihood to him. His Secret Garden restaurant brings customers to the area and the handicraft vendors. Having a stable business owned by someone who is straight forward and honest helps bring the whole area up. If you are staying in the Kuta area, Secret Garden is located along Poppies I at Pasar Agung.