As a young girl, Allanah Bodah spent day after day working in her family’s restaurant and bar, nestled in Jamaica’s northeastern parish of St. Mary’s.

Although Bodah migrated to the United States in 2010, leaving her home country behind, she brought her love for authentic Caribbean flavors to Cape Cod, and opened the Karibbean Lounge in Hyannis in 2019.

The restaurant, which currently features lunch and dinner specials, showcases a host of vibrant dishes -- including best-selling fare like jerk barbecue chicken, a pulled pork sandwich, curried goat, and seafood boil that includes shrimp, muscles, potatoes and corn.

Although patrons can order through delivery options like GrubHub and Door Dash, Bodah said customers can also enjoy an island vibe atmosphere at the Karibbean Lounge bar and widespread seating options, including the outside patio alongside fire pits, heaters, and warming lamps in cooler temperatures.

While being in the hospitality business “hasn’t been easy,” especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, Bodah said “giving up isn’t an option.”

“Owning a restaurant comes with a lot,” Bodah said. “But I took the chance and stepped forward and I can do this. I’m proud. I can say I'm a proud owner.”

Amplify: What do you offer at the Karibbean Lounge?
Allanah Bodah: We are a Caribbean restaurant and mostly offer Jamaican food, but also American favorites. We are open seven days per week. During the winter season, we're open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Mondays we open at 4 p.m., but are open until 1 a.m. on the weekends. We have indoor, and bar seating and a patio where people can dine outside. We also have a private function room where people can throw baby showers, parties, and meetings. In addition, we offer DoorDash Uber Eats, and Grub Hub. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, we will start doing breakfast beginning at 7 a.m.

Amplify: What made you want to open up a restaurant?
Allanah Bodah: I grew up in Jamaica where my parents owned the restaurant and bar and I always worked with my parents after school in the evening and on weekends - I did whatever it took to help them. When I came here, I started working in restaurants, and in a hospitality, and I’ve always put on parties at home. Like Christmas parties, or hosted Thanksgiving inviting family and friends over. So when the opportunity arose to rent the space that we are in now, I thought it was a great fit. It was a blessing.

Amplify: How has Covid-19 impacted your business?
Allanah Bodah: I honestly still haven't gotten into the excitement of opening because it's still a new business and it comes with a lot. It's not easy. But, I'm proud and I can say I'm a proud owner. I've been doing well, especially being that we opened during Covid. When other businesses were shutting down, I took the chance, and stepped forward. We still haven't gotten the privilege of having an entertainment license from the town, so that’s one thing we’re working on. But pretty soon we'll have entertainment - and I’m hoping in time for Valentines - so we’re looking to have a lot of reservations for the night of Valentines.

Amplify: How has Covid-19 impacted your business?
Allanah Bodah: Finding reliable staff is a major one. Also, people aren't coming in as much. We are not getting as much dine-in traffic and dine-in business. We do get a lot of Uber Eats and DoorDash orders, but, you know, those platforms take a percentage out of what's sold. And that takes away from our revenue. But as the warner months come, I know we will see an uptick in business. We’ve also had a lot of the customers from the Hyannis Plaza Hotel, because we are located on the property and as the tourism season comes closer things will definitely pick up. We also have a lot of foot traffic from seasonal workers that come here from Jamaica and a lot of customers come from the Boston area as well, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

Amplify: Once you get your entertainment license, what kind of entertainment will you feature?
Allanah Bodah: We will have live music - bands hopefully on Sundays and a DJ on Saturdays. We will also have karaoke on Fridays. Occasionally, we will also have standup comedy.

Amplify: What has it been like moving to Cape Cod from Jamaica?
Allanah Bodah: I came here as a J-1 student when I was 21 and I met my husband here and now I’m 33. I love life on Cape Cod. It was hard at times leaving Jamaica, but the experience made me more focused. I'm getting things done. I'm a hard worker. I've worked in many places here on Cape like Cumberland Farms and the Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club, I’ve worked as a CNA, and also own my own cleaning business. All of that has molded me into who I am. There have been a lot of hard times, but I've managed. I've always managed to maneuver whatever obstacles come in the way.

Amplify: What was it like in Jamaica?
Allanah Bodah: I'm from St. Mary and that's on the Eastern side of the Island. It’s a rural area, and there's a lot of farming done there. I grew up with my family, who were all involved in different businesses. Like, my aunt, she had a farm store and that helped a lot of farmers in our surrounding communities. My mom, who had the restaurant, she was always about school and work. I learned how to work hard at a young age but still had fun. I learned how to take up my responsibilities and get by each day.

Amplify: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Allanah Bodah: I see myself having different locations for the Karibbean Lounge - so people can come and have a good time and taste delicious food.

Amplify: Are there any experiences, in particular, that have shaped you into the woman you are today?
Allanah Bodah: I am a young mother. I was a young mom. But my parents have always been there for me even when I dropped out of school. I got pregnant when I was 15 years old, and I became a mom and I have done everything to ensure that I was able to provide for my child. Now, I have two daughters - my youngest is 6-years-old. My eldest is 18. I want other Black females or other females on a whole, to see and understand that even though you might have obstacles in life, it doesn't mean it's the end of your journey or the end of life. You got to pick yourself up, prioritize, and you can see your way. it's not in falling that you fail, but it's when you fall and fail to rise.

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On the Web: https://www.thekaribbeanlounge.com/
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the.karibbeanlounge/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.karibbeanlounge/