The vendors in Bay Gardens are still a happy bunch.

With the refurbished Oistins, Christ Church facility – completed at a cost of $6 million – opening for business from last Friday night, after an official opening last month, the group said they couldn't complain with the way things went over the weekend.

Hundreds of visitors and locals alike flooded the area seeking the food, craft and entertainment being offered.

When a WEEKEND NATION team visited the area this week, a few of the kiosk owners were open for business.

Edwin Warner, operator of Crazy Eddies, who had a packed crowd last Friday, said: "Everything went pretty good. I really can't complain."

Suzanne Bispham from Angel's Cafeteria echoed his sentiments, saying sales went extremely well. "Everything was in order; there was nothing to complain about," she stated.

Cheryl Drayton too said she couldn't believe it when she saw the number of people who had turned out. "It was wonderful," she said.

The group said they would be expecting an even bigger crowd this weekend, after the elections had been completed.

Although the craft vendors weren't around, they apparently made some good sales, and only had a little glitch with the lighting system, according to the vendors.

Programme director of Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. (BTII), Charles Holder, said that based on all reports from operators, they were adjusting very well to their new environment.

"As normal, there will be minor hitches and adjustments to be made, but we are satisfied with the way in which they have managed the transition process," he said.

Holder added there were issues that still needed to be addressed like sub-surface drainage and lighting to be improved, and they would also be addressing the "nearshore area", as this was where additional seating would be placed.

He said Government had mandated the BTII to continue its work with the vendors, "particularly in marketing the facility, with a view to ensuring its maximum use, both during the day and night".

He said essentially, the strategies they were proposing to employ were to get people to visit during the day for lunch and also to encourage cruise ship passengers to visit the site during the day as well. They intended to expand the night activity, hoping that it would spread throughout the week, and not be solely at weekends.