"This building was initially constructed in 2017 and is located in front of the port where cruise ships dock for tourists to disembark. There were some souvenir shops in it," Lionel begins to say.

In 2020, when the pandemic began, uncertainty and insecurity followed. Many businesses couldn't continue, and Lionel found himself with a relatively new building, facing the challenge of moving forward and recovering.

With the Aruba border closed, without tourists, and the people staying at home, Lionel began his research in hopes of creating a concept to launch his business once tourists return. The first question he asked was, "What do cruise ship tourists want to experience when they arrive at a destination?" He maintained his vision that the situation would improve, and he needed to be ready for when it happens.

In his mind, he was certain of one thing: he wanted to bring a unique concept that fits with Aruba for the tourists.

There was nothing that could attract the local people as well. Moreover, the area around cruise ships was full of souvenir shops and jewelry stores, but the tourists found the same things at every port they visited. Different countries, but still the same.

Many times, tourists would even find the same type of souvenirs on other islands, just with the name of the country changed on them. That was not what I wanted. I knew I had to come up with something different."

Lionel says he didn't invent this idea, but he thought a little further and adapted the 'recipe' for Aruba. He considered a combination of art, food, and most importantly, emphasizing on local businesses.

"Aruba Made; this name had been in my mind for almost a year before, along with the concept, which developed over time. I wanted to create something local with the atmosphere of Aruba. Around August 2021, I started with the interior design."