Michael Klein he worked in the financial industry—specifically in private equity investing—for his entire career. As a partner in a company in the field, he had the opportunity to move from Frankfurt am Main (Germany) to New York (United States). He took it and moved with his family to the big apple, always thinking about taking advantage of the next opportunity that presented itselfwhich turned out to be in Uruguay.
As told to Coffee & Businessyour family is used to vacationing in different countries of the world, and In one of the many trips they made, they arrived in Uruguay. They got to know the country 2011, and since then they have been attracted by the culture but more than anything by the environment, specifically by the combination of countryside and beach.
Also, during your stay in the country, the family found a piece of land that fell in love with it. So much so that, having returned from vacation, the German began the search for the owner of the space in the José Ignacio lagoon. After two years, he found it and acquired the land with the aim of —after finishing his work obligations— emigrate to Uruguay.
The process was accelerated as a result of the pandemic because the couple decided to quit their respective jobs to move to their dream land. They built their house in José Ignacio and to contribute to the local economy, they also developed the Santa Cruz settlement.
A turistic place
Santa Cruz started out as a polo club, but over time it became a tourist spot because It already has three houses for rent and the construction of the La Sierra restaurant is nearing completion.
According to Klein, they made an investment of several million dollars to develop the establishment. Not only because of the necessary structure for any of the three proposals, but also because they wanted it to be self-sufficient.
“We want to be independent and invest in a good way to attract tourists”Klein noted. In addition, he said that Santa Cruz is self-sufficient in energy and is independent in access to water, because they have a breakwater.
Also They planted more than 4,000 trees to harvest the fruits that will be served in the restaurant. “We want to produce the food for the restaurant, and this is the beginning,” said the German. He said that they already have bees to produce honey, and are thinking of producing olive oil and wine.
In expansion
The establishment has 10 employees, and has clients from both the polo club and the three houses. By the end of the year, they hope to receive even more clients because the restaurant will be finished.
Also, they are going to do one beach house (beach house, in Spanish) which was not in the initial plans because the land did not have access to the lagoon. In the middle of the development of the project, the possibility of buying the space next door arose, and they did so in order to include this new proposal: “We are going to have water activities”Klein said.
They prepare to receive a greater number of Europeans. “There is an international group that really likes Uruguay”Klein concluded.
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The Klein family – specifically Michael’s wife, Verónica Klein- promotes the Color Esperanza program. This materializes in the establishment of the family through Café Feliz, a cafeteria run by people with disabilities.
“It is important for us to contribute in this sense, because we realize that in the country there is little offer of activities for these people,” said Klein.
Courtesy Michael Klein
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The objective of the cafeteria is to be a training place for these people, who go to work for three days a week. But it is also a space where they can do crafts and even equine therapy.
“We are not only for tourists, but also for local people who need it”, concluded the German.
