Stores open for late Hill Reggae shoppers

Owner of Live Ya Life Boutique, Michelle White, finding the right earring to match for customer Yvette Hollaway.

Nulook Boutique was one of the stores in Bridgetown that opened its doors. (Pictures by Sharon Harding.)

Sun, April 29, 2012 - 12:07 AM

Yesterday was a bank holiday, but because of the 2012 Reggae Festival, several Bridgetown stores opened their doors – some as early as 8 a.m., extending their hours to as late as 6 p.m. to capitalize on last-minute sales for Reggae On The Hill today.

When a SUNDAY SUN team visited The City, people were going in and out of stores, some with laden bags. A few were merely window-shopping.

The team checked with some store owners and managers, most of whom said they had opened in hopes of high sales.

Owner of Live Ya Life boutique in Gateway Mall, Michelle White, said sales were acceptable Friday and she hoped yesterday would be the same. People are definitely coming through looking to do their last-minute shopping.”

Margaret Ifill, of Modern Vintage, in Tudor Street, reported that business had been slow, but she believed that “later in the day it will pick up”.

“We have a lot of late buyers in Barbados,” Ifill said.

Owner of B-Sharp, Cordell John, said he observed that there was no heavy shopping for Reggae On The Hill this year.

“But I feel people looking at this rain and feel what happen last year will happen this year,” he sugegsted. “Bajans are not going come and buy new clothes to go in the rain.”

One shopper definitely searching for that ideal outfit for Reggae On The Hill was final-year medical student at the University of the West Indies, Alisha Bonadie. While perusing the aisles of Survival Boutique, Roebuck Street, she said she was grateful.

“I am usually busy during the week, and so, I am thankful that a shop is opened so that I can get something to wear,” she said. (AH)