Improved shopping mall but vendors continue to dot the streets

Nov 21, 2010 News

The eating area christened ‘Commodore’ appears devoid of customers but the cooks explained that the crowd normally starts to trek in at around 11:30hrs.

…as Christmas looms

By Michael Benjamin

Christmas songs have already begun to rent the air even as the business community prepares for the influx of shoppers expected to converge in the capital city in search of the many bargains. Already shoppers are grabbing up the merchandise on display as Guyanese prepare for the fun, frolic and reverence of the season.
While the established businesses are gearing up for increased sales and services, the itinerant vendors are also returning to the city pavements, competing for their share of the consumer dollar. Another group that is in the ‘hustings’ is the small scale proprietors in the New Vendors’ Mall.
Eight years ago, in an effort to regularize street vending, Government bought a plot of land situated on Water Street from Toolsie Persaud Ltd and converted it into a shopping mall, to facilitate and regularize the numerous cases of itinerant vending on Water Street, Avenue of the Republic and every available nook and cranny in proximity.
Instead of appeasing, the gesture only served to worsen the situation as those allotted stalls in the new facility complained bitterly that they were removed from lucrative spots on the streets and literally dumped into the mall which was unfit for human habitation, much less for conducting business.
Indeed the inferior infrastructure coupled with the absence of an adequate supply of water and electricity created an unfavourable atmosphere for shoppers and vendors alike. The former group, concerned about the safety of the environment, steered clear of the mall saying that it was not up to the required standard. Naturally, the vendors suffered as sales dipped to an astronomical low, forcing many of these vendors to lock up their stalls and return to the streets, once again reigniting the soured relations between vendors and officers of the City Constabulary.
The vendors then formed a committee with an aim of approaching the relevant authorities to effect repairs to the infrastructure so as to enhance sales in the beleaguered Mall. The move prompted visits from Georgetown Mayor, Hamilton Green and other top officials from the M&CC. Former head of the Private Sector Commission, Captain Gerry Gouveia also visited the area and promised to work along with City officials to rectify the situation.
The officials took their time negotiating and discussing and the vendors became chagrined and disappointed by the bureaucracy and red tape. This time though, the officials delivered the goods and today, some three years after the first phase of action by the vendors to create a change in the situation, the New Vendors’ Mall is a thriving business place, occupied by much happier vendors plying their trade in comfort.
Lyndon Hermonstine is one of the authors of that change. He had been in every committee that agitated for the changes and today, is among those enjoying the rewards. He and his wife, Debbie now operate a large stall, ‘The One Love” boutique, in the mall. This is but one of many of this genre of businesses but Lyndon is satisfied that he enjoys some amount of sales as against the era when consumers shied away from the mall.
Indeed, the aesthetics is much improved but while some of the proprietors have reported improved sales, others are complaining that business is a bit slow. Those that peddle clothing have reported a decrease in sales. “This is not surprising,” said Debbie. She explained that consumers are now spending wisely and are only purchasing the items that are absolutely necessary.

This food vendor awaits the lunch crowd to start her business day.

The businesswoman pointed out that over the years the trend points to reduced clothing sales even as the sale on food increases. Indeed, a close examination uncovered the truth of this analysis. The restaurants are positioned to the western end of the mall and it seems as though business is thriving.
Michelle Thornhill operates one of the food stalls. She intimated that she is among the early inhabitants in the mall. The businesswoman said that she started out as a clothes vendor but switched her line of business after assessing the situation.
“Food vending is far more profitable and so far I have been able to pay the bills,” she said.
Michelle admitted that some days are good while others are really bad.
“But you still have to give thanks to God for the little mercies,” she philosophized. She sells a variety of dishes at an average cost of $400 per plate. Michelle explained that one has to adopt a flexible attitude in her line of business.
“There are days when customers are not so financially viable and plead for a reduced price,” she said. It is during this time that her business acumen takes over.
“I flex and reduce the price to facilitate my customers,” she explained. Should there be food remaining at the end of the day, Michelle said that she shares it among the less fortunate.
Added to these business places are a variety of choices to attract the shopper. There are beauty salons, electronic shops, internet cafes, and a wide variety to meet the demands of Christmas shoppers.
While there has been a commendable change in the aesthetics, most of the vendors believe that there is still a need for additional services.
“We wish to appeal to the officials at the GT&T, the GPL and the Guyana Water Incorporated to expedite a more qualitative service to enhance the shopping spirit,” pleaded one vendor.
Another pointed to the unfair competition on the pavements
“We thought that the renovation of the mall would have seen the eradication of street vending in close proximity of legitimate businesses,” one vendor remarked.
Instead, the influx of pavement vendors that has replaced those removed to the New Vendors’ Mall has solidified the belief that even with the most modernized shopping malls; street vending will always remain an integral aspect of downtown shopping.