Business News Letter 03-10-2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Business Newsletter

Special Edition

1a

3rd October, 2021

Navigating the Amazonia Mall

A hub for commercial activities, From selling door-to-door jobs and entertainment See inside to owning a thriving store

The reignited love for cinemas

Amazonia Mall: Curtain goes up at Caribbean Cinemas

A hub for commercial activities, jobs and entertainment 2a

GUYANA CHRONICLE Business Newsletter

-the Amazonia Mall

STIMULATING the interest of patrons through entertainment, excellent cuisine and a variety of stores has been the aim of the second phase of the multimillion dollar Amazonia Mall at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

The Amazonia Mall, which is strategically positioned to capitalise on and cater for the growing population on the EBD, has been attracting persons from far and wide.

Altogether, the various sections of the twophased mall cater for over 250 direct jobs, the investor had said during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Phase one of the project was completed approximately four years ago and is now home to Massy stores, the New Thriving restaurant and Fitness 53

gym; the construction of phase two had started in October 2018 and was completed early

Proprietor of Amazonia Mall, Ramnaresh Sarwan

this year.

“The second phase is where we have the movie theatre, the shopping areas and also a bar, lounge and restaurant together and a food court. Well, I am happy to say that everything is taken. This is good for us,” Sarwan said.

Caribbean Cinemas, which will have six theatres, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Optique Vision Care and Reaz Computers are among the businesses aligned to this project.

Additionally, the facility is home to Sarwan’s very own RS 53 ‘RestoBar’ and Lounge and his brother, Ravi’s “The Flame”- a creole restaurant which will feature a multiplicity of Guyanese cuisine.

Talking about this vision, Sarwan had said: “The vision is to create a facility that will

serve the recreational needs of the population. The target market is basically the West Side [Demerara] and the East Bank [Demerara]. The vision there was that here would grow and this is indeed what is happening, it is now one of the most developed areas and there is still quite a lot of land remaining for housing.”

Research shows that the opening of major shopping centres typically come with the promise of a net increase in employment and an overall boost for the economy of the town in which they are established.

Speaking at the launch of the mall in July, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said that he was quite pleased to see that Sarwan, a former member and captain of the West Indies Cricket team, has finally been

able to see the manifestation of his idea for the Amazonia Mall.

The year 2021, according the President, will be the springboard from which Guyana will leap into recovery, rebuilding the economy, enhancing the people’s health and lifting up the vulnerable in groups in society.

“We must not remain a rich country of poor people,” President Dr Irfaan Ali said during his message to the nation on January 1, 2021.

Considering the country’s oil revenue and other lucrative sources of income, the President believes that the standard of living and the quality of life must be lifted for all.

Work will be rewarded; hard work will be rewarded even more, he said.

“Opportunities will be created to join in

such work, and they will be made available to all. I recognise that there are communities within our society which, because of disadvantages of geographic location, will need more help than others to join our national advance,” President Ali reasoned.

Guyana will have to identify those communities, assess their needs, identify solutions, and implement plans to change their circumstances. This change will not occur overnight, it will take time. But every journey begins with a first step, the President said.

“I intend to initiate that first step, and to maintain a steady pace that will take us to that journey’s end.

We still have many challenges ahead of us,” the Head of State had said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Business Newsletter

3a

4a

GUYANA CHRONICLE Business Newsletter

The reignited love for cinemas

By Rehana Ahamad

The iconic Astor cinema was demolished in 2017 (Samuel Maughn photo)

THE advent of DVDs (or the digital versatile disc, as the intellectuals might want explained) resulted in a decline of the aged-old cinema culture, which spanned decades and featured some of the most iconic films ever made.

Growing up, I have always listened intently as my mother, Nalini and other older relatives reminisce in

glee about their nights at Liberty Cinema, standing in long lines to watch mostly blockbuster Indian films such as ‘Sun Sajna’ and others.

My mother would tell stories of when she was a young girl and how wellbehaved she would be on the days of new movie releases.

According to her, those were the days that her chores were completed to perfection

and she would be on her best, non-mocking behaviour, especially as it relates to my aunt Chandra, who was basically mommy’s ‘bestie’ and financier.

My mother was the youngest of 13 siblings, so it’s safe to say that she was, to a large extent, spoiled.

One of my favourite “cinema stories” had to do with the 1985 release of a

Hindi film named ‘Saheeb’, which starred Anil Kapoor, Raakhee, Amrita Singh and others.

Apparently, my mother was so excited to see the film that she sprinted from the car to join the line to purchase tickets, while my aunty Chandra followed closely behind.

After a lengthy stint in the line, they finally got to the ticket vendor. Mommy said she nudged my aunt to supply the cash, only to realise that she was the one who insisted on holding my aunt’s purse, which was no longer on her person.

As the story is told, my mother dropped the purse in the car which had already left, so neither she nor my aunt had any money to purchase the tickets.

Fortunately, the Grove Housing Scheme was a relatively close-knit community, so mommy and my aunt had many persons looking out for them; one distant relative purchased their ticket, while Continued on page 8

Flashback: the once thriving Liberty cinema (Photo by Visit Guyana)

One of the six auditoriums at Caribbean Cinemas

GUYANA CHRONICLE Business Newsletter

5a

The life of the A

6a

GUYANA CHRONICLE Business Newsletter

The Amazonia Mall at Providence, on the East Bank of Demerara, has been a center for entertainment, commerce and scrumptious cuisine. And while the edifice itself is attractive, the real lifeblood of the mall is the businesses which occupy spaces within and outside of its walls.

Photos by Delano Williams

Assuria: Assuria provides insurance-oriented solutions for individuals and companies for motor, home and fire, marine, life, travel, pensions, bonds and more.

RS53 RestoBar & Lounge: Looking for a great experience when it comes to food, drinks, and wine? Then the place to be is RS53 Restobar & Lounge.

Optique Vision Care: The primary nature of the business is to provide comprehensive eye care services in the Guyana marketplace.

TeamStoby Smoothies and Protein Bar provides the finest smoothies and protein shakes made to offer.

Unique Innovations: Importer, wholesaler/retailer and distributer of mobile phones, mobile accessories, gadgets and electronics.

Amazonia Mall 7a

GUYANA CHRONICLE Business Newsletter

“Home of Originals.” Chetsons offers a wide range of authentic fashion choices and provides industry-leading brands to help you create the perfect outfit.

Fitness53’s Gym and Fitness Center sports excellent washroom facilities, inclusive of private changing rooms and well secured locker services which are maintained to a high standard. Fitness53 is also fully equipped with new and improved high tolerance machines (Life Fitness and Body Solid) that will help you to get in shape and reach your optimal goals.

Sookraj Jewellery: For the best in handmade jewellery.

Urban Life is a clothing store carrying a range of brand named clothing, shoes, fragrances and accessories for men.

8a

GUYANA CHRONICLE Business Newsletter

The reignited love for cinemas...

From page 4

another ensured they had a ride home.

As they got into the theatre, mommy said she forgot everything about the purse and the costly blunder that she made moments before, but my aunt

couldn’t forget; the purse contained her full salary, which she had worked tirelessly for all month.

“During the movie, every time me laugh or tried to sing, she would `hoonch’ me and seh, ‘shut up’. She bin vex bad,” my

mother recalled.

Today, the two reflect on that story and laugh heartily, well at least my mother does. My aunt, as I would have seen, is still a bit scarred from having lost all her money.

When I listen to their

cinema stories, it takes me back to one of my very own. As a matter of fact, it’s the only cinema story I recall from my childhood.

SATYA CINEMA AT NOVAR It was either the late 90s or very early 2000s; I

was a little girl, less than six years old, and ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ had just reached the big screens in Guyana.

I was living in an extended family with my parents, my grandmother, and a few aunts, uncles and cousins. We shared a lovely home, filled with love and uncontrollable laughter.

On the night that the movie was being screened, we all got dressed up and strolled from our house in Novar Mahaicony, over to the next village at Good Faith, which was home to the once iconic Satya Cinema. I remember how much we laughed before we even got to the cinema.

More than 20 years later, the mere sight of that building still gives me goosebumps; it was one of the places that makes me crave a return to the 90s – a simpler time when I didn’t have to worry about being taxed and paying bills or being asked when I’ll get married and settle down.

My life revolved around Teletubbies, Barney, the original Power Rangers, and sneaking peeks of mommy watching ‘The Young and the Restless,’ which I was never allowed to watch.

I remember when we got to the venue, it was crowded. We had already purchased our tickets, so we joined the line to go into the theatre. But as the doors to the theatre opened, all hell broke loose, and what was a line turned into a mob of persons pushing and pulling, tugging and shouting to go inside.

My dad immediately whisked me up and gave me a seat on his shoulders.

I’m not sure if I imagined it, or if people really were stomping on each other.

I don’t recall much more, except being in my seat and listening to ‘Kuch Kutch Hota Hai’s title song, while trying my best not to want to pee from all the coke and pholourie that I’d been gobbling down since the movie started.

Today, the Satya Cinema houses an outlet of

the Universal Church, and even though I am in full support of religion, I can’t help but yearn for the theatre to return to its former glory.

RETURN OF CINEMA Even though other iconic cinemas such as Astor and others have been torn down, the Cinema culture has returned with a bang with at least four major locations that boast of multiple screens that show movies simultaneously.

Even with the convenience of Netflix and other streaming sites, Guyanese are still flocking the cinemas every day, and for at least two of those days a week, I am right there with them.

Even if cinemas were to once again become obsolete, I also want my 11-year-old brother to have fond memories of his own, so at least once a week, I try to find some time to take him to the movies.

One Saturday night, we went to see ‘Free Guy’ and the MovieTowne corridors were unusually populated, so to induce some adrenaline, I had my brother stake out when the team finished sanitising the theatre from the previous showing, while I went to get the snacks.

Once the “ticketchecker-person” gave the go ahead, my brother and I (like outta-order-children) ran to ‘screen five’ to ensure we hogged the best seats. If you’re a cinema person, you would know that the best seats are positioned in the middle of the middle row, where your eyes can meet Ryan Reynolds’ own perfectly.

Jokes aside, cinemas, despite its hiatus, form part of generational stories that can last a lifetime.

For as long as this bout of cinema fever last, I will indulge in all that it has to offer; the surround sound system, the big screens, the impeccable lighting, and of course, good company (my little brother mostly) to share the laughs with.

With that, I hope that the cinema culture is here to stay.

9a

GUYANA CHRONICLE Business Newsletter

From selling door-to-door to owning his own thriving store Tr a v e z P i a r a l a l l , age 29, is a successful businessowner, with a thriving ‘tech’ store in the Amazonia Mall at Providence, East Bank Demerara. But, don’t be fooled, ‘Unique Innovations’ was not born overnight; it was the result of more than a decade of hard work by Piaralall and his family.

In a Facebook post about his journey, Piaralall said that his business began at the back of his parent’s van; he started by selling a few car decks, car amplifiers and three cellular phones, under the registered name, ‘Travez Trading.’

“I drove and sold my stuff door to door, to businesses from as far as Crabwood Creek [East BerbiceCorentyne], Linden [Upper Demerara-Essequibo] and Essequibo [Pomeroon-Supenaam] etcetera, all by myself,” Piaralall related in his post.

The young man said that some of his sales trips would sometimes run well into the nights, with constant work, but he remained resolute.

“Sometimes I’ll be hungry, but my work has always been first; my friends would call me but my work would be first. If I had to make choices to buy anything for myself, I would think about my business first,” Piaralall said.

Eventually, ‘Travez

Trading’ became a wellknown stall at a city market.

It is now a feature of the one of the country’s most iconic venues, and the only mall that serves the East Bank Demerara corridor.

In outlining some of his challenges, the entrepreneur said that he has never been afraid to make mistakes or embrace criticisms relating to his work and the manner in which he runs his business. “I love [making] mistakes. Problems and criticism, they are the very reason I’m here today because of the challenges, and the solutions [that] I found. [It] is what keeps me functioning,” Piaralall noted.

He also admitted to making a few bad business decisions that have proven to be not losses, but learning curves. “Yes, I have made many bad decisions. Yes, I have said many things I shouldn’t have, but I have also learnt a lot over these years,” Piaralall confessed.

He shared the belief that real failure is when a person gives up on furthering their dreams and bringing their goals to fruition. “If you love something, do it. If u dreamed about something, do it. Remember this” ‘you haven’t failed at anything until you have given up,’” Piaralall advised.

He explained that even though he is now his own boss, the work has not and will not stop. “Till now,

Travez Piaralall: the before and after

even [after] owning a business, I cannot stay home. If I stayed at home, I feel that the day is unproductive.

[The] only thing I enjoy [on my days off] is waking up probably an hour late,”

Piaralall said in his post.

He added, “I have been through a lot to this date, but I have never given up…it’s quite a journey so far and I’m looking forward for even more,” the

young man asserted.

He also extended gratitude to his family, friends, employees, customers and all those who would have contributed to

his success. “Without you guys, my business would not have reached this far…it is just another start, Piaralall noted.

10a

GUYANA CHRONICLE Business Newsletter

Amazonia Mall: Curtain goes up at Caribbean Cinemas

IN keeping with its vision of providing entertainment for persons to escape the realities of life, Caribbean Cinemas, last Wednesday, opened its second multi-screen movie theater in Guyana at the newly opened Amazonia Mall at Block M Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The state-of-the-art cinema will feature the latest movie releases in its six luxurious auditoriums which have giant screens fully equipped with 100 per cent digital projection technology, 3D technology and digital surround sound. Patrons will also enjoy the high back rocker seats which have cup holders and arm rests.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips said that the opening of the cinema’s second location un-

derscores Guyana’s openness and readiness for investment.

He noted that the investment will significantly boost the local economy and directly impact the entire East Bank Demerara corridor as it will provide opportunities for entertainment and for the expansion of other businesses that will be benefitting from the cinema’s presence.

“Today, the launch of Caribbean Cinemas at the Amazonian mall, this shows that plans are being made to expand the range of services offered in this area. Guyana’s economy is growing, and this expansion will create rapidly increasing opportunities. The floodgates of economic opportunities have been opened, as our country continues to develop, Guyana stands centre stage as Continued on page 11

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips and Caribbean Cinemas’ Director of operations, George Borges, cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the cinema at Amazonia Mall (Adrian Narine photo)

11a

GUYANA CHRONICLE Business Newsletter

Amazonia Mall: Curtain goes up...

From page 10 more and more investment and interest is being shown in Guyana’s future,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

He called the investment a “proud moment” for the government, noting that the government has invested significantly in the development of the East Bank Demerara corridor through housing and infrastructural projects.

As part of the opening week’s schedule, new releases including Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Cop Shop, Free Guy and Space Jam will be shown. Also, on the list to be shown are No Time To Die, the latest chapter in the 007 franchise starring Daniel Craig which will be released on October 14 and Dune, the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 cult sci-fi novel which is slated to be released on October 21.

Movie showtimes will start at 16:00hrs on weekdays and from 14:00hrs on weekends. The prices of

tickets are $1,100 for adults and $800 for children. Every Tuesday will be Customer Appreciation Day and tickets will cost $800.

The last 18 months were the most challenging in the history of the cinema industry, hence Caribbean Cinemas is proud of this latest achievement and is confident that Guyanese will enjoy its brand of big screen immersive entertainment.

The cinema has assured that all health and safety protocols will be observed for all patrons and employees. Further, in keeping with its efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, patrons will have the option of purchasing tickets online.

Cinemas across Guyana were granted permission to operate with 60 per cent capacity in an effort to abide by social distancing guidelines. Proof of vaccination and proper identification are also required from all patrons, except pregnant women and children under the age of 18. Also, face-

mask must always be worn except when eating.

Caribbean Cinemas’ Director of operations, George Borges, reiterated the company’s commitment to providing Guyanese with employment opportunities. He

noted that the new cinema will provide employment for dozens of Guyanese as well as independent contractors, suppliers, and service providers.

“We are committed to the community of Guyana

in being a part of the growth and development of the local economy, by creating jobs for over 50 employees and independent contractors, suppliers, and service providers… At the same time bringing relaxation and

enjoyment with movie entertainment during these tough times in a beautiful environment with affordable prices for all to enjoy,” said Borges.

Caribbean Cinemas opened its first theater in 2015 at the Giftland Mall.

The confectionary stand at the theater (Adrian Narine photo)

12a

Mother-daughter duo takes bold step to actualise their dreams

GUYANA CHRONICLE Business Newsletter

-launch ‘Sparkle Laundromat’ at the Amazonia Mall

BECOMING an entrepreneur can be a difficult and scary challenge but mother and daughter duo, Alyia Yusuf and Sophia Ally are utilising their joint strengths to build their brand and expand their business.

The two launched “Sparkle Laundromat” on July 30th, 2021, at the newly opened Amazonia Mall at Providence, East Bank Demerara. The business is opened from 10:00 hrs to 21:00 hrs daily.

The business offers two types of services, the premium and normal washing, and a drying and folding service. Customers are offered a range of soaps, laundry detergents, and fabric softener based on the service type.

Yusuf told the Guyana Chronicle that the business operates based on weight, meaning that the charges are made based on the number of pounds each bundle has.

She related that she and her daughter initially came up with the idea for a business in 2019 and began brainstorming possible business ventures that they could go into as a team.

She noted that after spending some time deciding on the venture that was the most viable, they both agreed to provide the much-needed laundry service.

She noted that one of the most notable issues which Guyanese face is the change in weather which sometimes prevents some persons from being able to wash their clothes and have them dried on time. This, she noted, has been one of the factors pushing more Guyanese to utilise laundromat services.

She further noted that she believes that with the business being located on the East Bank Demerara corridor, it is at a strategic point to serve the people on the East Bank and its surrounding environs.

“We are on the East Bank and there isn’t this service offered there. The nearest one is on Durban Street in Georgetown, so we can cater our services to people who are staying at Princess Hotel, the people in the new housing schemes up there on the East Bank and even the cricket teams when they come to play at the stadium. It’s easily accessible,” said Yusuf.

She noted that the business has seen several challenges; the most major being the COVID-19 pandemic which had put a halt to all construction on the business space at the Amazonian Mall.

The duo said that they had a signed agreement with the mall since 2019 but plans were put on hold for almost two years owing to the pandemic.

The business owner said even through the pandemic she remained resilient and patiently waited for the time when the country would return to normalcy and she could finally watch the dream that she and her daughter conceptualised finally become reality.

She stated that business aims to ease the burden of “washing clothes” for those busy Guyanese. The business will also compliment Guyana’s growing oil and gas sector and will afford persons who will enter the country access to a level of service familiarity while they invest in the country, she said.

“This service would come in handy especially at Christmas time when people don’t have time to wash curtains, clothes, and stuff especially when they have small children because they are busy preparing, trying to bake, buy presents and even still working. And we also thought too it could cater to people who are coming from the oil and gas sector and we have an advantage too because Haliburton is close by and those employees there would be able to access

The newly opened Sparkle Laundromat at the Amazonia Mall

Sophia Ally these services easily,” Yusuf added.

Yusaf’s daughter who is the brain behind the marketing of the business told the Chronicle that while business is sometimes challenging, having her mother as a partner has strengthened her on those hard days.

She noted that working together has allowed her to draw from her mother’s resilience and make the best of the challenges she would face with running the business.

Ally said that since she is currently a university student reading for her bachelor degree, she is unable to be present at the mall but this does not stop her from brainstorming innovative ideas to boost the image and clientele of the business.

She informed this publication that she currently wears several hats at Sparkle inclusive of public relations officer, graphics designer, and interior decorator.

LIFE SAVINGS The mother and daughter duo made a major step in following their dream of owning their own business, investing all of their life savings to bring their vision to life.

They estimated that the entire expenditure for the initial opening of the business cost them a little over $5 million.

Ally noted that apart from the machines and other equipment that are necessary for the daily operations, the majority of the money was expended on perfecting the aesthetic of the business to provide customers with the most welcoming environment.

When asked what piece of advice they would give to other persons going into business as a family, the duo noted that collaboration is one of the most important and necessary attributes that are needed to ensure each person’s strengths are used for the betterment of the business.

“I would say it’s not an easy road but if you are determined to overcome the obstacles you have a greater chance to overcome them. Even if you had a bad day yesterday, when you wake up the next day, wake up with a fresh new attitude that you’re going to make it the next day.

“Our personalities are on different ends of the spectrum and I think that’s what makes us work so well together; we complement one another, we rely on each other’s strengths and we utilise that to ensure that all aspects of the business are looked at and addressed.

So, I would say the most important thing to do is assess everyone’s strengths and utilise them,” said Ally.