Freeport food store to bring 40 jobs

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

Freeport, Grand Bahama- THE owner of a new Freeport-based food store yesterday pledged to Tribune Business that it was "100 per cent Bahamian owned", adding that the company would create some much-needed 40 jobs in a city desperate for employment when it opens in August 2010.

Steve Savola, Savemore's president and director, in a letter sent to Tribune Business responding to concerns raised about the company's ownership and possible future plans, said the new store would be 22,500 square feet and, as revealed by this newspaper, located in the former Pegasus Warehouse in downtown Freeport.

"I am a first-generation Bahamian born in West End, Grand Bahama, when my father Leo Helmut Savola was the accountant for the Wallace Groves Lumber Company. I have returned frequently to my childhood home and have always wanted to invest in my place of birth," Mr Savola told Tribune Business.

"My goal is to offer affordable product to the local customers and maintain consistent stock supplies, something my Grand Bahamian friends and family have lamented.

"Savemore will have a butcher's counter, deli and bakery departments as well, and I am pleased to be working with both international and local distributors who have embraced our presence and seem eager to have us join the Bahamian food retail business."

He added: "Once construction is complete, ordering and stocking of the store will begin as well as hiring of the estimated 40 local employees that will be needed. We will open seven days a week, with late opening hours and ample parking.

"I hope this information will allay any fears, and assure you that Savemore is a 100 per cent Bahamian-owned retail grocery store and will produce a quality product for Grand Bahama."

Mr Savola added that Savemore had already obtained its business licence from the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) via its president, Ian Rolle, adding that the GBPA and others had been "very supportive" of his first business venture in Grand Bahama.

Detailing some of the Bahamian companies that had benefited from construction work carried out on the Savemore property, Mr Savola said: "The Savemore premises have been completely upgraded, including new electrical wiring, state of the art 'green' appliances and total redesign of the spacious interior to allow for the ease of flow of customers.

"I have been very pleased in working with local Grand Bahamian companies. They include Allied Builders, Frecon, C & G Air Conditioning, Quality Plumbing, Sea Port Construction and Mechanical Engineering, and we have already begun work with local advertising company, Barefoot Marketing, to help us launch and promote our new business."

Concerns were expressed in yesterday's Tribune Business, chiefly by rival Jeff Butler, owner of Butler's Specialty Foods, that Savemore had a foreign ownership component, which went against the National Investment Policy of reserving the retail and wholesale industry for 100 per cent Bahamian ownership. It was said by multiple sources that Derek Kramer, the principal of Allied Caribbean Distribution, was involved with Savemore.

This, though, was denied by Mr Savola. Garland Evans, owner of Prime Bahamas, also told Tribune Business he and his family were not involved with Savemore, saying they "never had any interest in the Freeport food store".

Commenting on the likely impact of Savemore's arrival in Grand Bahama, Mr Butler told Tribune Business on Tuesday: "We have right now 11 grocery outlets in Grand Bahama with a population of 47,000 in a recession.

"If we did not have a recession, everything was hunky dory and there were 60,000-70,000 people here, there would be no impact because they would be able to serve a certain segment of people."

Sawyer's Fresh Market, to open its doors to the public on Friday August 14th

By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL

Freeport News Reporter

Despite the economic slump, one proprietor is showing his confidence in the market with a multi-million dollar investment in a new food store which he hopes will offer residents a larger selection of grocery items.

Sawyer's Fresh Market, located on Oak Street in Freeport, will open its doors to the public on Friday morning at 8 a.m.


The company's president, Sandy Sawyer, explained that the 10,000 square foot building currently housing the new supermarket was originally allocated for warehouse space for Sawyer's Food Supply, which he also owns.


However, once he decided to turn it into a retail outlet, he was able to have the construction work completed in record time.

The store, he added, is one of the most energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly businesses on the island.

The materials used in the construction, including the lighting - all have low environmental impact. Customers will also be encouraged to bring reusable shopping bags with them to cut down on plastic bags.

Sawyer said that the store will carry a limited assortment of brands, with only a national brand name and a 'value' option being offered on most items.

Although the value brands that will be carried are new to Grand Bahama, Sawyer said they are widely accepted in the United States and the quality is comparable to similar brand name items.

Consumers can save up to 40 percent, however, if they chose the generic brands.

"We're not going to bring it in if people don't like it.

We're not going to force anything down people's throats. It's something that we feel people will like but with the guarantee you have nothing to lose by trying it."

Sawyer, who has been in the wholesale distribution business for the past 10 years, and also owns a meat store in Eight Mile Rock, said that he decided to go into retail when he observed that there was an under-served market in Freeport.

"I've been shopping in the stores and a lot of times you can't find the product, or it's overpriced, or it does not look good and I decided people deserve better... They deserve a new option - a better option."

Sawyer said that he has placed much emphasis on the perishable items his store will carry since he believes consumers definitely need more choices in that department.

"That is where there is a real need... We'll have everything that people buy on a regular basis and we're going to always have fresh stock."

Another aspect Sawyer was proud to share was the competitive prices that he plans to offer.

"When they see the prices and the fact that we will always be in stock, people are going to love the experience. They're going to be pleasantly surprised and they're going to watch their grocery bill go down."

Although some may say that Sawyer's venture is a risky one considering the economic climate, the businessman expressed confidence in his latest project.

"Even though the economic times are dim on the island, this is a necessity - people have to eat and they're really disillusioned and dissatisfied with what is presently on the market and we want to make a difference," he said.
"We do see potential for growth, otherwise we wouldn't be doing this. This is a big investment, especially in Freeport where things are so rough."

The new store will be open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. -7 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays.