Brodies opens new superstore
There is a great temptation in the media to run stories on developments in the private sector that are little more than advertisements for the businesses involved. The hope, of course, is that in return the company will bless the media house with increased advertisements. There are times, however, when the size or uniqueness of a new venture is of such magnitude to make it real news … like this next story.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
Phase one of the new Brodies supermarket at mile two and a half on the Northern Highway has been completed, making it the largest food emporium in Belize City. The parking lot has been expanded to hold as many as two hundred vehicles and the outdoor lighting feature enhances the twenty-four hour security provided at the location. According to Company Director Curtis Musa, the whole project was conceptualised fifteen years ago when his dad Billy Musa, Sr. decided to open another outlet to better serve the growing city.
Curtis Musa, Director, Brodies Limited
“It was all swamp, but he had the vision that the city would have outgrown itself and that we needed to come in this area to set up a supermarket that could service the people in this area.”
“We opened in 1995 and we outgrew that store in like ten years and that’s why we realised it was the time now to expand the store to better offer better services to our customers.”
Shoppers can not only expect to shop in more comfort, but among the added features are a deli and eating area, A.T.M. machine, eight check out counters, and modern bathroom facilities.
Curtis Musa
“More space, a bigger variety of goods, just to help satisfy the needs of the customers. The whole project is a super store which will include supermarket, department store, and pharmacy all under one roof, so for like a one stop shopping convenience.”
The shoppers, who are mostly from Belize City and the Belize district, could not be more pleased with the new look.
Customer #1
“It’s spacious, it makes you feel more relaxed while you are shopping, and of course more parking. So for us it’s great, this is the Vista del Mar.”
Customer #2
“It’s as just as good as what we got in the United States. And everything, the vegetable man really is doing a job is really doing, a great job everything is so neat and laid out so you know just exactly what you can get and what you want. You go up to your store, most of the time you do not know what you are going to get, you get in there and half of them are rotten, it’s pitiful.”
Customer #3
“This is a nice, nice upgrade. It is state of the art everything, American standards I suppose. Standards are what we are looking for and this is what it is.”
Curtis Musa
“We have a new added section in the supermarket now, which is the butchery area where you can come and get your fresh meats. We also have a new deli area where you can sit down and have a meal and also, we have people that could cut fresh cuts of ham and cheese for fresh products.”
“We decided to add the A.T.M. because we’ve had customers that come up here and wish to access funds to do their shopping and we felt that the A.T.M. would have provided that convenience for them by adding it in the store.”
But while customers are already enjoying the new facilities, the store will not be officially opened until two months from now when the second phase, including hardware and department stores, should be completed.
Architect for the project was Anthony Thurton with Jebco construction as the general contractor. Financing was provided by FirstCaribbean International Bank. Brodies management would like to thank all staff and customers for making the transition successful.
