Once approval is given, the MovieTowne Guyana mall will be reopened in phases.
The mall has been closed since early April due to the restrictions on businesses resulting from the COVID-19 emergency measures.
Branch Manager Rochelle Parsram told Stabroek News once the restrictions are lifted, the plan is to move towards the reopening of the mall, but in phases. She further explained that the first priority is to reopen the mall and the cinema at a later stage.
Anastacia Taljit, owner of the My Perfect Fit store at the mall, said that the closure has had a tremendously negative impact on her business, although it is now facilitating shoppers online.
My Perfect Fit, a new business, began operations late November of 2019. It is an authorised retailer of both Fruit of the Loom and Hanes products.
Taljit said that while the mall closed at the start of April, during the month of March they were operating at reduced hours due to the uncertainty generated by the general elections.
She noted that due to the closure, she was forced to let go of two of her part-time employees.
Taljit disclosed that once given the green light to start operations again, she will be 100% committed to the safety of its customers and staff.
She said she will ensure that persons are sanitising, using face masks and maintaining a sufficient physical distance from each other with the help of markers on the floor, while ensuring that only a limited amount of individuals are allowed in the store at any given time.
Taljit said she has started selling online through the business’s Facebook page and also partnered with BringGy a local online platform similar to that of Amazon, in order to continue earning in the intervening period.
She is now in the business of delivering items to customers making online purchases.
Taljit said she has been adjusting to the online business quite well, although while supplies are typically easy to source, due to the pandemic suppliers are working at reduced hours, making shipping times longer.
Another concessionaire at the mall told Stabroek News that her business was affected tremendously by the closure of MovieTowne.
Natalya Thomas Small, owner of Kandytopia, said, “As a new investor, you are looking to make back all that was invested, but COVID-19 came.”
She said rent was waived but “of course that would not compensate for the time lost.”
The new business owner said she was forced to let go of her staff until further notice.
In relation to changes made, Thomas-Small said she was force to up her marketing strategy and switch to online selling and delivery. She said she would continue with this strategy even after the reopening of the mall.
The sales team at Birkenstock Guyana told Stabroek News that the closure of the mall affected consumers, employees and the business as a whole.
The team said the business made a big loss since there was a decline in sales and profit and calendar events, such as kite giveaways, Mother’s Day and Carnival promotions, were also cancelled.
However, due to the business being small, this newspaper was told that no staff members were affected by downsizing and staff members were issued a monthly stipend to assist them with their personal expenses. The team also said once permission is granted to reopen the mall, Birkenstock is ready to take the necessary precautions by providing alcohol-based hand sanitiser wipes, ensuring all customers are wearing face masks before entering and ensuring distancing. (Readawne Henery)
