Street vendors, who ply their trade along Commercial Street, Vieux-Fort say had it not been for S&S and Sue Ben Restaurant and Bar, they would have shut down their operations a long time ago.
They described those two business houses, located on Commercial Street, as their lifeline.
According to the vendors, those business houses attract the most shoppers to Commercial Street and the adjoining streets, which they say have the semblance of a ghost town.
Over the years, a number of business houses including a commercial bank, have relocated from Commercial Street, which was once a hive of commercial activities, to areas such as Clarke Street, New Dock Road and Beanefield. A number of street vendors have also relocated from Commercial Street to those areas due to sluggish sales. They are occupying every inch of space available in those areas.
The vendors, who remained on Commercial Street, say as business houses leave the area in quick succession, they were worried, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. However, according to them, the existence of S& S and Sue Ben Restaurant and Bar on Commercial Street provided them with a glimmer of hope that they may be able to survive by continuing to ply their trade where they are.
Ella Avril, a vendor, who has been plying her trade on Commercial Street for decades said: “Had it not been for S&S and Sue Ben, we would be in trouble. They attract most of the shoppers who come to Commercial Street.”
Corana Eristhee said: “S&S and Sue Ben put a bit of life in the area. It’s a good thing they remained where they are.”
“We benefit a lot from the existence of S&S and Sue Ben on Commercial Street. Some of the people who buy from them also buy from us,” Febrienne Victor said.
Another vendor said she is praying for those two business houses to remain where they are. “S&S and Sue Ben always have a lot of customers. If they leave Commercial Street, we will suffer. Thank God…”
A vendor, who had relocated from Commercial Street to Clarke Street a year ago, said it’s a good thing she did so, adding that her sales are better than when she was on Commercial Street.
At the moment, more business houses from various parts of the town are relocating to Clarke Street, New Dock Road and Beanefield.