By Tracey Khan – Drakes
Beepat made the announcement on Friday March 13, during a media conference, to welcome one of its tenants, Topaz Jewelry. This is the first Jewelry operation that will be housed at the mall and there is still room for one more.
One of the owners of the Jewelry Store, Hans Granger-Gaskin said the company is Guyana’s premier jewelry designer, manufactures and retailers and is moving to expand its operations after being in the business for over two decades.
“The company Topaz has been in existence for about two decades and that time has seen a great deal of development for both the company and its product…we think it’s time to take our knowledge and experience to a new realm…our new outlet here will provide Guyanese with wide and exciting choices of stylish and unusual jewelry.”
Meanwhile, Beepat said over 2000 Guyanese will gain direct employment once the mall is open. As such, management will host a career fair soon to push its recruitment drive at its Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara location. This investment is being touted as the single most significant social development by a private company in Guyana.
“This Mall will change the way Guyanese have options during their leisure…in Georgetown or Guyana we know that when things close up in the afternoons, on Saturdays, Sundays or on public holidays everybody goes home and there is not much to do…you will now have options,” Beepat said.
The options will be wide a range since the Mall will open its doors 363 days every year, which means it will only be closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
The Mall will also house 16 restaurants in its food court that will seat over 500 people along with Guyana’s first ever bus terminal with modern amenities, a taxi stand and valet parking. Two of the largest cinemas in the country at a cost of over US $3.5M will also be housed at the facility.
“The concept we want is one where customers can come, experience and enjoy things like the children playground or the kids restaurant and amusement area, the brand name store, the pharmacy and the beauty salons…we are selective, we have a lot of applications more than to full the place but were looking for the right people that are a right fit for the mall,” Beepat added.
The Chairman added that so far they achieved a 70% occupancy rate. He made it clear that the mall will cater for the high end customers but continue to serve its loyal working class Guyanese. Beepat anticipates that the Mall will attract some 25,000 customers daily.
