After a humble start as a small showcase for mobile phones, Gizmos & Gadgets yesterday opened the doors of its new US$3 million superstore that will specialise in electronics, auto accessories and designer wear.

Minister Manniram Prashad (centre) congratulates Gizmos & Gadgets owner Ravi Mangar and his wife Gaitri Sharma. Looking on are CN Sharma (at the minister's left) and other relatives and friends of the couple.

The Gizmos & Gadgets store, which previously operated out the CNS Channel Six buildings for the past ten years, opened the new location at the corner of Wellington Street and North Road, where it also unveiled new departments, including Car Audio, formerly Auto Zone, and Glamour, which will stock designer brand accessories such as sunglasses, watches, makeup, perfumes, and handbags. The superstore will be introducing a new concept to Guyana, as in-store prices will match those quoted on products in stores overseas. Additionally, customers will have the option of ordering online through the company.

The new location was declared opened by proud owners Ravi Mangar and Gaitri Sharma, who took the decision to expand because of the high demand for their products. Mangar is the son of well known boutique owner Lynette Manger, while his wife is the daughter of CN Sharma.

Mangar said it was about ten years ago he and his then girlfriend saw an opportunity to sell electronics at a reduced rate and they grabbed it. He said they first began to sell cellular phones on a wholesale basis but they soon hooked up with GT&T and became a retail vendor. They are one of the exclusive vendors for GT&T phones.

Further, Mangar recalled that they started out with a small showcase in CNS Channel Six building and they were behind the counters themselves. However, with the help of their parents they soon opened a small store in 2001 in the same building and expanded the line of products they sold. Tragedy struck in 2004 when fire wiped out their store along with the television station’s building and later they were once again confined to a small place, which was difficult to accommodate their staff. They stuck with the store and after Sharma rebuilt his building, Mangar said they were once again comfortable accommodated at the corner of Robb and Wellington and that was their location until yesterday when they closed and moved to the new superstore.

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism Manniram Prashad said the opening of the store is an indication that business is still booming in Guyana and he complimented the young couple for remaining here, even though they had the opportunity to migrate. According to the minister, in the last three years some seven new malls were opened around the country and every week he is opening a new business venture. This means that the country’s economy is strong, he said.

He further stated that many overseas-based Guyanese are returning to Guyana and purchasing homes and their parents are then returning to live here because it is cheaper to maintain a family in Guyana than in places like the US, because of the recession. And while there are people who would “spread negative propaganda” about the country, the minister said they should not be listened to as “business is booming in Guyana.”  He also claimed that persons from Barbados and Trinidad are buying up properties in Guyana while traders from Suriname and Venezuela are coming to purchase items because they are much cheaper here.

Prashad took a jibe at the Chambers of Commerce, which he should encourage business in Guyana instead of making “wild statements”. The minister said too that tourists continue to flock Guyana and he predicted that this year would see the most arrivals in Guyana and this Christmas would be the brightest ever.