An investment of approximately $160M will bring a new multi-purpose Plaza to the town of Linden and its management promises competitive prices and convenience.
For over a decade Cabs Hardware Store on Green-heart Street, Mackenzie has provided the community of Linden with building materials, fittings and electrical appliances, but now the business will like to offer more variety to its customers and is expanding its product line and services.
Managing Director Dustanni Barrow of Cabs and Barrow’s Restaurant and Lounge, 82 Manni Street, Mackenzie told Stabroek News that Cabs will be moving from its Greenheart Street location to the former GNCB building on Republic Avenue. Over two years ago, the GNCB, then owned by the National Bank of Industry and Commerce (NBIC), now Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited was secured by Cabs, for this venture.
In this multi-million dollar plaza there will be a fast food and a home furnishing department, together with the hardware section which will sell electronic appliances and gadgets, along with motor-cycles. The hardware section of this three-story plaza will be located on the ground floor alongside the fast food outlet that will be managed by the business.
Another department will also be located on the ground floor but the director did not want to make this section public as yet. On the middle floor there will be a home furnishings department together with business offices. Cabs’ franchise with the Money Gram money transfer service will also be located on the middle floor.
Although the business is currently strictly hardware and a few appliances, Dustanni, said they always desired to sell furniture, but did not have the space to offer it. Moreover, he explained that there is a demand for furniture and he is not worried about the competition that the business will face in this sector.
Come year end, the Plaza is expected to be completed and open for business with an initial staff of 40 members.
The Managing Director told Stabroek News that there will be no business space for rental.
In terms of the profitability of this venture, Dustanni asserted that he is “Very confident about success.” His strong confidence comes from the boom he sees in the residential construction sector in the mining town.
He pointed out that there is “a lot of residential housing (and) where we are right now (we) can’t meet all the demand.” He believes as well that the Plaza will mean increased business from the corporate sector of Linden, in addition to an increase in business as a result of the completion of the Takutu Bridge that is linking Guyana with Brazil.
This manager believes that the bridge will also give them the opportunity to access products at cheaper prices from South America, in addition to other countries. (Nicosia Smith)
