Courts unwraps Optical Store plans

Courts (Guyana) Inc. celebrated its 22nd anniversary yesterday at its flagship store on Main Street and announced the imminent launch of its Optical Store.

Throughout the years the company has become synonymous with furniture and appliances but the Commercial Director Tracey Smith confirmed that the company will be establishing a Courts Optical Store that will be launched in the first half of October. Several months ago, Courts had signalled this plan through an advertisement.

Smith noted that there are numerous optical stores in Guyana but Courts will bring affordable value to everyone that would not be about exclusivity. The standard insurance and National Insurance Scheme vouchers will be accepted for a wide spectrum of shades, sunglasses, glasses as well as contact lenses. She also said that there will be an ophthalmologist from the Philippines stationed at the store to provide medical expertise.

Among the well-wishers was the president of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry Lance Hinds. Hinds said, “Courts has been a stellar shining example for all” as he lauded their commitment to expanding and supporting the GCCI in its yearly initiatives such as the annual business magazine, business directory, television programmes and gala dinner.

He said, “Despite the difficulties sometimes that presents itself in the environment, companies that push ahead and expand their product offering deserves our respect.” He further stated that Courts has been interwoven into the fabric of the society which shows in twenty-two years of commitment to the economy.

“Things have settled, the budget has passed. So now we need to press on, move forward and begin to pursue the opportunities.”

Smith praised work done with the local manufacturing industry through the Furniture Industry National Development Programme in 1990. The main thrust of this initiative was providing expertise from Asia and Europe to train local manufacturers.

She reported that as a result five key local suppliers remained with the company and 50% of local volume comes from the manufacturing industry here. An accomplishment from this programme is that the Guyanese products in the mid-range category are similar and differences cannot be seen between its regional counterparts.

There will be cake cutting ceremonies at all other seven branches. In honour of Indigenous Heritage month the company collaborated with Arrow Point Nature Resort to offer weekend trips to four families. Later this week there will be sponsorship of the Elite League, which is a partnership with FIFA to ensure sport and youth development happens within communities through football. The Courts PeeWee Tourna-ment kicks off this month at Thirst Park. On Septem-ber 8th, the inaugural scholarship programme will have the first three customers receiving scholarships for tertiary education in Guyana. Five customers will also receive two front row seats to see Jamaican artiste Tessanne Chin on September 26th.