BlackBerries, baby clothing, art and coffee

Warwick’s new Gallery 61 has it all

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Many retailers are finding it tough to keep up with paying rent in this economy, but a pair of entrepreneurs has come up with a novel way to keep costs down.

Gavin Kennedy and Janet Perinchief have partnered to take over the old Crockwell’s/Four Star Pizza building on Middle Road, Warwick and have allowed other merchants to set up shop alongside them in the new Gallery 61.

Mr Kennedy launched Unique Flashdrives tech accessories two years ago and has since branched out into selling BlackBerry phones and accessories at what he feels are often better prices than Hamilton. He calls his business “Bermuda’s biggest BB store”.

Ms Perinchief sells baby and children’s clothing.

Gallery 61 also retails Marley Coffee on behalf Coffeeworks, The now global brand of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee was launched by Bob Marley’s son Rohan.

“About $200 a month gets you a (large) shelf (and more space if you need it) and you can put whatever you want on it as long as you do not compete with anyone else’s products in our market,” Mr Kennedy said.

He said the idea was for all the retailers using the Gallery 61 space to share the rent, so it’s not as much of a burden.

“It’s difficult for one person to pay the entire rent but collectively we can pay it!,” he said.

Mr. Kennedy and Ms Perinchief started out selling their goods at the Rubber Tree Market across the road, but once they got a following and required more days of operation, they rented space at Heron Bay Plaza.

However, after a year they felt they needed more visibility and easier access for their customers, so when their current approximately 1,500 square-foot space at 61 Middle Road became available late last year they “grabbed it”, Mr. Kennedy said.

“Heron Bay was a good stepping stone for us, but it was not the right location,” he said.

He said 15 different merchants have joined with them so far to sell their goods from Gallery 61, which include among other products: wigs, dog accessories, shoes, African accessories, plus-size fashions and medical clothing.

The gallery of stores has been open since November and business has for the most part been “phenomenal”, he said. “I like to say we are the best place to shop out of Hamilton.”

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