Jones Dry Goods store has been a landmark in the Glebe Road and St. Monica's neighbourhoods for nearly a century and the shop's owner Vivienne Jones has become a landmark along with it.

Now, with the help of Ms. Jones' great niece Renée Lewis and her husband Jeff, the shop has gotten a facelift that they hope will give a boost to a community marred by recent gun and gang violence.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette earlier this week Mr. Lewis, a Partner in an international advisory firm, said he and his wife felt compelled to renovate the ageing store in an attempt to help uplift the community around the shop. He hopes an open house to celebrate the shop's reopening this Saturday will be a fun event for the whole community.

"We want everyone to come out and have a good time on Saturday between 2 and 4 p.m." he said. "We want to give back to these great people in this great community. There will be free food and drink and we will be using some ingredients from the store so come out and eat and drink whatever you want."

Ms Jones, who will turn 100 next year, does not run the shop anymore but according to Mr. Lewis her legacy of helping the community and giving to charity carries on.

"Aunt V has been graciously giving to charities and people in need for over 50 years," said Mr. Lewis.

"When we decided to redo the shop we wanted to stay true to her philosophy of giving. We have decided to provide a discount to anyone who volunteers and have tried to keep everything very reasonably priced.

"We will also deliver for free. If an elderly person just wants one box of tea, we will bring it to them at no extra cost."

The shop will also cater to those with special dietary needs and preferences. According to Mr. Lewis they will carry organic, gluten free and low salt products as well as the kite paper, string, school uniforms, fabrics and window treatments that the shop is known for.

"We wanted to keep the dry goods theme but make it more modern," he said. "To do this while staying true to Aunt V's vision we have modernised the products so that they appeal to the community while still very affordable.

"Also, staying true to the dry goods theme, if you don't want to buy a whole bag of rice or beans you could, for example, come in and buy one scoop of each."

Jeff and Renée make up the fourth generation to operate the shop. It was originally built by Ms Jones' parents and operated by her mother. After she went to Boston to study music at the Boston Conservatory of Music Ms Jones arrived back in Bermuda as the first black female concert singer in the Island's history. She assumed management of the store from her mother. Ms Jones ran the shop for decades before old age forced her to hand over the reigns to her friend Lauren King, who has been managing the shop for several years."

"Mrs. King was Aunt V's right hand lady for a long time and we could not have done any of this without her," Said Mr. Lewis.

He added: "Giving was a huge thing for Aunt V and I think that she would be very happy with what we have done. But this is all about the community, a community full of great people who are overshadowed by the bad ones. We just want to come out with a positive message and show Bermuda that with commitment we can overcome. This is what she would have wanted."

Jones Dry Goods will hold its grand opening this Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free food and drink will be available and parking is available on all shopping days on Glebe Road and at Heard Chapel.