Barnes Corner the new centre for entrepreneurs
When Tasa Belboda-Showers opened her small business, Domestic Divas, she decided the best place to sell her home-baked goods was Barnes Corner.The spot in Southampton where South and Middle Roads meet, is one of the many roadside vendor spots to spring up around the Island.A growing number of Bermudians are embracing the idea of roadside vending to either test the market for their goods, or help make a living.There are official Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation-supported markets Island-wide now - from the Springfield and Rubber Tree markets in the West End to the seasonal Bull’s Head Farmer’s Market in town to the Olde Towne Market and St. George’s (Tuesday) Market in the East End.Then there are the many vegetable, fish, food, snowball and other kinds of stands that operate on roadsides weekdays and weekends.Mrs Belboda-Showers says you can find her family-run business at Barnes Corner on Friday afternoons, Saturdays all day from breakfast on, and Wednesdays from 2pm to 6pm.Joining her along the roadside at Barnes Corner is “Scratchy’s” vegetable stand, a snowball stand and hotdog stand.Apart from dressing like divas as they sell, Mrs Belboda-Showers said: “What makes us unique is we are a baking service. You give us specifications for what you want baked and we will do it!,” she said. “We do everything from cookies to breads to wedding and other cakes.”Mrs Belboda-Showers said apart from freshly-baked breads, she also prepares home-made-from scratch pancakes, bread pudding and “french toast casserole” for a breakfast time treat- so come early.Domestic Divas also specialises in healthy baking and has recipes to suit diabetics, and people with cholesterol, gluten and heart issues.She also sells most of her goods in special ‘green’ bags that help her customers keep her cakes and breads fresher much longer.She said you won’t find her company’s products in the stores because Domestic Divas prefers to “remain exclusive”.In order to do business at Barnes Corner, Domestic Divas needed a Health Department certificate since they sell food. Her kitchen was inspected and she was granted a certificate which she carries with her at all times. No pedlar’s license was needed since roadside vendors can operate as long as they sell locally made goods.The BSBDC is trying to increase oversight of the Island’s many roadside vendors though, and new legislation is under consideration.Mrs Belboda-Showers added that she will be taking her baked goods to the East End for the Cup Match holiday - “to cater to campers and game goers”.So look out for her on the Causeway on Thursday and Friday of the game if you need to stock up on hotdog or hamburger buns and other treats.