Bermuda's up-and-coming entrepreneurs and small businesses were on show at the initial opening of Gallery 135 on Saturday.

The new retail centre, which is based at 135 Front Street, attracted more than 250 viewers, who came to check out some of the Island's latest as well as more established ventures on display.

They ranged from a dealer in African apparel, shoes, handbags and jewellery, a dealer in teas, coffees and spices from the Caribbean and the Far East, a local manufacturer of lamps, a cigar box handbag designer, a local manufacturer of custom-made jewellery, a designer of T-shirts, an artist showcasing oil paintings made using bird feathers on canvas, and a DVD sales and rental dealer, in addition to Foreign Cargo, Sparkles Jewellery, 27th Century and a Thai massage service from Kolours.

The event featured an exhibition from artist Joy Barnum and a performance by a jazz band, as well as music from a DJ.

Co-developer Keerome Maybury, said the event went well from the perspective of vendors, commercial partners and guests alike.

"Basically this was more of a product preview," he said.

"Really is was an opportunity for the vendors and artists and food and beverage people to showcase what they will be doing and selling at the official opening."

The project, which comprises a coffee lounge, gallery and retail outlet for entrepreneurs looking for a chance to get into business at the location on the corner of King and Front Streets, was backed by commercial partners Coldwell Banker Bermuda Realty, Rego Sotheby's International Realty, CellularOne and E-moo.

The gallery officially opens its doors in mid-November.

For more information about Gallery 135, becoming a vendor or renting a retail unit e-mail orders@tcbltd.com or visit www.g-135.com