Vendors overjoyed at new-look Crab Circle
Wray & Nephew brightens popular eating spot with $13m rehab
Published:Friday | April 22, 2022 | 12:09 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
Tantalising aromas filled the air yesterday as the newly developed Crab Circle came to life in Kingston with the street food hub donning a fresh, bold look.
Vendors sang the praises of corporate giants J. Wray & Nephew, which invested $13 million to remodel the National Heroes Circle location with 10 new stalls.
Makiesha ‘Munchie’ Walker, who has been selling food there for the past two decades, was a picture of joy as she served up cups of cow skin, chicken neck and foot soup.
She thanked the sponsors for partnering with the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation to execute the project, which had been in the pipeline for several years.
Another vendor, Nadine Francis, also paid homage to vendors before her, who helped to make the spot a popular stop.
“We want to big up the founders of Heroes Circle here – Blossom, Keith, all of the vendors who we follow [behind] to get big up, too,” she said, smiling from ear to ear. “If a never dem, we wouldn’t deh ya suh. Big up Wray & Nephew, man. Mi a tell yuh, we appreciate it. The whole a we ... appreciate it.”
Leleika-Dee Barnes, J. Wray & Nephew’s director of channel and customer marketing, told The Gleaner following yesterday’s official handover ceremony that Crab Circle is the first of six planned such investments by the company.
“There are 10 stalls here, but it’s not an investment that we’re looking for some kind of return from. We don’t sell rum here, but the fact is that this is a critical part of the economy, the local economy in this location, and it’s the same with the other locations,” Barnes said.
Harbour View is being touted as the next location in Corporate Area to receive attention, and Barnes also hinted at locations in Manchester and St Mary among the six in the series.
“These are locations that are a part of the lifeblood of these communities. Lots of people take care of their families and send their children to school from these ventures. Wray & Nephew, we are a part of your life from now till then,” she told The Gleaner.
TEAM COMMENDED
During his keynote address, Local Government and Rural Development Minister Desmond McKenzie expressed gratitude to the company for stepping up to the plate after years of trying to secure a partner.
“The team from J. Wray & Nephew must be commended because this is what collective responsibility is, when you engage the private sector. Government can’t do all the things that [are] necessary. You need private sector involvement ... ,” said McKenzie, who is also the member of parliament for Kingston Western.
He said that the development of Crab Circle marked a tremendous day for the Fletcher’s Land community and reiterated that the sale of crab, corn, yam, and salt fish at the location over the decades has allowed families to send their children to school, some of whom are now serving as leaders in various sectors.
He urged the vendors to show their gratitude to the sponsors by taking care of the stalls.
“This is an investment, not by Wray & Nephew, but it is an investment by the vendors themselves because at the end of the day, if it fails, it is not Wray & Nephew that will fail. It would be you, the vendors, who have not demonstrated and accepted the kindness of Wray & Nephew in assisting with this project,” McKenzie said.
He urged his constituents and customers alike to treat the official Jamaica 60 and Kingston 150 project with respect.