Craft vendors welcome chance to grow business in Falmouth Artisan Village
Published:Thursday | April 25, 2024 | 12:09 AMRochelle Clayton/Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE NEWLY opened Falmouth Artisan Village has brought a sense of hope to small business operators looking to ply their wares to both locals and tourists.
The artisan village, which was officially opened last Friday, can be found at the former Hampden Wharf. With an expected capacity of 46 shops, the facility was built to house businesses selling craft and other indigenous products.
Its location is a significant factor as it neighbours the Falmouth cruise ship pier and offers a greater opportunity for local businesses to showcase their products, said Deresia Peart, manager of The Foundry, a ceramic store on the property.
“When tourists come, they are always asking for these items, and it is sometimes hard for them to get to the places that they are sold, so with the dock being right there, they will now have total reach for them,” Peart told The Gleaner.
The $700 million facility is the first of its kind in Jamaica, with another four expected to be built by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) across the island.
For Garfield Williams, owner and operator of Trench Town Ceramics and Art Centre, the development of the Falmouth Artisan Village has opened new doors to advertise and sell his products to people visiting the island by sea. Williams told The Gleaner that he is grateful for the chance to join the other small business owners on the property.
The businessman went on to sing praises to Carol Rose Brown, director of the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation/Craft Development Institute, who he said has been instrumental in the process.
“This is a great opportunity. I think it has been in the pipeline for years even before Mrs Carol Rose Brown notified me and asked if I would be interested in being on the pier.
“I am talking about from Christmas in July when the tourism linkages came together. They are trying to implement more Jamaican crafts in the country and stressing that buying Jamaica will build our country. I strongly believe in that as well,” Williams said.
The Falmouth Artisan Village was first announced in 2016 after being conceptualised by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett six years prior. However, the completion of the facility was delayed for four years.
'Long overdue'
Despite the delays, Williams welcomed the facility and pointed to the opportunities for artisans to grow their businesses.
“It has been a long overdue process, but through resilience and determination, we are here now. The guys have been here with me. They are all on board, and they want to do better not just for what we are doing, but to show that something good can come out of Trench Town,” he said.
“There are items that locals, too, will like to purchase and put in their homes. The tourists love everything about our country, and most of them like to take home a piece of Jamaica, something authentic, so there is a lot of growth here for businesses.”
Another business operator, Shapea Lazarus, told The Gleaner that she is excited to showcase the local children's books being sold inside of the Lovey Fern Bookstore on the property.
“I think it is a wonderful and impressive initiative, and I am happy that we are a part of this first experience here. I am really looking forward to us showcasing the authentic Jamaican [books] to show that we can stand with the internationals and provide the same high-quality products and services,” said Lazarus.
When quizzed on how the village will play a role in the development of the Falmouth artisan community, Lazarus noted that the facility's inviting infrastructure will encourage tourists to make several stops before venturing off into the town area.
“It can only be positive. We have gotten this platform to show persons our products, so it will give us an opportunity to network with those from the diaspora, tourists, and even our locals who will come and see the artisans and what they have to offer.”
In the meantime, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, while delivering the keynote address during the official opening ceremony, stated that the facility “marks a significant milestone in the journey towards cultural enrichment and economic empowerment”.
According to Holness, the Falmouth Artisan Village was developed through partnerships with different agencies and “stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and dedication to preserving and promoting our rich cultural history”.