Top Shotas Bar and Pool Club has been reduced to debris but this has not dampened the entrepreneurial spirit of its owner Anwar Charles and his ambitions are still alive.
Fire destroyed his entertainment center on the Bay Front early last Thursday morning but in an interview with Dominica News Online Charles spoke of his loss and his desire to keep on going.
Charles, 29, explained that the six year old institution employed two steady bar tenders and was looking to increase opportunities and exposure for musicians and other person involve in the creative arts and catering industries.
He said he recently completed refurbishments and “business was at its peak before fire arrived.”
Charles lost almost all his business assets in the blaze including kitchen stoves, chillers, pool tables, computers and musical instrument including stocks and countless other articles.
His accountant gave a preliminary estimation of loss at $174,380.99.
When Top Shotas opened its doors in October 2005, it was from 10 a.m. until the wee hours of the next day but Charles’ desire was to follow in the footsteps of his now deceased father, Wallicks Charles, who had operated a bar and pool club on Kennedy Avenue, called Wallicks Lime Light.
Charles claims he learnt the tricks of the trade from his father. “My father gave me a strong mind,” he stated.
For Charles being on the Bay Front has its economic rewards because it is a strategic location for tourist and local customers alike but it has not been an easy road. “I have struggled a lot to be where I am right now. Two years back to back I had no roof because of hurricane. LIME gave me a cover and eventually I put a galvanize roof which of course was destroyed by fire,” he said.
The newlywed and father of a six months old baby sees the fire destruction as a watershed in his business life cycle. “I am worried but I have to push,” Charles indicates.
He maintains that his business has a record of good customer service which it will build on when his new bar and pool club re-opens eventually. “The goal of my business is, and have always been, to make everybody happy. It doesn’t matter who you are, I am that type of person and my business is like that too,” he pointed out.
Charles has no clear road maps just yet as to how his entrepreneurial spirit would secure the needed capital to run again although he suggest he may approach government officials.
The matters of insurance are complicated as the structure was insured but not the assets of his business.
But when asked about the future, Charles remained unfazed, “I love doing what I am doing, I grew up in a bar and pool club and that’s what I will be doing,” he said.
alas boo i am so sorry for your loss.
Such an ambitious young man, he found a way to employ himself and others and provided a timely service. You will rise again from the ashes! be steadfast in your endeavours and hope sincerely the government can come to your assistance. Your patrons will be there when you re-open and even more will join the fray!
Best of luck and don’t despair though as humans we can’t help but feel that way at times
keep pushing, i like chilling out at top shottas. hope to see things back to normal again. have faith in god.
be strong baby god is good what don’t kill you will only make you stronger i know that you are worried but things will work out you will see when one door close another opens just keep you faith in god .and be strong.. you are in my thoughts and prayers
SORRY AT YOUR LOSS BE STRONG AND HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD. SOMETHING GOOD WILL COME YOUR WAY WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES MANY MORE WILL OPEN
hold on strong bro
where dere is a will there is a way
I am proud of you and your determination to suceed. You will surely suceed! In life there will always be setbacks, but these setbacks are to make us stronger. Your Dad would be proud of you. If God be for you who can be against you. God bless you Anwar, and be strong.
with god on your side you will again walk high , you will see the reborn of a new errra in your bussiness though the fire may be a set back you will come back strong . for you are a person with ambition and commitment you like to see thing go well and get things done you are a trades man who does well in your hands and get things done to your likeing . though at this time its like you are back to creepeing like a baby you will lean to walk meaning you will rise again for you are possitive in what you do . you created employment , you gave a service to the public , entertaiment for those looking for fun and excitment even if it a game of pools ,or to have a cold drink or to serfe the net you provided that service you were on the rise and after two huricanes you were determining to stay focuse . at this time i am calling on all persons out there who wish to see this young man continue to strive and bring back the bussiness any assitance is well come in any way possilbe . to those bussiness house he has patronise for the past years your contributions is welcome thank you to those who are praying for this young man and his family may goy bless you as you pray for him .if there is any one out there who feel that they can make a contribution can call 17676148332 thank you
Be strong and keep up the entrepreneurial spirits man. Help is on its way…Looking forward to seeing the place reopen with a bang.
Fwe mwen,pwen foss,pa pwen kouwi.you have a strong will.our prayers go out to you.let us know how we can contribute.bon foss,bon courage.
sorry for your lost bro but my mind is telling me something there.
they are preventing taxi drivers on the bayfront and at the same time a fire at your business which just happen to to be on the same bayfront the vendors will be next somehow i smell a rat.
hold a firm meditation….one day things must get better!!
Hello DNO, Would be nice if you could have published some kind of contact information for persons who want to reach out to this young entrepreneur.
Anwar…Please keep the faith. The silver lining will come.
Admin: You can send your email address to [email protected] and we will pass him the info.
hey , anwar, sometimes crazy things happen, just trust in god n keep strong,trust god n believe in urself, n it will take time to be what it was or even better,peace my brother don’t give up!:)help is on d way just keep focused happy u are alive safe n sound, jah gobless u my brotherdon’t give up!!!
Lke a Phoenix somthing will ride from the Ashes my boy.. something good.
Every time I see a person make progress, I alway cheer them on from the sidelines. I hope he can put his business back together again. But this time get some insurance. Protect yourself. It does not only happen to other people.
Best of luck.
Keep pushing Anwar! If we more entrepreneurs like you, DA would be much better for you. Be strong … hold a firm meditation!!
This too shall pass Bro. Stay focus! You have the drive. A door will be opened.
So about your loss bro.
Wish you the best and hope that you find success in your efforts to rebuild.
keep pushing on you will make it God is with u
Keep pushing. A young man doing something! keep strong!