UPDATE: Whitchurch IGA opens ten months after Maria

Shoppers at the supermarket

Ten months after Hurricane Maria devastated Dominica, one of the island’s major supermarkets has opened its doors to the public.

Whitchurch IGA opened on Thursday afternoon to much excitement from the public.

The supermarket, located in the heart of Roseau took a blow from Maria last September and was looted in the wake of the hurricane.

Jason Aird of H.H.V Whitchurch explained that the company is happy to have the supermarket up and running to serve the public again.

“After the hurricane, it was always a matter of when, not if, since we always said that we would be back,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to the general public and the company’s staff for “their understanding and patience.”

“We had to lay off stuff during that time, but we have rehired them and the majority of the staff are those that were already with us, we want to say thanks to them for their understanding and patience and also the general public,” Aird stated.

According to him, it took a lot of “hard work” to clean the supermarket, which was flooded and water-damaged, and also damaged by looters.

He refused to be drawn into discussions on the looting after Hurricane which crippled the business community in Dominica.

“We are not looking back, what has happened was unfortunate but we are moving forward with a plan and that is our aim and objective,” Aird stated.

The wholesale section of the company was blessed during a church service earlier this week.

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18 Comments

  1. marie-claire R Skerrit
    July 24, 2018

    Great job for re-opening

  2. Patience
    July 21, 2018

    Welcome back whitchurch. I really missed you. Looking forward to your continued service. The local produce was always appreciated. I could always depend on you for that.

  3. Vanessa
    July 20, 2018

    That’s a much better article DNO. Congrats to Whitchurch again.

  4. anonymous2
    July 20, 2018

    Some business’ on this island are just die hards. They will persevere no matter what happens. Thank God for that. They will be here as long as there is a Dominica.

  5. free
    July 20, 2018

    Congratulations Whitchurch!!!!!!!!!

  6. nng1332
    July 20, 2018

    I love Whitchurch. So happy. :)

  7. July 20, 2018

    Congrats I am glade wee.

  8. Peeping Tom
    July 20, 2018

    Bravo! Further testament of a resilient Dominica.

    • Me
      July 20, 2018

      Don steal these people’s thunder Tom. That would be cheap and myopic. It is testament to a resilient family enterprise.

  9. July 20, 2018

    Yesssss. I love whitchurch. ????? ASTA killing people.

    • Uncle
      July 22, 2018

      Eh ben, escalator they have at Astaphan standing idle for years and no airco because they afraid they may spoil customers or they too mean to spend money on electricity.? Is my money I am spending, Whitchurch my choice.

  10. Oh yey
    July 20, 2018

    Smart good bye, competition tight

  11. Kermit
    July 20, 2018

    More blessings for you guys! Dominicans gave y’all a bad blow but everything will be fine now.

  12. Me
    July 20, 2018

    Welcome back! Competition is healthy and this is worthy competition to have.

  13. Ya Boy
    July 20, 2018

    I glad wi. Trust me. 8)
    Astaphans doh getting my money again. :lol:

    • As if
      July 20, 2018

      @ya boy, as for S Mart with their ridiculously high prices and limited brands. 4 little pieces of smoke turkey neck for how much money, stupes.

    • Ariel
      July 21, 2018

      So who say astaphan wants your money?

      • Uncle
        July 22, 2018

        That is a silly question. Obviously they want your money, my money, anybody money otherwise they would not be in business, not so?

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