The day is already almost done and the hours are ticking away as one of the biggest supermarket’s on island gets ready to pull down the shutters.
Brizee’s Mart is closing down on October 1.
Located in the Canefield Industrial site it is known for its unique cartoon mural ice-cream parlor, playground and ample parking.
It was built in 1994 by Jerry Brisbane, who named the supermarket after his father, Ivan Brisbane, a businessman known around the island as “Brizee.”
Ivan “Brizee” Brisbane established O.D. Brisbane & Sons, the parent company of Brizee Mart, in 1951. It started as a small, one-man operation with Brisbane going out into the market to sell fabrics, zippers, buttons and other trinkets.
He later started representing international food manufacturers, eventually renting warehouse facilities to distribute local and imported products to various retail outlets. “The product lines later expanded to include building materials, hardware supplies and a bulk cement plant,” according to an article in Food and Drink International magazine published in 2011.
“After many successful years, O.D. Brisbane & Sons encountered financial problems. When Brisbane passed away in 1983, the company chose to consolidate its interests and closed down most of its branches, including its hardware, lumber and cement operations leaving only the food portion,” the article said.
The present Chairman of that company, Jerry Brisbane, took over the family business in 1985 after the death of his father and developed the food aspect of the business and expanded the distribution area.
Brizee’s Mart occupies about 12,000 square feet of the company’s main 25,000-square-foot distribution operation.
Brisbane told the Food and Drink International back in 2011 that the market was very tough. “Right now, the market is Dominica is very tough …It’s the toughest I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” he noted. “The market is shrinking with new entrants coming in, which could be a formula for disaster. It comes down to survival of the fittest and trying to get a bigger piece of a smaller pie.”
He told the magazine that O.D. Brisbane and Sons anticipated the competition ‘a long time ago’ and “we have been continuously and consistently taking steps to cut costs and become more efficient, which has put us in a good position.”
But a newspaper announcement on September 17th announced that Brizee’s Mart is closing down.
“O.D Brisbane and Sons (Dominica) Ltd the company that brought you Brizee’s Mart, wishes to advise its customers and the general public that its supermarket Brizee’s Mart will cease operations as of October 1, 2013,” the announcement said.
It continued: “Please note that the Wholesale/ Distribution department will continue to operate and serve from the same location in Canefield”.
It was not a surprise to many who had anticipated the closure for months.
When contacted the company’s management said it wished to remain silent on the issue.
DNO has also learnt that another company has bought Brizee’s Mart but this cannot be confirmed.
In the meantime, the clock on the wall is ticking and a number of jobs will be lost in uncertain economic times.
Brotha Jerry Brisbane. Nuff respect. You and I went to school together back in the early days and I have only positive things to say about you, my brotha !!Thanks for your outstanding work, diligent entrepreneurship and unequivocal leadership in not only Dominica but throughout the region, man !! I always listened to your contributions and commentary on QFM and you were right on target. As a result of you being on target, you were systematically targeted to be victimized succinctly and openly. Dem did all what they could to try to kill what you have done in your contribution to the development of our Nature Island but trust me……….they can’t touch this !!
It’s all good bro. Jah is alive and well. My prayer is that this closure will simply mean a new day, a day horizon and better things in the not too distant future. Jah bless you, your family and all the Brizee’s Mart employees who are affected by the closure of the business.
Give taaaaaanks still !!!
people take courage.God is still God. Hope all the unemployed will find a way to survive. Hope Social security will take care of you with unemployment benefits while you wait for new jobs.
whey, whey, whey…every thing is upside down…every thing is inside out…i feel really bad that was a nice spot you could hang out and feel nice. what a shame! skerro help them out nar?
Will. I am going to reply to your comment.If you are a real man of god you don’t wish bad for other people regardless to what the now president said a while ago. trust me. He will regret his words. this place close down. the owner is not hurting is the poor employees have no where to work. his bread is butter on both side.it is so so sad. I don’t live here. supper markets holders are better known as chinese sad to say.How much dominicans will be hired? This chinese work 24/7 around the clock. they are never tired. The government have to step in to help it people, open more door for foreign investers to come in. Dominica is so rich by nature so much can be done compare to the other sister islands. change the old laws.Open doors for Dominicans who living abroad to come home to invest 10yrs certain tax reduct.We will be most happy to invest.What in Dominicas stay in dominica policies.
Thts bad for business
Thts bad for business
Cingoa and crew at Law take note. leave politics for politicians. we at La plain spoke last time. we waiting to hear ur name.
MIA’S going to buy it 711 new supermarket.
that red clinic has made you all so lazy, that is why you all walking around the place too lazy to walk much less to work so as long as you all are getting handouts go to hell with work, even your children hungry and that money only have enough to buy you bread for couple days its alright with you guys.even if your foot outside when you sleeping its ok. come on lets come back to the working dominicans as we were and stop playing paro
you remember Breezee wrote to all those that was helping us build our country to stop sending money to Dominica. well that is what happens when you try to destroy your country. you leave in a glass house please don,t throw stones.
Hmmm, I don’t see how much influence Charles Severin could have had on Brizee’s operations. Maybe some things needed to change and they just didn’t change to keep up with changing market conditions… maybe. As some mentioned, the business model could have been a little out of sync with the market.
Nonetheless, the underlying issue is that Dominica needs more jobs. More jobs will mean more people will have more money to spend at places like Brizee’s Mart. That’s the bottom line!
Dominica has been in beggarship mentality for all of it’s independent years. And that’s a shame. And too, the government has to build everything… down to hotels. That’s a shame when we can’t get investors in to Dominica to start businesses. Government’s involvement in the private industry (starting businesses, etc) is not sustainable and a bad model for viable economic development. So, the Labor party needs to have folks abroad networking, attending seminars, conferences, etc etc to get investment business to Dominica. They cannot sit and wait. Let’s get Dominica working! You all are giving Charles Severin too much credit!
Its sad that people have to lose their jobs. But I don’t see why people are blaming the Mr. Savrain for this. Greed and poor management are the two main reasons for this. Everything that happens Dominicans blames it on the government, big companies in the U.S. shut down and the main reasons are either they don’t want to spend money to make money, or the location of the company, or maybe because of how bad the economy is. I really do believe if Brizee Mart was located in the city it would have been thriving. #my opinion#
Astaphans next
it’s just sad to see yet another business shut down.Our leaders have turned their backs on us,what will it take for them to change their wicked ways???????????
smh ive read all these comments but i think we are all sick in DA you mean to tell me a business place which employed over 50 people closes its doors and nothing has been done for these unemployed workers. how are they going to feed their family?how are their bills going to be paid, this is nothing to laugh about this is a very serious matter less money going into the account if the government.look clear habor let go over 200 people just over 3 weeks ago how are all these people going to survive. what has the government said?oh i forgot 500 jobs coming how long will it take for these jobs to come i really wana know.childrean graduating from school by the hundreds each year adding to those just losing their jobs things are only going to gt worse.mabe is now we gona start feeling the heat.
Jerry still remains a millionaire while some of ur labourites are rejoicing. His money will stay in his pocket and ur famillies are forced further into poverty.
I get the impression that you are the one rejoicing because this is one more thing you can blame labour party for. Is it righteousness or patriotism that made him advise the organizations that are willing to help us through out the region to better our economy to not help us? He is so good that he can shutdown the retail section of his business because things are hard. There others like the company i work for who are hurting even more than him and because of their workers are battling the storm. They are willing to try, even to do what they would not normally do.Simply in the interest of ensuring that employees don’t loose their homes, are able to pay for their children’s education and even to put food on the table. He should have use the money he spent on the $27 000 000 bill boards on his business.
We need a nice cinema, like St.Lucia, and some of the othe Caribbean Islands, arcade, is not only Sewo, Sewo, not everyone like Sewo, some people like to go movies, and socialize…..
Thanks.
it looking like is PRESIDENT CHARLES SAVARIN that make their hardware and cement plant close down after the big man’s death in 1983 too.
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!
looking like they had bad financial management since the big man died
When Jerry was writing his letters to the europeans, Chinese, French, etc., wasn’t that a strategy to close down Dominica? After Charlo’s statement did dominicans really boycott Brizee Mart?
I do not believe that Brizee’s closure is due to Savarin’s remarks. I think that it had to do with the management of the business.
I wish to predict that within the next month, the Chinese will take over. I hope they will continue in the groceries business so as to give the major business company in Dominica some concern.
This is really Sad, It is the very President of Dominica who is being installed today as president who said on national radio TO BOYCOT SHOPPING AT BRIZEE’S MART. where is our country going , We need the Lord above to intervene. Lord Save our country, Saverin as President will not last , he is not a role model, Fire Burn him, JAH I plea the Blood on the Government. They just start to fall and will not last to the year end.I believe they are saturated with power and it is time for them to jump ship.
dominica is on a brink of major disaster,charlo your gift has been grand,you guys have to pay the ultimate price to god for all the corruption,people will be saying alas,i support no government.this country has been sold to the devil.things are comiming and its no good.
You right like those that can say don’t respect or recognize him as president. Two wrongs cannot make a right
I don’t like this move but one thing I know is he had a very good point against the building of state palace. Pure Govt. waste. But he deep into politics Tea-party style with this move.
One should go to the Roseau Primary SChool and many other institutions and find out which business made the bigest food contribution for students welfare;Brizeesmart, well the new president should now fill the gap created…
All the employees who lost their jobs, should now take their bills and families to the door-step of the new President of Dominica. Let him employ them in the new state house. What manner of person sleeps well in their beds, knowing he contributed to demise of so many families; children. A person who pretended to have fought for the rights of workers,(sell-out) clearly a man who is only interested in himself. wowwwww
This is sad … I really enjoyed visiting Brizee Mart whenever I was in Da. I only hope that whoever has bought over the company will continue to sell QUALITY goods, and employ many of those already working there.
Good luck in your future endeavours Jerry & Company. God is good and will always look after you. Keep looking up to Him.
Let’s go back to our little supermarkets with no parking. Nothing can progress in this country no matter how hard people try. One of the best shopping spots. Yes higher pricies obviously. It not only had icecream parlour and playground but had the restaurant, parking, enough space to walk around without rubbing shoulders etc. What’s wrong with encouraging something positive. Prevo try to build a mall, that fail too. But then its international airport we want. How come Barbados can have all those big grand shopping centres but nothing can work in DA?
You guys are easily fooled there is a major Recession in the world and Brisbane happen to be a victim what has the Gov got to do with it.
How is it possible that because of a comment his buisness slumped please he must have been experiencing financial difficulties.
I am amazed that you people are so small minded.
As mentioned before places in the UK< Canada, America is closing people are out of jobs including my family I am not blaiming the gov is a global mess.
Lets see how we can move forward.
Thanks Brizee for your years of service. Dominicans we are busy quoting the line that things have been tough “the toughest I have seen in a while”. Take note and do you alls investigations. I worked for a company on Dominica that does a lot of market surveys and as we found out over 22 businesses local shops, boutiques etc closed down in 18 months during the reign of Labour and the emergence of our Love relationship with red china. In the same breath over 15 Chinese businesses were started in 6month in Dominica. On King George v street alone have 14 Chinese businesses. Now you tell me who loses or are we just too labour to see. Chinese businesses average employment 2 Dominicans local business of substance like Brizes No less than 20. Now where on earth do you as the population to boycott a local business and business man for showing you cost effective ways to run the biggest business in the Land “Government”…..How many people did the state palace employ and how many will be employed by its establishment? Now that is real love for country when one can use his own funds to educate his people for education is wealth and freedom. To the idiot who said UWP milk him like they did Timothy….It was Timothy’s choice as a founding member to use his funds to make his party better and well he has been repaid trice over by crossing the floor…Do you actually think people like Timothy do not know how to cease every opportunity to win back triple what they lose in other ways? Both he and Savarin are political opportunists and being the Man Timothy is even him did not see Savarin as a right fit for President. Did you notice he did not attend to avoid having to go against the dictator.
Brize you don’t have to stay here and attend clinic for handouts. God Bless you Son of the Soil. While all you busy bashing Brisbane Savarin the king of boycott and kul-washe brigade will be touching almost 20 grand a month of your tax money while you all friends & family who used to work by Brizee or benefited from the turn over this business enabled…VAT, CUSTOMS, ETC are at home wondering what next.
FOD FOR THOUGHT
it looking like is PRESIDENT CHARLES SAVARIN that make their hardware and cement plant close down after the big man’s death in 1983 too.
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!
looking like they had bad financial management since the big man died
so u mean to tell me ppl rejoycin over people being umemployed…jahhhhh….all u people good wicked we……..
My comments to this article is that must and should remain at all times at their place of business.I should also refer to some of these comments which linked His Excellency Mr.C.A. Savarin to the closure of this facility,and I do not know whether some people do not understand or cannot read,i have read this article and not at any one time that the closure of Brezzie’s Mart had anything to do with Charles Savarin the gentle man said that he anticipated this happening for a long time ago and had been doing everything to cut costs,the competition out there is tough.I therefore want to ask whether any one had told customers not to shop at Haydens in Pottersville ,and JC’s and they have closed their doors, I now understood that Hayden’s has re-opened it’s Supermarket.Some of the supporter’s of Mr.Brisbane should have told him that the building and erection of these billboards with funds from his company would have ruined his company where are they now they were supporting him during those events.My heart goes out to the employees who are to be un-employed but this is business,just listen to what happened to over Two thousand 2,000 plus employees who lost their jobs at Hovensa formerly Hess oil Company in St.Croix ,come on people listen read and understand and do not be fooled by Novice’s and some so called Educated people who day after day on the Radio talk shows just dividing the country .The article simply states that we have been anticipating this a long time ago and has nothing to do with Charles Savarin and the Government of Roosevelt Skerit.
Politics. Same happens in the US because the Tea party types hate Obama and will close businesses, refuse to hire new people etc all to cause Obama to fail. I’m not a big Skeritt fan but, nothing new here, he has money, the workers don’t.
Sorry to those who’ll lose their jobs!
inspite of how expensive there was but i am consern about the plp that loose their jobs wat is there for them to do now I HOPE THE POLICY MAKERS TAKING NOTE.
i tellin all u…..wen tings start to happen to dem wicked people in that governement there…..its jus a matter of time eh..jus wait..
Although Brizee’s may have been a bit expensive for some people there were many positive things about it think about it who are the losers and who are the winners
While poor people rejoicing Jerry remains a happy man. The man doh have to stay in DOMINIICA Stupid poor labour right
DNO take note. Businesses should not play politics.
I think they should keep the Deli, ice cream shop and play ground open.
so mr brisbane no sale then.. what you going to do with the items that on the shelf!!!
no sale go to the red clinic
idiot!
so why all the negative thumbs down for some of the positive comments 0n this topic.
same way workers was trying to suck timothy dry, look dey suck brisbane dryyy too. sad but true
Is this a welcome gift for President Savarin.
So is that a welcome gift for President Savarin?
Up to now, he yet to make a statement because he KNOW who suck him dry. Using your little profits to make expensive billboards. DOnt worry you are not the first that have been bled by your team. You know they bleed you dry. DNO yes please publish my comment, even though we already know where your team stands.
latter will be greater, you will know who run him dry.
Mr. President, you should be happy! mission accomplished…. God is not sleeping!!
don’t put GOD in all you magi
I am waiting for the 500 jobs they promised. Savarin i hope your heart is strong enough to endure the cries of the people whom you were hopping loose their jobs when you ask people to boycott Brezee Mart . Very sad. i feel sorry for you though Savarin..
Well that’s what competition does to a business when it cannot keep up
Complements The President. He never built anything, all he knows is to destroy.
Who is the real loser with the closing of Brizee’s Mart?
Dominica is the loser, not Jerry Brisbane because he no longer has the burden of keeping dozens of people employed, purchasing products from local farmers, pay high electricity bills and pay corporate taxes and VAT.
Like a sadistic criminal, the government stays quiet almost rejoicing that another local business goes down the drain. They will intervene for Clear Harbour but not for local business. This is the record of Dominica’s new President.
The time has come when this bunch must GO!
What on earth has the closure of Brizee’s Mart got to do with the President? What a proper Jackass you are!!!
Wasn’t he the one who called for Dominicans to boycot this company ?you Dominicans are do damn one sided smh.
Seems that you don’t read or even listen to news.
Stupeeeees
Right now, the market is Dominica is very tough …It’s the toughest I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” he noted. “The market is shrinking with new entrants coming in, which could be a formula for disaster.
And why you never opened on a Sunday to facilitate many of us from Canefield that found time to shop? We have to be going Roseau and Check Hall on a Sunday.
You never had a marketing officer. Emile was a PR Man but never carried out surveys to make you change your business model.
How could you have allowed people to leave Canefield, Morne Daniel and reach as far as HHV W in Portsmouth and Roseau to have their Sunday lunch?
All Supermarkets must take note: The day you see a new supermarket put sufficient space between its shelves and its cashers everybody going and shop there. It is just pure confusion when you standing in line and people have to be walking and passing with trollies and baskets while you waiting to cash you purchases.
All the Same thanks for the years of service and hope to see you turn around your business model and include a disco, cinema, and arcade with the supermarket and restaurant.
The Third Commandment of God: “Remember Thou Keep Holy the Sabbath Day.” For Christians, it is the Sunday. Are you an atheist or a Muslim or other than a Christian?
Cinema! Cinema! Cinema! Investors, where are you guys?
thanks brizee for serving us for all these yrs i will miss the ice cream and the children play ground very sad for my friend who have work there for as long i can remember in the kitchen
when you have business leave politics for the politicians
say that to Astaphans
Tony Astaphans is an attorney. He is not the one running J.Astaphans and Co.1970.Ltd. Again Dominicans educate yourself.
That Supermarket was too expensive. Instead Jerry look after the business he went to meddle in Politics against the Biggest Boys. Look where it landed him.
I will miss the ice cream and shopping in peace
Well H.E The President got his wish. I hope he spend some of this gains on those losing their jobs. Jerry can feed himself and family. Who will feed the rest. That cannot be right …….so is some shall eat all. Labourites wake up! the Unemployed wake up!
Thanks Charles Savarin for helping to close down this store.
Please be real. Charles Savarin DID NOT close down Brizee’s Mart. Poor management did.
Once in awhile we shopped at Brizee’s. Yes we will miss it, but we wont be blaming Charles Savarin.
Actually Jerry spent more time fighting Skerritt instead of tending to his affairs….what a joker.
Then a gain, a fool and his money shall soon part ways
when I go to Da I use to bring my children there. alas help us
Bring your kids gardens
no play ground in the garden, and nowhere else actualy….
so sad
Brizee was too big man.
Small shop that in style.
Lol.
The ills that may result from loss of jobs of those affected lie on the shoulder of “His Opportunist” President for his call to ban Breezee Mart
hmm and am saying am gonna bring my baby play at brizee mart that’s no fun now
Take your baby somewhere else.
well bring her at breeze, the mart gone.
lord help us