Vendors at Mode Alive Valsayn happy with sales

Customers and vendors at Mode Alive in Valsayn said Christmas shopping has been going well so far. One major deterrent for shoppers was the state of traffic on the roads.

Michael and Solange Morton-Gittens, who manufacture Sol’s Special Jams, said they had sold 60 jars of their homemade jam over two days.

“People love that our jam is all natural, we don’t use chemical preservatives and they love the flavour.

"We are glad to be here at this market because we don’t have to pay rent. We’re grateful to Mr Aboud for providing a platform for people like us.”

Pamela’s Classique Boutique owner Pamela Dematas said sales had been slow so far during the week, but she expected they would pick up. She said her decorating business had fallen off during the covid19 period and hoped the sale of her homemade decorations would give her some additional income for the Christmas season.

Malissa Francis-Ramlal of Acacia Products said sales have been good for the three days she had been at the venue.

“It’s a steady flow, and that’s what we like as vendors. The foot traffic is second to none.

"Acacia is a natural beauty and wellness business: we do handmade candles, soaps, organic tooth powder, natural deodorants and other things.”

The Plant Hut’s Annie Bedassie said the sales at Mode Alive had been better than at its location on Lyndon Street in Curepe.

“We’ve been seeing a lot of foot traffic. Our biggest sellers have been money trees, ficuses, and bonsai.”

Customer Tish said her shopping experience had been good so far, other than having to deal with traffic. Another customer, Gillian Rock, said her experience had been better than she expected.

“People have been social distancing, and stores have had the temperature testing I was concerned about, so it has been good. The traffic has been horrible, especially in Chaguanas, where I’m from: they’ve done a horrible job of rearranging the traffic system and streets.”