The Tribune

THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company's (BTC) re-opened store on Pioneer's Way in Grand Bahama has "exceeded all targets" after its retail transformation. "We set targets for Grand Bahama and all of our targets have exceeded their marks," said Marlon Johnson, BTC's spokesman. "People are appreciative of the new look and feel, and the opportunity to try smart phones and other devices out before they buy, something they were never able to do before. "Even in the midst of the challenges of the Grand Bahama economy, the turnaround in business has been so dramatic that it is clear this is a formula that customers appreciate." BTC had closed its Pioneers Way bill payment and service request centre in December. Crews started work immediately, demolishing the dated, dark interior, revamping the lay-out, and nearly doubling the useable space of the building. When it re-opened in early February, it was totally transformed - 2,000 square feet of bright, vibrant 21st century space with a larger-than-life mural of two fishermen created by a local graphics company. At the time of the opening, the company was able to launch 4G in the immediate area of the store. Since then, it has expanded to more than 95 per cent of the island. "The construction team had its challenges because they had to use heavy equipment, including jack hammers, without hitting anything at the back of the building where the full nerve centre for Grand Bahama is, or they could have disrupted service all over the island, so it is as if they were told demolish but please be fragile," said Mr Johnson. "They did a phenomenal job." A second store in Grand Bahama at Seahorse Plaza is currently closed for renovations. Both are part of a broader plan of extensive expansion of BTC's retail footprint across the Bahamas. The company opened its flagship store in the Mall at Marathon in New Providence in December, and since then has unveiled or is in the midst of nine rebuilds and re-openings in Nassau, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma and Eleuthera, with other islands on tap.