The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – AML Foods Limited held the official grand opening of its new Solomon’s Store in Lucaya, which represents an investment of $4 million in Grand Bahama. Dionisio D’Aguilar, chairman of AML Foods Limited, said the company was committed to Freeport and had spent almost $10 million in the nation’s second city over the past seven years.

“I am delighted to report that this store has created 60 permanent and part time jobs, will generate an annual payroll of approximately $1.2 million, and has resulted in AML’s total employment of 200 Bahamians here in Freeport,” he said.

In addition to new store in Lucaya, AML owns and operates the two Dominos Pizza Stores, Cost Right Store, and the Solomon’s Store on Queen Highway.

Mr D’Aguilar indicated that AML’s total employment of Bahamians is expected to reach almost 900 by the end of the year. He said that in just one year 250 of those 900 jobs were created.

AML, he said, is expected to open another new Solomon’s Fresh Market in Harbour Bay Shopping Centre on the eastern side of New Providence on target in early December.

Last October, AML opened a new Solomon’s Fresh Market at Old Fort Bay Shopping Centre on the western side of New Providence.

“AML is contributing, in a meaningful way, to the creation of a significant number of decent, secure, stable jobs for Bahamians,” Mr D’Aguilar said.

He thanked the GB Port Authority for their support ensuring that they obtained all the necessary approvals for the Lucaya store.

He was also very impressed by the support that residents have shown to the new store.

“We were simply blown away, some might say, even caught off guard by our initial sales in this store. As a result we did experience some stock outs,” he said.

Mr D’Aguilar said that 40 per cent of the company’s sales were now generated in Freeport.

Mr D’Aguilar said it was projected that by end of next year, AML’s annual sales would top $150 million and firmly establish AML as the largest foodstore company in the Bahamas.

Ian Rolle, president of Grand Bahama Port Authority, said the opening of Solomon’s in Lucaya was a positive sign of investor confidence for the island.

Mr Rolle said that the store’s presence brought value and convenience to residents of the surrounding communities, and serviced the needs of visitors who stay at the surrounding tourist commercial entities.

The Lucaya Store had contributed in a number of positives ways, he said, including job creation, added value for real estate and tourist areas, and convenience and product value for residents.

“We at the GBPA have worked aggressively to make investing and re-investing for Bahamians easier than ever. I am happy to see the numerous investments and being undertaken by Bahamians, especially during challenging economic times,” he said.

Minister for Grand Bahamas Dr Michael Darville said the official opening of the new Solomon’s Lucaya store had filled a void that existed in Freeport in food retailing which resulted from the closure of City Market food stores.

Dr Darville said AML’s investment in Lucaya was a testament of investor confidence in Grand Bahama, despite the depressed state of the economy.

“I am optimistic that more developments of this nature are on the horizon, which will create employment opportunities for Grand Bahamians,” he said.