The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A retail entrepreneur is aiming to become the “foremost” fashion and gift shop operator in the Bahamas, as she moves to a final decision on whether to make one format’s Blake Road “transition” permanent.

Elizabeth Covington, owner of the Tommy Hilfiger and his fashion stores, plus the Fab Finds and My Favourite Things gift stores, told Tribune Business that western New Providence’s “rate of development” had attracted her to base three of her four formats in this area.

While Fab Finds had been forced to relocate to Blake Road following the Lyford Cay Shopping Plaza’s closure in December 2012, she said the new site was 50 per cent larger and proving “to be an ideal location” given the number of nearby businesses.

And, while “still in transition”, Mrs Covington said Fab Finds was set to enhance its product mix by “embracing” contemporary artists and featuring them, and their works, in the boutique.

“Due to the December 2012 closure of the Lyford Cay Shopping Plaza, we were obliged to relocate Fab Finds to Blake Road,” she confirmed. “The shift in product focus is our vision for the new Fab Finds.

“Having said that, the boutique is still in transition, as it was initially planned as a temporary venue allowing us to continue to operate the previous Lyford Cay store concept, while seeking a more permanent venue in the future.

“We are still in the process of making a final decision on this point. The traffic to the existing businesses at the Blake Road Plaza impressed us. With establishments like Blue Caviar, Pasion Tea Company, Frame Express, Interni decorator services, Sky Bahamas and the anchor, Bristol Cellars, the Blake Road Plaza is proving to be an ideal location,” Mrs Covington added.

“With the medical centre, NPCC’s community centre, Chives cafe, CODEANA decorative services, Hands for Hunger, NAD’s offices, a school and Caves nearby, the area is really taking off. In addition, the current location at Blake Road is 50 per cent larger than the original Fab Finds boutique at Lyford Cay, so that has helped us to offer a greater variety of product.”

Mrs Covington said Fab Finds would continue to focus on ladies clothing, jewellery and accessories, along with a variety of luxury and decorative candles, plus other gift items. Occasional and home furniture, plus home decor, will also be featured.

Outlining her goals, Mrs Covington told Tribune Business: “Our immediate goal with Tommy Hilfiger and his fashion is to be the foremost fashion retail operator in the Bahamas. We want every Bahamian that loves fashion to think of our companies when they are thinking about making a fashion purchase.

“Customer service and product knowledge are what have kept our customers shopping with us over the years rather than looking to Florida. We know them and they know us, and that makes a big difference when people are making fashion choices.

“Similarly, with My Favourite Things and Fab Finds, we aim to be the ‘go to’ gift shops in the Bahamas. Customer service and product offering are also the keys to that success.”

Mrs Covington told Tribune Business that she started her retail career with the Side Street format on Charlotte Street north in 1992, featuring Tommy Hilfiger and Diesel products.

The format expanded to the Mall at Marathon in 1993, located next to Kelly’s, came at a time when “business confidence was high in the Bahamas” and Atlantis was being developed.

Inspired by fashion from a young age, Mrs Covington said she and her then-husband launched into men’s fashion because of the “substantial competition” in the ladies’ variety.

Describing the Tommy Hilfiger store’s performance over the past 20 years as “amazing”, Mrs Covington said her latest store - his fashion - was sparked from a desire to introduce the brand to western New Providence.

“Western New Providence is a growing market, but smaller,” she explained. “Offering only one brand wouldn’t work there; that’s when we decided to diversify our brand offering.

“his fashion features Tommy Hilfiger. of course, but also Polo by Ralph Lauren, Faconnable, Nautica, Kenneth Cole, Reaction, Calvin Klein and Robert Graham. It’s focus is exclusively men’s wear at this time, but we have given thought to adding boys’ wear in the future and are open to adding other brands to the mix.”

While customer traffic at his fashion, located at the Old Fort Bay Town Centre, had been “a bit slower than we originally expected”, Mrs Covington said the Bahamas was still gripped by the recession’s aftermath.

She added: “Anchored by the Solomon’s Fresh Market and the Royal Bank of Canada, we believe the Old Fort Bay Town Centre will be the heart and commercial centre of western New Providence.

“A BTC franchise store is about to open there. In the near future, the Meridian School will be opening on the southern side of the Old Fort Bay Town Centre along with other exciting future developments.

“A great many commercial interests are also moving to the western end of the island as lawyers, bankers, doctors and other professionals are increasingly seeking office space in the west. With the right marketing to execute their vision, New Providence Development Company is sitting on a formula for success.”