Downtown vendors hope parade of bands revives sales after slow start

Senior Multimedia Reporter

peter.christopher

@guardian.co.tt

Vendors in downtown Port-of-Spain are hoping the senior parade of bands, kicking off today, will lift sales after a slower-than-expected start over the weekend.

Yesterday, several vendors reported lower sales compared to previous years.

“It’s slow. Last year was much better. It’s still early, and we have Monday and Tuesday to see what happens,” said Isabelle Keane, who sells drinks, snacks, and T&T bandanas at her stall on Independence Square South.

Paulette James, another vendor at Independence Square, noted that sales during Kiddies Carnival on Saturday were only about 50 per cent of her usual volume.

“It wasn’t 100 per cent, but I’m hoping for the best today. Mondays are generally better for sales,” she said.

South Quay vendor Betty Ann Jackson expressed optimism, noting that sales had improved compared to post-pandemic years. “Yesterday, we had lots of children’s bands, and while it ended early, spectators came by. We’re hoping today and tomorrow will see the big bands draw the crowds back,” she said.

Yolanda Parsons of Caribbean Slushie Lab, with a booth opposite Central Bank, said sales had been positive.

“This is our first time downtown. Normally we do events, so everything seems to be going well. I’m looking forward to Monday and Tuesday,” she said.

Nicole Baptiste, a South Quay chow vendor, expressed concern that the late start of the Kiddies Carnival downtown, due to the Breakfasts fete near Central Bank, could affect sales.

“The weekend is usually busy for me, but this delay is a bit of a hindrance,” she said.

Snow cone vendors had mixed experiences. Michael Welch reported satisfactory returns from Saturday, while Terrence Phillip criticised new restrictions related to Flava Village, which he said limited the activities of small vendors like snow cone men. “They’re eliminating the small vendors from the Savannah. Snow cone men on bikes can’t sell,” Phillip said.

Despite concerns, Phillip noted that the downtown Kiddies Carnival appeared larger this year, though it moved faster than in previous years.