His vey name held gravitas – there was a distinct mysticism around him. I would meet him in real life many years later, but when I was making nips up and down our narrow roads, I knew his name – but don’t ask me if I could pick him out of a line-up. He was a ghost who had the bike game on lock!

The most impressive thing about all of this is that he was only a few years older than me. This meant that he earned that air of reverence amongst Bermuda’s young motor-heads while he was still a teen-ager himself!

These were the days when Coney Island was still an active, and very exciting, track, and Yamaha V50s were dominating the streets all day, all night, and in between. So, Paul DeCouto was a mythical figure when Bermuda’s street racing culture was in its golden era.

Hailing from a Portuguese and British background, Paul has contributed to Bermuda’s youth culture in sublime and subtle ways; making his mark is his chosen field, and gaining the respect of Bermudians of all ilk and ancestry.

It would stand to reason that he would eventually open a world class motorcycle shop in Bermuda. Cycle Care has stood for a few decades now, and Paul is doing exactly what he was meant to do as the Director of the business.

“To me, contributing to Bermudas culture means sharing my passion for motorcycles with our community.” – Paul DeCouto.

The post Heritage Profile: Paul DeCouto appeared first on RG Magazines.

Starting at Sandy’s Secondary, where he taught mathematics and physical education, Mr Laylor would go on to bless the students at Warwick Secondary and the Berkeley Institute during a career in the Bermuda Public School System that spanned four decades.

I remember Mr Laylor as a math teacher of some repute at the Berkeley Institute. He was a stern man, who could share a laugh with his students from time-to-time as well. He had an air of toughness – the veritable personification of the old adage about talking quietly, but carrying a big stick. He was formidable in appearance, demeanour, and aura.

This robustness enabled Mr Laylor to excel in his chosen field, and be recognized throughout his career by appointments to highly revered positions. He worked with Mr Dale Butler to make improvements to the Bermuda Union of Teachers as its Treasurer, served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Adult Education School, was elected President of the Jamaican Association Bermuda, and currently serves as the Jamaican Government’s Honorary Representative to Bermuda – a position which affords him full diplomatic powers to aid, assist, and protect Jamaican nationals in Bermuda.

Mr Laylor has contributed richly to his adapted home country, and continues to help Bermudians who want to study in Jamaica find suitable schools, while also assisting them with the applications processes – which is another duty of his role as the Jamaican Consul to Bermuda.

He is a decorated member of the Bermuda Jaycees, and has also been honoured by the Seventh Day Adventist church for his pedagogic and community involvement.

Bermuda is grateful.

The post Heritage Profile: Winston Laylor appeared first on RG Magazines.

We all have a gombey memory – whether it be following the gombeys as they ignited the streets on Boxing Day, or running from the sound of the drums and scary masks because you were just too young to love them yet. Veteran educator and top local comedienne Gina ‘Love’ Davis recalls a treasured childhood memory about the gombeys, and shares why she will always be moved by the beat of THAT drum:

“It’s something about that beat, that no matter where you are, or how old you are…it strikes to your core, and you can’t help but move. Your heart feels it first, sha-dank-dank, sha-dank-dank, and then it moves – your hands get to tapping, your head bops, your feet start tapping to the right, to the left, a hand pops upside down akimbo to your shoulder, and before you know it…the call of the gombey has you moving and hunting for that sound.

“The whistle is loud (Skweee! Skweee!), all of the neighbourhood children start running and screaming. The gombeys! The gombeys!

“I ran out behind the crowd, one of the smaller children, tears rolling down my face, the costumes, covered faces, tall hats, shiny mirrors, and multi-coloured outfits scaring me – but my feet would not stop! And behind the gombeys, I danced to that irresistible beat, that, even today, will move me toward the crowd.”

Gombey stories are inexhaustible, but the official history of the Bermuda Gombey is still not as complete as we’d like to think.

The half that’s never been told absolutely includes the comprehensive story of the Bermuda Gombey. From Malian warriors to Junkanoo dancers throughout the Caribbean, the story of the Bermuda Gombey most certainly did NOT start on this small mid-Atlantic rock. Dr David ‘Living Roots’ Chapman reminds us that the gombey is an ancient and powerful purveyor of our African heritage:

“It is vital that we understand that what we know as the Bermuda Gombey is not a masquerade phenomenon with its origin story in Bermuda. Rather, it is an African tradition that is found not just in Bermuda, but in many different locales in the Afro-Caribbean diaspora.

“This should not be seen as a slight on our Bermuda Gombey, but rather a highlight of the importance of the tradition as one of the very, very rare direct evidential links Bermudians of African descent have to their African ancestral path.

“With this in mind, the Bermuda Gombey must be protected at all costs, particularly from the erosive nature of commercialization and tokenism that threatens most traditional practices of times long gone around the world. Importantly, this job of cultural preservation falls not in the hand of governments or some other organization, but rest squarely on the shoulders of the peoples whom the ancestors left it too.”

We MUST preserve the gombey tradition – it is a culturally vital institution that provides deep and rich wells of pride and identity to Bermudians of all creeds. The gombey is an integral part of the collective Bermudian soul.

Celebrated Bermudian artist, and former gombey dancer, Mitchell ‘Live Wires’ Trott knows the importance of keeping the story of the Bermuda Gombey alive. Not only is he the creator of the anthemic ‘Gombey Warrior’ reggae hit, but he is also a veteran dancer, having suited up for his grandfather, ‘Pickles’ Spence’s Gombey Troupe when he was a child. He beams with pride when he recounts his own family’s role in maintaining Bermuda Gombey traditions:

“My grandfather’s name was John ‘Pickles’ Spence, and he had the ‘Pickles’ Spence Carnival Gombey Troupe. So, he wasn’t part of introducing the gombey to Bermuda, but he was definitely part of making them popular, because he had his own style. He came up with the Carnival Gombey Troupe. His Carnival Gombeys were unique – they didn’t even have masks, and they had innovative headdress styles that seemed similar to the Dogon tribe in Mali – they had the tall headdress, and they did some similar dances.”

In 1970s Bermuda, a strong connection to Africa became more and more important to locals of African descent, and the Bermuda Gombey was a magnificent expression of that vital cultural link. Young black males, especially, were able to unabashedly embrace the natural rhythms that the African diaspora had blessed us with; while also infusing uniquely Bermudian elements within the cultural matrix. The Bermuda Day Parade was a tailormade stage to showcase this burgeoning expression.

Wires continues, “I was in the first Bermuda Day Parade with My grandfather’s troupe. Participating in my grandfather’s Carnival Gombey Troupe was pretty amazing for me. In his troupe, he had people like Troy ‘Blacka’ Burgess, Troy Darrell, ‘Bumbler’ Bell, Clarence Hill – like, all these people from out of what we would call ‘de ghetto,’ and they would go on to prove that the cream of the crop come from ‘de ghetto.’ These are the people that were in my grandfather’s gombey troupe – the people I danced with.

“For me, it was a magical experience dancing with my grandfather’s troupe. We danced in parades, at weddings, in hotels, and I have a lot of great memories of those days, because I danced with my cousins Toriano Trott and Jahmal Samuels, and the experience gave me so much. I gained a strong sense of self, and pride in my culture and heritage, that informs a lot of my creativity to this day.”

The Bermuda Gombey is a keeper of culture, tradition, and the mystical artistry of a lost continent. We all love the gombeys – loving the gombeys is hard-wired into our DNA. They are, after-all, a reflection of us. Mostly African, with hints of Native American, dashes of European, and Pan-Atlantic sensibilities informed by an often-brutal history, and a truly indomitable spirit. Yup … Bermudian in a nutshell.

So, the parade is at an end – all that’s left to do, is to follow the gombeys.

The post Long Walk to Freedom … appeared first on RG Magazines.

In more recent years, there have been between two and three thousand Filipino guest workers living and working in Bermuda at any given time. They add to our society across the spectrum as everything from barbers and beauticians, to reinsurance professionals and accountants, adding a crucial element to Bermuda’s multicultural melting pot.

Ryan de Jesus, President of The Association of Filipinos in Bermuda (AFB), shares his first impression of Bermuda. “I remember on my first day here on the island, a lovely old woman greeted me with ‘Good morning, how’s your day?’ which we don’t do with strangers in our country. That moment sealed an impression that Bermudians have genuine hearts.”

The Association of Filipinos in Bermuda was formed in 1995 to help promote and foster unity among Filipinos residing and working in Bermuda. It aims to encourage and develop the skills and talents of its members through continuous social, cultural, athletic, and educational programmes.

Enticed to come to Bermuda by other nationalities, who are also guest workers here, the main reason our small island is attractive is that their talents and efforts – which make a vital contribution to Bermuda’s economy – are well compensated. Importantly, some of the other factors that made Bermuda an appealing place to relocate to are: our friendly populous, the peaceful environment, and the natural “paradise” of our climate, flora, and fauna.

After a brief hiatus, the Filipino community will once again be participating in the Heritage Day parade. It’s been documented that they first joined the Bermuda Day Parade in 1997, however, some older Filipino residents have said that there were some Filipinos that joined prior to that year. However, as it wasn’t documented at the time, we’re uncertain as to the actual date.

For some background, the origin of many of the early festivals in the Philippines are rooted in Christianity (dating back to the Spanish colonial period where the festivals were vital in spreading Christianity throughout the country). They also tend to feature Islamic or Indigenous influences; and the festivals can still be religious, cultural, or both. These festivals are held to honor the local Roman Catholic Patron Saint, to commemorate local history and culture, to promote the community’s products, or to celebrate a bountiful harvest.

The Philippines has been called ‘The Capital of the World’s Festivities,’ and with hundreds of festivals from the village level, up to the town, city, provincial, and national level celebrations throughout the country, it seems that should be an official title!

Speaking with him about their plans for this year’s parade, I get a sense that Bermuda has something to look forward to.

“We’ll share the festival street dance and music this year,” he notes excitedly. “Festivals are an important part of Philippine culture. These festivals are celebrated throughout the year.”

Here in Bermuda, this year the Filipino group will showcase a mixed festival presentation which combines the festival for a bountiful harvest, and a cultural celebration. In Philippine tradition, May is ‘Flores de Mayo,’ or the month of flowers, thus they plan to use flowers to be their hand props and decorations in their headdresses. They plan to pair the decorations with the ethnic festival beat usually used when street dancing in the Philippines. Will we see the distinctive, traditional dress for males and females in the procession this year? Perhaps learn a dance or two? Let’s see what their presentation this year has to offer!

For those of you who attended Bermuda Institute’s Intercultural Festival on May 9th, you got a small taste of the costumes, dance, and heritage that the AFB may be exhibiting for all of Bermuda soon. You can check out the Subli, Bulaklakan, and Mamang Sorbetero dances on the AFB’s Facebook page.

When asked how important it was to retain their culture while making a life here, Ryan answers, “We believe that retaining our own culture is vital in our lives, because this will make us feel connected to our roots, and also helps maintain our sense of identity and belonging. Nonetheless, we value and cherish the Bermudian culture.”

When asked if they feel that Filipinos are becoming more Bermudian by assimilating into our culture, or if they feel that they are more influencing Bermudian culture, Ryan answers in a very personal, respectable way. “I feel like I’m becoming more Bermudian, or I already adapted the friendly/good manner of being a Bermudian, which is greeting everyone you meet out on the street whether you know them or not.”

If there was a singular thing that Ryan thinks Bermudians should know about Filipinos as a whole, it would be that they are very optimistic people. “We Filipinos are hopeful. In general, Filipinos are incredibly light in spirit, and we are very good at finding the silver lining in our lives.”

It seems they integrate seamlessly. Thank you for enriching our culture.

The post Warm Smiles and Optimism appeared first on RG Magazines.

Regular visits to the Parson’s Road kitchen ensued, and before long, I – WE – became enamored with the rich, soulful taste of such delicacies as oxtails and rice, brown stew chicken, ackee and saltfish, and coconut fish. Soon, we discovered that everything tasted better on coco-bread, and that a cup of rice-and-peas with oxtail gravy was an actual meal!

Jamaican Grill had arrived, and, over the next few decades, that small roadside kitchen would expand into a true culinary institution. As far as culture was concerned, Bermudians had long since embraced the music of Jamaica, making it an integral part of our 70s, 80s, and 90s soundtrack, but now … now there was food – and a lot of the thanks for that must go to the Thomas Family.

Now third generation Bermudians, the Thomas legacy began in St. Andrew’s, Jamaica, and truly blossomed when Ranville and Agatha found each other in Bermuda. Family historian and proprietor of Jamaican Grill Bailey’s Bay, Florence recounts the start of the Thomas legacy in Bermuda:

“Ranville Thomas (Pop’s) migrated to Bermuda in 1962 at the age of 19. He arrived in Bermuda as a mason worker also with experience in farming. Agatha (then Tyrell – Mom’s) arrived in Bermuda at the age of 21. She had no formal training; however, she stemmed from a background of a business-oriented family (as her father was an entrepreneur), and she also had some accounting knowledge.

“Both Mom and Pops came from the beautiful mountains of St. Andrew’s Jamaica, and, over time, the two reacquainted and tied the knot in July of 1968. This union resulted in 6 children.”

The journey toward becoming a beloved Bermudian bistro was not an easy one, but there was a willingness to work hard, and a belief that they were offering something special to the Bermudian palate.

“During the time of migration West Indian food in Bermuda was not as popular as it is today. So not only were Jamaican restaurants scarce, but the demand for it wasn’t as high. However, this made no man idle, we persevered throughout the hardships and built our business on love and integrity and that made us fruitful. With Parsons Road being our first location, we quickly began to become a community staple and were able to introduce new flavours to the island on a broader scale. We have had many locations throughout the island from Somerset to St. George’s – literally. However, we have two locations currently operating; Court Street and Bailey’s Bay.”

These days, phrases like ‘Deep Dale Special’ and ‘Jammy Grill’ are regular parts of local parlance, and very few Bermudians would look at you quizzically if you said one – such is the impact the Thomas family has had on our small island culture. Florence expounds:

“Jamaican culture and cuisine have been extremely influential within the culture in Bermuda; from the food, to the music, to the language. The demand for Jamaican/West Indian cuisine has heightened immensely over time, and more aspects of Caribbean culture have been introduced to the island since the 60s. From grocery stores, to hotels selling Jamaican goods and cuisine, the merging of the two cultures is truly beautiful to see.”

Of course, the food is the draw, and there’s no shortage of decadent Jamaican dishes on offer at Jammy Grill on any given day. These days they offer a pre-cooked ‘dip-up’ section, where hungry patrons can come and see what’s cooking before they decide what they’ll be eating that day – but the traditional menu is always available as well. Florence talks about the dishes that made the Grill famous:

“Safe to say all of Jamaica’s Signature dishes, Oxtail, Curry Goat, Jerk Chicken, Ackee & saltfish, Patties etc. We have also had some new additions over the years that have become quite Popular as well; our stuffed dumplings (Jerk chicken, Cheese, Ackee & Saltfish, Callaloo) have become a local hot grab, along with one of our original specials – the ‘Deep Dale special’ – which was given its name by residents of the Deep Dale and Parsons Road area at the time, and has been a generational favourite, and a Jamaican Grill staple. Our unique twist on traditional Jamaican dishes is what appeals to both local and foreign customers, adding 4 special dishes to our menu daily, we try to offer our customers a variety so they don’t get bored.”

Boredom, is certainly NOT on the menu at Jamaican Grill. Their signature dishes are routinely delicious, comforting, and satisfying; while their daily specials may feature favourites like roast lamb, brown stew pork, and pepper steak. In short, you can’t really go wrong for lunch or dinner at Jammy Grill.

Still humble, and generous to those in need, the Thomas family has also forged a legacy of community service, which Florence is quite proud of – as well she should be! Her parents and family have fed people, housed people, offered counsel to people, and become a renowned local resource for locals in need – whether they be Bermudian, Jamaican, or whatever. The only important part is the authentic need, as they must also protect themselves against those who would take advantage of their generosity. It’s a wonderful legacy indeed.

“Our parents are humble people who never started out to be celebrated or become so well known. We came from humble beginnings, and they worked hard and always honored God in all they did. It’s a blessing that their legacy has touched so many people in Bermuda.

“Jamaican Grill created avenues for other Jamaican owned, and themed restaurants on the island to flourish and although not their intention, it was Mom and Pop’s way of introducing their culture to their adopted country and it has stood the test of time. Out of many, one people.”

The post A Deep Dale Special and Coco Bread Please! appeared first on RG Magazines.

From then, he would take the island by storm! Bothered by a low level of appreciation for black art and culture amongst Bermudians, Mr Butler got to work helping to build an identity, and a love-of-self amongst the local black community.

“I formed a group called Bermuda for Bermudians because we watched as overseas workers kept getting top positions, and because we wanted to develop a programme that would take black culture to the front page.”

He became the Principal of St. George’s Secondary School at the age of 28, which gave him a reputation as a world class leader, and inspirational motivator. After 14 years roaming the halls at SGSS in his signature bow tie, he moved to Dellwood, where he would eventually oversee the schools transition from a primary school to a middle school.

When his celebrated time as an educator came to an end, Mr Butler became a member of the historic first PLP government in 1998. Mr Butler served as Bermuda’s Minister of Culture, Community affairs, Sports, and Rehabilitation from 2003 until 2009, achieving numerous culturally relevant milestones while he was there.

The self-titled ‘Fishcake King’ of Bermuda, Mr Butler has become an invaluable resource for any student who wants to learn about Bermuda’s culture and history.

Recalling his mission to build our love-of-self up, Mr Butler reflects: “I have tried to fill in the gaps by giving Bermudians more information …. Getting the information into the hands of the public has been a labour of love.”

The post Heritage Profile: Dale Butler appeared first on RG Magazines.

He was immediately plunged into the deep end at Dellwood School, and within a couple of years was withdrawn from education to help his father work on a farm.

Still, Mr DeMello went on to play a huge role helping shape the island’s cultural evolution over several decades.

President of Vasco da Gama Club in Hamilton for 17 years, he was a prominent advocate for the Portuguese on issues such as immigration and their language to be introduced to schools.

He was also a leading entrepreneur and entertainment promoter and producer, bringing a host of international acts, including Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, to Bermuda, and running the popular Music Box record store across the road from the Vasco club.

During Mr DeMello’s early years, in the face of prejudice from locals, it was common for Portuguese people to play down their ancestry, and try to blend into the Bermuda community.

Mr DeMello, however, worked tirelessly to keep alive Portuguese traditions and promote Azorean culture.

He became an interpreter for the courts – helping Portuguese nationals struggling to deal with officialdom. He also hosted a long-running Portuguese-language radio show, and served on the Portuguese Cultural Centre Committee.

Early in the 21st century, he was a member of the Coalition for Long-Term Residents, which won permanent residency status on behalf of hundreds of long-term residents, mainly from the Azores and the Caribbean.

Among his numerous awards in honour of his contribution to the Portuguese community, Mr DeMello was made a knight Commander of the Order of Prince Henry, and received the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour twice.

Eddy DeMello died in 2013, aged 75.

The post Eddy DeMello – trailblazing advocate for the Portuguese appeared first on RG Magazines.

He has been involved in the family business – which was founded by his maternal grandparents – since the age of 8, when he and his sisters, Hannah and Carrie, used to help pack grocery bags. Since then, he has seen the business grow from one small store in Devonshire, to two large stores in Devonshire and Warwick. He has managed major renovations, incorporated the pharmacies, dealt with major hurricanes, become the voice of Lindo’s adverts, and has helped to steer the business through a pandemic, and out the other side.

Mr Moniz’s maternal grandparents were Harry and Marion Lindo. His grandfather, who was born in Bermuda, was part of the Azorean diaspora, with his great-grandparents arriving in Bermuda from the Azores in the early 1900s.

Mr Moniz is also a descendant of the Azores on his father’s side, but they arrived in Bermuda earlier: “They were late 1800s,” he explained. “My great, great grandfather on the Moniz side came here, and then went to Massachusetts, then his son, my great grandfather came back, probably in the early 1900s, and they were more Bermudianised. My grandfather Lindo spoke Portuguese fluently, and my grandfather Moniz did not.”

His maternal grandmother Marion however, was from Pittsburgh. “She came to visit her brother, who was stationed here at the base. Her brother married my grandfather’s sister and took her to Pittsburgh, and my grandfather married my grandmother and took her from Pittsburgh to Bermuda,” he laughed.

Harry started his butchering business in Devonshire Bay, moving to Garthowen Estate after he and Marion got married, where they continued to run the business out of a “corrugated roofed shack.” When they were evicted from there, they “somehow secured a loan” for the property where Lindo’s Devonshire is now, and built a small store to sell their meat. The business took off from there.

“My grandmother was very industrious,” continued Mr Moniz. “She was like, ‘Well, if you’re going to have meat, I’ve got to have something to go with it.’ So, she started procuring groceries.”

In addition to purchasing produce and goods from others, the Lindos also grew some of their own: “Back then, everybody had a garden. Other people would plant this, you would plant that. You would barter with it,” said Mr Moniz. “He always had animals of some kind. He had a pigsty right on the property, he had dog kennels, Betsy the cow, goats, chickens.”

Over the years, it’s not only the Lindo’s grocery stores that have grown, but Lindo’s place within the community it serves: “We’re part of the community, number one. This is our community. We’re bricks and mortar. My business is Bermudian, and in Bermuda, and we try to run it in a way that is quintessentially Bermudian.”

As a business, therefore, the Lindo’s team make sure they serve, and give back. The annual Lindo’s to Lindo’s run and walk in aid of the Bermuda Diabetes Association celebrated its 25^th anniversary this year. Other charitable endeavours include supporting Friends of Hospice and Agape House, sponsoring youth football, and donating non-perishable items to the Salvation Army. If people need freezers or fridges to store medication after a hurricane, and don’t have power, they can store it at Lindo’s.

That Lindo’s is still very much a family business is also at the heart of their good customer service, said Mr Moniz. “Having family members in, they have a vested interest in making sure that the customer gets what they want. We all find a niche to work in as family members and we all try to pull in the same direction. The goal is to provide value for money in a clean, up to date environment.”

In spite of their very best efforts, however, you can’t please everyone, and Mr Moniz has a few stories to tell.

“We always said we were going to write a book with the complaints,” he laughed. “Number one on the list was a lady who brought back 5lbs of potatoes and she wanted her money back because she said the potatoes would not cook! She just was adamant that no matter how much she boiled them, they did not cook. I gave her money back. They were regular Bermuda potatoes. I was dumbfounded.”

Another customer once asked the butcher if they had any grass-fed salmon. “The butcher just said yes and gave her the organic salmon,” he smiled.

While Lindos is steeped in family history, Mr Moniz must also plan for the future: “The environmental issue is a big one for us,” he said, and he has been involved in conversations with government about the potential ban on single-use plastics; in particular what he thinks is practical, and what is less so.

He has invested in “a massive array” of solar panels for the Devonshire store, which unfortunately wouldn’t work at the Warwick location because it “does not have the right angle to the sun. He has also replaced the refrigeration system for one that is “very high tech and energy efficient.”

From a technology perspective, he is watching carefully how artificial intelligence (AI) might impact the grocery business, in particular “what kind of predictions AI can make for you in terms of what products you need, and whatever it’s able to learn from what we already have in terms of information.”

In the meantime, it’s business as usual, and Mr Moniz continues to do it because “it’s a family business, and that’s why I care about it. I do it because of my kids and my family, and I think about their futures as well.” Also, because every now and then, he can treat himself to his favourite item in the store – a bag of Rowntree’s Randoms.

The post Why Go Any Place Else? appeared first on RG Magazines.

For many of us, they’ve been the hero at the end of a desperate search for an outfit for Cup Match, Bermuda Day, cocktail parties and any number of special occasions.

Calypso, a cornerstone of Bermuda’s fashion landscape, started in 1957 as a designer-led venture. Today, it’s a curated selection of eclectic brands.

Exclusivity is key – limited buying ensures that patrons won’t encounter the same outfit at a social gathering. Eileen Fisher, Gretchen Scott, Krazy Larry, Joh, Clara Sunwoo and Match Point are among the brands that grace the racks, reflecting Calypso’s commitment to diversity and style.

The Front Street store claims that its swimwear selection is second to none on the island. It caters to all ages and styles – from trendy bikinis by Seafolly, to timeless classics from Jantzen and La Blanca.

However, Maritza Sequeros, the company’s general manager, says the real key to its staying power is listening to customer feedback, and staying attuned to evolving trends. Classic, rather than trendy, is the goal.

“We’re eclectic, we’re fun, we’re innovative, we buy different vendors that no one has in Bermuda, because we always demand exclusivity,” she said. “Women don’t want to dress the same. They don’t want to go to a cocktail party and have somebody wearing the same outfit. So we do limited buying on everything that we purchase.”

Family-operated 27th Century Boutique offers a range of designer brands for men and women. The Reid Street store was founded by Kirk Bartram more than 40 years ago. Sharon Bartram now leads the business. Her “excellent eye for style” has made it home to “a fantastic selection of designer suits, pants, dress shirts, khakis, polo shirts, and more for men, as well as dress pants, dresses, skirts, sparkly tanks, purses, shoes, jewellery, and more for women.”

Joseph Ribkoff, Jude Connally, Lynn Ritchie and Orly are on a long list of brands that keep customers coming back.

Shannon’s Boutique is often described as “the ultimate destination” for gentlemen because of its curated selection of stylish apparel and footwear.

On offer is a wide assortment of mens’ clothing and accessories. An added plus: the sale and rental of Italian designer suits along with earrings, cufflinks, and other accessories.

The store has been a staple of mens’ fashion in Bermuda for over 40 years. From its inception in 1982 its founders, Keith and Candice Trott, have strived to give the best in customer service and affordable menswear.

“Through the years, there have been challenging days, and changing trends, but the business’s success and longevity have been hinged on a few major things. These things range from our hard work on days when hard work seems almost impossible, our commitment to stellar customer service, our understanding of the need for affordability for the average grass roots customer, and last but never least, the continued support of our customers who have, beyond a shadow of a doubt, become our tribe,” the couple stated.

“At Shannon’s Boutique we take pride in our ability to stay in touch with our customer base and meet them on their level. This has been one of the main reasons for our sustainability. We are proud to say that we have been an important part of the Bermuda small business community for over 40 years, and we are looking forward to another 40.”

Calypso: https://www.hornburgcalypso.com/

45 Front Street, Hamilton

296-2112

27th Century Boutique: https://www.27thcenturyboutique.com

94 Reid Street, Hamilton

292-2628

Shannon’s: @shannons_bda; [email protected]

22 Windsor Place, Queen Street, Hamilton

292-5349

The post So Fresh and So Clean … appeared first on RG Magazines.

The son of wine and spirits merchant, William Gosling, the younger Gosling wanted to expand the business into the New World. When he arrived in Bermuda with £10,000 worth of wines and spirits, however, he found a thirsty island in need of his products.

“Nobody was in the business at the time,” explained E. Malcolm Gosling, president & CEO of Gosling’s. “He got a license to sell on December 3^rd 1806, and a few years later his brother Ambrose came out and joined him with the next cargo of wines and spirits, and we’ve been here ever since.”

While the Gosling name has become synonymous with rum – in particular their world-famous Black Seal – they also sell a large variety of wines, spirits, and beers. Wine accounts for around 50 percent of their local business.

Rum, however, is why Bermuda is so well known in some of the finest bars around the world, but it wasn’t until the 1850s, when whiskey was scarce, that the Black Seal story began.

“[We were] trying to find something to satisfy those whiskey drinkers, so they went further south, to the Caribbean, and got a variety of different rum distillates and brought them back to Bermuda, then experimented with the ageing and blending of rum to try and create an alternative,” explained Mr Gosling.

“What they came up with was several different blends, one of them was so deep, complex and tasted like fine old rum, so they called it old rum.” In those days, the only way to buy it was by filling your own bottle from barrels in their stores.

Old Rum was a hit, and when tourism started growing in the 1920s, they began bottling it:

“People wanted to take Old Rum back with them so Goslings decided to put it into a bottle,” he continued. They used recycled Champagne bottles, which were corked and covered with black sealant wax.

For years they listened to customers asking for the “one with the black seal” before Mr Gosling’s uncle, Goose Gosling, sketched out the juggling seal logo, officially changing Old Rum to Black Seal. When British officers added ginger beer, they noticed it created a “storm cloud that only a fool or a dead man would sail under”, and the national cocktail was born. Black Seal’s popularity took off. In the 1980s the ‘Dark n Stormy’ was trademarked, and they began exporting it. Goslings had come full circle.

Black Seal is now one among many Goslings’ rum products, which include Old Rum Rye Barrel Finish, Flora Gold – the proceeds of which go towards the Flora Fund – Silver Rum, Amber Refined Rum, Gold Seal, Papa Seal and Spirited Seas Ocean Aged Rum, which travels for nine-and-a-half months on the Oleander as it crosses from New Jersey to Bermuda and back again.

Goslings is still very much a family enterprise, and six members of the eighth-generation work at the company. This includes Mr Gosling’s son, Malcolm L. Gosling, whose idea it was to use the Oleander to ‘store’ the Spirited Seas Ocean barrels.

While the number of cocktail creations and food recipes using Goslings’ rums continues to grow, alongside their own ginger beer and tonics, Mr Gosling himself keeps things simple: “I like it with a big cube of ice, and I don’t care which [rum] you’re talking about.”

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