BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AFTER more than 60 years in operation, the Fouad Abourizk Department Store will be closing its doors permanently.
The store, which is located on Central Street, Basseterre, will officially close on Thursday, October 31, 2013.
In an exclusive interview with proprietor Anthony Abourizk, he explained to SKNVibes the reason for the store’s closure and the future avenues he would be taking.
Abourizk emphasised that, unlike the belief of many, the store would not be closing for economic reasons but because he would be investing his time in other business areas.
"I have decided to invest my time in one or two of the business opportunities that I have in front of me. There is this rumour going around that the store would be closing down for economic reasons but, really, it's a business decision that I am making personally."
He said that Fouad Abourizk was founded by his parents, whom everyone referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Fouad, and it was the only retail operation where persons were able to buy merchandises on lay-away plans.
"A lot of people in St. Kitts grew up with Fouad Abourizk being a part of their history. My customers have come to me almost in tears saying, 'My parents used to bring me here when I was a young child', and when they couldn't afford anything, my mother, Mrs. Abourizk, she would always be the one to say, 'Take the item and come and pay as you can afford to pay.’"
Reflecting on the days when his parents manned the store, Abourizk said that his mother was known for her selling abilities, stating that "you could not walk into the store and not buy anything", as she knew what appealed to their customers.
Abourizk said he has customers who have been loyal to the store and that he appreciates their loyalty, as many of them were from the years when his parents managed the business.
"These are people who grew up with Fouad Abourizk as part of their life...from their parents' heritage. I am second generation Fouad Abourizk employee! My parents were the first generation. They really are the ones who established the store, established the customer base and really moved the store forward through all of its years of operation in St. Kitts and Nevis," he explained.
His employees, he said, have known about the closure for quite some time and they too have been very loyal to him. He said that he is very appreciative of them and the effort they have made and continue to make.
Abourizk also said that he has been assisting them in their search for employment elsewhere and he would continue to assist in whatever way he could.
He further said that the store has been having "massive sale" over the last couple of weeks as it is selling all inventory, adding that from next week they would be "selling out furniture and fixtures".
With regards to the building which houses the Department Store, Abourizk said that Sun Island Clothes would be occupying that space from November 1, 2013.
Abourizk disclosed that "The Kitchen" is the catering business in which he would be investing his time and that it has been in operation for some seven years in Prince’s Street, Basseterre.
Fouad Abourizk was known for selling much low-priced merchandise from men and women clothing and underwear to household items, such as curtains, table cloths and sheet sets.
