By Shirley Thomas

RUSHANNA Homestyle is a budding ‘one-stop Creole Food Shop’ located in the heart of Number Five Village, West Coast Berbice. Owned and operated by Quason and Rushanna Liverpool, the business which started about 10 years ago has moved from strength to strength and is now serving the needs of not only the people of Number Five and outlying areas, but also persons passing through — going either deeper into Berbice or to Georgetown.
Some customers call it a ‘lifesaver’, explaining that when persons have to make early runs either out to Georgetown or are coming from the capital city to East or West Berbice, they  have that assurance that they can stop and pick up something hot and tasty from Liverpool Homestyle.

More recently, the business has ventured into catering and the report is that they are doing well.  When the couple opened up their business in front of their home on Number Five Public Road 10 years ago, they started small, selling cakes and salted fish, egg balls, channa, roti and curry, then moved on to chicken burger, fish and float bakes and eggs. Over time, they diversified and took on the preparation and selling of bigger stuff such as metemgee, a variety of cook up rice: black eye; split peas; callaloo cook-up; fried chicken and in various preparations; vegetables; macaroni pudding and pie and the list goes on.

An ardent Christian, Rushanna, is a member of the “Family Tabernacle of Worship” located next door to her home in Number Five Village. She plays a very active role in the church, where she is also a worship dancer and lead dancer.

Observing that it is a truism that “A family that prays together, stays and thrives together,” Rushanna recalled that even though she was a member of another Church when she met her husband, Quason Liverpool, she was so impressed with his worshipping, his attitude towards her and the things of God, that she made a decision to join him at his place of worship. “ It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and now we have three wonderful children – one girl and three boys and together we are worshipping and living for the Lord.”
And what’s more?  He’s now in the business together with her – giving all the support she needs.

The birth of Rushanna Homestyle     

Reflecting on the road they trod, Rushanna said: “I’ve been in the business for the last 10 years consistently and with each passing day I see that it is worth the while.”
After graduating from Rosignol Secondary School, she was contemplating career options, but catering wasn’t one. “But it’s amazing what prayers can do… and so, today I must not say ‘I’, but ‘ we’ [My husband and I] have a thriving business that is moving from strength to strength,|” she proudly announced.

Commenting on the strides they’ve made over time, she admitted, “ It wasn’t like this from the beginning, but thank God for the progress we have made.  It progresses as it goes along  and  has certainly put us in a better position to provide for ourselves and three children.”

Even with a focus on serving ‘take away,’ the snackette owners have now constructed an attractively designed building in front of their home under which they have seating and eating facilities that can adequately seat 12 to 14 persons.