BERNARD Hodge is a businessman who provides employment for 18 people from the community at his business places, and would often give back to the community through his annual prize-giving drawing at Christmas, and his pocket-friendly prices.
His benevolence to society did not go unnoticed. The people named an avenue after him, on the same street where one of his business places is located: Bernard Avenue, Amelia’s Ward, Linden.
Hodge related that he is part of a family business, and he deals with the section of the hardware, clothing, footwear, household, stationery and cosmetics, while his wife manages the other branch of the store in another location in Linden.
The businessman stated that every year, at Christmas, he would put a few expensive items up for grabs.
Hodge disclosed that he would select 12 to 15 items from the various sections of the store, which will be given to the winners of the drawing.
And customers can fill out the coupons upon their purchases, and a drawing is held before the festive season during November and December.
He added that winners are presented with their prizes collectively.
“We recognise that we cannot give back to everybody individually, so we came up with the idea of a drawing for Christmas so customers can benefit. But we do support churches and anyone who show up for assistance in any way we can,” he said.
Hodge told the Pepperpot Magazine that presently, they have a “Back to School” sale as an ease of burden for ordinary people.
Storewide, prices are pocket-friendly, and they maintain good relations with the community in providing a good customer experience.
GEORGE NILES, THE CONTRACTOR
George Niles, a local contractor of Amelia’s Ward, Linden is also doing his part to give back to the community by providing reasonably priced services to meet the villagers’ building needs.
Realising the hardships of the pandemic, he hasn’t been exact with prices, and will work with whatever money the customers have, he explained.
When the Pepperpot Magazine met him during a visit to the community, he was supervising the construction of a fence in the village.
Niles, a down-to-earth, kind and friendly person, was more than happy that day to take a bit of time off to chat with the team.
He reported that he employs five men in the community, and even though his business is not large, he would do whatever is needed to ensure the construction goes smoothly, even when he is not around.
The contractor stated that he used to work overseas, but returned home during the pandemic because life became difficult.
“I will no longer be going back to work abroad, because my children are grown, and even though I don’t get any big contracts, I still get some jobs, and I am happy I can provide employment for others in my small business,” he said.
The 61-year-old related that he relocated to Amelia’s Ward Self-Help Scheme when he was 12 years old, and they had a small house close to the creek.
Niles pointed out that back then, the village wasn’t developed, and as the village got the basic infrastructure, they moved closer to the highway.
He is originally from Coomaka Mines, and resides in the house which is owned by his wife’s mother, who passed away.
His wife, Merlene Niles, is a housewife who operates a small shop at their home, and she would make snacks daily to sell.
She would prepare freshly boiled and fried channa, dhal puri, egg ball, roti with curry and buns to sell in the shop along with beverages.
The small business owner told the Pepperpot Magazine that her little business used to make a profit when her brother’s block-making business was booming next door, and he had a few men in his employ.
But that business collapsed during the pandemic after he could no longer survive the high cost of materials and pay workers.
Today, Niles’ shop is still in operation, but business is a bit slow, so she prepares only a small amount of fresh snacks daily.
