CATA’S shop is co-owned by Lana Melendez and her husband, Fernando. There, you can always find something new to look forward to or to have for yourself from their collection of high-end but pocket-friendly products.

The establishment is located at Lot 17 Brickdam and Sendall Place, Georgetown, and it is a cozy little shop with some interesting pieces, including items that are ideal for wine lovers. Cata’s shop was named after Melendez’s daughter, Cattleya, whose nickname is ‘Cata’, and the proud parents thought it was the ideal name for the little shop.

Melendez told the Pepperpot Magazine that they opened Cata’s Shop in September of 2011, and it is a seasonal-themed shop, but her favourite time of the year is Christmas. She is in the process of preparing to decorate the shop in time for International Women’s Day and Easter and is awaiting the shipment of products for the décor and items to be displayed on the shelves.

Melendez stated that the first year she established the business was different and challenging, but, as time passed, she gained some customers, which caused her to become more confident as a small business owner.

The business is being managed by herself, her husband and her elderly mother, Olive Boters, who is very active and has a customer-oriented persona. Melendez reported that, usually, Christmas is the busiest, and she would employ two people to assist in the shop at that time.

All the items sold in the shop are imported, of high quality and include high-end brands like Totto. It is also the only place that has Wildeye brands of wine accessories such as glasses, wine stoppers, wine bottle holders, insulated wine bags, wine bottle accessories and other accessories like totes, jewellery, gift items etc.

“I like this location because most of the government workers in the nearby building would come and support this small business, so relocating is out of the question for now, but I would like to expand with some chain shops across the country,” she said.

Although the shop is rented Melendez would like to have her own location one day, but, as is, the establishment is comfortable for her operations.

Melendez told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is always creative with the shop’s décor to depict the occasion at hand and, this year, for the first time, she will focus on Halloween since it was requested by customers.

Melendez added that at Cata’s Shop it is a gift shop where they do personalised engraving on cups and bottles and when she started out in the first year, she started her own line of home décor which is still in stock.

Melendez was a stay-at-home mother of two for three years and decided to become self-employed and have her own small business, so Cata’s Shop was conceptualised. The shop also houses the Alive and Nature’s Way brands of natural health products and the Full Mach vitamin drink, a small business started by her husband.

“I used to work with an overseas-based Rice Mill [Tecro Mills] … in Eccles, East Bank Demerara, but it closed about eight years ago, and I was among the dozens of people on the breadline,” she said.

Now, as an entrepreneur, Melendez enjoys the autonomy of being her own boss and looks forward to what the future holds for her business.