Sharing how his hometown has evolved over the years, from childhood street games to running a thriving sweet shop in the heart of town


FOR Shahid Mohammed, Bartica is more than just where he has his business. It’s the place he calls home, the town where he grew up playing street games with his neighbours and now watches new generations grow up in a changing world. He has lived through the shifts, seen how the town has evolved, and remembers a time when life felt simpler and more connected, where traditions were a way of life.

In an interview with Pepperpot Magazine, Shahid shared, “I was born in Bartica. I go to school right here. 4th Avenue, 1st Street,” he said, recalling his childhood. He further added, “Growing up in Bartica, I had plenty of friends. We had many games we used to play, all the different games—games that children today maybe never hear about. But we had fun.”

Reminiscing about his earlier years, Shahid shared that he remembers a time when the streets were filled with laughter and camaraderie, not smartphones and social media. “These days, now with the new generation, they only know about cell phones. Cell phone gadgets,” he remarked. It was during these younger years that he opened his business, Fineman Confectionaries—a calling name given to him because of his appearance when he was younger.

The businessman, now 56 years old, notes how much Bartica has changed, especially socially. “In my days, growing up in Bartica, we didn’t know about division. We lived together as one big family.” He said that even discipline in the community came from all directions, with the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ having a very deep meaning in those days. “Even my neighbours, if they saw us doing something wrong, they could talk to us,” he recalled. “But now, this generation, you can’t do that,” he added.

He believes the shift in how children are raised today has contributed to the issues communities now face. “Nowadays, a lot of parents, not only in Bartica, in the entire Bartica, a lot of parents, they do not take complaints about their children, and they do not want anyone talking to them.” He further added, “That is why we find a lot of lawlessness going on, because if I see your kids doing something wrong, and you don’t want people to talk to them, give them advice, it becomes a life sore, gradually, gradually, gradually,” he explained.

Despite this, Shahid still sees promise in the town. Over the years, Bartica has undergone visible transformation. “We got a lot of changes, big changes,” he noted. “We have development going on. Plenty of development going on in Bartica. This is not 100%, but at least we are seeing changes,” he said. He’s one of the many small business owners contributing to that development and the town’s growing economy.

His own journey as a businessman started humbly. “When I first opened, my business was like 6 feet by 8 feet. And gradually, right now, I got over 20 feet for my two businesses.” Shahid now operates from the Market Extension area, known to locals as “the Arcade.” It’s a place where vendors and customers alike gather, creating a lively space in the heart of town. “This is the extension. Yes. It’s called the Arcade. Most of the time, it’s called the Market Extension,” he said.

His shop, Fineman Confectionaries, offers a range of sweet treats and is a regular stop for visitors and residents alike. “Bartica really is a lot of small business. A couple of people come and open new businesses,” he said. For Shahid, business isn’t just about selling, it’s about being part of the community’s daily rhythm. And nothing brings Bartica alive quite like Regatta. “Regatta is the best time of the year. I would say, the biggest activity in Bartica is Regatta,” he said. “Regatta is bigger than Christmas here,” he added.

He believes it is more than just an event; it’s a tradition that breathes life into the town and creates opportunities for vendors like himself. “It boosts a lot of business. A lot of people are coming to Regatta. You know, there are a lot of sales. It’s a bit nice there.” And when asked about what he loves most about his town, Shahid didn’t hesitate: “I love living here because it’s quiet here, not too crowded, and the people are really nice,” he shared.

He doesn’t drink or smoke and lives a faith-centred life with his family. “I like the church vibe. My two kids, they big, but we go to church.” In a town often described as a gateway to the interior, Shahid Mohammed reminds us that Bartica is more than a place you pass through—it’s a place where generations are raised, businesses are built, and community still matters.