WHEN the sugar estate was closed on the Upper Corentyne, Berbice corridor, many people were rendered jobless and were very distressed. As such, some took whatever money they had and invested it into micro and small businesses to earn.

One such person was resident of Princetown, Corriverton, Berbice, Nardeo Chalteter, who told the Pepperpot Magazine that he was a cane-cutter and when the estate closed he collected his severance pay and opened a shop.

This small business is his only source of income and he has made the place welcoming and cosy with brightly painted walls, flower plants to enhance the surroundings, garbage bins and well put together place.

Chalterter’s place is one of the cleanest in his village and from the looks of things, you would want to stop to just sit and have a cold beverage or make a purchase since the place is really tidy.

The 51-year-old shopkeeper stated that he decided to open the grocery shop in 2017 because he was out of a job and had to do something to bring money into the home. He is originally from Rose Hall but relocated to Princetown, his father-in-law’s place after his death and made the place into a bright oasis in 2015.

At times, he would get busy in his garden and the excess of fruits and vegetables after harvesting would be sold in his shop. “This business isn’t a large profit-making venture, but it is a job and even though it is slow I am still holding on, because jobs are not easy to get,” he said.

The Princetown villager related that he doesn’t have to leave his shop to go out to make any purchases to re-stock his shelves, since the vans and trucks selling various items would visit and he would buy.

“The good thing about this village [is] everything would pass right here, so you don’t have to go anywhere to get vegetables, fish, meat and goods,” he said.

Chalterter added that he would buy whatever is selling at reasonable prices and just add on a small mark-up because he knows how hard things are with people, just to stay afloat in his business.

He disclosed that early in the mornings he would see some young men in the village passing to go to work with bags on their backs and they would return later in the afternoon after working, and it is a place where people ‘hustle’ by doing something to make a living.

Chalterter reported that most people in Princetown Village are ‘go-getters’; they are doing something to earn and some would leave the village to work while others would work right in the community.

He explained that they would clean drains, weed yards, or even become labourers and some still have jobs within the sugar industry and other small businesses.

In his shop, one can find almost every little thing and he has been a victim of three break and enter incidents at his shop where valuables were taken away by unknown perpetrators and on three different occasions.

Chalterter added that they even took his bicycle and he is vigilant in the nights because it is that time they would strike since the place is void of street lights.

He added that he takes time to clean his place because having a tidy surrounding feels good and he would even go over to the empty plot next door to spray weeds and cut the bushes to prevent snakes and bees from coming over to his premises.

“I bought a garbage barrel and put it out on the street for people to dispose of their waste and I am paying for it,” he said.

The villager pointed out that some people have no desire to clean their places and that’s a shame because cleanliness breeds progress.

He added that he has been residing in Princetown Village for the past 17 years and has restored his father-in-law’s place to its former glory and it is evident because that house stands out with its brightly painted walls.

Chalterter told the Pepperpot Magazine that his place serves as an oasis for passers-by and visitors and he would welcome them because that is the kind of person he is.

“If someone comes here and they do not have enough money to make a purchase, I would give them since I came from humble beginnings and know what it is like not to have anything when in need,” he said.