Anguilla’s pioneer businessman, Albert A.R. Lake, OBE, has taken another big step forward in the development of his business and is keeping well abreast with the times and modern technology.

In addition to relocating and substantially developing his supermarket, he has just upgraded his hardware business formerly Lake’s Hardware and now called Lake’s Do It Best.

He has been able to accomplish all of this with the assistance of dedicated family members, committed employed personnel and by expanding his business contacts with international supply markets and manufacturers to improve his goods and services. It is also a response to the demands for the development of all sectors of Anguilla as the island forges ahead.

Spokesperson for Lake’s Do It Best, Carol Hodge, said: “We are moving on with the times in terms of being able to keep up with technology and record-keeping and the rest of it. Mr. Lake owned one of the first hardware establishments in Anguilla and by all means he should always be in front.”

Carol, a long-serving and most responsible senior Clerical Officer, went on. “We have joined a franchise called Do It Best. It is a world-wide hardware corporation with headquarters located in Indiana in the United States. We are now able to get better prices and offer a wider variety of goods and services.”

The restructured building, with offices and computer equipment above the entrance, opens up with cashier counters and spacious rows of well-stocked and easy-to-find items of every description. Colourful overhead posters everywhere guide the customers to the commodities they are shopping for and there is a general feeling of formality and professionalism that one cannot escape. Naturally, the staff members are proud of their new working environment and their attractive uniform also adds much to the welcome atmosphere inside the building.

“The way the building has been renovated, gives ease to shoppers with everything readily displayed,” Carol said. “We are still working on displaying the prices and hopefully within a week or two the prices for all of the merchandise will be in place. We are not yet fully functional, but when everything is up and running, customers will be able to go to the cashier to purchase their goods; the document will be printed in the warehouse and by the time they get there, the clerk will have their supplies ready to collect. There is no need now for customers to go into the warehouse because everything will be upfront and the cashier will be able to provide any necessary information to them. Doors are now displayed in the store itself where customers can make their choice then pick them up at the warehouse.”

Carol added that every effort was being made to meet the needs of customers. One of the new services is immediate paint-mixing and a range of other services, which she could not disclose, will be introduced later following a feasibility study.

Large crowds flocked to Lake’s Do It Best for their new shopping experience when the renovated hardware business opened its doors on Monday this week, following the blessing by Reverend Menes Hodge of the Anglican Church.

Professor Austin A. Venzen

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News