Local businesses shine at One Guyana Christmas Village & supermarket

By Mishael Henry

Local businesses stole the spotlight at this year’s One Guyana Christmas Village and Supermarket Christmas on Main Street, Georgetown.
It was just midday hours, and the iconic fairy lights on Main Street had not even been switched on, but an impressive lineup of unique businesses was already taking center stage at this year’s Christmas Village and Supermarket on Main Street. This publication explored the wide range of products on display and spoke with exhibitors eager to share insights into their diverse businesses.
Kicking things off was Claire Richards of Mother Nature’s Organic Farm, who showcased an infused cassava bread product alongside an array of fresh, farm-to-market products straight from her farm.
“We have flavoured cassava bread with flaxseed, chia seed, some with garlic, and different flavours in the cassava bread. So, I would say that I have a very different business from all the other exhibitors, yes, because our business is very unique. I pride myself on producing everything from our farm,” Richards explained.
To top it off, her prices were amazingly cheap, and this saw a lot of persons flocking to her booth to purchase.

“We have products ranging, from a thousand dollars to fifteen hundred—the pumpkin-pepper is a thousand dollars, the black cake is a thousand dollars,” she stated encouraging persons to shop from her.
Just a few booths away was Nickeisha Roberts, owner of Mursia Preservable Products, another diverse businesswoman who revealed that she was making carilla-styled peppers.
“The products that we have showcased today include our famous carilla pepper sauce, in which carilla is very good health-wise. We also have our famous green seasoning, which is a mix of ginger, turmeric, shallot, celery, and fine thyme,” Roberts shared.
When asked what she wanted Guyanese citizens to take away from her products, she said that she would like them to experience the burst of flavour the peppers are set to provide.

“When they taste this product, they’re going to get a little kick. You won’t taste the bitterness that much, but the carilla gives you the kick within the pepper, and it tastes very good.”
Patrons also shared their thoughts on the uniqueness of the event as they strolled down Main Street. One patron, Tuwana Payne, expressed that this year’s event was exceptional as it provided exhibitors the opportunity to reach a wide audience.
“It’s very entertaining. The vibe here is really nice. It’s really nice to showcase your product. I think it gives them more recognition for their business. It would show the public what products they are producing. I think you all should come out; it’s really nice here,” Payne stated.
Echoing similar remarks was Jose Robert, who encouraged others to attend.
“We won a lot of prizes here. I just think you guys should come out with your families. It has a lot of fun interactive games for you and your family to come and enjoy the Christmas season, you know. Just come out and enjoy yourselves,” Robert said.
He also humbly requested the clearing of some of the drains, noting that it could affect businesses showcasing at the event.
“As we’re looking right now, it’s a very rainy season. I think they could enhance the drainage because if you’re looking carefully, it’s flooding from a small thing. It’s not even a heavy rain, and it’s already flooding. So, I think they could do a better job like that because they’ve already made a lot of improvements as it relates to the walkways and the places you could sit.”
Only on Monday evening, the highly anticipated annual One Guyana Christmas Village was officially launched on Main Street, Georgetown. At the opening ceremony, patrons were treated to musical renditions and dances by several local talents.
Delivering feature remarks at the event was Head of State, President Dr Irfaan Ali, who highlighted that, for the first time, the annual One Guyana Christmas Village would feature a Guyana Supermarket, where small and medium-sized businesses would be given the opportunity to market and sell their products.
In this regard, President Ali urged Guyanese citizens to utilise local produce and products as the festive season continues.