The children of the late John Wallace Proctor opened a massively-expanded supermarket on Tuesday, December 13, which not only carries on the proud legacy of their father, but has introduced a top-of-the-line shopping facility in Anguilla, now the talk of everybody on the island. It is a big stride into the 21st century of business.

L-R: Owen ChinYet, Wendell and Fabian Proctor

There have been prior expansions of the business originally started in the early 1950s by the late John Proctor in The Quarter shortly after he returned to Anguilla from Aruba where he worked in the oil refinery. The construction of the latest and more ambitious enlargement began in June 2004 at the warehouse in the back. The building work, contracted mainly to Orchard Romney Beck & Associates along with various sub-contractors, was then moved forward to provide the expanded, customer-friendly and fully-air-conditioned shopping area.

The enormous space in the ultra-modern supermarket is complemented by huge stocks of groceries on widely-spread shelves and long lines of cold-storage supplies which not only make shopping easier, but offer a greater variety of merchandise and a one-stop purchasing supply service for customers.

Presentation of gift to Beatrice Gumbs

An impressive array of six check-out counters connected to an overhead system mainly to display cashier availability and said to be the first outside Italy, adds much both to the supermarket and the facilitating of customers. The customer service also includes provisions for a deli and a chicken rotisserie facility.

It was in this setting that a short opening ceremony was held by the Board of Directors of J W Proctors around noon on Tuesday. It was mainly to thank the contractors, workers, organisations and others for a job well done, before undertaking some last-minute chores and allowing shoppers to crowd the supermarket in the evening.

Project and supermarket workers at J W Proctors

The welcome remarks were delivered by Chairman of J W Proctors, Fabian Proctor. He said the directors of the company “thought it was fitting to show our appreciation for everybody who was involved in some way or other with the project,” he told the large gathering. “We felt proud of the efforts that you made and we thought before we even open the store, we should bring everybody together and express our appreciation.”

Managing Director, Wendell Proctor, gave a historical overview of the development of the family business. The old shop, which was a highly successful venture in the community, provided financial support for the parents and their nine children. It was recently demolished to give way to the just-completed expanded facilities. The earlier expansions of the business were in 1987 and 1996.

Project and supermarket workers at J W Proctors

“While our operation has been successful, we were becoming increasingly aware that we were not fully realising our potential in the supermarket business,” Mr. Proctor said. He explained that such a realisation was “the genesis of the idea to expand our operation and embark on this major investment.”

He noted that in undertaking the expansion work, the directors focused their attention on several matters. These included quality products and service; a variety of products; reasonable pricing despite the huge financial investment; a customer-oriented atmosphere; and an enhanced point of sales system. He also spoke about the addition of a deli as part of the improved service for customers. He said the retail supermarket space had been increased from 4,050 square feet to over 13,000 square feet and the parking lot had been expanded to accommodate some 60 vehicles instead of the 30 it provided for previously.

Mr. Proctor spoke of enhancing the working environment, the provision of a common room for staff lunches and relaxation and the training of workers in customer service.

He added that the company was grateful to the Caribbean Commercial Bank (represented by Managing Director, Preston Bryan), for its assistance in financing the expansion of the business.

Another speaker was Owen ChinYet of ChinYet & Associates of Florida, whose company provided equipment and other technical support for J W Proctors. He said that though larger than the previous structure, the new supermarket building and facilities were designed to conserve energy and he pointed out various features to that effect. He was particularly delighted with the enhanced point of sales system which he said was the first such facility to be provided outside Italy.

The general Vote of Thanks was delivered by Fabian Proctor and was followed by remarks and a prayer by Pastor Cecil Richardson of the Central Baptist Church at Rey Hill.

The ceremony ended with a presentation to Beatrice Gumbs who has 43 years of service dating back to the early days of J W Proctors. The long-standing employee and family relative, is known for her admirable politeness, excellent customer service and dedication to duty.

The Anguillian joins in congratulating J W Proctors on their expanded business and offers them all good wishes of success for the future.

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