THE NEXT LEVEL - Samsung Experience Store raises the bar

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

It has been said that young Jamaicans are not really mindful of the strides that have been made across the length and breadth of this country, particularly in the area of telecommunications, and so many complain when they should be giving thanks!

Indeed, one does recall the bad old days at the height of the Jurassic monopoly that was Cable and Wireless, when mobile phones were a non-existent rarity, landlines were a prized commodity, and some people had what was then euphemistically referred to as a 'party line', which really was an odd arrangement that saw disparate people sharing the same phone line.

On a drive along Half-Way Tree Road on a Sunday evening, one would witness lines of people, queuing to use the public phone booths to make that all-important call to relatives overseas.

Indeed, it is quite safe to say of Jamaica and its telecoms evolution, that, not unlike Virginia Slims, we have, indeed, come a far way!

In this respect, it would be remiss and intellectually dishonest not to laud the vision of Minister Phillip Paulwell, whose vision and foresight shepherded us out of the dark, backward days of the chokehold that Cable and Wireless had on the Jamaican economy, its consumers, productivity, and access to the world at large.

FORGIVE THEM

So here we are, in real time, brought on by the introduction of competition to the Jamaican marketplace and, viola! Today's Jamaican kids are as tech-savvy and competent as their counterparts globally.

While some of us are old enough to remember the monster called Cable and Wireless and the atrocities of that era, we must forgive the kids for not realising how good they are having it! And quite frankly, with each passing day, it gets better!

Dears, do forgive the bit of history, but it is a matter of perspective - and not nostalgia - that should help to contextualise the importance of the need to be innovative in our governance instead of the wholesale acceptance of the status quo.

Indeed, with the opening up of Jamaica's telecoms market came along a slew of entrepreneurial possibilities, which saw many a Jamaican cashing in on the bonanza that was engendered by the changing of the status quo!

REAPING BENEFITS

Today, Jamaicans still continue to reap the benefits of a liberalised telecoms policy and marketplace, facilitated by the new policy direction. A case in point is the simply technologically fabulous Samsung Experience Store in the Tropical Plaza in Half-Way Tree, two Thursdays ago!

Dears, talk about a techie's dream, as we are talking about one totally interactive and fascinatingly so, showpiece of all things Samsung with Jamaicans now being at the forefront of the technological world; and the opening up of the Samsung Experience Store, basically not only raised the bar, but set the tone and pace for others to follow.

My dears, this is one totally hip place to shop, as it's not only a shopping paradise for the techie, but interactively so as you learn as you shop, thus transforming the notion of shopping into the Experience Store.

Owned and operated by siblings Jack and Pradeep Khemlani, the store's gala opening was, indeed, an outing to remember. It rained cats and dogs all day and late into the afternoon, prompting many to worry about attendance for the grand opening, but dears, as the announced opening time drew nigh, it was clear that not even thunderstorms would be enough to dampen interest in the latest high-tech, commercial centre.

And so it was my dears, a large crowd was on hand for the official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony, and we are not talking mere bystanders here. As soon as the doors of the new Samsung Experience Store were opened, there was a rush of patrons to get inside, and when they did, a-shopping they went!

SMOOTH OPENING

But dears, before it was time to shop, we are talking a very smooth opening ceremony here, with a number of Samsung dignitaries, who jetted in for the occasion; models showcasing the latest and best of the Samsung line; live radio broadcast heralding the event; and a fabulous bar service offered premium libations and fabulous finger foods. So y'all know, we are talking prime time here and then some!

And that's the way it was, my dears - all fab and nothing but, as the waiters worked the crowd, making sure it was truly the ultimate in comfort; augmented by the style of the hosts and hostesses on hand who expertly guided guests and handled queries about all the store's offerings. The belle of the ball was clearly the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - the latest in Smartphone offerings, which communicates style and status.

Dears, it was a techno fabfest, and nothing but, as the techies were out, as were leading members of the private sector, plus a number leading personalities, including Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell; Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn; Police Commissioner Owen Ellington; Commissioner of Customs Major Richard Reese; noted attorney Patrick Bailey; Mr and Mrs Vashi Khemlani; businessman Christopher Nakash; Mandeville-based businessman and powerhouse Steven Lyn-Kee-Chow; Superintendent Garfield 'Bucka' Taylor and his fab wife, attorney Lecia-Gaye Taylor; Angela Thame; the very charming Pauline Edie; Robert Richards; the lovely Patricia Henry; the fab Natalie Outar; media personality Richard 'Richie B' Burgess; the beautiful Carlette DeLeon; Garth Williams; Jack Khemlani as was his very beautiful wife, Diya Khemlani; as was Pradeep Khemlani; plus scores of others.

It was indeed one fab outing, so much so that a return visit was in order, and dears, the crowd was still elbow-room thick two days later, and it continues in that vein. So y'all know we are talking techno hotness here and then some!