City 'Sweet' - New bakery spices up downtown

Philip Hamilton, Gleaner Writer

The pleasant, unmistakable aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries drifts through the newly opened bakery, attracting scores of drooling pastry lovers, many of whom seem unable to get enough of the tasty products inside.

Less than a week old, Sweet Tings, the latest business venture by MegaMart CEO Gassan Azan, has been doing a thriving business since opening its doors to customers on Friday, December 3.

Located at the intersection of Beckford and Princess streets, the black, green and gold building, housing the 2,700-square foot bakery with its brick columns, awnings and pristine black-and-white tiles, could be easily mistaken for an American coffee house.

Passers-by stop momentarily and stare at the building's large screen playing the latest music videos.

More than bread and patties

For Azan, his $45-million investment represents more than a "bread and patty" operation. He says it is part of his contribution towards urban renewal and encouraging other downtown Kingston businesses to do the same.

"I haven't been this excited about a business in 10 years since we built the first MegaMart. It's part of the passion I have about the downtown redevelopment programme, and I like the way the project has gone," Azan said.

The bakery, which occupies a spot previously used to house one of Azan's Bashco stores, currently employs 20 persons, and is looking to hire seven more workers to keep up with demand for its products.

Both Azan and his quality control manager, Dave Walters, who has responsibility for MegaMart's bakery operations, described last weekend's opening of the new bakery as sheer chaos.

"When we closed that door at 10 minutes to 9 Saturday evening, people outside were asking why we were closing so early. A lot of persons were still coming in," said Walters.

Azan says the new bakery, which boasts five state-of-the art stainless-steel ovens, has been welcomed by downtown higglers and small vendors, many of whom travelled to MegaMart's Upper Waterloo Road and Portmore stores to purchase the tasty treats which are extremely popular in Jamaica.

"Ten years ago when we started the MegaMart bakery in Portmore, everybody in Jamaica told me don't bake muffins, as it's not a Jamaica thing. But it's one of the biggest sellers, and that's what the higglers buy most and resell," Azan said.

The businessman says he plans to establish similar bakeries in parish capitals across the island via direct ownership or franchise arrangements, the details of which are still being worked out.