Carlton store gets makeover

Jamaica's sole full-service telecommunications provider, LIME, will temporarily close the doors to its landmark Carlton retail store located in 'LIME Square' along Half-Way Tree Road in St Andrew to make way for a bold, innovative upgrade that will set a new industry standard for in-store experience.

LIME will retrofit the interior of the 66-year-old building with the latest technology and cutting-edge design, to create an altogether interactive, warm and friendly experience for customers, with a touch of historic charm.

Speaking days before work gets under way, LIME's head of retail, Stephen Price, said, "Our goal is to create an iconic experience that captures the passion of the island in a new, fresh way and supports how our customers truly live, work and play. We're not just about service or a device, but about making the most of every moment they will spend at the new Carlton."

During the closure, customers will be accommodated at another building on the premises located at 49 Half-Way Tree Road where most services offered at the original Carlton store will be available.

The company is encouraging the public to visit its other full-service locations on Knutsford Boulevard, State Mall (Cross Roads), Sovereign, Bargain Mall (Half-Way Tree), Portmore, and Spanish Town.

When the Carlton store reopens later this year, it will become an innovative prototype for the refreshing of other LIME branches across the country as the telecoms operator delivers on its promise of first-class customer experience online, on the phone and in-store.

Considered the birthplace of Jamaica's modern telecommunications infrastructure, Carlton carries the legacy of the then Jamaica Telephone Company established in 1892 following the takeover of the West Indies Telegraph and Telephone Company that year.

Many Jamaicans fondly remember Carlton as the place they made their first telephone call, applied for service, or purchased their first mobile device.

Site of Interest

The location is listed as a 'Site of Interest' by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust for its landmark structure that contributes to the cultural landscape of St Andrew where it sits just outside of the commercial hub, New Kingston.

In 2012, LIME renamed its headquarters 'LIME Square', where the Carlton store is located, in commemoration of Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence and has committed to protect the historic importance of the building's external features consistent with restoration rules and ethics.

Price says, "When the final touches are added to the newly renovated structure, customers can look forward to doing business with us in more comfortable atmospheres that combine Carlton's rich history with the innovation and customer-focused approach LIME has become known for."