Sweet Tings at the centre of downtown's new Times Square

The spanking new Times Square in downtown Kingston was on Wednesday the site of the opening of the capital city's latest bakery, Sweet Tings.

During Christmas in the City ... Downtown Comes Alive activities earlier this week, the corner of Beckford and Princess streets welcomed VIPs, dignitaries, and politicians, surrounded by a full downtown community. Ity and Fancy Cat opened the proceedings with their usual wit and humour.

Gassan Azan, owner of Sweet Tings and CEO of Megamart and Bashco, said opening a new business in the city only signalled his belief in downtown Kingston and his commitment to its development.

Stating that downtown had become a picture of neglect and commending institutional businesses for not pulling out, he said he was committed, as was a core set of business leaders, to restoring downtown to its former glory.

"A new day could be dawning for downtown - a complete renewal of the city by Jamaica's 50th (year of) Independence in 2012," Azan said.

Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie said the opening of Sweet Tings was the "crowning glory" of the day's activities.

"I officially deem this Times Square," he declared.

McKenzie thanked the Azan family for its continuous investment and commitment to the development of downtown Kingston.

In encouraging Jamaicans to buy Jamaican this Christmas, Omar Azan, president of the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association, also asked that the downtown community use Sweet Tings as an example and take pride in their environment by keeping it clean.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, reminding the gathering that he was a former baker whose Honey Crust Bakery was once situated just across the road from Sweet Tings' location, thanked Gassan Azan for not abandoning downtown.

Golding also implored that with whatever redevelopment and rebirth taking place, it must be borne in mind that downtown Kingston was about the people, and that they must remain the central focus.