In a ceremony without great fanfare but with great expectations for the results, Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) executives will cut the ribbon and open the door of the company's latest achievement, a bustling location in Treasure Cay, Abaco, that will open on March 22 following a major overhaul, emerging larger and with a sophisticated, bright new look and feel.
The Abaco store is the latest in a string of rebuilds and reopenings that are redefining the retail footprint of BTC, converting often outdated bill payment and service centers into cheerful, interactive spaces with a slew of products and plans available for experiment and instant connection.
Like others that came before and those following close behind, Treasure Cay's interior will be defined by its artwork, a wall-length mural depicting a Treasure Cay beach scene with two of the island's best-known living features, the wild horses of Abaco and the colorful Abaco parrot. The artwork was created by Bahamian Zyandric Jones. If there is a difference between Treasure Cay and most of the other locations, it is in the customer base, which is almost entirely residential with heavy expatriate traffic from the marina and winter residents.
The pace of transformation that began with the Mall at Marathon celebration in December is so fast that BTC is opening its next four stores in seven days, two in New Providence, one in George Town, Exuma and the smallest one - about 800 square feet after its expansion - in Treasure Cay. Another is on tap for Marsh Harbour, Abaco. Other renovations started this week in Eleuthera where there will be four stores.
Officials said they are finalizing details on the first franchise, which is expected to be announced shortly.
The largest of the new renovations is the one set for George and Bay Streets in Nassau, where workmen have had to perform demolition with jackhammers and other heavy equipment after regular business hours because of neighboring tenants. The ribbon will be cut during an official ceremony at the new Bay Street store on March 30, with a huge street party for the general public the next day.
With full-blown competition at its back, BTC is pouring on the speed, living up to the pledge made when the company was privatized less than a year ago that it would open 50 stores by 2012 year-end, while paying tribute in each to local culture and art.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian