The Old Fort Bay Town Centre in Western New Providence recently held its annual Christmas Extravaganza Party to heighten awareness of the expanding high-end mixed retail centre and to showcase Christmas shopping specials at the many stores.

“We were delighted to see such a terrific and fun crowd,” said NPDCo real estate VP Jane-Michele Bethel. We feel it was reflective of the Town Centre’s uptick in foot traffic generally, sales more specifically, and the significant tenant increase through 2013. We have so much more to offer now and in 2014, more shops, Venetian West, a new, nearby residential development, the Old Fort Bay Preparatory school and a Shell Gas station.”

Old Fort Bay Town Centre Shops, anchored by Solomon’s Fresh Market West and The Royal Bank of Canada currently offer a very useful shopping mix boosted by this year’s new tenants: Naughty Johnny’s Bistro, Old Fort Bay Paediatrics, HG Christie Real Estate, Tangle Hair and Nail Salon and Calypso Kids Collection. They join, home decor furniture and effects, accessories and gifts from the Bahamas Design Centre West and The Island Store, art from The Gallery at Old Fort Bay, health benefits at Liquid Nutrition and Your Friendly Pharmacy, Sushi Rokkan for Japanese food, European men’s and women’s fashions from His Fashion and Benetton, Happy Pets Animal Clinic, BTC for the new 4G LTE and other top notch phones and services, Dermalogica Skin Centre, Going Places Travel, Keg Ranch Wine and Spirits and Touch Control high tech entertainment needs. One lucky shopper Ronnette Creighton won the $1,000 shopping spree in the Party Draw to spend as she likes in any of the stores.

For the Christmas Extravaganza Party Frank Macrito Fresh Market store manager supplied a jolly Father Christmas and Deli food and fruit platters; Mark Miller of Keg Ranch Wines paired these culinary delights with a fine selection of wines.

The Fresh Market store manager said his store was a treasure trove of Christmas goodies! “We have plenty of in-store specials currently and a large selection of Christmas foods and specialities including made to order Christmas Baskets. Our line of Waitrose products has also proved very popular especially with people who recognise the brand from England.”

Anthony Big ‘Mo’ Morley has expanded the market reach of his Gallery at Old Fort Bay, by supplying the pent up demand in the West for large statement pieces. Many of his current sales have been commissioned and his best sellers are his larger canvas works of art. The Gallery also shows the works of others and provides a range of frames and related services.

Also doing extremely well is the highly accredited and certified Touch Control home theatre design and install centre. Manager Ryan Bethell says their professional industry accreditations, word of mouth, service and product line, check all the right boxes for the residential communities in Western New Providence.

“When can you fit me in? Is the usual question once they see and experience the Home Theatre set up in our shop and see our credentials,” said Mr. Bethell. “That’s what they want – a top of the line home theatre professionally installed with back up service as needed!”

Benetton, staffed with doe-eyed beauties served customers late into the night leaving hangers swinging and shelves depleted. Owner Chinarae Pratt said Benetton clothing lines and accessories never fail to please.

HG Christie, the agents for office space at the Old Fort Bay Town Centre held on-going court in chic offices above Naughty Johnny’s Bistro. His fashion was also extremely busy. The latest lines in demand brand names such as Ralph Lauren, Faconnable, Kenneth Cole and Tommy Hilfiger are all available year-round and only at His fashion. Marketing manager, Etienne Christen said sales had increased steadily through the year but it was definitely holiday events that brought in a crowd.

Naughty Johnny’s the new restaurant and bar addition to the Town Centre Shops was packed all evening, with many of the guests reminded of his cousin, the popular Johnny Canoe formerly of the Nassau Beach Hotel on Cable Beach. Five members of The National Youth Choir sang a selection of popular Christmas songs and the evening came to a fitting fun end with a Junkanoo Rush Out performed by the Bahama Dancers.