The residential and commercial expansion in the West of New Providence likely gave attendance numbers a boost at the Christmas Shopping Party at Old Fort Bay Town Centre this past week-end, which saw nearly double the amount of shoppers over previous years. Or perhaps it was because the annual event is gathering momentum on the neighborhood Christmas Calendar; either way, records were broken and closing times forgotten!

Two new entrants, Brass & Leather and Custom Computers enjoyed a warm welcome from the festive shoppers eager to make the most of the many 20% Christmas discounts offered for the evening in most of the stores. The Old Fort Bay Town Centre is an eclectic retail mix that speaks to the surrounding bedroom communities of upwardly mobile professionals: Japanese Sushi, authentic wood-fire Pizzeria, Bistro and Pub food punctuate the parade of glamourous shops for men, women and children’s fashions, home furnishings and decor, gifts and accessories, a pharmacy, a liquor store, hairdressers and nail salon, skin specialists and estheticians, a travel agency, telephone franchise and an in-home theatre and tech centre, and a pet hospital.

Father Christmas was never short of children tugging at his beard and was kept busy with the expected picture-taking which also enticed more than the usual amount of grown-ups to his knee! In between the MC’s DJ mix of festive and party music, exquisite renditions of traditional Christmas songs and carols attracted a crowd to the Town Centre Square where they listened in awe and appreciation of the seven-member group from The National Youth Choir.

Sandra Cartwright won a $500 Gift Certificate when her Going Places Travel purchase receipt was pulled from the Christmas Draw box. Ms. Cartwright knew exactly what she wanted and headed back to the Island Store to exchange her Gift Certificate for a spectacular yellow object d’art vase. The Gift Certificate was redeemable at any one of the Old Fort Bay Town Centre Stores.

A colourful and gregarious Rush Out by the “Junkanoo Show Group,” led by Tamica Rolle, an employee at Happy Pets Animal Hospital, added further stimulus to the fun night which did not end there but continued on into the night as people took advantage of the outdoor restaurant service and seating.

Philip Simon, President, The New Providence Development Company Limited (NPDCo), the shopping centre developers, said the evening helps bring about a community spirit among the attending residents from the surrounding areas of Charlotteville & Turnberry, Old Fort Bay, Lyford Cay and the new 42 acre residential development Venetian West.

“Notwithstanding,” he added, “this event is quickly becoming a must attend one for people from across the island. What is so special is to see the number of families and the excitement of the kids. Again, we look forward to the continued development of the Plaza and the expansion of this emerging community.”

Shops at Old Fort Bay Town Centre include: Naughty Johnny’s Bistro, Zarita, Old Fort Bay Pediatrics, Bahamas Design Center West, BTC, Tangle Hair and Nail Salon, MacFit 360 Gym, Happy Pets Animal Hospital, Calypso Kids Collection, The Island Store, Liquid Nutrition, Wildfire Pizza & Bar, Your Friendly Pharmacy, Sushi Rokkan, His Fashion, Dermalogica Skin Centre, Going Places Travel, Keg Ranch Wine and Spirits, Touch Control home theatre and automation, Brass and Leather, Custom Computers, Royal Bank of Canada, Shell Service Station, Solomon’s Fresh Market.

The ladies of Tangled (l-r): Altrinique McDonald, Kimiesh Wilson-Kemp; Alana Jones, and Nadia Miller

Dr. Amanda Pinder, Tameka Rolle, and Dr. Robert Allen of Happy Pets join in the festivities.

Ladies take a break from shopping for a free paraffin wax treatment for their hands at Dermalogica. (L-r): Samitria Miller, Tatiana Silva, Olivia Cottis, Misty Maioullis, Tamika Pinder, and Raquel Baldacci.

Gents at the Naughty Johnny’s bar raise their glasses in a Christmas cheer.

Philip Simon, President of NPDco, greets guests Alex and Gershan Major.

Santa Claus and Philip Simon, President of NPDco present raffle winner Sandra Cartwright with a $500 gift certificate to the Old Fort Bay Center store of her choice.

Zarita owner Chinarae Pratt helps Demetrius McCloud check off his Christmas gift list.

Junkanoo dancers and musicians revv up the crowd with the rushout at the Old Fort Bay Center Christmas Party. Photos: Derek Smith Jr.