In a sea of boarded up windows and dark storefronts, Kim's Convenience Store is buzzing with customers. As they sing and pound on tables, Elemuka Watson, the owner's son, pours complementary Sky Juice, gin and coconut water, into oversized Styrofoam cups from milk jugs and distributes them to his jovial guests. Behind him, plywood shelves display bottles of liquor. The prices are written on curled pieces of masking tape, although there isn't much to choose from.
This liquor store and bar, on Bethel Road just off Tonique-Williams Highway, is the only game in town. Watson isn't going to let a hurricane get in the way of business. "We stayed open until 9:30pm last night," he said, screaming over the singing customers. "The wind felt like the store was coming down, but 10 of us stayed until the end until we were forced to close. We opened this morning at 7am. We got a lot of customers that need a drink." That was the scene at Kim's Convenience Store last Thursday, the day after Hurricane Irene stuck New Providence.
As businesses closed down to brace for the storm, some entrepreneurs, such as Watson, decided to stay open as long as possible. The entire neighborhood around Kim's lost power after the storm, leaving many local residents with the need of a distraction.
"Everyone lives around here," said Charlie Miller, who lives down the street. "We got nowhere else to go, so we're all staying here."
Residents were thankful that Kim's is open, but Watson was perhaps the happiest of all. Hurricane business has given Kim's a much-needed boost, he said. As Miller headed back to his table, two women approached the bar. "You got any Breezes?" one of them asks.
"No, only rum." Watson replied.
"OK. Just give me a Vita Malt then."
"It ain't cold," Watson warned.
"That's fine."
A few moments later, he sold a few Backwood cigars, while another customer picked up two bottles of wine. "Hopefully we can get some more beers, because we ran out of those ages ago," he laughed. On the other end of town, Manny's Tavern in Cable Beach had a similar business model.
The streets were flooded and a giant tree had been uprooted in the roundabout across the street. But with a generator powering the establishment, the restaurant and bar offered a full menu the day after the hurricane. More than 50 people occupied the tables or crowded around the bar as fans blew back and forth and the stereo blasted music.
The owner, who preferred to remain anonymous, has lived in Nassau for 45 years. Originally from Greece, he said customers were asking whether he would be open once the storm passed. The endless inquiries inspired him to open the doors.
As he walked to the entrance to welcome more guests, one of his customers stopped him and shook his hand.
"Thank you, you're the only place open," he said.
The owner smiled knowingly and shrugged. The way he sees it, staying open is simply smart business.
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