DRE: Family sits at the heart of the Foster’s brand. As we near Christmas, how does your family celebrate the holiday season?
JF: Together, of course! Even though we spend each and every day together running the business, we still gather on Christmas as a group, share stories, laugh and eat!
DRE: What do you think has been the most enjoyed change, by employees and patrons, following the move of the Foster’s flagship store to Camana Bay?
JF: The fact that we have so much space really allows us to expand our products and offerings. People love the new floral department, the expanded speciality ranges, Bay Market Café and the seating areas. We get told often that stepping into Foster’s Camana Bay gives you an experience unlike any other in Cayman. That’s thanks to the space, but it’s coupled with our team’s dedication to providing service that makes you smile. And the great part is, you get that same service no matter which of our stores you’re in.
DRE: How was the process of building your latest store to your specs and requirements?
JF: It was an amazing process. We’d been in discussions with Dart for about 10 years, so going from concept, to design, to build, to product placement and customer experience was exciting all the way through. The entire team came together on this one, and really showed their care for our brand, the customers and the end result. Foster’s Camana Bay wouldn’t be what it is without the incredible [people] who helped make it happen.
DRE: What should patrons expect as Foster’s makes its way into its 39th year of serving the Cayman Islands?
JF: Can you believe it’s been 39 years? It’s so humbling to look back at where we started, with 25 employees compared to today as we hit the 700 mark. We’ve always been dedicated to providing quality, affordable groceries and we’re going to continue to do that – for everyone on island. No matter what your shopping preferences, your diet, et cetera, we’re working to expand our offerings so that you can find everything you need and everything you want, affordably.
DRE: Anything else you think people would like to know?
JF: Our 2020 Foster’s calendar (which is available for free in store now) focuses on the fact that food is more than nourishment. It bridges gaps, unifies divides, and sends a message of love and acceptance and coincidentally tastes great, too. As you walk into Foster’s Camana Bay, you’ll see the photos on the wall of people from different cultures making and interacting with food. Food has the power to inspire and connect us with people and places we never thought we’d experience, and we’re so grateful for all of our customers who inspire us daily.
Foster’s Camana Bay is located on Solaris Avenue in Camana Bay and is open from Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
About the author
Alanna Warwick-Smith is a Marketing Coordinator supporting the real estate marketing team for Dart. Alanna has worked in Dart’s flagship development of Camana Bay for the past seven years, when she began her career working at the town’s bookstore, Books & Books. A lover of the written word, Alanna reads and writes poetry in her spare time, and has written content for a range of platforms in the past, including her own blog and Camana Bay Times.
