Denis O'Brien (centre), chairman of Digicel, gets educated about sorrel from a vendor in downtown Kingston during a tour of the Coronation Market with Mayor Desmond McKenzie (right) and the prime minister. Also in the photo is CEO of Digicel Jamaica, Mark Linehan (partly hidden). Digicel is the first of hopefully many corporate entities that will take up Government's incentives to return to downtown Kingston to operate. - Contributed

FOR MANY, the fact that downtown Kingston has been in a state of decay for decades now has been one of great national shame and horror.

Kingston, with its very rich history and leadership role in hemispheric affairs, is plumb ripe to assert its role as a leading cultural and entertainment destination for both nationals and visitors. The historical, cultural and entertainment virtues of downtown Kingston far outweigh the albatross that successive administrations have perpetuated by omission.

In the absence of a master plan to actively reposition Kingston as the hub of commerce, entertainment and cultural interchange, as it was in its heyday, one can only lament the absence of vision that led to the decay. It would appear as if a conscious decision was taken to surrender downtown Kingston to the vagaries of the burgeoning criminal enterprise; just like an octopus, its tentacles have reached above and beyond its immediate imaginary borders.

Sadly, as a capital that sits on a beautiful waterfront, Kingston and its inhabitants have been betrayed by those entrusted with its governance. They have allowed the once-pristine jewel of the Caribbean to go from a proud peacock to the 'dungle-fowl'. All was not lost, however, as, notwithstanding the pressures on their investments, many businesses have been swimming against the current to maintain a presence. In the end, it may be that it was their presence that prevented the total collapse of downtown Kingston, ruled by warring political factions and our home-grown version of organised crime.

City's soul intact

In this respect, downtown Kingston has saved its soul - as represented in the beauty of the Ward Theatre; places of worship; the Ocean Boulevard Waterfront; Parade; glorious King Street; the beauty of the National Gallery. There are many other national treasures be they architectural, or historical and the soul of downtown Kingston remains intact.

The beauty of the soul of the area is lost to most of those who live 'above the clock', and not to mention rural folk who have deduced that venturing to downtown Kingston is tantamount to securing an early appointment to see one's maker. Interestingly enough, however, while the majority seemingly cower in fear of an outing down there, there is a very silent majority who suffer no such illusions, and they have been quietly reaping the beauty and bounty that is to be found, be it culturally, commercially and/or aesthetically!

Now, viewers of early-morning television in Jamaica would have noticed the new trend in 'telemarketing'. First, there were the Colombians beaming right into our homes and offices, advertising their various wares at supposedly very cheap prices. But recognising the genius of the approach, mega-merchandiser Bashco adopted a similar approach to sensitise the shopping public to the quality, quantity and safe environs it offers customers in which to shop. They have a well-produced TV-advertorial, starring media and popular personalities Elva Ruddock and Denise Hunt. Dears, the ad has been pulling them in!

Treasure chest of goodies

The name Bashco, until recently, conjured up images of cheap thrills for the masses and, as such, definitely not a place for the well-heeled and/or the prim and/or proper to go bargain hunting! Well, if you are from this background, denying yourself such an experience in any of the Bashco establishments is an empty attempt to show off your superiority. Pity, as not unlike its sister stores MegaMart, Bashco is a treasure chest of goodies!

Dears, at the urging of a dear friend and colleague, and inspired by the ad, yours truly visited the Bashco on Princess Street, in the heart of downtown a few Fridays ago. I had such a fun time out, it was akin to flying up to New York, and after visiting upmarket Macy's for a few choice items, discreetly slipping into neighbouring downmarket Conways to really do some shopping!

The difference here is that, unlike those who use their Macy's shopping bags to conceal their Conways shopping spree, shopping at Bashco is not a downmarket experience and so there is no need to be discreet here. Not only are the prices captivating, the experience is a fulfilling one with patrons leaving quite satisfied. It's a one-stop location where almost everything, except food, is available. And given time, one expects this to be included too!

But a note of caution to new shoppers (at least to the Princess Street location). They should be mindful of their timing when going to shop as the problem is not the threat of crime or violence, but the hordes of shoppers who know they are on to a good thing and are clearly determined to make the most of it. And if you cannot find Omar, as seen in the ad, the calming influence of floor manager, the charming Katherine Brown, will make sure yours is a rewarding and very pleasant shopping experience!

A town abuzz

Interestingly and sincerely, while the present administration should be commended for the tax incentives it has introduced that has reawakened corporate interest in downtown Kingston, one can only hope that corporate entities, such as The Gleaner, GraceKennedy and Sangster's Book Stores, who have remained in downtown Kingston, despite the odds over the years, will be also encouraged to remain, with an equally attractive incentive, if this is not already the case!

But downtown Kingston is definitely abuzz and glowing with commerce and excitement, thanks to Bashco and a host of other merchants and retailers who have ignored the trend to move kit and caboodle to the so-called safer business climate of uptown or midtown!

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Gassan Azan Jr, MegaMart's chairman/CEO - File