A concept drawing of what the new building was intended to look like.
PHILIPSBURG–Caribbean Liquors and Tobacco (CLT) customers will have to wait a while longer before they can enjoy shopping in the company’s new, modern store.
The company’s plans to construct a modern facility at its location on W.G. Buncamper Road have been significantly delayed as a result of Hurricane Irma in 2017.
CLT Director Georges Greaux said on Sunday that the plans for the new structure have been pushed back since Irma. One of the major hindrances is the lack of warehousing in the country, he said. Because of this and other factors, CLT cannot follow through on its plans at this time.
A number of concept drawings of what the new building was set to look like are featured online on DAM Caribbean’s website. The site said the new entity, which would have been named Caribbean Liquors, Tobacco and Food, “is all about service, quality and the ultimate customer experience.”
According to the website, the structure was set to be “a clear transparent building, a layout with interior sightlines and a great overview. The durable materials used are besides aesthetic and futuristic, also hygienic, easy to clean and maintain. The intelligent layout with natural shading, … optimal use of a solar roof and low weight insulating materials all contribute to the zero-emission target of this design.
The experience of the building is that of a modern warehouse, a cash-and-carry shop, a boutique shop and, at the same time, an urban lifestyle food- and wine-tasting factory.”
Greaux said the artist’s impressions are a concept for the company’s current location. “This has been pushed back since Irma. It was a project before Irma that has been put on hold. Right now, there are too many things that we need to get going first before we can consider building. One of the major issues we have is a lack of warehousing. That is a primary concern, so we cannot follow through on this,” he said.
He said the company wanted to offer more to its customers with the new store. CLT has a bar in its existing retail outlet and currently offers different products on Fridays and offers cocktails. Walk-in customers are entertained and the idea would have been to offer more of this in the new building.
“We have a way to go before St. Maarten comes back again. It would be a problem to do this project and not have alternative facilities that we can use while doing construction,” Greaux said.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/85113-irma-hampers-clt-s-plans-for-new-building
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