The welcomed and highly-anticipated return of food services began slowly in South Trinidad yesterday.
Though it was not what many hypothesised would happen, it’s one that would make health officials proud as there were no long lines, no crowds and no rushing for food.
It was a particularly slow start for Indian delicacies like doubles and alloo pies in South Trinidad.
Salome Manoo, an Indian delicacy vendor at Debe, told Guardian Media that yesterday morning’s sales were at least three times slower than usual.
“We opened around 5.45 am...sales are a little bit down as yet but we hoping that during the day it will pick up,” she said.
It was a similar report next door at “D Green Shed” according to one of the owners, Sally Manlal.
“It started up a bit quiet but steady. It’s not peak time as yet. Peak time is normally around lunchtime,” she said.
Over at Cross Crossing San Fernando (commonly referred to as “d cross”), there was also a noticeable lack of crowds. But according to vendor Rana Boodram, this did not mean fewer sales for her.
“A lot of my customers, they order...and just come and pick up,” she said.
But despite the sales, all vendors were extremely happy and grateful they could resume operations after almost two and a half months of government-mandated closure amidst surging COVID-19 cases.
Leeann Seebalack collects her Starbuck drink at the Gulf View Branch in La Romaine, yesterday.
RISHI RAGOONATH
Boodram was especially happy given she was almost barred by the San Fernando City Council after it initially decided to prohibit vending at the popular food hub. The decision was later reversed.
“I was so disappointed (with the initial decision), I was hurt. In fact, when I got the call I almost cried because this is our livelihood. When we don’t work, we don’t have a paycheck coming in,” she said.
For those in line to buy their favourite meals, it was a day that couldn’t have come sooner.
“You know how long I craving for that (doubles)? Long. Since they shut down I craving for it,” Darrel Trotman said.
One woman, who identified herself only as Kenny said she wanted to be an early bird.
“I wanted to come out early before all the traffic and bacchanal start,” she said.
Over at the major fast-food restaurants around lunchtime, there weren’t any lines of people at the Starbucks, Pizza Hut and KFC in La Romain near Gulf City Mall. Instead, there were lines of vehicles using the drive-through services or curbside pick-up.
One woman in line at Starbucks, Leeann Seebalack told Guardian Media she brought out her nieces and nephews for Starbucks and to get KFC for her husband. Employees of all three establishments were seen taking food out to waiting vehicles while KFC drivers were seen getting into vehicles for home delivery. It was a similar sight at the KFC located near Library Corner in San Fernando and the nearby Royal Castle.
