Xmas spirit ‘dead’ in DeCastro Street – Vendors
The annual Christmas event was designed to attracted vendors of all sorts as expressed by vendors themselves but Maryann Chalwall, a vendor herself, said the event was one that brought families together for a true celebration of inviting the Christmas season.
“I am a vendor but it’s all Christmas things, I sell some stuff and most I give out to kids because I believe that’s what Christmas is all about but it’s sad to see and know that our leaders have turned this celebration into one that focus more on the commercial aspects,” said the woman.
Another woman said, “I came out with my kids for a nice show, yes we had the bands, the dance groups but where are the schools involvement, if you want a crowd and support for business just bring out the schools to do something on stage and DeCastro Street wouldn’t be able to hold the people, the Christmas spirit is dead in DeCastro Street and we need to have a revival of it. Take it back to Main Street.”
Xmas on Main Street was about family
Several expressed that the celebrations give a more feeling of togetherness and family at the original DeCastro Street location.
“The City manager may mean well but she needs to look at the real reason for the season, BVI is a Christian community and Christmas means a lot to us. Stop thinking of the business side and let’s have it the real old fashion way. Let’s crowd Main Street and see everyone hugging and sharing the Christmas cheers I am not seeing that here on DeCastro Street.”
On the other hand, several vendors expressed that this was the worst year ever for them businesswise at the third year of the event being on DeCastro Street. “Yes, some bit of food selling for the popular ones, but about the cultural things we have out here no one is interested. It is sad but true. It cost be a great deal to come out with my things and after two nights to go home with less than five hundred dollars is really not business,” expressed one businessman.
“Ask my neighbor over there how much money she made she would tell you how much food she had to giveaway and she didn’t even break even to say the least. They need to find a way to revisit this event and that’s it.”
Move back to Main Street?
Meanwhile, taxi drivers had called for the event to be taken back to Main Street or another location since the blocking off of DeCastro Street was causing a traffic nightmare for them during this busy tourist season.
In her response, City Manager Janice Brathwaite-Edwards said apart from the lack of space to move about, which had patrons bumping into each other; another major concern was the lack of support from the business owners, whereas, on DeCastro Street, the event is now better supported by the surrounding business places.
“So it’s worth it,” she had told Virgin Islands News Online.
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22 Responses to “Xmas spirit ‘dead’ in DeCastro Street – Vendors”
Was she at another event???? The schools were present and performing!!!! St. Georges, Althea Scatliffe....
As for the vendors:
What do some of you expect? People aren't stupid. You run over to St. Thomas in preparation for this event, buy out all the $1, $5, and $10 then come and sell them for $25, $30, and $50???? Why would someone in their right mind sit there and buy overpriced toys, when they can easily just run over to St. Thomas and capatilize on the same toys/gifts that you did. Learn how to make a buck without being greedy and trying to kill people.
We all know that this isn't about the lack of Christmas spirit or family togetherness as they say. This was simply about cold, hard cash. If we all went out there over the weekend and bought till they had nothing to sell there would be no problem.
How about an advertising app for cellular owners?