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Crafts Alive vendors faced with eviction!

Information reaching Virgin Islands News Online is that several occupants of the Crafts Alive Village may be forced to vacate the premises after being handed notices threatening to remove them recently. Photo: VINO/File
One of the notices sent to vendors as seen by this news site. Photo: VINO
One of the notices sent to vendors as seen by this news site. Photo: VINO
Commentator, Edmund G. Maduro offered that the entire episode was a disgraceful one. Photo: VINO/File
Commentator, Edmund G. Maduro offered that the entire episode was a disgraceful one. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Information reaching Virgin Islands News Online is that several occupants of the Crafts Alive Village may be forced to vacate the premises after being handed notices threatening to remove them recently.

The notices were reportedly handed out nearly two weeks ago and were given as a result of the vendors’ inability to make payments towards their rent for the year 2013.

One vendor who asked to remain anonymous said vendors previously met with Works Minister Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool in relation to what they deemed a disparity in the rental costs for the booths at the location but nothing substantial came from the meeting despite promises of action.

According to the source, vendors expressed that some of the shops at the Crafts Alive Village were smaller than others, yet everyone was required to pay the same rental and some felt this was unfair. They were reportedly assured that this would be looked into but said no feedback was ever received on the matter.

The vendors allegedly first received notice of what they would be required to pay in rental fees sometime in April of 2013 but said they were awaiting feedback in order to arrive at a final agreement on the rental cost. Some complained that they found it extremely difficult to meet the rental costs given the state of business at this time.

The vendors were asked to sign lease agreements for the booths they currently occupy at the village and reference was made to this in the letters that were handed out.

Hon. Vanterpool could not be reached for comment up to post time and attempts to reach City Manager Janis Braithwaite-Edwards also proved unsuccessful.

Many of the Crafts Alive Village vendors entered the revamped location on Waterfront Drive in November 2012 after being removed from the former ‘Tent City’ location near the cruise pier dock where they had been plying their wares for an extended period of time.

Commentator, Edmund G. Maduro offered that the entire episode was a disgraceful one and added, “I think it’s very bad what they’re doing. They are trying to destroy our own people and it is a very very sad situation. No government does that to its people because the government must realise that the people are the people they are seeking to lead.”

48 Responses to “Crafts Alive vendors faced with eviction!”

  • ccc (04/04/2014, 08:53) Like (13) Dislike (27) Reply
    Ha ha ndp has no regard for poor people
    • Non tolerant (04/04/2014, 19:33) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
      I have no tolerance for commentators like Mr. Maduro who voice their opinion without knowing the facts. What Government is doing is not disgraceful. It is asking that persons live up to their agreements. Each vendor had a contract and knew what they were agreeing to. In Mr. Maduro position he should be encouraging citizens to do what is honorable. Around the world people are suffering financially. We should not only look at what our country can do for us we must look at what we can do to make the country a better place for all citizens. If we all do our part then perhaps things will once again flourish here in the Virgin Islands.

      We were never a welfare Territory. If we don.t strive to help ourselves then we have only ourselves to blame for our failures. Change is never easy but if we use our minds and stop complaining we will be amazed at the doors that will open.
    • disappointed (04/04/2014, 21:19) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      In his position as commentator Mr. Edmund Maduro could have a positive influence in the community if he would choose to say what he knows is right instead of going along with the what he thinks people want to hear. Mr. Maduro has been in business for years selling gas. Would he be considered a shrewd business man if everyone took his gas and never paid? How long would he have lasted if that were the case.

      It is not a disgrace for Government to ask venders to pay their rent for having a unit at Craft Alive. It is sad that Mr. Maduro would say that no Government should ask t's citizens to pay what they have agreed to pay. What Mr. Maduro needs to do is to encourage the vendors to be responsible and do the the right thing.
  • Give Jack his Jacket and Jakkie her lipstick (04/04/2014, 09:12) Like (92) Dislike (4) Reply
    After all, this time, fear is fear, you cannot blame government. I believe these vendors are just bad minded. What is the rent, isn't it $250 a month? What you mean them poor and cannot pay? $250????

    Come on! give Jack his jacket and Jackie her lipstick, these vendors need to do better. Even if some booth bigger, how much bigger is bigger? They measure them? If they did not pay from April, of course it would be hard to pay now, a whole year later. They need to pay up, even if is a payment plan, if they want the space they need to pay. If they not making money, then move let somebody else get the space, end of story.
    • Peaches (04/04/2014, 09:20) Like (18) Dislike (10) Reply
      It is not 'FEAR" it is "FAIR". Please check the dictionary.
    • chad (04/04/2014, 11:07) Like (47) Dislike (1) Reply
      These people serious my boy! They made noise about "tent city" so government find them a place. They have low rent they don't want to pay. They now making noise that they not making money. My thing is if they not making money why do they want to keep the place. Let someone else who maybe more innovative have the place. I say if they haven't paid for a year they need to go, if they only owe 3 months are less give them chance to re-organize themselves.
  • Mango Monkey (04/04/2014, 09:15) Like (7) Dislike (53) Reply
    The NDP is heartless
  • rr (04/04/2014, 09:17) Like (76) Dislike (2) Reply
    Im lost..... Forget the political bull.......... if you are occupying a space, arnt you supposed to pay rent? Rent is owed from 2013 and your still there?
    • Eugene (04/04/2014, 16:59) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
      Most selling the same crap. Tourists are not buying it, so they should sell something different nobody there has. But if you are not making enough for rent and bills, then give up the place to someone who can use it. Selfish and silly.
  • Spy (04/04/2014, 09:19) Like (3) Dislike (23) Reply
    Are they making any money?Iv'e been around that place with three ships in town and the vendors were saying it is 1 o'clock and we ain't make a time yet.The vendors were set up when they move from tent city,before the tourist get to crafts alive they are hijacked by the taxi drivers so they don't even reach.Crafts Alive now becomes "Crafts Adead" sad ,i'm sorry for those vendors lord send them some help..........
    • rr (04/04/2014, 10:03) Like (67) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why it is that nobody sees that these people are all selling the same things? They have no sale skills, hardly any manners and the list goes on. In this day and age you have to be innovative, creative, outgoing and flexable. Adopt the mentality that you can sell ice to an eskimo and watch the difference. Put your heart and soul behind your products and stop expecting people to just walk in any buy your stuff.
      • DISAGREE (04/04/2014, 11:20) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
        Whilst there are many similar items in a number of the stores there are also many unique products in there. Most of you are commenting without even going in there are talking to the vendors, some of them are indeed very skilled crafts people.

        I do agree though that if you have not paid rent in a year you should have been evicted a long time ago
      • @rr (05/04/2014, 03:47) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        Not only lacking in sales skills but appropriate dress and attire. Why are so many of the vendors dressed so frumpy or sometimes ghetto looking with their heads all tied down. Dressing as a businessman or woman should not only encourage customers to visit your shop but encourage them to buy because you appear business minded and organized. In addition, the shop spaces are too congested and cluttered with stuff that in the midst of the madness, upon entering there seems to be no method so why should tourists or locals be encouraged to even want to enter most shop spaces much less buy?
    • penelope (04/04/2014, 19:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why don't they sell things that people want. You have to attract with quality merchandise.
    • Civic Minded (06/04/2014, 13:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Spy in response to what you have written above, the Lord did sent the Vendors help in the form of a shop to call their own. Should Government Abe now required to provide the merchandise and then also go out and bring them customers?
  • wize up (04/04/2014, 09:23) Like (5) Dislike (60) Reply
    if you are not a so-called rich white investor then you U no longer belong in the BVI; under this NDP Government; boy, i tell you !!!!!
    • Easy street (04/04/2014, 13:09) Like (5) Dislike (17) Reply
      I hear you, but just to note, some of these whites are not rich at all. It is only when they come to the BVI, and with NDP paving the way for them with ease, do they gain that status.
      • GOD WORDS (04/04/2014, 13:50) Like (1) Dislike (27) Reply
        LEAVE THE PEOPLE ALONE MARK AND JAN…THINK IF THIS WAS YOUR MOTHER
      • wise up (04/04/2014, 17:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        easy street; 100% true..no tax on imported items...what ah ting !!!!
  • Concerned (04/04/2014, 10:02) Like (48) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of you people are so d**m ignorant and unreasonable. You all have to put BVI politics into everything. Policies are enacted to make sure that things are handled the correct way. Once you sign a contract you are expected to honor that commitment. Some of these same vendors have family members who own and rent apartments. Tell me, do they allow their tenants to owe them rent for a whole year? It is very simple. Since they claim that they are not making any money, then they need to move out and let someone else occupy the space. The Government has bills to pay too. It doesn't mater who or what is involved; it's the PRINCIPLE that matters.
    • VERY Concerned (04/04/2014, 13:11) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am in total agreement with you. Policies and rules are in place for everyone . A contract is an agreement and once signed the parties must adhere to their agreement. In this day an age where would you find a space for rent at $250.00 per month in the heart of down town? Stop complaining and help yourselves and stop depending on Government for everything. " God helps those who helps themselves"
  • Hmmmmm (04/04/2014, 10:04) Like (39) Dislike (0) Reply
    $250.00 a month?? Reasonable come on pay up or let someone else occupy the space everybody want everything for free damn it
  • School Chilren (04/04/2014, 11:02) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is rediculous. All they are paying is for the building and that is only $250.00. Govenment covers the water and light and this has nothing to do with NDP, VIP, PEP or anything political. It is pure wiltfullness of those vendors. You are saying that you are there all day and you don't make at least $250 for a month? If that is the case you need to go home. And like one commenter stated, majority of them selling the same items. They need to get creative and be different. Get up off your behinds and use your minds and generate the income you so desire.
  • Concerned (04/04/2014, 11:12) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Rent is owed to government by all those vendors for much longer than 2013; some have not paid a cent since 2007 some longer. So before you all sit behind your computer talking what you don't know and bashing the Govt. get you all information correct.
  • Country Gal (04/04/2014, 11:15) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dear Vendors:
    Pay UP or Shut UP ....Talk done
  • Why (04/04/2014, 11:18) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why are they still there? Poor management. They should have been gone long long time. If they cannot or would not pay that paltry sum then they are lousy sure to fail entrepeneurs. No hope. Send them out quick qquick.
    Stop wasting time and money with these all around deadbeat losers.
  • george (04/04/2014, 11:25) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    those who married to we men from tola and get status dont want to pay any rent. so they influence those locals to ioin with them as to boycott the rental plan also.jam/ vin check it out 3 of them with the most say and cunfusion is from jam /vinc
  • chad (04/04/2014, 11:39) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why Edmund don't go and pay their rent for them? Edmund has businesses and I'm sure he won't continue providing services to persons who owe him money and won't pay him despite repeated warnings, verbally and written. This is so hypocritical of these guys. Government is blamed for roads, water, sewage, schools, hospital and we can all see lack of funding for proper maintenance is one of the main issues. Here we have Government seemingly trying to do better with funds, saying no to Music Fest and other things, charging at the health facilities and now trying to recoup monies at Craft Alive. They spent over $1mil there so it's obvious this is welfare. There's no way $250 can begin to repay that money for building and maintaining it. Some days ago these same people ask for Government to put in security cameras, who's paying for it? Everything has a cost and so many locals would be happy to pay that meagre amount for rent. There is no reason why anybody selling there can't pay that rent. I know business is not the best but you can't pay $250 a mth? I can see when it's slow season Government can give some grace period but we are still in high season and people haven't even paid 2013 fees ? Come on man this is shameful and we got to do better. Tell Edmund haul his ass, he is only bitter because NDP didn't continue with his agricultural contract. When he got that contract he had all praise for this Government, now he is bitter like wassabi.
  • Come On People (04/04/2014, 11:57) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of us are so blind and stupid and always ready to bring politics into everything. What does the NDP have to do with people not being able to pay their rent? Who is supposed to pay for electricity for these vendors? What about the 1.2 million government invested in setting up Crafts Alive? Who is supposed to pay that back? What a bunch of lechers! Those of you who are blogging nonsense and blaming everyone but the vendors need your heads examined.

    Why should the government continue to allow these people to occupy the space for free? Some of you need to get rid of that entitlement attitude. You are not entitled to anything you have to earn it. No one is owed anything so get over it. People in the BVI need to become more enterprising and stop asking government to subsidize everything. The BVI was fast becoming a welfare state under the previous government and now people expect that to continue. The country cannot thrive on loafers and lechers.

    Times are changing and we better get some ambition and try to do for ourselves and stop asking government to foot the bill for everything we do. We are the same ones that are quick to talk about government wasting money. Isn't allowing people to go rent free wasting money? Someone has to foot the bill. Craft Alive vendors need to wake up from their slumber and try to sell their products instead of waiting around for people to come breaking down their doors. Stop being so rude and complacent and try to find creative ways of marketing your products and things would be better.
  • cay (04/04/2014, 12:53) Like (0) Dislike (17) Reply
    free up the poor people Mark
  • Betrayed (04/04/2014, 13:01) Like (0) Dislike (24) Reply
    We guess that the man with the action plan, had an action plan after all. When will you all get it through your heads? NDP is not for black people; they are for white people. We can not say it any simpler. Why did you all put them back in?
    • GoonSquad (04/04/2014, 13:38) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
      You sound sooo stupid...gosh man!! They rent some place they need to pay their rent. They close up most of the time and epect to make money? Several times I see over night tourist walk in craft alive and no one open. They cater only to the ship tourist and forget over night tourist or even the local people. they need to do things to promote their shops so the locals can also buy. Want everything free from government.
  • ABC (04/04/2014, 13:25) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Hello!! If the venders have not settled their accounts to date, it is very unlikely that they will for the rest of the year as there will be no cruise ships after April until well into November. To add insult to injury, if and when the land side development is completed, the venders would be no better off as the passengers would be programmed to stay in the "TPP village" and do their shopping. Either which way the venders will end up with the sharf.
    • check again (04/04/2014, 15:22) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Check and see if there really are no ships - I think you might be wrong!
      • nbc (05/04/2014, 20:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Yes, there will be a number of ships, eg. Smith's Ferry, Native Son, Fast Ferry and Peter Island Ferry.
  • Grateful (04/04/2014, 13:42) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with the above statement. It is not Government responsibility to spoon feed us. As responsible citizens we must be willing to share in the good times and bad times that our country is experiencing. It is time to stop feeling that we are entitled to everything we want.

    In the Culture of these Virgin Islands we were always taught that " you work for what you want, no one owes you anything." Unlike the US Virgin Islands we do not have a Federal Government to come and bail us out when we get in trouble or when there is a catastrophe. We have always dug deep within ourselves and found the strength to do what was needed.

    Craft Alive venders must stop depending on Government to sell their products for them or to advertise for them. vendors. need to start helping themselves instead of waiting on Government. In addition, they should be thankful that they were provided with one of the shops, for there were many who did not succeed in getting one.

    vendors cease from complaining about the size of your store. It is the new stores that were recently built that have caused the prices to go up. Your shops were built during a period of higher costs. Be thankful. Pay your rent, or move out and allow someone who is willing and able to honour their contractual agreement to take the shop that you appear not to want.oo



  • Real!! (04/04/2014, 14:40) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hurry up take them out so I could get in!!
  • Yeah Ok (04/04/2014, 14:49) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    I don't think the Vendors would mind paying if the location was making any money but it's not. I been there and I know people that open for business and spend the whole day there without selling $25.00. They have to do something about bringing the tourist to the spot.
    • Nipple Sucker (04/04/2014, 18:47) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      Who is supposed to bring the tourist to the spot the government? How far away from the cruise ship pier is the Crafts Alive Village? A stone throw away. Are you telling me that the vendors cannot organize and get people over to their shops? For your information, when you are selling something that nobody needs and can do without you have to make a special effort to get people interested in what you are selling. Too many of us sit down and talk about what the BVI has to offer but do we realize that we have to market what we have for people to be interested? Vendors can form a cooperative and pool together to have their products marketed. Many of these vendors prefer to sit down discussing people's business instead of tending to their own. When you stick your nose in other people's business yours is left to suffer. Get with it people. Times are hard but you are making it harder with that mind set and attitude. God helps those who help themselves.
    • Pooh bear (04/04/2014, 19:53) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Some of them are too expensive n rude
  • jam girl (04/04/2014, 17:10) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    They need to pay their rent , it doesn't matter where you are from and I thought it was more money for the booth every vendor that plies his or her produce in jamaica ve to pay or they can't sell there . By the way my hussy is from here I wonder if I can get a booth in there lord ve mercy pay oonuu rent an tap mek story
  • Overly Concerned (04/04/2014, 17:20) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is very pathetic that the commentator in this article (Mr. M) who I thought had some kind of common sense and love for these beautiful Virgin Islands would allow himself to be viewed as such a public spectacle. He, above everyone else who acts as an authoritarian on every subject should know better. What is he blaming the Government for? The point is that the vendors are occupying the space, therefore they MUST pay for it or get the hell out. Nobody needs to listen to E****d with his ignorance.
  • Migoman (04/04/2014, 18:10) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    After I sign a contract agreeing to rent a place to dwell or to do business, I'm obligated to fulfill that contract according to its terms and conditions. I don't go upstairs by the neighbor and inquire how much he or she pays in rent for comparison purposes, deem my rental cost unfair compared to what they pay and go and complain to the landlord. That's not how it goes. So I don't really understand what the dilemma is. If any of you tenants at Crafts alive had an issue with the cost of rent in association with the size of your hut, that should have been looked into prior to the inception of the agreement, not now. You agreed to something, fulfill it. Ya'll don't do this in the private sector with private rentals but find it ok to play with the people's tax/rental money because its '''Government''', '''they can take the loss'''.
  • poor people (05/04/2014, 06:53) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why the ndp do not get money owed from one phone company eh? Conflict of interest but they picking on the poor
  • Save Them (05/04/2014, 06:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The need to evict them. Save them from their own demise. If they had business acumen they would be able to pay the rent. They obviously dont so just evict them already. Save them from racking up more bills. It is not helping anyone if you gave them pardon for a year and continue doing so for another year. If the person was honest they would have paid some. If their complaint is that they cant save them from them selves. At the end on 2013 they would have owed 3,000.00 less interest by the end of 2014 they will owe 6,000.00. If the cant afford to pay 3,000.00 how will they pay 6,000.00? Save them
  • enough (05/04/2014, 10:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I would love to get a space at Craft Alive Village. If they don't want to pay the rent let persons willing to pay rent it then. People always want something for free. We must learn to invest in ourselves. How to call to get one?
  • Main St store keeper (13/04/2014, 16:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are those of us in Road Town who pay rent, light bills, tax and social security and would be evicted just like that by our private landlords should we default. Few people walk down Main St but that is not an excuse for not paying bills.

    Then there are those at the so-called Craft Market (what is craft about goods from Panama and Miami?) they have all the cruise ship tourists directed to them, there is advertising, a purpose-built place and they can't even pay rent? I am disgusted with the way the places are allocated anyway. A friend of mine from Virgin Gorda who has a trade licence for years and a little craft business couldn't get a space and was told that all the spaces were reserved for the illegal traders who were not even BVIslanders from the cruise ship dock who were in the process of being given trade licences.

    Still no matter, because those vendors going right back up to the cruise ship to the new market there. Tent city lives.


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