Across Barbados’ highways and secondary roads, an increasing number of men and women are setting up stalls along busy routes, some operating every day, turning what once started as side hustles into full-time livelihoods.
Along Graeme Hall, Christ Church, Akeem has been out by the highway for the past ten years selling coconut water and natural juices – a move born out of necessity. “I was working a restaurant and I keep getting lay off. This was always my side thing so I decided that I would make it my main thing and I’ve been doing it every day since then,” he said.
Consistency, he stated, is key to making it work. “The harder you work, the more profit you will,” he added.
Operating nearby, David Wilfred said he has been hustling along the same stretch for about 15 years after transitioning from operating a boxcart in Bridgetown. “I started working with Jack; he was the real coconut boss,” Wilfred said, noting that Jack helped several vendors get started before they eventually branched off on their own.
Today, he said, several vendors occupy the area – a sign of how the trade has grown. “Customers come to people stall. I don’t walk up to customers to try and steal business from any of the other guys; so there’s really no competition,” he stated.
However, Wilfred also pointed out that the increase in vendors has brought some challenges, noting that some motorists complain about coconut shells being left behind on the road.
Further east, Zaman Rahimatali said his roadside journey began three years ago. He stated that he initially operated along the Tom Adams Highway for about two years before being asked to move from his original location in front Kooyman, Kendal Hill.
“We saw this spot was clear and decided to try something,” he said of his relocation to Valery Road, Brittons Hill. “It was a lot quicker on the highway than here but it’s still feasible,” he added.
Rahimatali sells produce such as cucumbers, potatoes, tomatoes and okras, but he noted that as business slowed, he had to scale back on the variety he offers.
His biggest concern, he said, was navigating traffic when working along the highway. “Even when I wanted to leave from the highway it was hard to get back on the road. No one really stops to let you go and you have to bore your way,” he said.
Others have taken steps to minimise those risks. Shirley Marshall of SJM Enterprise said she has been selling outside Deighton Griffith Secondary School for just over seven years and deliberately chose a safer location. “I have a little layby and plus I’m off the road so it’s not a hazard for me personally,” she stated.
Marshall said she sells fruits, vegetables and ground provisions and has modernised operation by accepting card payments.
Despite the unpredictability of sales, she said gratitude keeps her grounded. “Some days I come home with a smile on my face. No matter what you get, you have to be grateful and go home with a smile,” she added.
On the Errol Barrow Highway, Adrian Leacock said his move into roadside vending followed his exit from a long-standing government job. “I had close to 17 years working in government and then I was sent home,” he shared.
He stated that instead of re-entering the formal workforce, he chose to make roadside vending his full-time occupation. “I told myself that I would just make it my new full-time job instead of having to go through that whole process again.”
Leacock now sells fruits such as dunks sugar cane and also seasonal local fruits sugar apples and mammy apples, sourcing them himself. He also noted that his spot attracts both locals and visitors, including tourists and even cricket legend Brian Lara.
He said that despite operating beside a major roadway, familiarity offers some protection. “When people accustom seeing you for a number of years, they tend to know you are here . . . they look out for us.”
In My Lord’s Hill, St Michael, Cladius Bowen said his roadside operation grew of family tradition. “When my grandfather passed, I took over from him at the market,” said, referring to his early days at the Barven Outdoor Market.
For Bowen, selling closer to home made transition easier. “I live out here so I just selling from here,” he said. Bowen sells items eggs and carrots and tries to focus on local to stay away from the imported food and stated.
Describing the business as unpredictable Bowen said, “Some days good, some days through with doing it.”
While roadside safety remains a concern said serious incidents have been rare in of all the years being out here, I’ve only seen happening.”
whole dunks and fruits like sourcing spot including Lara. some seeing know Cladius out grandfather market,” he Barven made the just ended up items such as local goods. “I try and keep it local,” he unpredictable but worthwhile, days bad but you would get concern for many, he his experience. “Out seen one accident happening.”
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