Family unity above all

Next week, small business owner Luther Palmer will celebrate 14 years since he decided to open the Parkway Cook Shop in Port Maria, St Mary, with his children and family.

The popular takeaway spot, which opens until 2 a.m. six-nights-a-week, is the only place in the parish serving food after midnight and, subsequently, a favourite hangout for late-night workers, taxi drivers and party fans.

In the day, Palmer is employed as an ancillary worker at a local dental clinic, but in the evenings, once the sun begins to set, he joins his sons and nephew at the shop near Pagee Beach to start preparing meals and drinks for their hungry customers.

Palmer told Family and Religion: "In the early 2000s, there used to be a little place we used to go to whenever we wanted a night snack, but I could see his customer load was too much and said to myself, 'Let me start off something like this and see if I can help out', and things just grew from there."

WORKING WITH FAMILY

"The people working here are my sons, cousins and close friends, so it's a really tight, family unit. To tell you the truth, I prefer to work with family because it's easier for me to trust them. We all grew up the same way and enjoy cooking, and whoever doesn't like cooking likes to bake."

"A couple of people who didn't even know how to stir a pot have gone on to other places, and some are even in foreign (lands). They call me all the time and say 'Man, if I didn't come to your place and learn how to cook, I don't know how I would survive right now'.

"Supporting my family and community is important because I have never really advertised my business in the media, but people have promoted this place through word-of-mouth advertising, which is why it's important to look after your family and community because they will look after you."

Leon McKenzie, Palmer's nephew, agrees. The 21-year-old junior chef said: "We look at everybody as family, both staff and customers, so we are just like one big family. I've been working here for two years and it's been a really good experience. The best thing is the unity. If the shop is short of something, we all put in to help out."

Palmer's son, Richard, 23, adds: "Personally, I love the teamwork and collective effort we put in and how we click as family. I would always recommend that people work with their family if they get the chance because it gives you good exposure and an opportunity to learn. It's great because we're constantly strengthening our relationship and always laughing and joking with each other."

reasons for success

Palmer believes there are two key elements that have helped the business become successful. He said: "Our food tastes good and we open late. When most people leave work and can't be bothered to go home and cook, they know there is a place they can go to. A lot of people pass through the town late at night coming from as far as Portland and Ocho Rios and they know there is always somewhere they can get good food."

Looking ahead, Palmer's eldest son, Paul Young, 27, hopes to expand the business. He explained: "It's a great business because we work well together, but anyone can come and fit in with us. In the future, I'm hoping that we will develop to the stage where we can launch a shop in Oracabessa and another in Ocho Rios."

familyandreligion@gleanerjm.com