Black River entrepreneurs open bakery, lounge amid recovery

WESTERN BUREAU:

Months after Hurricane Melissa disrupted life and commerce in Black River, entrepreneurs Richard and Taquilia Chin-Cole are injecting new energy into the town. Their official opening of Level 8 – Bakery, Dining and Gaming Lounge at 6 North Street is seen as a sign of renewed economic confidence in the parish capital.

For the husband-and-wife team, Saturday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was not simply the launch of a business, but a statement of resolve.

“When others were assessing losses, we were planning expansion,” Richard Cole, chief executive officer of Level 8 – Bakery, Dining and Gaming Lounge, told the gathering, which included members of the St Elizabeth Police Division, the Fire Brigade, the St Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and local residents.

“After Hurricane Melissa, we made a conscious decision not to delay, but to accelerate. Level 8 represents employment, innovation and confidence in the future of this town.”

Hurricane Melissa caused significant disruption in Black River, with several businesses forced to close temporarily due to flood damage, infrastructure setbacks and reduced customer traffic. The slowdown rippled through the local economy, affecting small operators and employees alike.

Against that backdrop, the Coles’ decision to fast-track completion of the project has been widely interpreted as evidence that recovery is gaining momentum.

Cole noted that the economic potential of Level 8 – Bakery, Dining and Gaming Lounge was evident at a recent job fair, where more than 100 applicants were interviewed – a turnout reflecting both strong community interest and the persistent employment challenges in the hurricane’s aftermath.

Conceived as more than a dining establishment, Level 8 combines bakery services, a modern gaming lounge and complimentary Internet access, positioning itself as a hub for commerce, connectivity and community engagement in the parish capital.

The management explained that the name Level 8 was inspired by Don Martell’s concept symbolising elevation and broad sectoral impact – an ethos that they believe mirrors the upward trajectory they envision for Black River.

Delivering the keynote address, Delano Seiveright, state minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, commended the family’s resilience and underscored the importance of private-sector investment in rebuilding rural economies.

“Moments like these demonstrate that resilience is not just about repairing structures, but about restoring confidence,” Seiveright said, noting that small and medium-sized enterprises remain critical drivers of national growth.

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com