TWENTY-ONE (21) local entrepreneurs now have the opportunity to rent individual rooms to sell their local food and snacks to customers in Honiara.
This follows the opening of the 24-hour Local Main Shop at White River, West Honiara on Saturday.
Speaking at the opening, sales officer Gwen Zama said the Local Main Shop is designed to be more than just a convenience store.
“It is a place where local entrepreneurs can flourish, where dreams are nurtured, and where they can collaborate to fuel the local economy,” she stated.
“By providing an accessible platform for small businesses, we are investing in the talents and creativity that abound in our community.”
Ms. Zama also appealed to the community to take care of the infrastructure.
“We must work hand in hand to maintain our local infrastructure, ensuring that it remains a strong foundation for future generations.
“Together, we can create an environment that encourages growth, fosters innovation, and strengthens our community bonds,” she added.
One of the entrepreneurs, Melly Teno from Renbel, said she is selling locally baked food (motu) and other products and believes the location is ideal for attracting more customers.
Furthermore, local businesswoman Stephany Pola commended the owner of the building for providing an excellent opportunity for locals to thrive in business.
A former nurse Ms Pola highlighted the rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and hypertension in the country.
“By selling local food, we can contribute to reducing these health issues,” she said.
She also emphasized that the new building offers a clean environment, protecting both sellers and customers from the sun and rain, unlike selling along the streets.
Ms Pola, who started by selling local food, has now expanded into distributing rice.
Manager of the Local Main Shop, Biko Tarohimae reiterated that the building was established to support locals.
“Many people struggle to start small businesses. So, we created an opportunity and a location where they can begin,” he said.
“With even a little capital, they can start selling in the shop.”
Mr Tarohimae confirmed that all 21 shop spaces have already been occupied by local entrepreneurs.
Additionally, he revealed that the company is planning to open a similar business at Henderson. Construction is already underway, with the new shop set to open soon.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
