Over the past 75 years, PH Veira & Company Limited has built up a strong customer base, consisting of people from a wide cross-section of Vincentian society.

Last Friday, SEARCHLIGHT spoke to a few of these customers to find out why they have stayed with the company, despite the many other options available in Kingstown.

Once such person is Veronica Haynes-Nash of Kingstown Park. She said that she shops at the supermarket because the prices are competitive and the staff, friendly.

“I have been shopping here for over 20 years; it is clean and has an improved environment. Other places are good, but here is better,” said Haynes-Nash.

Pamela George of Walvaroo has also been shopping at the supermarket for over 20 years.

“I do my shopping here most of time because the lines don’t hold you up, even if the line is long, it moves fast and the cashiers are friendly… I will always shop here,” George told SEARCHLIGHT, adding that the prices “for some the things” are good.

Cane End resident Chester Findlay said that he and founder, Phillip Veira, were friends.

“I shop here because I know Veira for a very long time, since he started selling chives by the bundle. I even went to his home a few times,” revealed Findlay.

He added, “the prices are reasonable and I congratulate them for the time they are doing business because they are going good still and I will continue shopping here.”

Randolph James of Redemption Sharpes says that he has been shopping at PH Veira supermarket for as long as he can remember, “Probably over 20 years,” he said.

“The service is alright because I shop here regularly …. I will continue shopping here,” James said.

He disclosed that he is a diabetic and sometimes if he is in Kingstown and feels as if his blood sugar is running low, he would pop into PH Veira to get something to eat.

“I will buy a cake and a juice and ask for a seat to eat it until I feel better,” said James.

Another customer, Claudette Charles of Rose Hall, said that she shops at the supermarket because of the courteous staff, among other things.

“Since I know myself I shopping here because the things that I need I always get it here at a reasonable price,” said Charles, who added that some of the cashiers are very courteous and she even knows many of the staffers by their first names.

She said that there were times when PH Veira was still alive when she forgot things in the supermarket and he would return to the supermarket so she could get her goods.

“He would come back and open up and give it to me; so I find that is very fair and reasonable,” commented Charles.

Daneisha Gonsalves from Byera was doing Father’s Day shopping when SEARCHLIGHT spoke to her. “Sunday is Father’s Day, so I am shopping here because it has a variety of stuff that I need. The staff are welcoming and good and they show you around and assist you,” said Gonsalves. She added that the products are priced “right”.