Whitter Village 10 Years Later

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 8 commercial development was later hit by the 2007-2008 global economic recession, that saw the fortunes of the many businesses being wiped out, and put pause to many major investment decisions. To compound matters, two major investment savings schemes in which many Jamaicans had put their money for super high returns went bankrupt and were wound up by the financial regulatory authorities. “That brought on a new dynamic in terms of challenges, to the point where we almost lost the develop- ment with all the complications and commotion that took place in the construction industry. Those occurrences had put a dent in the real estate landscape, and most of those businesses which were sup- posed to be taking up the shops at Whitter Village at the end of the construction were unable to do so,” theWhitter Group CEO remembers. AngellaWhitter tells the ultimate success story of the eventual com- pletion despite great odds: “We started the development with a 75 per cent commitment for take-up of the 92 shops. After the recession and savings scheme collapsed, we only had five persons to go through with the project and with a bank loan to service. So, we almost lost the project and spent over two years fighting in court with the bank to ward off their attempts to foreclose on the property.” Having persevered and guided the ship to safe harbour, Whitter Village was completed in 2009 and finally opened in 2010 offering a wide range of first-rate amenities and a relaxed and sophisticated shopping experience for Jamaicans and visitors to the country. Evenwith completionandopening of themassive commercial develop- ment, the challenges persisted with the unfortunate passing in 2013, just three years after its completion, of its conceptualiser, dreamer, builder and chief believer, JosephWhitter. “That put a spanner in the whole works, but our dreamdidn’t die. I am here to continue the legacy of aman whowas passionate about thedevel- opment ofMontegoBay and Jamaica. I continue that legacy with pride. I have beenblessedwith a legacy that is livingbeyondmy late husband and lasting legacy that will live beyond me,”AngellaWhitter points out. “I, therefore, havea responsibility to ensure that things are handled pru- dently,” adds the businesswoman, whohails fromthe rural communityof ChathaminStJames,attendedWilliam Knibb High School in Trelawny, and workedwith theWhitterGroupand its predecessor,TransCaribbean Jamaica Limited, as a typist, before becoming a partner in the business. SUCCESS CONTINUED FROM 6 WHITTER VILLAGE 10TH ANNIVERSARY Another view of Whitter Village showing the Clinicare Pharmacy, Progressive Food Store and Temptations. Photos by Ashley Anguin