National

50-Year-Old Business Banking on Overnight Tourists

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – While some businesses are starting to see and feel the benefits of Carnival’s investment on Grand Bahama, others say they’re still waiting, such as the owners of Freeport Jewellers.

Published

6 months ago

July 15, 2025

Kendeno Knowles

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – Freeport Jewelers has been around for five decades, once thriving in both Port Lucaya and the International Bazaar.

But owner Loren Madu says things are no longer what they used to be.

 Her store has always catered to locals, shaping inventory around what Bahamians wanted but the changing economy and rising gold prices have forced a shift.

 Even with scores of cruise passengers arriving, Madu says foot traffic from tourists has dried up. She says the much touted economic momentum hasn’t yet reached her doors.

 But Madu hasn’t given up.

Instead, she’s set her sights on what she believes is the key to long-term success: the overnight visitor.

And with recently announced plans for a billion-dollar redevelopment of Grand Lucayan Resort and hotel rooms on the rise by 2028, if that materializes, she says she’s hopeful the tide will turn.

 And even through tough times, her message to the community is simple – “I want Bahamians to continue to believe in us. We have always been a store that we cater to Bahamians.”