BTC CEO Geoff Houston (left) and The Hon. Neko Grant, Minister of Public Works and Transport (right) look on as graphic artist Lamaro Smith signs the 27’x8’ mural he designed inside the newly renovated BTC Pioneers Way retail experience.

Evening, Saturday Hours Helping

Freeport, Grand Bahama - New products, interactive experiences, an inviting environment and longer hours are paying off for customers and BTC in Grand Bahama, a company spokesman said today, with the store that re-opened last month after a major transformation 'exceeding all targets.'

"We set targets for Grand Bahama and all of our targets have exceeded their marks," said Marlon Johnson, VP, Brand and Communications. "People are appreciative of the new look and feel and the opportunity to try smart phones and other devices out before they buy, something they were never able to do before. Even in the midst of the challenges of the Grand Bahama economy, the turnaround in business has been so dramatic that it is clear this is a formula that customers appreciate."

BTC had closed its Pioneers Way bill payment and service request centre in December. Crews started work immediately, demolishing the dated, dark interior, revamping the lay-out, nearly doubling the useable space of the building. When it re-opened in early February, it was totally transformed -- 2,000 square feet of bright, vibrant 21st century space with a larger-than-life mural of two fishermen created by a local graphics company and counter after high top open display of useable, live devices allowing prospective customers to try everything from games to downloads, to experiment with smart phones, internet, fixed and wireless lines. At the time of the opening, the company was able to launch 4G in the immediate area of the store. Since then, the high speed, lightening fast delivery and download speed has expanded to more than 95% of the island.

"The construction team had its challenges because they had to use heavy equipment, including jack hammers, without hitting anything at the back of the building where the full nerve centre for Grand Bahama is or they could have disrupted service all over the island, so it is as if they were told demolish but please be fragile," said Johnson. "They did a phenomenal job."

In addition to the bright atmosphere and the devices that, as Ms. Lord says, "allow the customers to feel engaged," the store's longer hours have helped boost business. Pioneers Way is open from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 6 pm Saturdays.

A second store in Grand Bahama at Seahorse Plaza is currently closed for renovations. Both are part of a broader plan of extensive expansion of BTC's retail footprint across The Bahamas. The company opened its flagship store in the Mall at Marathon in New Providence in December and since then has unveiled or is in the midst of nine rebuilds and re-openings in Nassau, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma and Eleuthera with other islands on tap.