interior design after choosing to renovate the business's interior themselves.

Originally, the plan was to retain a Florida company to pre-build Onion Jack's Trading Post, then transport the final product to Bermuda where it would be reassembled, said co-owner Mr. William Carr.

The other partners include Mr. Carr's father and brother, Mr. Thomas Carr Sr.

and Mr. Thomas Carr Jr. as well as Mr. Donald Dunstan.

The store, had it retained the Florida firm, could have been completed in three days, said Mr. Carr, but the owners opted to design and build the store's theme themselves.

From recognising there was a business opportunity to opening for business April 24 took about three months.

Onion Jack's, a new addition to Front Street's business section, delivers a "rustic'' look, said Mr. Carr.

The store, with about 1,000 square feet of floor space, opened in the former Paradise Gift Shop location "should appeal to tourists as well as local residents.'' The store's design and its distinctive logo were created by Mr. Scott Tucker, employed at the Pump Room, a retail design graphics company, and renovations and construction were done by Mr. Andy Chiappa.

"Onion Jack's is a name and design he (Mr. Tucker) has had tucked away for years. The character has a rough look to him.'' Mr. Tucker is owner of T-shirt maker Tucker's Tees, a supplier of merchandise to Onion Jack's.

"We were looking for a rugged look,'' said Mr. Carr on why they shied away from bright colours, metal and glass, preferring the wood look.

The logo features a Bermuda onion sporting a pirate's eye patch.

Mr. Carr is president and sole owner of Windcrest Management Ltd., an accounting services company he started nine years ago.

Mr. Thomas Carr Jr. and Mr. Dunstan each own one-third of Gourmet International whose assets include the Hog Penny and Fisherman's Reef restaurants. They each also own one third interest in the Cock & Feather Pub & Restaurant.

Mr. Thomas Carr Sr. formerly worked in construction.

The four owners, all Bermudian, financed the new business.

Mr. Carr said that although he will not rule out more Onion Jack locations in future, the focus now is to get the original store established.

THE RUGGED LOOK -- Onion Jack's Trading Post, located on Front Street between Burnaby Street and Chancery Lane, recently opened for business with Ms Sallyann Smith as store manager. Story: Page 17