Confidence in the Island's retail sector abounds at Hornburg Calypso Ltd.

The company, which operates Hamilton clothing stores Calypso, Voila, Benetton and the Longchamp Boutique and a sister Calypso store at the Fairmont Southampton Princess has announced the opening of a new clothing store in the old Frith's Liquor space at 57 Front Street.

CEO of Hornburg Calypso Ltd. Pierre Dutoya said yesterday: “We are delighted to announce that we will be opening a new store on Front Street and hope to be open in March 2002.

“Much has been reported in the press about the decline in tourism and the effects on retailers. The Bermudian consumer has stood by the retailers and has embraced the Buy Bermuda campaign but we feel that we as retailers are obligated to keep up with the changes and developments in retail worldwide. It is important to move forward and progress and we continue to strive towards this aim.

“In order to do this, it is important to identify what the customer wants. The customer in Bermuda is sophisticated, well travelled and demands high standards in terms of product, store design and service.”

Mr. Dutoya said the new store will encompass all of these traits. adding that the store will bring a new brand to the Island that he said would appeal to both locals and visitors, but would not reveal what the brand was saying it would be a “top class Italian designer.”

“The name is well known throughout the world and epitomises elegance and style and the name will be announced in due course,” he said.

The investment in the design of the store will ensure that it is an asset to Front Street and to Hornburg Calypso Ltd. said Mr. Dutoya who added: “We have prided ourselves on the redevelopments of our existing stores including our new Calypso store and Longchamp Boutique at the Southampton Princess hotel. However, we hope to surpass even these accomplishments in this new Front Street store.”

The new store is expected to employ up to four staff and Mr. Dutoya said that as an additional investment, key personnel will be trained abroad at the brand's headquarters.

“There they will learn about the product and will be trained in visual merchandising and customer service to the highest standard,” said Mr. Dutoya.

Mr. Dutoya said of his decision to open the new store: “We are always ready to open new stores.” and he cited the two new stores the company has opened in the Fairmont Southampton Princess.

The Calypso store - which has operated at the hotel for several years - had been closed for a year due to renovations, and he said the new Longchamp store offered very fine merchandise.

He said he decided to open the new store in September after hearing that the Frith's Liquor space was available.

Mr. Dutoya said he did not feel that the events of September 11 would damage the tourism industry beyond revival, saying that when the high season starts in three to four months, people will have put the tragic events behind them.

He said his intention was to create a very high class shop on Front street that would give the avenue more glamour.

Indeed, Mr. Dutoya said that Front Street was the Fifth Avenue of Bermuda but said there needed to be more investment in the area to attract visitors.

Mr. Dutoya has been at the helm of the company for 11 years and is in favour of the controversial plan to pedestrianise lower Reid Street.

Hornburg Calypso Ltd. has been in business for over 50 years and is owned by Mr. John and Mrs. Polly Hornburg.

Mr. Dutoya is married to Mr. and Mrs. Hornburg's daughter, Suzannah, the buyer at Hornburg Calypso.