‘FADA’ CHAMBERS LIVING BUSINESS, SUPPORTING COMMUNITY
ST ANN’S BAY, St Ann; Oct. 25, 2024
Howard Chambers was born into business and now lives it. Today he’s enjoying being a businessman and carrying on a family tradition. It helps him to do what he loves – giving to the community.
He was one of eight people honoured by the St Ann Municipal Corporation on Heroes Day, October 21, 2024. He was honoured for Philanthropy. UNSUNG HEROES OF ST ANN HONOURED
(Howard Chambers receiving citation and plaque from Councillor Kim Brown Lawrence)
The businessman is widely recognized as being down to earth and assisting the vulnerable and those in need. The Seventh Day Adventist Church in Brown’s Town thanked him for his work and kindness during COVID-19. Others have on a one-to-one basis said thanks for treats, back-to-school events and support he quietly provides.
(Howard Chambers at the foot of the Garvey Statue in St Ann’s Bay before the start of the honouring ceremony)
Chambers remembers, as a boy, seeing his mother and grandmother being involved in business when they took goods to sell at Coronation and Claremont markets.
At the same time, his father Alvin Chambers was a well-known and respected businessman in Brown’s Town, operating Chambers Furniture Store, Casuarina Restaurant & Chambers Haberdashery
Howard Chambers recalls that at the time of his youth there were not many businesses in Brown’s Town, which was then the commercial centre of St Ann. A few of the better-known ones, including those run by his father, were Charley’s, Butty’s, Logan’s Busta Brown’s Supermarket and Harding’s Burger Counter.
The owner of Harding’s Burger Counter then that has morphed into Paul Harding’s Finger Licking Foods, has been a lifelong friend. Says Mr Harding: “He’s a hard worker, ambitious and kind.”
Howard Chambers left Claremont at age fourteen and went to Brown’s Town and took to the Chambers Haberdashery business with his father. He was learning many things that were going to be of value later.
He was involved in other enterprises at the same time, including rearing pigs at the back of his yard. He had also run his own auto parts store from 1997 to 2007.
He tells a story of how, by chance, he learnt that a centrally located building, near the St Hilda’s roundabout, London House, was up for rent. He took quick action and was able to rent it.
That’s how South London, one of the businesses he still runs, was born as a bar. Later he acquired premises just a few yards away and established North London as a bar, restaurant and events centre. He now only operates the event centre at North London and the rest of the space is rented out.
Now he spends a great deal of time running Fada Chambers One Stop Supermarket, at Top Road, Brown’s Town that he established about four years ago.
He recognizes that he’s in a business dominated now by Chinese nationals. Mr Chambers says he is able to compete because he owns the building, doesn’t have to pay rent and hence can keep his prices competitive to support his customers.
What does he do for leisure? Mr Chambers says: “We work from Sunday to Sunday. If I can I go out, I go to a nice place to eat.”
He is passionate about business and that pushes and motivates him to do well. “Business encourages me to put out my best. I like to work hard to see people do well. The business bring out hard work out of me,”
Mr Chambers has four sons and a daughter. Two of his sons are in the business with him doing a great job.
He’s thankful that people in the area support him and his business as he works to make life better for them too. Mr Chambers says he is a behind-the-scenes man and doesn’t even know how the St Ann Municipal Corporation (SAMC) came to know of his work and to consider him for the honour.
“We just take life one day at a time. I don’t fret myself,” Mr Chambers says of his attitude to business and life.
CONTACT THE NORTH COAST TIMES at [email protected] or at WhatsApp 876-503-9995
