BROCKTON — Two siblings are on a mission to carry treasured childhood snacks and merchandise to America.With simply an concept and cash to speculate, their goals of opening a Caribbean selection retailer in Brockton, C & J Mini Mart, got here true.
Cean Mowatt, 40, and her little brother Jaime Mowatt, 39, walked the gorgeous seashores and rivers of Bluefields, Jamaica exploring methods to generate profits and residing the easy island life as kids.
The 2 frolicked selecting pimento seeds within the neighborhood, consuming contemporary fruit beneath palm bushes, and considering of a extra extraordinary life.
“Once we had been youngsters, we all the time knew we had been destined for greatness,” Cean mentioned.
As adults, they migrated to America, the land of alternative, to see what life gives.
Whereas residing in Brockton, Cean realized there weren’t many locations within the space to cater to her ethnic wants. So Vincent’s Grocery store grew to become her go-to cease for issues Caribbean.
The considered introducing extra tradition to Brockton weighed closely on her thoughts.
“Sooner or later, I got here residence and began researching opening a retailer and looking out up buyer demographics for the world,” Cean mentioned.
Cean realized a “huge want” for a retailer like this within the metropolis, and collectively the duo opened the mini-mart in September 2022.
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C & J Mini Mart sells a plethora of snacks, cleansing merchandise and cooking seasonings.
“We’re nonetheless within the technique of including extra inventory, however we would like everybody to have the ability to depart right here with one thing. It is not simply Jamaican and Trinidadian objects. We’ve got stuff from everywhere in the Caribbean, and it is rising,” Cean mentioned.
Gracing the white selves of the mart are scrumptious tropical sodas, crispy snacks of banana chips and Chee Zees, contemporary Jamaican fashion bread, jerk seasoning, Irish sea moss, natural teas, sorrel, Foska oats and dough combine.
There are dozens of different meals objects, snacks, cooking elements, holistic treatments, herbs and candies.
Jaime mentioned they even have common blue laundry and germicide bar cleaning soap utilized in Jamaica typically.
“One factor the purchasers love is our Jamaican beef patties,” Cean mentioned.
In retailer the patties are sizzling and able to go.
The mini-mart additionally sells bun and cheese, a well-known sandwich on the island.
“It is a style of residence and my tradition,” Cean mentioned.
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The pair hopes to increase their mini mart into a completely stocked tropical grocery retailer promoting contemporary produce, meats and snacks. The long-term purpose is to create a franchise and extra alternatives for Brockton.
“Being an entrepreneur is not straightforward. There are a whole lot of sleepless nights, however we all the time make it work. As an entrepreneur, it is good working for your self generally,” Cean mentioned.
