Thursday Life checked out Corner Bar & Lounge, a popular watering hole in the St Lucianseaside community of Gros Islet, last Thursday night. (PHOTOS: KARL McLARTY)
February 24, 2015
Campari Crazy
It’s a red-hot love affair between St Lucia and Campari. Despite a population of under 200,000 residents, statistical data has revealed that the Caribbean island has the most consumption of the Italian-created aperitif anywhere in the world. But why?
Theories among the citizenry are many. We’re told guys swear by it as an aphrodisiac; women faithfully consume it to combat menstrual pains; and others posit that the drink is loaded with countless herbs.
During our visit to the Campari drinking capital last week, we blocked time to accompany J Wray & Nephew executives to meet local distributors, and also made a late-night visit to a popular watering hole to see how folks loved sipping the drink of choice.
— Omar Tomlinson
It’s a case of no chaser forMekel Emmons, a biker andheavy equipment operatorfrom St Vincent, visiting StLucia for its IndependenceWeekend. He enjoys hisCampari straight.
Bar servers and girlfriends Jimma Leonce (left)and Kerriann King, in-between sips of RedPassion (Campari and cranberry) and Pinky(Campari and grapefruit soda) cocktails. At right: St Lucian police detective Glen Charley likeshis Campari from the bottle as is.
Tannika White (left), J Wray & Nephew Campari brand manager, is shown the Bryden’s House ofWines and Spirits outlet in downtown Castries, by Denver Alcee, Campari brand manager forBryden’s. Inside, White makes acquaintance with the store’s supervisor Sylvia Lynch, who sharesthat Campari is the best-selling liqueur in the store and moves over 12,000 bottles a month.
The Corner Bar & Lounge manager Dezze Alcee pours RowenaAnderson, tarde marketing export manager, a tumbler of Campari.
J Wray & Nephew SeniorMarket Director UgoFiorenzo (left) talksbusiness with JulesPiltie, manager andowner of Uptowns LiquorStore in Vieux Fort, StLucia, as Richard Price,managing director ofPremium Wines andSpirts in Belize, whichdistributes Campari there,listens in.
Sophia Fairman, J Wray & Nephew marketing manager, fortifiedspirits and liqueurs, sips her Campari with Royal Club sodawater outside The Corner Bar & Lounge in Gros Islet.
