HAVING grown up between the communities of Albion and Yallahs in St Thomas, reggae singer Stevie Face has always had a passion for giving back to the parish.

Today, he is the owner of several business ventures. However, he’s hoping to make a significant impact with a multi-structure facility located in Albion, which is currently under construction.

Construction on Jacan Food Distributors began in June 2023, and according to Stevie Face, some 100 jobs will be provided when the facility is opened in December this year.

“We are going to change people’s perspective on St Thomas, we want to show them that St Thomas has everything it needs to sustain itself. This business will be an outlet where people can capitalise on good prices, good customer service, convenience and good quality local products. We will be employing close to 100 people, all from the parish of St Thomas,” Stevie Face shared in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

Jacan Distributors will provide customers with local and imported goods. There will also be a meat mart and a produce section, which will be of benefit to farmers within the parish.

“It’s not all about the profit, it’s about the good quality service and how I can empower my people from my parish. For me, it’s personal. I give back continuously. This is by far one of the largest investments for me,” Stevie Face disclosed.

The facility is located behind his Advance Service Station in Albion.

Stevie Face, who is known for hit songs such as I’m in Love and his remake of Tell it Like It Is, said he ventured into business to create employment.

“I was looking for ways to empower my friends and families in my community. I know I could impact and change lives. I don’t think that handout was the way to go. Of course, as an artiste, people look up to you. You’re expected to make some form of contribution to people’s lives,” he opined.

He continued, “I think I want to be known as a good person. There is more to life than entertainment. How can I impact someone else’s life, how can I be a better person. How many people can I take with me on this journey? I have used the resources that I have made from the music business to do other things and to help change lives.”

The very first business venture that he was a part of was a family business that dealt with the importation and installation of satellite dishes several years ago. He then went out on his own to start his Advance Alignment & Accessories Limited in St Thomas where he imported and sold tyres. Afterwards, he opened the Advance Service Station in Albion which is still in operation today after close to 20 years.

“I closed the Advance Alignment & Accessories location in St Thomas because I wanted to do other business projects. I also have a branch on South Camp Road in Kingston. All the workers there are from St Thomas. I wanted growth, that’s why I ventured into Kingston. Most people in St Thomas like to buy things in Kingston and I also wanted the Kingston-based customers. I am happy I made that decision,” Stevie Face reasoned.

He later opened an Advance Service Station in Highgate, St Mary,;however, he decided to close the location to focus on his career and other business interests. That service station is now leased to Texaco.

Stevie Face’s other business ventures in Albion (which are located next to the Advance Service Station) include Western Union, Bill Express, Iland Vybz Food Court and a convenience store.

“Jacan Food Distributors is a multimillion-dollar investment and it will be one of the largest food outlets in the parish. I have been advocating and fighting so much for the parish, and I am glad that the Government is investing in it. I am playing my part,” said Stevie Face.

The singer also shared that his Iland Vybz Food Court restaurant uses vegetables, livestock and crops grown by farmers from the parish.

“The restaurant does a lot for people who rear chicken, coconuts, pigs and vegetables. We try to encourage people to produce,” he shared.

Currently, his business ventures employ more than 50 people.