IN a major step towards post-Hurricane Melissa recovery, Jamaica’s leading alcohol producers, Red Stripe and J Wray & Nephew Limited, have joined forces to support the reopening of community bars across the worst-affected parishes.

The partnership was officially launched in St Elizabeth on Wednesday and focuses on providing targeted support to bar owners whose operations were disrupted by the Category 5 storm.

As part of the initiative, eligible community bars will receive “restart packs” featuring a mix of iconic alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands from both companies’ portfolios. These packages are designed to help bar owners restock quickly and re-enter the Christmas trading period, particularly those who suffered significant product losses during Melissa.

Speaking on the initiative, Daniel Caron, managing director for Jamaica and the Caribbean at J Wray & Nephew Limited, emphasised the broader significance of the collaboration:

“The devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa extends far beyond our individual brands. It affects families, livelihoods, and communities across Jamaica. This partnership represents a renewal of community spirit and forms part of our commitment to Jamaica’s recovery.

“By supporting the reopening of community bars, we are helping small entrepreneurs get back on their feet at a critical time,” said Caron.

He pointed out noted that the programme marks the first phase of a longer-term commitment:

“Working alongside our Community Bar Network, we will continue identifying additional ways to support bar operators. In early 2026, we intend to partner with stakeholders to help rebuild some of our iconic community bars and provide further assistance to an industry that plays a vital role in Jamaica’s informal entertainment and economic infrastructure. Supporting these businesses is deeply rooted in J Wray & Nephew’s 200-year legacy, which itself began in a community bar in downtown Kingston,” added Caron.

Meanwhile, Red Stripe’s Managing Director Daaf van Tilburg highlighted the cultural and economic importance of community bars across the island:

“Community bars are one of Jamaica’s most important networks of small businesses. They are places where people connect, celebrate milestones, check in on each other, and find support during difficult moments. They also anchor local economies; from bar staff and suppliers to farmers, vendors, sound system operators, and transport providers who depend on the activity they generate. When these spaces thrive, entire communities thrive,” said Tilburg.

He argued that the Melissa recovery efforts must centre on the people behind these establishments:

“That is why this partnership matters. By working together, Red Stripe and J Wray & Nephew are helping to restore not just shelves, but the economic and social heartbeat of affected parishes. Reopening community bars means restoring jobs, restoring cultural spaces, and restoring a sense of normalcy and belonging for thousands of Jamaicans. This is a moment for unity, and we are proud to stand together in support of Jamaica’s recovery,” added Tilburg.

There are an estimated 10,000 community bars across Jamaica, each directly employing three to five people and indirectly supporting a wide network of micro and small enterprises.

Their recovery is considered a critical step in restoring economic activity, employment, and social connection in communities impacted by Melissa.

According to the two companies, this joint initiative demonstrates how private-sector collaboration can play a meaningful role in national recovery efforts.

By focusing on community bars — from rural hideaways to long-standing family-run establishments — Red Stripe and J Wray & Nephew are contributing to the rebuilding of the spaces that bring Jamaicans together.

United for a cause are team members from Red Strip and J Wray & Nephew launching a project to reopen community bars in the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa on October 28.