By Theresa Goodwin
A businessman has been left to calculate the cost he will have to fork out to repair his High Street café after two vehicles ploughed into the small building some time on Friday causing significant damage.
Johnny Jno Baptiste is the owner of Ras Café Smoothie Bar at Syndicate Place on High Street. He explained when he arrived at work on Friday, he realised that his booth had shifted and the fence and gate on the northern had been destroyed.
He said after checking the security footage he later found out that an accident involving two vehicles had occurred during the early morning hours, and that the damage to his business place was a result of the said incident.
“I have since reached out to the insurance company with which one of the vehicles are registered and they have asked me for several documents which I am now working on. I will also have to check with the police to get an official report,” Jno Baptiste shared.
The small business owner said while he waits for the police and the insurance company to respond after submitting the requested documents, he will also have to work to source a contractor to oversee the repairs.
He said this will be the most frustrating part of the ordeal as he will be forced to cover the cost of repairs that were no fault of his. In addition to this, the business place will remain closed for now which presents another financial challenge.
While he’s caught in the middle of the waiting game, Jno Baptiste is also appealing to drivers to be more courteous on the road, especially in built-up areas like the city of St John’s.