‘All Wrapped Up’ Store To Close Next Month

October 12, 2012

After 17 years of operation, the ‘All Wrapped Up‘ store in the Washington Mall is set to close at the end of next month.

A post made on their Facebook page this afternoon [Oct 12] said: “Hello all My Facebook Friends and Family. As many of you have noticed that I’ve been posting quotes about change these last few days. The reason for me doing this is because I have decided to make a change in my life.

“Doing retail in our present economy is very stressful especially when Bermuda has lost so many non-Bermudian workers who were also my customers. My health and sanity is most important as I make this change.

“So after 17 years of operation, All Wrapped Up will close for business by end of November 2012. I thank you all very much for your business, friendship, shoulder to cry on and your laughter. Change is good and I’m ready for it even though I don’t know what my future holds.”

Speaking to owner Peter Richold, he confirmed that one person — in addition to himself — will lose their full time job.  He also confirmed that the end of next month they will be having a sale on their remaining goods which includes greeting cards, gift wrap, candles, paper and much more.

“It’s been a great 17 years,” said Mr Richold. “We had fantastic customers and I will really miss them.”

Category: All, Business, News

Comments (106)

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  1. Future says:

    It’s a wrap.

    • Hi markup says:

      Their prices were too high for locals. Only big bucks expats could affor theirnexpensive stuff

  2. Terry says:

    Government.

  3. Lennie says:

    Oh Peter, I am so sorry to hear this. I for one know how tough retail in Bermuda has become. Best of luck. Magic Moments Management…

  4. Family Man says:

    Another sign that the recovery has begun.

  5. Chart says:

    I see tourists walking around town looking bemused. There is nowhere to shop! The retail here is fading fast. I am sorry to hear this store is closing.

  6. Amanda says:

    The end of an era………..Best of luck Peter

  7. swingingfrom the chandeliers!! says:

    file thirteen is quite full….

  8. @Work says:

    17 years in the mall and I never knew you were there. Sorry to see another business close, for whatever reason.

  9. Another One Closes says:

    I am sorry to hear of another business closing and I wish you the best in your next step.

    Peter, why would you close? The PLP just mentioned that the economy is getting better? lol no wait, that is a bunch of crock!

    As Peter mentioned so many people are leaving and it is sad.

    Well PLP you should be Happy but it won’t bother them because they’ll continue to travel world wide on the public’s purse.

    PLP – Putting us in Chapter 11 and deceiving us since 1998 lol

  10. Left de rock says:

    Really sad and surprised to read this as it was one of my favourite stores for buying whimsical, offbeat gifts that couldn’t be found anywhere else in Bermuda. Although I’m most likely one the many who had to leave and thus contributed to this decision, I wish Peter well and hope it will lead on to bigger and better things in the near future.

  11. SadState says:

    My wife and I are some of those non-Bermudians that left; We did like that shop, it offered a very good selection and was friendly and helpful; I bought several cards and extra gifts for my wife at this store over the years we lived in your beautiful and friendly country.

    I truly wish that Bermuda’s economy recovers soon as it needs shops like these to show the world that Bermuda offers quality products with a friendly attitude… and to get many of the newly unemployed workers back in the workforce.

    Best of luck to Mr. Richold and his employees. May you reopen another quality establishment again soon.

  12. tricks are for kids says:

    O no! That’s my spot! Always find something “different” there to give as gifts! Sorry to hear
    that!

  13. VJ says:

    Once again I ask…how is this government’s fault? Notice he said that he needed a change and that retail is stressful. It sounds as if he is burned out. In any event, stores such as these are naturally going to suffer because people are holding onto their pennies and not buying unnecessary things. Government can’t take the blame for everything that happens in Bermuda!!!

    • Timothy Hickey says:

      He ALSO said “Doing retail in our present economy is very stressful….” . It was the 3rd paragraph!!!

    • Mad Dawg says:

      Do you find reading difficult then?

      • Free says:

        Do you find being nice difficult? If you cannot use your words like I’m sure your mother taught you and express why you think VJ is incorrect in their opinion it’s best to not say anything at all.

    • Pastor Syl Hayward says:

      @ VJ: Clearly you are one of the die-hards that cannot see, or refuse to see the corelation between government’s behaviour, policies, lack of transparency, colossal debt, lack of plans to reduce same, etc., etc., and the closing of businesses, loss of jobs, departure of IB, etc., etc.

    • Randal says:

      V J – stop being such a pathetic apologist for a ___ degenerate Government that in its greed has brought local business to its knees and scared away a huge portion of international business.

      • Mayan says:

        Some Bermudians are a bunch of idiots, I swear. I take VJ’s point. Yes, we can look around and see that there’s trouble in paradise but idiotic people are just blaming the PLP for every closure that happens. Businesses close all the time and have for years, and not all of the closures we see are due to the bad economy.

        For example, Ms. Cannonier of Foreign Cargo was whining about how the PLP forced her out of business. She needs a reality check. Her stock was small and ridiculously overpriced. Those Yankee Candles she sold were WAY above what they went for in the U.S., for example. Anyway, what finally did her in, in my opinion, was the opening of Brown & Co. and the Gibbons Co. Home Store. I’ll especially stress Brown & Co. because they have a fantastic selection of similar things that she carried, but at cheaper prices. Also shopping at Brown & Co. is a really pleasant shopping experience-much better than her small basement store. If you had a choice between shopping at Foreign Cargo or Brown & Co. who would most of us choose???

        Both these stores are doing well and so is A.S. Coopers and the tons of other stores that carry small home furnishings and decorations-Masters, Gorhams, a few stores on Queen St., places outside the city like Baptiste, R&R-it goes on and on. The PLP didn’t kill Foreign Cargo and they didn’t kill All Wrapped Up-the competition did so why don’t you all just grow up, already. I swear if a meteor struck Bermuda you’d all say it was the PLP’s fault, too…

        • Mad Dawg says:

          Absolute bollocks. You have your head so far up the PLPs ass it’s unbelievable.

          • swing voters are black Bermudians says:

            Another MP from the OBA, dam @ 5:46am you are MAD lololol. Print your real name have some balls.

            • Mad Dawg says:

              To my knowledge I’ve never met a member of the OBA.

              Is ‘swing voters…’ etc your real name, or do you have no balls either?

          • Mayan says:

            Mad Dawg, you really have severe mental health issues. All you do is childishly and personally attack anyone who doesn’t think like you. If anyone dares to be objective, they certainly must be a PLP supporter. Nowhere did I mention that I support the PLP, did I? I am just a person who gets so sick of everything being blamed on the PLP Gov’t!

            Every time the least thing goes wrong, it’s the PLP’s fault. I’m not talking about the broader picture of international business, I’m talking specifically here about retail. Businesses are closing, yes, but many more are opening. My point about small stores like All Wrapped Up and especially Foreign Cargo is that they are getting eaten up by the bigger stores like Brown. & Co. and Gibbons Home Store. Have you ever been to Brown & Co.? If you have, you’d see there’s NO comparison between them and Foreign Cargo. Brown & Co. is a much better shopping experience and is THRIVING just as most (if not all) of Mr. Brown’s businesses are because he is a genius businessman who give the customer what they want.

            Why go into these tiny stores with limited merchandise when you can go to large stores like Brown & Co. that have TONS more stuff at way lower prices? Bermudians have gotten sick of running all around town looking for what they need. Smart businesses like Brown & Co. have everything you need under one roof-once I started shopping there I never went back to Foreign Cargo with their ridiculously overpriced goods and limited variety.

            That’s the other thing-obviously the larger stores can sell their wares cheaper. All of these things are putting the little stores out of business and it’s something that happens everywhere in the world! It’s just like if we ever brought Walmart here (yes, I know it will never happen)-we’d then probably see Brown & Co, Gibbons, etc. close down as well as everyone would flock to Walmart for a bigger selection/lower price. That’s how these things world, Mad Dawg.

            It’s a little thing called COMPETITION. We are a capitalist society so these things happen. What do you want the PLP to do-say ‘sorry, you can’t have a bigger selection or sell goods that are already being sold elsewhere because you’ll put that store out of business.’ COME ON! Be for real. Again, I just want to point out how people are on such a witch hunt for the PLP that they can’t use intelligence and logic to see what’s happening here. I am referring to these stores-not the bigger picture of what is happening in Bermuda. So how about you get YOUR head out of the OBA’s butt and do something about those cerebral challenges you have because honestly, Mad Dawg, you are the most ignorant, narrow-minded poster on all of Bernews.

            • Triangle Drifter says:

              Betty…..Betty…..Is that you Betty?

            • Rick Rock says:

              Mayan, you do your fair share of attacking the messenger. If you call people ‘idiots’, you can expect to get a reaction. Take it like a man instead of whining.

              Mr Brown is a “genius” ? Stores are closing but “many more are opening”? Right.

              I take your point about little stores finding it difficult to compete with big stores. But that doesn’t change the underlying cause of the difficulties that small stores are having: the economy has contracted severely. Thousands have left Bermuda to live and work in places that actually want them there. The government has tried spending like money grows on trees, and it hasn’t worked.

              At any time in any economy, badly run or uncompetitive businesses will close. Right now, even decent, good, established businesses can’t survive.

              But not to worry. According to Rolfe and Paula the economy is rebounding.

              • Mayan says:

                Rick Rock: I do not randomly call people idiots because I disagree with them. I call them idiots when they are close-minded and make assumptions.

                I didn’t say that the PLP is blameless when it comes to Bermuda’s economy. I am talking about this specific set of circumstances that the idiots-yes IDIOTS-here are failing to understand, thus the reason they are idiots.

                I am saying that this was a small store that could not compete with the bigger stores popping up. Look at this store and look at Brown & Co. which is much bigger sq. footage wise, with a much bigger selection and way better prices. All Wrapped Up had cute stuff, but I could never find everything I wanted there. Damn-even the dollar store had a bigger supply of party stuff than they did.

                Big stores gobble up small stores all the time-THAT is my point. That is not a defence of the PLP, it’s fact. The PLP haters are just so ready to jump down anyone’s throats who they think is defending them the least little bit, assuming they are supporters when we are just being something called OBJECTIVE. Mad Dawg is the absolute worse…he jumps on people and then has to apologize when he ends up looking like an idiot. Reading comprehension clearly isn’t his strong suit…so yes, he and people who think like him by ASSuming are IDIOTS!!!

                • Zombie Apocalypse says:

                  Mayan, All Wrapped Up competed for 17 years with bigger stores. What has killed the economy is the anti-IB stance of the PLP, which in turn has hounded thousands of potential customers, for this and other retail shops and restaurants, off the island.

                  If you call people idiots and criticise them for ‘whining’ when they are forced out of business, you can expect a reaction. And now it’s you ‘whining’.

              • Mayan says:

                BTW, Rick-I’m a woman…

        • street wise says:

          And the PLP had nothing to do with the mass exodus of foreign workers?…. they all decided to leave for no reason? Riiiiiiiiiiiight.

          The knock-on effect of that created unemployment for 3,000+ Bermudians, and its growing!

          You cannot see the connection between the above and what is happening to retail nowadays? The PLP has killed retail and restaurants in Bermuda, if you cannot see that you don’t want to see that!

          The PLP also killed I.B. and Tourism as a result of their combined IGNORANCE and HATE!! They need to get the hell out of Dodge!! Right now.

          The PLP has totally ruined our Country and many of them should be arrested IMHO! Unbelievable!!

          And I hope when the OBA is the Government that they will investigate the PLP.

          SMH

          • Fake Names says:

            The funniest thing is, for all fo ou that say the PLP Killed international business, there are more expats working here now than in 1998. Face facts, the world economy is crap.

            • Morpheus says:

              1999 to 2007 debt increased about $600 million..pre world wide recession

            • Come Correct says:

              Too bad most of them aren’t in IB huh? Doing the jobs most of the unemployed 3000 can do. Bringing in higher tier workers brings with it jobs for the lower tier, bringing in lower tier workers takes jobs of local lower tier workers. Get it?

          • Mayan says:

            @street wise: Yeah, the mass exodus is what closed down these two, tiny stores. I just couldn’t be that two new stores selling the same items at cheaper prices have popped up. It couldn’t be that people decided to shop in stores that can actually fit more than ten people in them at a time, huh? All Wrapped Up is SMALL-everyone knows that! You have to be so careful not to bump into anything in case it fell and it turned into one of those ‘you break it, you buy it’ situations.

            Meanwhile, other big stores with a more pleasant shopping experience where you weren’t crammed in like sardines have opened up…so where do you think people are going to go?

            I am not excusing the PLP for things that have gone wrong in Bermuda. HOWEVER, in these instances it’s clear to a blind man that these little stores were chewed up and spat out by the competition. Believe it or not, there are stores in Bermuda making a KILLING right now…just by the simple fact that they are smart and doing something right!!!

        • Formidable Deviant says:

          I have no problem with you finding the PLP your party, and that’s fairly evident, but don’t give it. Don’t start on that – oh its a world recession, oh the OBA who are they? what a mess they would make. Vote for who you like, but accept that the PLP are a total shambles, and at this rate, we’ll all be queuing for bread in a year’s time.

    • eye on you says:

      VJ – c’mon really???? If this government blew the trumpet when the economy was doing better and took the credit for then, should they be dismissed from being responsible when things are not doing well.
      If it was a case of him being burnt out.. do you not think he would put the place up for sale and get some money instead of just closing???

      • Morpheus says:

        Unfortunetly they were not responsible when things were going well…and have not file a Consolidate Fund Report since 2009…see Auditor General report

    • One foot out says:

      @vj
      You are a fool, I expect nothing less from you.
      Your idiotic comment is the problem, I suggest
      you close your eyes and try to think.

      • Mayan says:

        One foot out-you are ASSuming. Maybe he didn’t want to go through the trouble of selling. If his business was in trouble, wouldn’t he have just said so? It could be anything-it could be health problems, you don’t know…yet you’re so quick to ASSume you know what’s going on.

        Just looking at these comments, I want the PLP to get in just to spite you idiots. People who are so dumb and narrow-minded and hateful…I’d love them to get in just to torment your little brains.

        I won’t be standing in any bread lines so I don’t give a f**k. I can get on a plane and be in my house in Atlanta in two hours so I don’t give a flying f**k about you racist pigs.

  14. Chime IN says:

    Anyone want to chime in and buy some wrapping paper and wrap up the plp cause that’s who need to be wrapped up! it’s time.

    it is a win win situation cause after we wrap up the plp and ship them out you’ll be making money again. hahahahaha

  15. Get ready says:

    I think small business overheads are killing them, if they are still the same as 3 years ago!

    • eye on you says:

      0 payroll tax on retail right now and its been like that for over a year now. Its the PLP’s policies and the Colonel Burch effect that are a huge contributing factor I’m sure. I can’t believe that they are not embarrassed to put him up for election again!

      • Cleancut says:

        The PLP diehards are the ones that push these people through. Col. Burch just about committed murder and they still let him back in.

        There are too many people in the PLP that are gullible and feeding off one another, Col. Burch could have even stole a 3rd constituency to run in if he lost again in the second one, and of course we all know he is not a team player!

        Premier Cox can not stop him, she is a cog, she would be ousted at the PLP conference.

  16. Get ready says:

    If Bermuda businesses come together and seriously ask the right questions to both parties, i think they will show or start talking and selling their plans to the country. Please get your head out of the sand! Save the country ! You are the last frontier, !

    • Come Correct says:

      Why did the premier impose an import duty tax increase instead of giving the retail sector a break on import duty? Honestly I used to order a ton of stuff off ebay because I could get way better deals than here ($30 for my bike plastics compared to $100+). Do I buy more in Bermuda now? No! I don’t buy anything now, I ordered all I needed before the tax increase came into effect. I used to get my cloths off ebay, I’d get 3 shirts for the price of one here, you would be amazed at how much longer my clothing lasts now since the tax increase. $80 for a shirt I like? Yaserzdoe!?! Sell a kidney and buy Bermuda…

      • Local says:

        You just better hope your employer doesn’t outsource your job to someone who can do it for 1/3 the cost of employing you ….

        • Come Correct says:

          I don’t have a job anymore :O lol surprise, surprise.

          • Fake Names says:

            Yup, the OBA outsourced your Job so they can take home more money and told you to blame the PLP.

            • Mad Dawg says:

              Fake names, “the OBA outsourced your job so they can take home more money and told you to blame the PLP”. Do you actually ever say anything factual? Who’s job was outsourced by he OBA? Who told someone to blame the PLP? You’re just making up crap. Ridiculous nonsense.

            • Come Correct says:

              …no i quit, i have more self-respect than to be treated like a monkey…quite literally…my job had nothing to do with the oba and where did i blame the plp? you’re obviously new here so ill explain. I dont support any government, theyre all corrupt in their own way if you ask me, come the election i wont be voting FOR the oba, but i will be voting AGAINST the plp. Blindly supporting any party makes me feel stupid, i dont like to feel stupid.

              By the way, my job couldnt be outsourced since what i did was fixed to this rock and bringing in a non-Bermudian to do it would be illegal, but then again so is not releasing the salaries of seniour management at the hospital so i doubt the plp cares about legalities.

  17. Sad says:

    The small business don’t have a chance now in Bermuda.

    These established businesses are taking over!

    i.e. Brown and Company / Phoenix Stores.

    I used to buy my cards from All Wrapped Up just because i’m tired of the established stores getting their noses into every product there is to sell. No need for Brown & Co/ to start selling cards and what not.!

    Look at Phoenix. You can’t even friggin walk down the isles because they have made the place a MINI GORHAMS. Its so sad to see small businesses close their doors.

    Need I say more. ?

    Good luck Peter in your future endeavors.

    • Randal says:

      Crony Capitalism…

    • Free says:

      It’s called competition, a common theme in the United States that keeps business thriving and customers happy. Why can’t Brown & Co sell cards? As I recall they always have. People love department stores, Brown & Co is nice, shop around, go get a book, go get something from Buzz. They are constantly changing and selling new things too. All good for their business.

  18. rusty says:

    So I guess Bermuda, as we all knew it is finished,but I think until the __ lady sings there may be hope !!!

  19. VJ says:

    Clearly you all can’t read very well either. The first thing he said was that he wants to do something different. Obviously, in today’s rough economy nobody is making money hand over fist like the did before. People are going to buy food, gas, etc before they’re going to buy whimsical gifts (ie “junk”) for people. It has nothing to do with being a die-hard, that is using plain old common sense. Like I said, the PLP is not to blame for every single thing that goes wrong….

    • Promote Bermuda says:

      VJ stop while you are ahead… you are just being silly… I think you are paula cox trying to defend the plp.

      actually i blame the plp cause i have to die sometime, i blame the plp cause it rained today, i blame the plp cause i lost a finger while cutting wood. whew i think i’ve vented enough.

  20. Curious says:

    Im gona miss this store! Best of luck to him and us all. God save us all! Whose next!? Smh

  21. Bermudian says:

    Sad to hear this, it is a cute store. Unfortunately when the brainiacs who are running this country decided to send most foreign workers home, it escaped their mind that those foreigners spent money…lots of it. Obviously his customer base wasn’t locals, clearly by his comment so technically we can blame the govt for this. Businesses are closing everyday, more people losing their jobs and no plan from govt on how they’re going to turn things around. No wait, they’re waiting for the OBA to give them ideas. PLP do us all a favor, step down! We can’t take another 4 years of your kindergarten leadership.

    • Fake Names says:

      Fact: there are more foreign workers in Bermuda now than there were in 1998!

  22. Keepin' it Real...4Real! says:

    Well, Well,….YES u are CORRECT…close down small businesses so the CONGLOMERATES can CONTROL what or where you buy it….do u people have a pulse..??

    • Keepin' it Real...4Real! says:

      oh an another thing ….for all o you people that always rantin an ravin about slavery….im here to tell you it’s coming back very soon.

  23. VJ says:

    It’s the PLP’s fault that people didn’t know his store existed (as a blogger stated) or that there are dozens of other stores that sell wrapping paper, calendars, mugs, etc? His product base was not unique and he sold items that people could do without. I’m sure his overhead was through the roof as well, again the PLP’s fault and not (gasp!) Washington Properties’ (the landlord’s). I don’t know why I’m being called silly for stating the obvious which is people are not spending their money like they used to. And no, I am not Paula Cox which was the silliest remark made here thus far!!!

    • Mad Dawg says:

      He says its because his customers have LEFT. THE. ISLAND.

      Did you get that?

      Thousands of people have left and, surprise surprise, retail is suffering, shops are closing.

      When 6 shops / restaurants close in two days, you think that’s normal do you?

      • Fake Names says:

        Name the 6 shops and restaurants closed in the last 2 days. You all make up so much crap it kills me.

        Refer to facts, not just to what you say.

        • Mad Dawg says:

          All Wrapped Up, Carole Holding, Crisson’s St Georges, Fresco’s Bar, Maria’s Restaurant, Mr Chicken reduced hours to stave off closure, Capital G laid off 13 people. All made up crap.

    • moojun says:

      If it was his product lines and his overhead that caused his failure, please tell us why it worked just fine for 17 years, and now it doesn’t? Let’s see… What has changed recently? Oh yes, the economy. Now who’s responsible for managing the economy? Oh yes, the PLP. And their plan for turning it around is? Please would someone tell us. Or is the plan just to keep borrowing until magically something good happens?

  24. Media says:

    If it makes you feel any better VJ, I don’t blame the PLP for the closure of this store but they certainly aren’t doing anything to help the situation. They are apparently paralysed, unwilling and unable to do anything to improve the economic outlook for Bermuda. People are looking for leadership and we haven’t had it for a while. The PLP has no credibility with IB, Local Business and the majority of the population. When that happens the prospect of recovery is very low. The long drawn out wait for the election has totally stalled the economy, as people hold onto the money they do have till they see who will lead us for the next five years.

  25. street wise says:

    It me it seems odd that he would close right before the Christmas Holliday, where he should do quite well. Just sayin’.

  26. Hamilton parish says:

    Undoudchantly, this a a huge red flag if what’s to come

    Look around the mall, I know if three empty retail spaces.

    This will now equal four.

    It’s will get a crap load worse before recovery takes place.

    Opinions of PLP’s role in situations like this are interesting.

    This election make sure you vote!

    Your vote counts !

  27. It Is What It Is says:

    Stores are closing WORLDWIDE!!!!!!!!! When will you all get a CLUE??!!
    The World is in crisis not just BERMUDA!!! People are loosing their jobs WORLDWIDE not just in BERMUDA!!!

    You can blame Government all you like, it’s a vicious cycle and it’s WORLDWIDE!!!!!!!!! Do you think if Government changes poof all the problems we face and are facing will be GONE????? Get out of DISNEY!!!
    It is a shame that people are leaving the island but guess what, at least they have somewhere to go to, where does that leave us?????

    We have been in a state for close to 20 years now, the only reason everyone is noticing now is because money is not flowing like how it used to and the people who are used to controlling are no longer in control.

    • OBA= UBP wankers says:

      BULLS EYE!!!

      • Mad Dawg says:

        You change your name every post don’t you.

        Must be tough being a paid PLP blogger.

      • Formidable Deviant says:

        No, a missed dart mate. It was bad, and yes it is worse across the world, but nothing like this, the last few weeks have been just awful. It really does feel like enough is enough. As a side issue, I went for a drink last night (we were going to Frescos, but it closed in the week so we went to Flanagans). We were saying goodbye to 2 colleagues who were heading back to Canada, and are not being replaced. One Temporary Bermudian PA was laid off, 4 school places gone, 2 Bermudian house rents gone. This is the third successive friday I have been to a leaving party, and this isn’t creating any Bermudian jobs, in fact it is doing the opposite. Are you getting the picture? Like I said, the last few weeks have been awful.

    • media says:

      You statement is actually incorrect. Their are many Countries that are doing just fine. Canada, Germany Australia, China & India to name a few. Yes, there are also Counties in crisis. The Countries that were not saddled with enormous debt have been the ones that have fared better. Bermuda was ill prepared because of the PLP overspending and we are now paying the consequences. The PLP never saved for a rainy day. So yes I blame the PLP Government as they are unable to do anything to stimulate the economy when if better prepared could have done so much to assist Bermudians that are crying out for help from a Government that can’t do much of anything for them apart from borrow more money which will end up burdening the Country even more down the road.

    • HeyBye says:

      Those thousands that were sent packing,were part of what is called trickle down economics.
      When they we here in gainful employment,they needed goods and services,thus all segments of the Bda economy benefited.
      Bermuda’s economy is built on the same lines as Singapore and Monaco and they are boom towns even during this “global crisis”.
      Mess with a good thing that Bermuda had, by instituting policies that are anti business,money and biz flows where there is less resistance.
      You are now witnessing the end result,when you fiddle with the Goose that had laid the golden eggs,they no longer get laid.

      • Fake Names says:

        Fact: THere are more expat workers in Bermuda than in 1998

        • Pastor Syl Hayward says:

          @ fake names: You keep repeating this “fact” but it is important to ask who these expats are. Are they job creators or doing jobs that could be done by Bermudians?

          • Baltic Fury says:

            And there is a major Reinsurance industry created on the back of 9/11 Class of 2001 cash and KRW class of 2005 money, not to mention the collateral backed capacity (and these are all in London and New York too – please don’t claim these as a PLP achievement), but think of Arch and AWAC, Platinum and Endurance, Aspen and Ironshore – none of these globally existed, so its obvious that the expat numbers would rise. You bring in someone from New York to be the CEO, not to cut the lawn. You need to look behind the facts a little more, maybe then you can give us your real names.

        • HeyBye says:

          What Expats that are remaining are lower level positions.
          Kitchen staff,service oriented positions.They spend very little on island, they send monies abroad to support their families.
          Bermuda does not benefit as the money does not get recirculated in the local economy.

        • Rick Rock says:

          Fake Names.

          Fact: In 2008 there were 12,968 work permits.

          The most recent stat available, as far as I can find, is for July 2011, when the number had reduced to 8,608. A 33% reduction, by about 4,000, in less than 3 years.

          But don’t let facts get in the way of making things up.

          • .am says:

            Also important to note which industry. Cleaners, laborers and waitresses don’t do even a quarter as much for the economy as a single white collar worker.

    • Mad Dawg says:

      So you evidently disagree with Rolfe and Paula then, with their delusional rantings about the economy recovering. You disagree with them, and agree with the opposition who say the economy is in trouble. Right?

    • Morpheus says:

      1999 to 2007 debt increased $600 million

  28. SmallFish says:

    @Street Wise, maybe he can’t hold out waiting for that to happen, now would be a good time for shoppers to buy early for Christmas, I sure will.

  29. Lady says:

    Blessing and best wishes to you Peter. Your store has wonderful and unique items. You will be a tremendous miss. I am saddened that this economic mess has impacted your business.

  30. HeyBye says:

    Bermuda and Hamilton shutting down bit by bit,it will be a ghost town in no time.
    So much for the millions spent by tourism,hardly any hotels and shopping for the visitors to do.

    The last one to shut down in Hamilton,remember to turn off the lights,

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      Ewart will come round & turn the lights off. Mission accomplished. He will then return to the airport, get on a plane, using miles earned on the taxpayers dollar of course, & return to Marthas Vineyard, or Turks & Caicos, or the private yacht or some other hideaway financed by, well, you know.

      The most envied little island in the world will be left looking like Haiti. Who would have thought he & the PLP could have accomplished so much in such a short peiod of time?

      How DID they do it? Well it was easy. You voted for the PLP. You got what you voted for. You got what you deserved. You, your children, your grandchildren are now left holding the bag. Whats inside does not smell very nice.

  31. BRACSN says:

    Don’t believe any of this. Trust me there are non bermudians who don’t buy anything here. Any shop in Bermuda should market to Bermudians first. Have a good marketing plan.

    Don’t put the blame on this government.

    • Fake Names says:

      Its easier that way.. serves to assist their marketing plans.

      What killed Bermuda retail is amazon not PLP.

      • Mad Dawg says:

        But think of the actual stores that recently announced closure or downsizing. People don’t internet shop for greetings cards, or jewellery, or prints of Bermuda, or fried chicken. The internet isn’t competition fir restaurants or bars. Amazon doesn’t explain any of those.

  32. rusty says:

    I was just wondering if all wrapped up is going out of business because people are making their own cards via their computers ? and else for the other gifts this store offers, people do have the money now to spend . we are in a sad state of affairs.

  33. Media says:

    Don’t kid yourself.If that was the case retail would be doing much better. Since the 3000 expats have left, places are shutting and the ones remaining are struggling just to keep afloat. Don’t believe me? I know I own one of them and having been in business for over 50 years the past 3 years have been the most difficult ever. Just surviving and trying to keep everyone employed. I am the norm not the exception, so stop kidding yourself. The PLP has played a direct effect on the way Bermuda has been able, or not, to react and cope with the recession. They have fail us all.

    • shirley Richardson says:

      The real problem for business and people loosing jobs, is not the plp, but the greedy 1%. Those Mitt Romney types here in Bermuda, and the rest of the world, who has put the finances of hundreds of countries in a deep depression. For those ex-pats who have left, don’t blame the govt’ blame the companies they work for, most of these companies are outsourcing to china and India, where they can pay the workers pennies a day. People take a break, wake-up, and open your eyes to the real criminals.

      • Media says:

        You can go on and blindly cast blame elsewhere, but the fact is that the PLP borrowed like there was no tomorrow, spent more than they took in which has left Bermuda in a very bad place. The PLP have been very irresponsible with the public purse. We are all paying the price for that. If Bermuda had had the fortune of being under better stewardship at this time would have been able to weather the storm in much better shape. As it is the present PLP government look as clueless as to how to get us out of this mess and into recovery, as the average person on the street and that is not Leadership.

      • Mad Dawg says:

        When you refer to the “greedy 1%”, I assume you mean Dr Brown, Cox, Zane, and the Pastor who paid himself $160,000 to write a report to himself?

  34. Vote for Me says:

    One interesting question for ‘All Wrapped Up’. What was your highest 3 expenses (except inventory)? I am guessing staffing, rent and govt taxes. You can control staffing (and indrectly your govt expenses) and rent depends on your landlord.

    What steps were taken by your landlord to reduce your rent or grant concessions? I trust that your landlord offered to reduce your rent or extend your lease temporariy since we are so close to Christmas and the chances of finding a new tenant before then are slim.

    This is one example of how businesses and landlords can adjust to keep busiesses going instead of blaming the government at every twist and turn.

    • Mad Dawg says:

      From the article, the main problem was reduced gross revenue, not increased expenses. Rents, including both domestic and business, have definitely reduced. A lot.

    • Edmund Wells says:

      Vote for Me-

      No, it’s not an interesting question. It’s an arrogant, self-serving comment that reeks solely of blame-shifting.

      For the past seventeen years, the owner of this business has been thinking about those issues. For you, on the basis of a single story in Bernews, to suggest that he hasn’t, is the height of presumptuousness and arrogance.

      But your comment is typical of many who post here- find a reason to blame the victim, and not the government. Ignore the effect of poor Government performance.

      You (the electorate) get what you deserve. The Island gets what it deserves.

      Please. Call the election now.

      EW

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      You do live in a rather simple world don’t you. You think the landlords & other service prviders do not expenses to cover? Those buildings were put up for free? They do not require maintenance? They do not require insurance? They do not pay taxes? The owners are supposed to to rent them as a not for profit charity?

      One way or another it is all labour. See anyone taking a cut in pay?

  35. Tub says:

    This is slightly off topic but related anyway. Bermuda, in 2007, was in the ideal position to be in a much stronger position today. In 2007, we saw the US economy take a nose-dive. For years and years everyone – PLP and UBP alike knew that when the US catches a cold, its not long before we in Bermuda sneeze. Well, the US caught the worse flu its had had in almost 100 years and what did we in Bermuda do? We continued to throw money away like it was going out of style. Nobody who has half a brain blames the present Government for the worldwide economic problems but the Government in Bermuda had the next best thing to a crystal ball and they continued to waste money right like it was the sensible thing to do! In fact, the Government kept saying that everything was ok until the day that Ewart Brown left and Paula Cox took over – suddenly we were in serious financial problems!! Complete mismanagement of funds and anyone that raised the alarm from 2007 onward was branded a doom and gloom monger. Very sad state of afairs.

    • media says:

      And that is a very good reason why the PLP do not deserve to be voted back in. They cannot be trusted to manage the public purse, simply based on their record.

    • HeyBye says:

      They were not labeled Doom and Gloom mongers,they were labeled Racists.