Pablo's partnering with L.P. Azar for future progress

Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

In 2006, managing director of Pablo's Rosa Joseph told The Monday Interviews that by 2010, her children would be an integral part of moving the company into the future. Back then, her daughter Vanessa was about to complete her MBA and today, recently married, she is ready to reside in Jamaica and contribute to the economy, at a time when many young people are opting to ride out the recessionary years in greener pastures.

In an interview with Outlook last week, Mrs Joseph said that Pablo's, which was closed for a two-week refurbishing and re-stocking exercise, is now ready to tackle the next phase of business in Jamaica. Through her daughter's initiative, Pablo's has partnered with fabric giant L.P. Azar in an effort to obtain volume and variety for customers. The three Pablo's stores, located in downtown Kingston, Half-Way Tree and Montego Bay, have received a facelift and are ready for back-to-school shoppers, and other occasions.

Children are the future of a nation and for Joseph, it means a lot that hers have made the choice to remain with her in Jamaica rather that remain overseas, where they pursued tertiary education. She said they have decided to keep all their eggs in one basket. Her son, Ryan, majored in politics, but he is also an excellent photographer and continues to use those skills in the creative side of the business. He also assists in the decision-making process, particularly as it relates to the future of the company. This is their legacy and they want to protect it.

Pablo's Home Dek

"The overall vision for the future of Pablo's is my daughter's. As deputy managing director, she wanted to expand and went about to find the right partner who shared that vision," the proud mother said of her recently married daughter. She said there is no turning back now, having gone through times when she wondered whether they would join her. "As their mother, I would definitely have to live, where they chose to live so I am glad it's here."

Mrs Joseph describes the the new layout of the second floor in the Half-Way Tree store as a 'fabric supermarket'. They have added a new department named Pablo's Home Dek for drapery, upholstery and later on, items to decorate the home," she said. The new stock will include both formal and informal looks in fabrics, with the important factor being at affordable prices.

"We took a management decision to lower our mark-ups for that reason," Joseph told Outlook. People want to decorate their homes for Christmas without going broke, even in economically depressive times. The emphasis is on beauty, quality and affordability, she stressed.

The lower floor continues to carry pound goods, cottons, a great variety of uniform material, inner blouses for suits, bridal satin, laces, taffeta, suiting material for men and women, shirting, madras and bandana, as well as cottons in the national colours. To be ready for the new school year, they also have school shoes, backpacks and physical education clothing for students.