Hon. Mr. Watkin E. Hodge (MBE)

Founder Of Caracasbaai Retail Stores

About

“A person whose life does not touch another’s is a person without a shadow.” - Anon
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Mr. Watkin Hodge (MBE), a businessman and a former elected member of the Government of Anguilla was also a co-founder of the Caribbean Commercial Bank of Anguilla and was instrumental in the inception of the Anguilla Social Security Scheme. He made outstanding contributions to his beloved island, its government, and people along with many other achievements. These services, in turn, incited the recognition of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom to bestow upon him the coveted MBE (Member of the British Empire) Award.
James Watkin Emmanuel Hodge was raised by his hardworking parents in a humble home in the village of Stoney Ground/Cauls Bottom. He was the eldest of 11 children. He spent his childhood days helping his parents at home and attending the Valley Boys’ School. In 1942 at the tender age of 15, he travelled to St. Thomas to seek employment. There he gave excellent service as Timekeeper for the Company that was contracted to construct the St. Thomas Airport. In 1947, 20-year old Watkin travelled to Curacao where he worked diligently at the Shell Oil Refinery in an area known as Caracasbaai. Always committed to his duties, he earned much respect and admiration from his superiors and co-workers alike.
His stint of work in Curacao came to an end in 1961, and Mr. Hodge returned to his beloved homeland. Being an ambitious, hardworking young man with a vision, he had sensibly saved up some money and immediately proceeded to install a small grocery shop in Stoney Ground. He named this shop “Caracasbaai Grocery” as a mark of gratitude for the place where he had earned the money to begin such an enterprise.

Caracasbaai Stores, dating back to 1961, has been one of the leading supermarket, hardware, and furniture establishments in Anguilla. The business was born out of the vision of Mr. Watkin Hodge MBE to provide goods and services to local vendors as well as to other businesses on Anguilla. Mr. Watkin Hodge MBE realized this dream after he had spent almost fourteen (14) years working in Curacao to provide for his relatives back home in Anguilla. The financing raised abroad enabled him to make a significant investment in the supermarket, construction, and hardware industry. The business became a huge success, thus, enabling the owner to expand in various areas. Being one of the main supermarket and hardware businesses of the day, Caracasbaai provided the materials for the construction of many of Anguilla’s homes. Additionally, Caracasbaai provided grocery supplies to the prison, hospital, mobile food vans, vendors, and even supported other supermarkets and businesses on island to start, grow, and develop into something more.

Mr. Watkin Hodge’s benevolence was evidenced in Caracasbaai Stores as credit arrangements were put in place to accommodate households/families that were not fortunate to have full time jobs and had to depend on relatives abroad. Considering this, Mr. Hodge saw the wisdom in providing a credit arrangement to the customers to enable them to acquire building supplies and food. This arrangement worked fine as turnover sales and cash flows were excellent and, in turn, customers were able to meet their needs.

Caracasbaai Stores grew as a successful business that amassed millions of dollars in property and other assets. However, Mr. Hodge’s generous and philanthropic character never permitted him to stockpile his cash. Instead, he always gave to the needy, less fortunate, or destitute whenever they needed assistance. Mr. Hodge simply found gratification in knowing that families were sheltered, clothed and fed. Therefore, when his health began to decline, his joy and comfort was in knowing that he had contributed to many of his fellowmen. Indeed, his life and business career exemplified the following “Golden Nuggets” –
The value of time;
the necessity of perseverance;
the pleasure of working;
the worth of character;
the power of kindness;
the wisdom of saving;
the virtue of patience;
the joy of originality;
the beauty of cheerfulness;
the influence of example;
and the obligation of duty.

Work

Caracasbaai Stores, dating back to 1961, has been one of the leading supermarkets, hardware, and furniture stores in Anguilla. The business was born out of the vision of Mr. Watkin Hodge MBE to provide goods and services to the community, vendors, and other businesses in Anguilla. Mr. Watkin Hodge MBE realized this dream after he had spent many years working in Curacao to provide for his relatives back home in Anguilla. The financing raised abroad enabled him to make a significant investment in the supermarket, building, and hardware industry. The business saw much success, and he was able to expand in various areas. Being one of the main supermarkets and hardware business at the time, Caracasbaai provided the materials to build more than 50% of Anguilla’s homes at that time. Caracasbaai also provided grocery supplies to the prison, hospital, mobile food vans, vendors, Sombrero Lighthouse and even supported other supermarkets and businesses on island to start, grow, and develop.

Mr. Watkin Hodge MBE was a former elected member of the Government of Anguilla, co-founder, and board director of the Caribbean Commercial Bank of Anguilla (CCB), board director of the National Bank of Anguilla (NBA), and he was also instrumental in the inception of Social Security and contributed to the Chamber of Commerce, etc. on the island. He also made outstanding contributions to the development of the island, to government, to churches, and to the people of Anguilla along with many other achievements; this in turn, incited the recognition of the Queen of the United Kingdom to bestow upon him the prestigious MBE (Member of the British Empire) award.

Mr. Watkin Hodge’s benevolence was evidenced in Caracasbaai Stores as credit arrangements were put in place to accommodate households who were not fortunate to have full-time jobs and depended on relatives abroad. Considering this, Mr. Watkin Hodge saw the wisdom of providing a credit arrangement to the customers to enable them to acquire building supplies and food on credit. This arrangement worked fine as turnover sales and cashflows were excellent and customers were able to meet their needs.

Over the years, the retail property has undergone many structural developments, additions, and upgrades. Caracasbaai Stores grew as a successful business that amassed millions of dollars in property and other assets, but Mr. Hodge’s philanthropic character never permitted him to stockpile his money; but rather, he always gave to the needy, less fortunate, or destitute that needed assistance. Mr. Hodge loved children and used any opportunity to care for every child he encountered. He found peace in knowing that families were clothed and fed; therefore, when his health started to decline his joy and comfort was in knowing he contributed to many.

CARACASBAAI SUMMARY

Caracasbaai Stores, one of the pioneer businesses on island founded in 1961, is a retail commercial property situated in a prime business location on the Watkin Hodge Road in Stoney Ground, Anguilla. The property is a brick-and-mortar retail business complex that comprises of different department stores which include supermarket with deli services, furniture, home improvement, education, health, and apparel store areas.

Contact

Caracasbaai Stores
Watkin Hodge Road, Stoney Ground
Anguilla

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