Brisk business for our Beer in riot town
By Charles Pitt

Last night some 60 Tongans guarded Cook Islander James Beer’s Supermarket in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, against looters and part of the deal said Manager Mere Cummings was providing them with free kava.
The Times was present with Beer on Friday afternoon when he telephoned Cummings (a Cook Islander) in Tonga for an update on the situation. It was the fifth call he had made on Friday.
She reported that last night was quiet although there was some looting of businesses that had been partly destroyed in pro-democracy riots which left eight Tongans dead.
PARTNER
Beer’s supermarket, First Choice, which he has in a joint venture with a Tongan businessman, is one of three main stores not destroyed.
It is open and business is described as brisk. Only one other store opened today.
Power is only available 3 hours per day.
No problems have been experienced so far and no threats have been made against the store. Locals have been buying foodstuffs in bulk such as flour and rice for fear of food running out although a ship is due in port tomorrow.
Earlier, locals had been buying small portions (1-2kg bags) of lamb and beef due to the power cuts.
Although the supermarket would normally be open to 8pm on Friday and Saturday, it will close at 5pm. Sunday will be a quiet day due to church services.
Mere Cummings reported she was safe and she spent last night at a motel owned by Beer’s business partner. She welcomed the chance to have a shower as there had been water problems.
LARGEST
Beer said his supermarket was 1-2 minutes drive from the central business district. It was the largest supermarket in the capital with car parking for up to 150 cars. It is twice the size of the store in Rarotonga.
It has been refurbished and is single storied with a warehouse and retail area. Beer said the supermarket has been set up to operate most efficiently.
CHICKEN
Beer said he had been considering opening a business in Tonga for some time. He had planned to open up a second Chicken Magic Restaurant when he heard about the supermarket.
Beer’s Tongan partner had been seeking someone for two years to enter into a joint venture with. He had a number of businesses and at 70 years old, wanted to scale down his commitments.

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