AN Islander who doubled the turnover of a St John corner shop when she took over in 2019 has started a similar venture in St Clement.
Sarah Donati-Ford, who runs the St John Village Store, has just opened a twin business at Green Island along Grande Route de la Côte.
Prior to 2019, Mrs Donati-Ford spent 17 years running a book-keeping business from home while looking after her three children.
However, she decided it was time for a change and due to her ‘people person’ nature, she said that the idea of running her own shop excited her.
‘We have managed to double the turnover in the St John store in the past three years and I absolutely love running it and meeting new people.
‘We get up to 600 people passing through each day,’ she said.
‘I had been looking at the Green Island store for over a year. I noticed it had been run down a bit but thought I could do something with it,’ she added.
Mrs Donati-Ford explained that what set her apart from her predecessors was that the business was like a ‘mini-supermarket’ rather than a convenience store.
‘People in St John come in to do their weekly shop, rather than to buy milk and bread.
‘We offer a wide range of products so that people don’t need to shop elsewhere. We are trying to replicate this in our Green Island store,’ she said.
‘We try to be competitive with our prices and support a number of local businesses.
‘We sell fresh Jersey wonders, Jersey fudge and get fresh fish on a Friday and fresh meat twice a week,’ she added.
The Green Island Village Store is open from 7am till 9pm, seven days a week.
Mrs Donati-Ford said that may change depending on customer feedback.
‘I feel like the shop in St John is part of the village community and I am hoping we can bring that same feel to Green Island,’ she said.
