October 2019, marks the 50th Anniversary of the renowned Country Cold Store in the parish of St. David –  a business notorious for its sale of poultry throughout Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

Proud Chairman of humble beginnings, James Lewis, started life in an almost state of poverty. 

Born at Perdmontemps on the 8th February 1938, he attended the St. Dominic’s R.C. School and attained to standard eight.

James’ original ambition was to become a lawyer, but the poor circumstances of his parents did not permit him a higher education.

On leaving school, he worked at the Grand Etang Forest Reserve, planting trees.  He also worked at Westerhall Farm (then owned by Government) and at the Baillies Bacolet Estate in the dairy department. Other places of employment included True blue Hotel as a storekeeper and Grenada Beach Hotel as Store Keeper and Purchaser.

While working at the Grenada Beach Hotel, Mr. Lewis recognized that there was a margin and an unexplored market with great potential.  Therefore having been privy to the opportunity, he sought to explore the possibilities one step at a time.

Mr. Lewis began his venture by first testing the waters through the purchase of chicken feet from the supplier to the hotel for his personal use.  This part of the chicken was cooked by Lewis’s wife, whom he describes as “an excellent cook”.  The aroma of his wife’s cooking said Lewis, “attracted passer-bys and they wanted to know what was cooking, where we got it from and from where they can get some.  We sourced it and they started to buy.  It was inadequate to supply everyone who wanted.” 

The demand grew by leaps and bounds and he decided to expand by going to Junctions and Crossroads in the parish of St. David’s promoting that product.  This did not require much effort as the need was very great. This action led to the purchase of his first case of chicken from “The Cold Store Ltd” on the Carenage and undeniably took his operations to another level.

James says, although his intentions were to purchase two cases of chicken, with sound advice he took one, and that one eventually led to two and three cases. From then on, there was no looking back.  Freezer after freezer was constructed and an island-wide network of sales resulted, resulting in the establishment of “The Country Cold Store”.

In July of 1984, The Country Cold Store became a family-owned and operated business.  It is because of Mr. Lewis’ belief that a man should get the best out of the business he builds, and his undaunted love for family, he decided to keep the business within the “Bloodlines”.

Country Cold Store, in 50 years of operation, has grown from a partnership of two in 1969 to seventy-one employees in 2019 and has the distinction of the leading Importer and Distributor of Frozen Meats, Vegetables and Other Products in Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

Founder James Lewis and those who know him well, including his employees, credit the business’s success to God.