FROM its early days as a colonial outpost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Suva attracted entrepreneurs from far and wide, in search of opportunity to make a few dollars.
And while there are many recorded tales of European, Australian and English traders planting economic roots across Viti Levu’s busiest trading centres, Indian businessmen also journeyed through treacherous waters and found their way to Suva.
One of the oldest businesses established by a family from the Indian diaspora was JV Kapadia & Company.
Located at 160 Renwick Rd, the general goods store grew to become an iconic wholesale and retail outlet that has been in operation since 1948.
It has withstood political upheavals and immeasurable climatic events and continues to run even in today’s COVID-19 affected environment.
The company has expanded its product base and today wholesale and retails watches, fancy goods, costume jewellery, sunglasses, electronic gadgets, cosmetics and other items of interest.
Director Dhansukh Lal Kapadia said his father Jamnadas Vanmali founded the business.
“I joined the business in 1968 when I was 18 years old,” the now 70-year-old said.
“Since then, I have continued the business operation.
“My father came to Fiji at someone else’s request and he managed to get a permit to stay on.
“Later on he started his business. We were agents for business representatives abroad.
“Thereafter, we got into the retail sector and until now we have continued that way.”
Mr Kapadia said JV Kapadia & Co began its first venture in the textile sector in 1948.
“We started off with ready-made garments, textiles, and then we ventured into the attire department.
“After that, we got into these new lines.
“Now I’ve got my son into the operation, he is now expanding the concept of the trade.”
Mr Kapadia said at present, he looked after the shops while his only son, Bhavick Kapadia, looked after the entire operation. “He does the daily routine work that includes the wholesaling and retailing work.
“My son is the managing director of the company now.”
Mr Kapadia said he had seen a lot of growth in Suva over the past four decades, especially in the trade sector.
“New buildings have come up, lots of businesses have come into the trade and due to that, there is a lot of competition among the businesses.
“To survive and keep going on, we ventured into these new lines.”
He said one of the company’s strategies was increasing its market presence.
“We have three shops in Suva. Two of them are on Renwick Rd, there is one in Waimanu Rd and the fourth one is in Nakasi.”
Mr Kapadia said doing business in the midst of a global pandemic was not easy.
“After COVID-19 happened, the trend has been a bit slow, but we still manage to survive.
“If you want to go into business, you have to make thoughtful and informed decisions of what you actually want to start with. “You have to study the cost, as well as the profit of your business in detail; otherwise you will go on the wrong track.
“Ensure that you are fully aware of what you are trying to do.”
Mr Kapadia said his parents were originally from Gujarat, India. Like his son Bhavick Kapadia he was also his parent’s only son.
He had two sisters who have both died.
Mr Kapadia said despite all the social, political and climate-related upheavals, he was doing well and he believed the key to surviving in any situation was hard work.
