Breakfast Shed to be torn down today

AFTER faithfully serving countless people — from the upper echelon of society down to the common man — for the past 30 years, the landmark Breakfast Shed, located near the Port-of-Spain port, will be torn down today. Tears may very well shed today by both the cooks and their loyal customers when the last meals are served. There were tears aplenty yesterday as workers prepared meats and ground provisions for today’s final meals.  And while it was business as usual yesterday, the workers and stall owners received full, vocal support from members of the public. The Breakfast Shed has been the first stop for lunch for tourists arriving on cruise ships. The well-known local cuisine of pelau, roti, callalloo, coo-coo, stew fish, ground provisions and drinks including fruit punches were sampled by tourists.

The Breakfast Shed has been the meeting place of more notable locals including sportsmen, calypsonians, businessmen, politicians, lawyers and even priests. Arch-Priest Victor Phillips gave a small sermon yesterday while the Original De Fosto Himself serenaded customers with his song “We ain’t going no way,” followed by the National Anthem. “We were told today that they will bulldoze here. We are going to die! We have a voice!” stall owner Marilyn Andrews cried. Andrews said they were given 14 days, from February 21, to leave. Three representatives from the Breakfast Shed met with Udecott yesterday in an attempt to prevent what seemed to be a fait accompli.

“They told us we have three months. Now they called us this morning and say they are going to mash down the place on Saturday (today),” another owner said. “I support them in their struggle for justice. I had the same problem and I was beaten. They will be victimised and their business damaged,” Arch-Priest Phillips said. Sean Francis, former UNC candidate for San Juan West/Caledonia, said the workers were getting a raw deal. “Give them a place to relocate with proper accommodation. These are our people who have no financial support,” Francis cried. “They are also bonafide PNM activists and supporters!

And now they are treated with no respect and consideration. The Prime Minister should look into this. These people have children to mind,” he added. The Original De Fosto Himself said he composed the song overnight, when he heard of the stall owners’ plight. DuMarouis Horsley, an independent community activist, told Newsday that it was a sad day in Trinidad and Tobago. “I look at the mothers who are in grief and I am begging the Prime Minister to look at the grass roots, and see these critical times to dismiss those people,” Horsley said. He also added that it would have been better to bring back Basdeo Panday as the Prime Minister.