1st and Last Bar a landmark in St Thomas

To say that 1st and Last Bar in Albion, St Thomas, is a historic watering hole would be an understatement.

Current owner Oneil Curniffe is the latest one in his family to run it. It got its name because, according to his aunt, Carmen Parker, "It was the last bar going to town (Kingston), and the first bar coming from town."

Curniffe said that his grandmother, Olive Taylor, took the reins all the way back in 1972. She ran it until 1994 when his mother, Ioline White, took over. For the last three years, he's been the man in charge.

"From mi a five year old I've been here, before mi coulda even see over the counter," laughed Curniffe. "A morning time mi used to come open the bar, clean it out, pack the fridge and dem ting deh."

Parker said the bar has been a favourite of the community for years, but noted that "In the time when my mother had it, there wasn't any other bar. So we used to have more sales because over time more bars come along. But we still have our customers because we're right on the main."

HARD WORK

Curniffe admits it's hard work being the one running things now.

"Mi haffi wake up early out a mi bed. But it's alright, man. Likkle rough still, but we can manage," he said. "It nuh change much. Nutten much nuh add to it except the counter. When mi tek it over, mi move out the wooden one and put in a new one."

A shop and a jerk centre also complement the bar, and underline that this is a family operation. Parker runs the shop, while Curniffe's uncle, Ronny Jones, started the jerk centre in 1998.

It all works together to make the bar really the 'first' and 'last' place to visit before heading home.

"We have a nice bartender, we have the best jerk centre in St Thomas. It's a combination. When you come here, the breeze is so cool, you can relax under the tree. It's one of the safest place you can hang out," said Curniffe.

But change is coming for 1st and Last. With the impending construction of the St Thomas leg of the South Coast Highway, Curniffe and Parker say they've been notified that the bar will have to move further back from its current roadside location. But Parker believes the change will be good.

"Me nuh feel no way about it because this building is very old. So going back, this will be demolished so we can get more modern. We want to turn it into a sports bar," she said.