It’s a story you couldn’t dream up, dotted with obstacles that would make most retailers turn back. Many of them did. But not Mr. Doulatram Boolchand Nandwani, known fondly to Boolchand’s as “Dada.” His amazing odyssey is 80-plus years in the making. It’s a journey where old-fashioned values like loyalty meet the latest offerings of authentic world-class brands. Where Boolchand’s close-knit family feeling extends to every employee. And where they’ve made the Caribbean their home while exploring exciting new destinations.
For all its twists and turns, Boolchand’s journey has been and always will be guided by one simple goal: Their customers’ happiness.
TIMELINE
1901
Mr. Boolchand sets sail for Panama, where he begins working for an Indian business, Tarachand Bhojram, as a salesman. He is quickly promoted to the position of manager, and eventually becomes a working partner in the firm.
1927
Mr. Boolchand leaves Panama to return to India. The vision to open a business begins, originally with a business partner, Mr. Parsaram Narwani.
1930
The original Boolchand’s store, at the time called Oriental Art Palace is opened in Curacao. Oriental Art Palaces originates as an importer of fine goods from China and India. The original store sold oriental gift items including Ivory carvings, carved wooden tables and screens, brassware, embroidered table cloths from India and China, pure silk cloth and Japanese embroidered Kimonos.
1937
Mr. Boolchand’s son, Chuhermal Nandwani, falls ill of kidney trouble and must leave Curacao for Japan for treatment. He ultimately returns to India.
1950
Doulatram Boolchand Nandwani («Dada») joins the family business in Curacao, after the passing of his father earlier that year. The business was started by his father after a world-wide trip originating in Bombay on the Maluja Ship to France. Followed by another ship ride on the Queen Elizabeth from London to New York, through Kingston, Jamaica and finally to Curacao.
1952
The Boolchand Group opens a second store – Cortesia – in Curacao, this time in Hanchi Snoa. This same year, it also expands to Caracas, successfully opening a store under the Palacio Hindu brand name. In 1953, the original Caracas store is expanded into an adjacent space.
1963
The Boolchand Group establishes its first store in St. Maarten on Front Street, primarily selling linen tablecloths and blouses. The original glass storefront was imported from Puerto Rico as that size was not available in St. Maarten at that time.
1968
The Boolchand Group establishes operations in Bonaire and would have local operations until 2002.
1969
Riots engulf Curacao’s Punda district, burning the entire building at Heerenstraat 10 (the original Oriental Art Palace) and all of the store’s goods. With no insurance, Maduro & Curiel’s Bank gives their full support so Dada can rebuild. The Boolchand Group relocates to the recently complete three-story building at Heerenstraat 4B and establishes new operations in the Curacao Freezone.
1970
Boolchand’s establishes an exclusive distribution agreement with Marks & Spencer of London. Throughout the early 1970s, The Boolchand Group grows the portfolio of St. Michael Branded stores in Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Aruba. Also in 1970, The Boolchand Group establishes operations in St. Thomas, selling tourist items and linens on the Waterfront, then relocating to 31 Main Street, where they begin to sell cameras and electronics as well.
1974
The Boolchand Group opens operations in Aruba, expanding to 6 stores over the course of 20 years.
1989
Boolchand’s is offered the exclusive right to open franchise stores in the Caribbean under the Bye-Bye brand from Mexico. The Group quickly rolls out Bye-Bye stores in St. Thomas the same year, followed by St. Maarten, Aruba, Bonaire and finally Curacao.
1994
The Boolchand Group launches a new branded store focusing on fine jewelry and watches, D’Orlahn. D’Orlahn opens stores in Aruba. Stores in St. Maarten, Curacao, and St. Kitts followed the original store in Aruba. D’Orlahn was established to grow the branded boutique business with key luxury retailers.
1999
Ravee Nandwani, son of Ram and grandson of Dada, joins the family business in Curacao. The following year, Ravee is transferred to Aruba to run the local operations. This marks the official transition from a 3rd generation family business to a 4th generation family business.
2005
Working with the Minister and local government in St. Kitts, The Boolchand Group is one of the first island retailers to establish operations there, purchasing land and building five stores. The Boolchand Group is the first Indian-owned store to be opened in St. Kitts. The Boolchand Group begins its relationship with Pandora Jewelry, starting in St. Maarten and expanding to St. Thomas, Curacao and Aruba.
2009
The Boolchand Group deepens the collaboration with Pandora Jewelry, launching the first Pandora concept store in the Caribbean (the 30th Pandora retail concept store in the global network, which grew to over 700 by 2012).
2012
The Boolchand Group establishes plans to expand retail operations, as a Pandora partner, into new markets in the United States and South America. The Boolchand Group takes its 30-year relationship with Apple to a new level with the opening of a standalone Apple store in Curacao. This is the beginning of the franchise relationship as an Apple Specialist.
2013
The Boolchand Group launches two new Crocs concept stores in St. Maarten and Curacao.
2014
The Boolchand Group begins a Crocs franchise operation in the US Virgin Islands and open a New Havaianas Kiosk in the Paseo Herencia Mall, Aruba.
2015
The Boolchand Group opens a New Pandora Concept Store at The Mall of San Juan in Puerto Rico.
