7 Cool Ways to Celebrate This Year's May Day Holiday!!!!

Celebrations on May 1 have long had two, seemingly contradictory meanings. On one hand, May Day is known for maypoles, flowers and welcoming the spring. On the other hand, it’s a day of worker solidarity and protest; In almost every country in the world, workers celebrate May 1st as Mayday or International Workers’ Day. May Day was created to commemorate one of the many events in the struggle of better work condition around the world, St Lucia inclusive. All over the Caribbean, people find different ways to celebrate May Day.

As usual, with Rayneau, we have discovered some of the best ways to spend your May Day Holiday. Whether you are planning on staying at home or looking for a place to relax, or even holiday shopping; we have something for everyone! So choose carefully from this beautifully composed list…

1 - Go shopping at Rayneau in Vide Bouteille

Pay our new location a visit or if you’ve decided to use this day to do some minor repairs at home or get your hurricane preparedness supplies, head to Rayneau’s new location at Vide Bouteille. We stock all the building materials you’ll need for such repairs. We open between 8:00 am - 1:00 pm on holidays. Our outstanding customer service, great products and spacious aisles make shopping with us an immaculate “Wow Experience.”

2 - Start a Potted Flower Garden.

If you love planting container gardens but don't know where to start, talk to Shakym in our Lawn and Garden Department at our Corinth branch. In that department you'll find your perfect container for gardening in our collection of container garden recipes. Also you’ll find a large variety of grow bags, hanging baskets, patio planters, potting soil, fertilizers, and accessories. Choose from a wide variety of materials, such as resin, polypropylene, teak, cedar, galvanized metal, and powder-coated steel.

3 - Go Out For Happy Hour

May Day serves as a day which is meant to celebrate the hard working men and women of the world. To have to wait until after hours to be appreciated, and since a few of you don't actually get the day off from work or work half day like  us, what better way to say "thank you" to yourself than with inexpensive drinks with good friends and coworkers?

4 - Bake a Pumpkin Cake Roll

While you might not want to do something elaborate you should still make something sweet for May Day celebrations – a pumpkin cake roll. I mean, any excuse to bake a cake is a good excuse, right?

Get recipe: Here

5 - Frolicking at Soufriere Sulphur Springs Park

This has to be the most scenic mineral spring bath on island, perfect for frolicking, exploring and swimming - it's a breathtaking sight.The Sulphur springs, also known as the Soufriere Drive-in Volcano, provides a natural invigorating freshness and medicinal bath. A trip to the Soufriere Sulphur Springs would be an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

6 - Plant a Tree:

Earth Day may have come and gone, but it isn't the only holiday that celebrates the planet. May Day has its roots in festivals that honor the renewal of spring, so you should spend the holiday embracing nature, and even contributing to its survival. Plant a tree in your community, or start your own at-home garden, and help keep Earth green for many May Days to come

7 - Paint Your Front Door

Your front door has a personality of its own. And when you pick a color that’s different from the rest of your house, that’s what you’re saying about yourself as well. While the overall color of a house may need to be neutral to fit in with the neighborhood, the front door is a focal point that’s prime for self-expression.  Check out Michael at our Paint and Sundries Department for great front door paint colors, from classic to courageous, that is sure to give your home more street cred. It could well be a Mother’s Day gift in advance!

       HAPPY MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS FROM EVERYONE AT RG GROUP!!!!!

Hurricane Preparedness Supplies at Rayneau - Get Prepared!!

It’s that time again… Hurricane season in St Lucia and across the Caribbean! For many of us it is a time we’d prefer to dismiss. With predictions slightly above normal, for the 2018 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season (which includes the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico), you can expect 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes, 4 major hurricanes, so I guess we really have to prepare as best we can. It only takes one! 

Meteorologists experts predict that 2018 will be somewhat of a repeat of 2017 - and possibly another record breaker. Although it will be strikingly similar to last year- some hurricane landfalls will occur in different locations this year – St Lucia may very well be one.

Hurricane Preparedness Supplies

What a hurricane season 2017 has been with three major hurricanes hitting land in the Atlantic basin starting with Harvey then Irma and finishing with Maria all within 27 days during the height of the season! 

Each Hurricane was devastating to the communities affected and also impacted large areas, killed many and crippled infrastructures.

There are several things we can do to be prepared for intense weather systems. Perhaps an appropriate starting place is our homes and properties. After sacrificing large sums to own your preferred dwelling place it is advisable to go a step further and ensure your investment is adequately protected from harsh elements.

More Hurricane Preparedness Supplies 

At Rayneau, we want to help keep your home and family safe. That’s why we offer the products you need to be prepared for hurricane season at everyday low prices. Prevent hurricane damage with hurricane shutters, tarps and plywood. Prepare for the storm by having flashlights, batteries, first aid kits and generators.

Storm disaster recovery can be daunting, but at Rayneau you'll find the tools needed to repair flood damage and handle waste removal like shop vacs, mops, trash cans and mold removers. Rayneau will help you get ahead of the storm and clean up any damage with all the tools and supplies you may need.

The major reason for another destructive hurricane season is that the ocean water temperatures continue to run warmer than normal across most of the Atlantic Basin, and especially in the Caribbean region and the Atlantic - this will again be conducive for tropical storms and/or hurricanes forming and/or strengthening.

                                   Hurricane Preparedness Slideshow

What are your hurricane preparedness plans? Pause for a moment and recall the pain, devastation and destruction caused by Hurricane Tomas and the 2016 Christmas Trough; think of the hardships in Dominica and Barbuda as they struggle to rebuild after Irma and Maria, then fast forward, and head to Rayneau Construction & Industrial Products Ltd to get your hurricane preparedness/clean-up supplies.

Earth Day 2018! Why You Should Stay Away From PVC Shower Curtains?

                            "Earth Day 2018: End Plastic Pollution" 

Earth Day is a day for celebrating our home planet and raising awareness of things we can do to protect it from harm. But most humans, with the exception of some astronauts, live on this planet throughout the entire year.

For those of us who want to do right by Earth on April 22 and the rest of the year but aren’t sure where to start, here is one small way — in addition to recycling and not wasting water or electricity — to end plastic pollution.

We choose the option below for our readers to take this initial action to End Plastic Pollution on Earth Day and beyond!

For most of us our bathroom is something of a sanctuary. It feels safe. We close the door and can take a shower, brush our teeth and deal with the finer points of our appearance each day.

Unfortunately, many bathrooms are anything but safe.

PVC-containing shower curtains are capable of emitting:-

1. Scores of volatile organic compounds,
2. Phthalates
3. Lead
4. Other potentially harmful materials, into people’s bathrooms.

These chemicals are all the more likely to leach out of the PVC when subjected to hot water. In other words, your early morning shower could result in your breathing in dozens of toxic chemicals.

The group of chemicals we are most familiar with when it comes to any product made from PVC are phthalates. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, and can upset normal hormonal balance in our bodies, stimulate the growth and development of cancers (breast, uterine, prostate), impair fertility, and disrupt pregnancy.

As for the other chemicals leaching out of your shower curtains, while most of us know little about them, their presence is no less worrying.

While non-toxic  shower curtains made of hemp, cotton or linen can be quite pricey, those made from PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate) or EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate)  can be used over PVC. While they’re not perfect, PEVA and EVA are made from chloride-free vinyl which delivers touchable softness and waterproof function without the smell of traditional PVC vinyl. Both are PVC free, biodegradable, don’t off-gas and are affordable. 

Happy Earth Day and Let's all do our part to end Plastic Pollution!

7 Things You Need to do Early to Prep Your Home for Hurricane Season

For St Lucian residents, hurricane season comes around just as predictably as every other season. It officially runs June through November, peaking August through October. Think Tomas, and sadly, now Maria and Irma and their destruction to Dominica and Barbuda respectively. And yet for most of us, the risk doesn't feel real until a real-life situation is upon us. Why, with so many examples of the very real threat hurricanes and other natural disasters pose, do so many of us delay our preparations?

Hurricane damage: L-Dominica (Maria), R-Barbuda (Irma)

Some people call it “disaster denial.” We either don't think a natural disaster will happen to us, or we don’t think preparing for one will do any good. Plus, we’d rather focus our attention on more positive things.The point is this: we’re really bad at taking the risk of natural disasters seriously, even after they get real.

With a little less than two months before the official start of hurricane season, Rayneau Construction and Industrial Products Ltd is stressing the importance of being prepared early and for this reason is well-stocked on all the Hurricane supplies you’ll need.

What does it mean to be hurricane ready? It’s more than just knowing how to duck and cover, it’s about protecting yourself, protecting your home, and most importantly protecting the people you care about. If you live in any of the districts, you can make an informed decision now on how best to prepare for hurricane season 2018, such as preparing your house before it arrives.

                             Hurricane Preparedness Supplies

How Can to Prep Your Home

It’s never too early to start thinking about how to prepare for hurricane season when you’re living on this island. Hurricane season does not guarantee that a hurricane will make it to the shore, but there’s a significant chance. And, as we’ve re-learned through hurricanes Tomas, and what Irma and Maria did to Barbuda and Dominica respectively, we must either be ready for the worst or suffer the consequences.

Your home is one of your largest investments, so protecting it from natural disasters is probably one of your top priorities. We have continually advocated in previous blog posts that it only takes one storm hitting our island to make it a bad year, regardless of the number of storms that are forecast in the seasonal outlook.

1 - Inspect Your Roof: Inspect your roof covering to make sure all the shingles or tiles are secured and that none are cracked or missing. The roof is the largest potential opening on the house, and wind and water can do terrible things if they get through the roof.

2 - Build an Emergency Kit: You should have an emergency kit no matter where you live, but they are an absolute must. Don't wait until the hurricane is at your door to figure out what you do. You can either purchase a pre-made emergency kit (we recommend The St Lucia Red Cross kits), but if you can also make your own.  Some supplies households might need include enough food and water to last between three and five days, gas, charged phones, flashlights, medicine, pet food and a radio. (Make sure you have batteries too!).

3 - Clean  your Gutters: No one likes cleaning their gutters, because who knows what you'll find up there. Unfortunately, this dreaded task is important to do if you live in a hurricane prone zone. Having them flow properly allows water to move away from your home. Keeping them clean also prevents water from splashing back up against the roof and under the roof covering and causing damage.

4 - Check up on Doors and Windows: Check the seals around your windows and doors. Hot weather can damage seals over time, allowing sideways-blowing rain to get in during a storm.

Plywood

5 - Plain-old plywood to the rescue:  Purchase supplies, including plywood to cover windows and extra security to keep doors from blowing open, in advance, to secure your home from damaging winds. Simple 5/8-inch plywood covers offer good protection. With inexpensive “window clips” that go on without screws or nails, a typical home can be boarded up in less than half an hour (assuming the plywood covers are ready to go). Rayneau sells several types

6 - Prepare for Power Outages: During strong hurricane winds, power lines and phone lines might fall down, creating power outages. While candlelight is fine and dandy for an occasional date night, if you want to avoid finding yourself without electricity, consider purchasing a generator. Speak to Kendal at 725 - 9573 for the ideal generator.

7 - Get Your Homeowners Insurance Ready: No disaster preparedness blog post would be complete without an insurance reminder, so take time to make sure your insurance policy is up to date and will cover the full cost of rebuilding if you lose your home in a storm. A lot of people insure their home to what the value of the home is, but maybe the cost to rebuild is more. Building costs are always on the rise, so you want to make sure you'll have enough to rebuild.

Don’t let you and family be victims of “Disaster Denial.” Stop  procrastination,get busy and be prepare early!

0% Interest Contractor Project Financing - The Small Contractors' Solution!

Are you one of these contractors who is struggling to get financing for your contracted project? Worry no more – Rayneau Construction and Industrial Products Ltd got your back!

With the Government’s Constituency Development Program (CDP) scheduled to recommence this financial year, (after budget) Rayneau Construction and Industrial Products Ltd (RCIP) wants to remind small contractors of its “ 0%  Interest Contractor Project Finance” which is available to provide advancement of cash and building materials to small contractors obtaining work under the above mentioned program, other government and private contracts or otherwise.

We continue to make this facility available for contractors who wish to take advantage of it. Rayneau Construction and Industrial Products Ltd is dedicated to offer materials at the most competitive prices and we are also dedicated to assist the small contractors as they create employment for themselves and others.

Our “0%  Interest Contractor Project Finance" is designed to provide projects financing. The persons seeking assistance are required to provide an assignment of funds to RCIP and agree to pay 0% interest chargeable on the materials and 15% on cash advance if requested. 

We make it hassle free for small to medium contractors to access the cash that they need to manage their project. If you are a contractor who needs a cash advance to complete your project, tools to perform the job professionally, and/or materials to get it done, then come into our mega store at Corinth. We are a One-Stop Shop that provides you with materials from start to finish.

Also, with over 200 pieces of light to heavy equipment available, we can also assist you with the projects that may not be previously within your reach.

Once all conditions are met and the documentation process is completed, the approval follows in a mere hour. No long lines or complicated requirements.

With 0% interest applied you can be assured that your costs are efficiently managed and the money is spent where it matters most.

When the project is certified complete by the relevant authorities, RCIP is paid the contract sum less Government taxes by the Treasury as previously agreed upon by both parties. RCIP takes what is due to it and the contractor is paid the balance in full.

It is worth noting here that other financial institutions offer similar programs to small contractors at 10 to 21% interest. Also, other retailers of building materials also participate however offer an increased credit price which is up to 15% higher than their regular cash price.

At RCIP we offer our materials at the regular cash price and with 0% interest. 

Do you have a small contract and need assistance for materials and/or cash? Just fill out our Form and take it to our store or office at Corinth. You can also call Ron at 716-6218 for more details.

New Rayneau Hardware Store Opens in Vide Bouteille

We’re still filling shelves and putting together merchandise, but the doors are open at the new Rayneau store in Vide Bouteille. The doors opened for business earlier this week Monday, with the grand opening scheduled for a later date.

We’re still working on the finishing touches, but don’t let that keep you away. You can walk in, anytime between 7:00am-6:00pm Monday to Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm on Saturdays, 8:00am – 1:00pm on Sundays and on Holidays 8:00am – 1:00pm.

The store is located on the Castries/Gros Islet Highway, one hundred or so metres from the Choc round-about travelling Northbound.

Vide Bouteille is a competitive market, and we look forward to focusing on merchandise that fits the needs of our target customers.

Immediately for sale we have available Building Materials- Blocks, Cement, Sand, Stones, Ready Mix, Steel, BRC, Lumber & Plywood.  A lot of work is being put into the remodeled space and the "wow" factor is yet to come. Stay Tuned!

The company focuses on customer service as a way to stand out.  We believe that without the customer, we have nothing. As a result our stores work to improve customer service, and in our opinion it’s paid off. We have the best customer service.

We are very excited to be in such a fast-moving community and to have found a great location in this business environment.  RCIP Ltd now serving you at our new location in Vide Bouteille.  Come in to see us soon or call us at 4507246!