How our incredible journey crosses paths with yours
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 us as “Dada.” His amazing odyssey is 95-plus years in the making, and began with the opening of the first Boolchand’s store in Curacao in 1930 by his father, Mr. Boolchand Pessoomal Nandwani. This single location supported his family in India for over 20 years before Dada arrived, and helped him to re-brand, expand and grow the business – to Venezuela, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Thomas and Aruba. As the next generation joined the business to support this expansion, and the fourth generation later followed, additional brands came under The Boolchand Group umbrella, and new businesses were opened in St. Kitts, Miami and Puerto Rico. Today, the Boolchand Group employs over 250 people, and operates 23 retail stores in 5 territories, as well as a business-to-business division, a distribution and sub-licensing business, a regional real estate portfolio, and an e-commerce website that will enhance our journey into the 21st century.
The beginning of Boolchand’s in Curaçao
After building his entrepreneurial foundation abroad, Mr. Boolchand brings his experience and ambition to Curaçao and opens the first Boolchand’s store, then known as Oriental Art Palace. This first location laid the foundation for a family business rooted in hard work, relationships, and long-standing ties to the local community.
Dada's defining voyage
Following in his father’s footsteps, Dada made a defining leap of faith, leaving his wife and first son, Ram, in India to sail across the world and take over the business his father had established in Curaçao. This moment marked the beginning of Dada’s legacy in the Caribbean. Guided by vision and determination, he not only strengthened operations in Curaçao but expanded the business into neighboring territories, laying the foundation for regional growth.
Establishing roots in St. Maarten
Starting with linen tablecloths and blouses, the first St. Maarten store sets the tone for long-term presence on the island. A custom glass storefront, imported from Puerto Rico, signals an early focus on quality and permanence.
Punda riots destroy the original Boolchand’s store in Curaçao
During unrest in Curaçao’s Punda district, the original Oriental Art Palace at Heerenstraat 10 is completely destroyed along with all of its goods. With no insurance, rebuilding seemed uncertain; however, supported by Maduro & Curiel’s Bank and strong local relationships, Dada was able to recover and move forward with renewed ambition. The Boolchand Group relocates to Heerenstraat 4B and establishes new operations in the Curaçao Freezone.
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 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.
The Boolchand Group opens operations in Aruba, expanding to 6 stores over the course of 20 years
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.
Ravee Nandwani joins the family business
Ravee Nandwani, son of Ram and grandson of Dada, joins the family business in Curaçao. The following year, he relocates to Aruba to lead local operations, marking the transition from a third- to fourth-generation family business.
The Boolchand Group becomes a distribution partner of Havaianas
The Group partners with Havaianas, the Brazilian footwear brand celebrated worldwide for its casual style and durability, establishing a distribution relationship for the Caribbean that remains active today.
Expanding Horizons & New Partnerships
The Boolchand Group continues its regional expansion, establishing a presence in St. Kitts with the development of five stores, marking one of the first multi-island retail operations on the island.
In the same year, we begin our partnership with Pandora, starting in St. Maarten and quickly expanding across our Caribbean network. This collaboration would grow into one of the Group’s most important and enduring brand relationships.
Distribution partnership with Crocs begins
The Boolchand Group becomes a distribution partner of Crocs, the global footwear brand known for comfort, versatility and bold design. What began as a distribution partnership would later grow into a significant retail and sub-licensed presence across the region.
Fourth generation expands within the family business
Navin and Jai Nandwani, son of Nari and son of Lachu respectively, and grandsons of Dada, join the business - further strengthening fourth-generation involvement across the region.
First Pandora concept store in the Caribbean opens in St. Maarten
The Boolchand Group deepens its partnership with Pandora by launching the first Pandora concept store in the Caribbean, located in St. Maarten. At the time, it was only the 17th Pandora concept store in the Western Hemisphere, marking a significant vote of confidence in the Group and reinforcing its role as a leading regional franchise partner as the brand rapidly expanded worldwide.
The Boolchand Group expands operations, as a Pandora Partner into the United States
Opening a store in Miami. The Boolchand Group now operates 6 shop-in-shops and 6 concept Pandora Jewelry stores.
The Boolchand Group establishes plans to expand retail operations, as a Pandora partner
Into new markets in the United States and the Caribbean. The Boolchand Group, also, takes its 30-year relationship with Apple to a new level with the opening of a standalone Apple store in Curaçao. This is the beginning of the franchise relationship as an Apple Specialist.
Crocs concept stores expand across the Caribbean
Building on the long-standing partnership with Crocs, The Boolchand Group opens dedicated Crocs concept stores in St. Maarten and Curaçao, followed by the launch of a Crocs store in the US Virgin Islands. This period marks the transition from distribution to licensed retail, establishing Crocs as a key lifestyle brand across multiple Caribbean markets, and further expanding the retail footprint of The Boolchand Group.
Operational expansion
The Havaianas distribution expands to include the entirety of the Southern and Eastern Caribbean. Finally, Karan Nandwani, son of Nari and grandson of Dada, becomes the last member of the 4th generation to join the family company.
Pandora expands with second concept stores across key markets
The Boolchand Group opens Pandora concept stores at Brickell City Centre in Miami, Oranjestad in Aruba, and Harbour Arcade in St. Maarten. These second concept stores in their respective markets reinforce the long-term strength of the partnership and Pandora’s confidence in the Group’s ability to scale the brand across multiple the region.
The Boolchand Group launches e-commerce ahead of the market
Anticipating a shift in how customers shop, the Boolchand Group launches its e-commerce platform via boolchand.com, initially focused on Pandora and fFine jJewelry and later adding on consumer electronics. At a time when online retail was still uncommon in the Caribbean, this marked a bold move toward digital-first thinking.
That same year, the Group opens Pandora Sambil in Curaçao, becoming the island’s second Pandora concept store.
