J. Astaphan & Co. started as a small retail business which was established in 1933 by Joseph Astaphan. The present Chairman, Waddy Astaphan, joined the family business in 1942, and from the humble beginnings of retailing basic foods, the Company by 1941 very quickly expanded first into the exporting of dried vanilla beans, vegetables, cocoa and bay-oil etc. to other Caribbean Islands, North America and Europe, then into the Hardware, Textile, Appliance, Furniture and Automobile Trade, as well as becoming Ship‚s Agents and Tour Operators.

Today J. Astaphan & Co. (1970) Ltd., despite the many obstacles, natural and manmade, has once again emerged as the most vibrant and effective commercial business in Dominica. Its Head Office, Supermarket and Super Centre, occupy some 70,000 s. ft. of prime space in the heart of the Capital. Just five minutes away is located the 67,000 sq. ft. fully palletized Home & Building Centre. The manufacture of Furniture, Foam/Foam Products, storage and Automobile Sales and Maintenance occupies over 70,000 sq. ft. of buildings on an 8 acre site at the Canefield Industrial Estate.

This truly dynamic Company, has shown sound business acumen over the years, and is now poised to reach even higher and more commanding heights in the 21st Century for the benefit of the entire nation.