Hurley’s took off from the tarmac

The supermarket known as Hurley’s started on the tarmac of Owen Roberts Airport.

Hurley Merren started work with Lacsa Airlines in 1966 as a licensed aircraft mechanic. As friend Anthony Eden narrates, the opportunity presented itself for him to become involved, on a part-time basis, with the importation of small shipments of fresh fruits and vegetables from Costa Rica, Lacsa’s home base. He would receive the produce weekly and distribute it to customers from the tarmac.

The little import business grew to include meats and other supplies from Miami. In 1972, Hurley resigned from theairline to work full time with what had become Cayman Imports, a wholesalebusiness. He then opened Hurley’s Meat Market.

Expansion became necessary and in 1986 Hurley’s Supermarket was opened in the Eden Centre complex on Walkers Road with a full range of fresh meats and produce. He bought Will and Sybil Jackson’s store in East End to turn it into Little Hurley’s.

Hurley’s Marketplace in Grand Harbour was his next dream; he died in June 1997 at age 54 before the store was completed. His wife Leonie and their children carried on with the help of their first employee, Eddie Ebanks.

Hurricane Ivan in 2004 destroyed the stores at Eden Centre and East End, but Hurley’s at Grand Harbour continued to serve the community.

Hurley’s Group also includes Radio Station Z99.9FM, the first commercial station in the Cayman Islands. It began operations in 1992, giving listeners a choice between its format and that of government-owned Radio Cayman, which had been on the air since 1976.  Rooster 101 followed.

Today Miss Leonie continues as Hurley’s Group CEO, with her children active in the various businesses. Randy is general manager of the supermarket and Hurley’s Entertainment. Bryce is in charge of Beacon Trucking and Compa Fuels. Sharleen is general manager for
Cayman Imports, while Shanna takes care of all the foreign payables.