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Shop in Style on St. Thomas

By Carol M. Bareuther, RD

The streets of Charlotte Amalie seem like they're paved in gold. Diamonds, rubies and many other precious gems abound here too in treasure-filled showcases. It's easy to see why St. Thomas is nicknamed the "shopping capital of the Caribbean." You'll find the highest concentration of stores lining Main Street. The alleyways, built in the 18th century as passageways for exotic spices and molasses being off-loaded from ships in the harbor, today boast a maze of shops that brim with jewels as well as designer fashions, perfumes and the latest electronics. If you're just looking for a T-shirt to take back home, check out Vendor's Plaza, located across from the Fire Station.

You'll find plenty of shopping prospects as you travel around the island. Yacht Haven Grande, a short walk from either town or the Havensight Cruise Ship Dock, offers many upscale stores. Havensight Mall features over 50 duty-free shops set among flower-studded walkways. Adjacent and across from Havensight are the Port of $ale Mall and Al Cohen's Mall. Both offer a smaller variety of shops, although there are some real deals here on liquor and tobacco. The Crown Bay Center, near downtown Charlotte Amalie, boasts specialty stores and items like souvenirs and handicrafts.

Locals head to Tutu Park Mall. Kmart and Plaza Extra Supermarket anchor this air-conditioned enclosed mall. There are over 50 stores, including national chains such as Foot Locker, Marianne's, Claire's, Payless Shoes and Champs Sports. A food court, banks, post office and restaurants make this a one-stop shop for many folks. In Red Hook, American Yacht Harbor and the Red Hook Shopping Plaza are the place to find beachwear, fishing tackle, pet accessories, tropical fashions and jewelry. There's also a supermarket, pharmacy and bank with ATM here, too.

THE CROWN BAY CENTER
161 Subbase
(340) 774-2132
www.viport.com
Located on the southwest side of St. Thomas, Crown Bay Center is only one mile from the Cyril E. King Airport and two miles from downtown Charlotte Amalie. Crown Bay Center is primed to be a first-class shopping and entertainment destination offering great bargains… hassle-free. The center offers an exquisite selection of jewelry, electronics, watches, cameras, liquor and much more. Colorful kiosk vendors offering an array of local arts and crafts, T-shirts and souvenirs are also part of the experience. Whether you just arrived, or are about to leave, visit the Crown Bay Center for your first-class experience.

Shopping Adventures on St. John

By Lynda Lohr

It's easy to shop till you drop on St. John. So, get your credit cards ready, your walking shoes on and your energy in tow.

Cruz Bay is the island's major shopping area, but savvy shoppers find small shopping centers and stores all the way to the eastern end of the island at Coral Bay.

Cruz Bay's stores stretch from Mongoose Junction Shopping Center in the north just as you reach the North Shore Road to Gallows Point on the southwest point of Cruz Bay Harbor — with lots of small stores carrying eclectic merchandise in between. It can be tough to find a place to park in Cruz Bay, so your rental car company will probably let you park while you shop. For a more relaxing shopping experience, take a taxi from your hotel.

With stone walls and lush landscaping, the open-air Mongoose Junction is the biggest of Cruz Bay's shopping centers. It has stores sitting on several levels with short flights of stairs in between. You can shop for everything from T-shirts to inexpensive jewelry to objets d'art and much, much more. And when you're really ready to drop, Mongoose Junction is home to several restaurants in various price ranges.

As you stroll through Cruz Bay, you'll find shops along Veste Gade, the block that runs from alongside the post office to First Bank. Another handful sit adjacent to Cruz Bay Park, the busy square located near the ferry dock.

The flower-bedecked Wharfside Village is right along the beach as you come off the ferry and has numerous interesting stores tucked away in its walkways and along the street in front of the shopping center. Wharfside Village is also home to Cruz Bay Photo, the only place on St. John to download pictures from your digital camera card.

Turn the corner to the right as you pass Wharfside Village for a few more shops. It's a pleasant stroll along the beach road to reach Gallows Point Resort, where you'll find a small gift shop.

Lemon Tree Mall on King Street, home of the venerable Lime Inn restaurant, has a handful of shops, with most open late so restaurant guests can shop while they wait for a table.

The Marketplace Shopping Center sits further afield in Cruz Bay on Route 108. Stretching over three levels, it's home to the island's largest supermarket, Starfish, and St. John's only hardware store, drug store and book shop. Tucked among such pedestrian offerings as a bank, the telephone company and an Internet service store, shoppers will find a growing number of gift shops that appeal to visitors. An elevator as well as stairs connect the floors. Parking is usually tight at the lower level parking lot, but you can usually find plenty of space on the upper level. Just drive straight uphill when you turn into the shopping center.

The Bordeaux Overlook on Route 10 is home to more than just a killer view. Shoppers will find a few stores carrying jewelry as well as this and that. Be careful when crossing to the gift shop located across the street from the overlook. It's a blind corner for drivers coming from the west, and they can't see you until they make the turn. A small restaurant serves lunch at this stunning spot, making it a good place to stop on your round-the-island driving tour.

Shopping in the Coral Bay area stretches out from Skinny Legs Restaurant and Bar on Route 10 to Shipwreck Landing Restaurant on Route 107, with a concentration of stores at Cocoloba Shopping Center in between. As in Cruz Bay, the stores offer everything from made-in-St. John items to inexpensive souvenirs. Shoppers will find restaurants all along the route.

And don't forget about the gift shops at the Westin Resort and Villas and Caneel Bay Resort. Along with stores across the island, they carry plenty of merchandise just right for taking home.

THE MARKETPLACE
Cruz Bay, St. John
(340) 776-6455
info@stjohnmarketplace.com
The Marketplace. A short walk from either ferry dock is St. John's most convenient, comfortable and all-inclusive shopping experience. This Caribbean-style palazzo features three stories of air-conditioned boutiques, eateries and services and is home to St. John's only bookstore, Chinese restaurant and sushi bar, plus St. John's largest grocery store and pharmacy. There's convenient parking and public restrooms on all three levels. Explre the shops at The Marketplace... everything you need on every level.

MONGOOSE JUNCTION
Cruz Bay, St. John
(340) 776-6420
www.mongoosejunctionstjohn.com
Visit Mongoose Junction, a short stroll from the ferry dock on St. John. Explore more than 30 shops featuring jewelry, art, island gifts, clothing, fabrics, canvas bags, water sports, charters and much more. Relax amid elegant handcrafted stone buildings and shady courtyards as you enjoy breakfast, lunch, tropical drinks, beach snacks or a gourmet dinner. Find the best real estate offerings, the perfect outfit and everything in between... "A place like this — only on St. John."

Standout Shopping on St. Croix

By Sarah Muñoz

You're getting it straight from the shopping horse's mouth — St. Croix is one of the prettiest places in which to discover great treasures from around the world, from your favorite brand names to unique pieces that you won't find anywhere else. That's because the island's twin cities, both pretty as a picture and blessed by year-round breezes, lure an exciting mix of artisans and tried-and-true businesspeople to share their best wares.

St. Croix's Christiansted and Frederiksted are scenic towns in which to stroll about and uncover shops tucked in quiet streets and small galleries offering spectacular artwork. An additional bonus is that St. Croix is not as rowdy a destination as other islands, making your shopping experience much more pleasurable. In essence, as you shop you're seeing some of St. Croix's most attractive landmarks, walking through time and the island's multicultural legacy as you discover shops that reflect the island's timeless quality.

The largest of the islands in the USVI is home to a sizable art colony and thus many singular items, from striking watercolors for your walls to fine handmade items. Yet there are also plenty of classic buys throughout: glass, porcelain and kitchenware of the highest caliber; perfume and cosmetics; a vast array of liquor; high-end jewelry; and much more, with duty-free prices providing plenty of incentive to overfill your luggage.

Christiansted is shopping central in St. Croix. Here you'll find King's Alley Walk, home to stores selling designer fashions, handmade crafts, beach apparel and gourmet coffees. Along Company and King streets, you'll also find a nice share of boutiques with quality gold and silver jewelry, porcelain and home décor. Baci on Company Street has a walk-in humidor with top cigar brands as well as a large selection of designer sunglasses and liquors, while Mitchell Larsen Studio has beautiful glass art in the form of tableware, holiday decorations and even customized pieces, if you request a special something in advance. On King Street, you may go a little wild in Jewelweed, a delightful shop with the nicest staff that sells one-of-a-kind handmade jewels in platinum and white or yellow gold, many designed with assorted gemstones. Queen Cross Street also has a variety of shops, among them the well-known From the Gecko. Should you want to stock up on nice batik sarongs, hand-painted scarves and assorted beach and island-wear for everyone in the family, this is the place in which to do it.

Although Frederiksted is not as bountiful when it comes to shopping, visitors walking along its waterfront and main cruise ship port, and exploring its historic buildings, will find a handful of stores with assorted accessories and gifts to take home. One highlight here is the centuries-old market, which still offers fresh produce and herbs. But for a true taste of St. Croix, take home some Cruzan Rum (named after the islands' inhabitants), available in several varieties and flavors with the classic smoothness of a centuries-old recipe. The Cruzan Rum Distillery is available for tours and samples.