St. Thomas
Where else do you wander among charming old alleys, down Main Street (still called
by its Danish name "Dronningens Gade") and Back Street lined with the arched
doorways of another century, and along a waterfront with shops on one side and on the
other side a magnificent horseshoe harbor?In the tightly compacted area
known as downtown Charlotte Amalie, shops are air conditioned but tend to keep their doors
flung wide so you can glide from one to the other with ease. Never too far away, in an
alley or tropical courtyard, cool drinks and lunch wait at shaded tables.
The big name brands tell comparison shoppers the story--watches, liquors,
perfumes, cameras, fashions, cosmetics, china, crystal, electronics--from 10 to 30 percent
off U.S. prices and for some watches as much as 50 percent. Some famous names of the world
have their own shops like Cartier, Coach, H. Stern, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nicole Miller,
Fendi, Benetton, Erno Laszlo, DKNY. Others like Escada, Swarovski, Tiffany's, Lalique,
Waterford, Mont Blanc, Wedgwood, Royal Copenhagen and Rosenthal are in special departments
of leading stores. So are the great watch companies--Rolex, Seiko, Citizen, Concord,
Piaget, Rado, Omega, Movado, Tag-Heuer, Esquire, Noblia, Jaeger-leCoultre, Ebel, Swiss
Army, and more. Again, big savings.
More than two dozen glittering emporiums sell nothing but jewelry. Others have
large jewelry departments. Whether you plunge for a spectacular ring, a rope of pearls, an
unset sparkler or just a long look, you are assured a dazzling choice.
There are shops selling fine leather handbags and leather goods, often as much
as 50 percent off U.S. prices. Others specialize in tablecloths from China, imported
perfumes, choicest china and crystal, liquors and liqueurs, famous-name cameras, island
crafts, gifts for children, and all sorts of unique items.
Then there are the fashion boutiques--sporty, trendy, designer, classic, funwear
T's--from places as familiar as France and Italy and as far flung as Israel. And the art
galleries, both in town and in the country, carry a variety of island-inspired paintings,
sculptures and ceramics.
In less crowded Havensight Mall near the West Indian Company dock, shoppers
wander among palms and tropical foliage. Many shops are branches of the Main Street
stores--Cardow, Little Switzerland, the A. H. Riise Gift and Liquor Stores, H. Stern,
Amsterdam Sauer, Colombian Emeralds, Boolchand's and Royal Caribbean. Others offer a
variety of wares and services, among them fashion and sporting goods boutiques, and a
one-hour film developer.
At Tillett Gardens, near Tutu, artisans design and sell their work in a
courtyard with friendly iguanas lazing about a burbling fountain.
The long row of pretty balconied buildings called American Yacht Harbor at the
island's East End houses a variety of shops and restaurants. Close by, the Red Hook Ferry
takes you to St. John with its own unique boutiques at Mongoose Junctions and Wharfside
Village. |
 
    
St. Croix
Courtyards beckon and shaded arcades greet you in downtown Christiansted, the
shopping center of St. Croix. Restored West Indian town houses and historic
buildings of the 18th and 19th centuries now house many fine stores and restaurants.
Shop hours are normally from 10 am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday. Just east
of Christiansted stands the Gallows Bay Marketplace, home to a number of appealing stores.
Elsewhere on the island major hotels and shopping malls offer shopping more in the
style of the mainland. Specialty shops dot the island and should you tour with a car
you can easily visit all of them. Locations are keyed to map numbers.
- Sonya's at 1 Company has offered fine hand-wrought jewelry for
over 30 years. It is the home of the original hook bracelet in silver or gold, and
Sonya's elegant new Signature Bracelet is the latest St. Croix collectible. All
jewelry is custom made in sterling silver, 14, 18 and 22 karat gold-bracelets, rings,
earrings and pendants.
- Baci Duty Free, an elegant European-style boutique, offers a
splendid walk-in cigar humidor. They also specialize in leading brands of designer
sunglasses, gold, black coral and ancient coin jewelry including "Atocha"
treasures at great savings, Swaroski crystal, Lladro Nao, Limoges, Halcyon Days porcelain
and enamel gifts. Also watches, miniature clocks, pens and Swiss Army knives.
- The Natural Jewel (King Street) Specializing in pearl, coral,
larimar and semi-precious stone jewelry, designed and handcrafted right there.
Between both stores you'll find one of the largest selections and price ranges.
- From the Gecko....778-9433
Clothing and jewelry made by local artists.
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