SHOPPING - Bermuda 2012 - page 176

entrepreneurial process. Somehow, the gift items here taste better and look more
valuable because visitors are made aware of how they were made. During peak sea-
son, as many as 4,000 people a day wander through this historic factory, marveling at
the shimmering beauty of the handblown, handcrafted glass items at one end of the
room, and the unctuous flavors and aromas emerging from the “microbakery” at the
other. (A microbakery specializes in a high volume of a very limited number of prod-
ucts—in this case, 10 different flavors of rum cakes.) Wendy Avery and Tony Johns
are the hardworking owners who sell their cakes for between $13 and $40 depending
on the size, and glass objects for between $2.50 and $700 depending on their com-
plexity and size. In the Royal Dockyard, Sandys Parish. & 441/234-4216. www.bermudarumcakes.
com and www.dockglass.com.
Sharon Wilson Gallery From her private home, just minutes by foot from Horse-
shoe Beach, local artist Sharon Wilson is known for going beyond the picture-post-
card view of island life in an attempt to portray Bermuda's spirit in more depth. She
explores the scope of Bermudian life and its people through limited and open-edition
lithographs and notecards. The gallery is also home to her picture book illustrations,
the most well-known being the award-winning The Day Gogo Went to Vote. 2 Turtle
Place. & 441/238-2583. Bus: 7.
St. George's Parish
The Book Cellar Built in the 18th century, this small but choice bookshop lies
below Tucker House, a National Trust property. It caters to visitors and locals alike,
including a lot of “yachties” who stop by to pick up reading material for their time at
sea. A lot of people come here for the Cellar's line of books about Bermuda. There's
also a wide array of fiction and nonfiction by British and American writers. Parents
might be interested in picking up one of the children's books published in Britain—
many are quite different from similar editions in America. Water St. & 441/297-0448.
Bus: 7.
Cooper's Frangipani This is a world of fun, colorful, “dressy casual” fashion for
women. You'll find a large selection of comfortable cottons, bright silks, and soft
rayons. The store is known for its unusual merchandise, including exclusive island
designs. There's also a fine collection of swimwear and unusual accessories. 16 Water
St., Somers Wharf. & 441/297-1357. Bus: 7.
Taylors Go here for the finest selection of women's and children's kilts and tartans
from Scotland. Most of the merchandise is for women, but you'll also find slippers,
neckties, and bowties. 30 Water St. & 441/297-1626. Bus: 7.

8

Last-Minute Purchases

The international airport in Bermuda
offers duty-free shops for those last-
minute purchases. One shop is in the
international departures lounge, and
the other lies near the U.S. departures
lounge. For that specialty purchase,
you should still shop around the island,

but now you can buy routine duty-free
items such as perfume, cigarettes, and
liquor just prior to boarding the plane.
That sure beats the old system of buy-
ing duty-free liquor and cigarettes a
day or so in advance and having them
delivered to the airport.