Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
selection of the world's most desired watches are the items
purchased most often. Liquors are also popular purchases.
The amount you save will vary from 15% to as much as 50%
on some items. However, certain buys are better than others
at a specific time. If you are planning to purchase an expen-
sive camera or a particular watch, you should compari-
son-shop that item before leaving home. Then you can
decide if the savings involved make it a worthwhile pur-
chase. St. Thomas caters to the tastes and pocket books of
the rich, as well as those of the budget-conscious visitor.
The Best Shops
To list every shop in the downtown commercial center and
Havensight could fill an entire book and would not be help-
ful to you. You will be inundated with free literature listing
shops that care enough to advertise - and they all do. We
have attempted to ferret out those shops that are the cream
of the crop. They have earned their first-rate reputations
over many years of operation on the island. They carry the
most sought-after brands, select jewelry and unusual mer-
chandise, and they sell them at one price. No bargaining!
Some places will give you a discount if you buy in quantity.
Unfortunately, many of the independent, innovative shops
so prevalent here a few years ago have closed to be replaced
by branch shops of large retailers - much as in stateside
malls. Stores selling inexpensive jewelry have become ubiq-
uitous, but you can still find top-end jewelry, crystal and
watches if you follow the recommendations here. We have
organized most of them by type of merchandise.
Shopping at Vendors Plaza
If you're looking for a small gift for your Aunt Sadie or the
neighbor that's been watering your plants and you'd like
something typically Caribbean, head to Vendors Plaza near
Fort Christiansted. Every morning (except Sunday) rain or
shine, vendors set up tables, build tarp tents over them and
