One of the advantages of our dual-nation island is the variety of shopping choices for groceries. The supermarkets on the French side…
GROCERIES
One of the advantages of our dual-nation island is the variety of shopping choices for groceries. The supermarkets on the French side feature European products and offer an amazing selection of gourmet items.
The Dutch side markets seem to favor American products, with only a modest selection of Dutch specialties.
The large and glamorous branded supermarkets are in stark contrast to small stores run by Chinese merchants. Yet these smaller stores serve an important purpose for local residents, with lower prices for many commodity items. The leading market catering to the local population is The Cakehouse, worth a visit, because the owner familily is very involved in promoting active lifestyles and healthy eating. That’s why The Cakehouse has a large selection of organically grown food.
A critical note: recent years have seen prices for groceries increase to sometimes ridiculous levels, considering the fact that there is no import duty to be paid by distributors. The transport cost of goods by container can’t explain the price tags on the shelves anymore and the pricing policies of some of the supermarkets need to be questioned. Recently, the large French supermarket chain Super-U has opened a store in Marigot. Top quality merchandise can be found for about a quarter of the prices charged on the Dutch side!
The inconsistency with pricing should not discourage visitors to enjoy their shopping. Especially cigarettes are a true bargain, as are most liquor items.
But be price conscious and complain if you feel that the store is charging outrages prices for certain products. You’ll help the local population, who has a hard time making ends meet
JEWELRY
Diamonds! Emeralds! Any kind of precious metal in any shape or quantity… St. Maarten’s jewelry shops are among the most competitive in the world and line Philipsburg’s fabulous Front Street. Prices are amazingly low and quality is up to international standards, with several of the larger stores having service centers in the US.
As a matter of fact, the jewelry shopping opportunities are so incredible that they attract experienced buyers to return over and over again to the island for the sole purposes of further bargain hunting.
Almost all brands and designers are to be found. The well informed sales personal will be able to guide visitors to purchases they will not regret, especially once they have their merchandise independently appraised back home.
The jewelers listed on our website are all well established and have an immaculate reputation. Most of them are recommended by the cruise industry and are members of the Caribbean Gemological Institute.
If you are knowledgeable about jewelry and you are browsing on Front Street, you will notice that the prices on most pieces are up to 50% below US retail – once you get the final quote from the sales person. Obviously, such enormous savings can’t be expected from world-class, brand-name timepieces, but you will still be able to get a ‘best deal’.
Ballerina Jewelers
As a family owned and operated business since 1987, Ballerina Jewelers is committed to being one of the most trusted and respected quality jewelers in the Caribbean, providing their clients with a unique customer experience.
www.ballerina-jewelers.com
Caribbean Gems
Caribbean Gems, established in St. Maarten in 1983, is a family run jewelry store beyond par. They have been voted the #1 jewelry store in St. Maarten for many years in a public poll conducted by the local paper. Thousands of visitors who return to St. Maarten regularly make Caribbean Gems their only stop on Front Street for fine jewelry.
www.caribbeangems.com
Diamonds international
Diamonds International was established over two decades ago. What began as one store in St. Thomas has now blossomed into more than 125 locations (View by clicking on this link: http://www.shopdi.com/locations/lo/lo.cfm). Diamonds International is one of the largest jewelry retailers in the world. They have more locations in the Caribbean than any other fine jeweler, but the network stretches from the company’s New York City headquarters into Mexico and as far as Alaska.
www.diamondsinternational.com/location/region/st-maarten
SOUVENIRS
A coffee mug made in China, with an island’s name slapped onto its side? Or shouldn’t a souvenir item have a unique connection to the locations it name it represents?
Not every product can be produced on a small island like St. Maarten – but you might be amazed how many are!
There are unique St. Maarten cigars, made from the best tabaccos available, and with a following of some serious afficionados. And there is art, in many forms: The Artbox is presenting unique products, including jewelry, created right here on St. Maarten. There are several highly acclaimed galleries presenting the works of painters living on island.
Rum is the ultimate Caribbean liquor and there are a few brands blended right here. Then there is the Guavaberry, a fruit, which only the St. Maarteners know how to process and turn into a very versatile liquor.
There are landmark restaurants and bars which create their own merchandise: A visit to Maho Beach at the end of the airport runway and experiencing the jet blast is not complete without a drink at either Sunset Bar & Grill or the Driftwood Boat Bar. Both offer t-shirts. Dining hotspots such as Jimbo’s and Pineapple Pete have their own leasure wear designs on the shelfs.
Shipwreck Shops are the perfect place to find that special gift to bring back home from the Caribbean. For many decades, this chain of retails stores around the island has been a shopping institution. Original Caribbean handi-crafts, souvenirs from the island and comfortable resort wear are all a reasons to visit one of the 15 locations.
FASHION
Haute Couture – the latest French and international fashion – that’s the domain of French St. Martin with its charming capital of Marigot.
• You are visiting St. Martin for the first time and underestimated the island’s sophistication, so that you brought only basic beach wear and a few t-shirts? No wonder you don’t feel comfortable in entering the gourmet restaurants dressed like this. In Marigot you will find whatever it takes to make a classy fashion statement.
• A bit on a budget, but still in search for a sexy outfit to enjoy the island’s tropical party nights? You will find a good selection of shops in Marigot to help you out.
The center of town is lined with boutiques for any style. But also check out the central marina: amongst the many restaurants, you will find a good selection of shops. At the other end of town, right were the ferry to Anguilla leaves, is Le West Indies, an elegant shopping mall for those who prefer to browse in air-conditioned comfort.
Philipsburg has many clothing stores as well and the usual suspects from Benetton to Tommy Hilfiger and similar are readily available. Philipsburg is well suited to supply you with fashion basics, while Marigot will be able to lure you into the world of French and European ‘chique’.
Shipwreck Shops is the island’s largest retailer with 15 stores to cover both St. Maarten and St. Martin. They carry a large selection of resort and leisure wear and are the exclusive distributor of the offical clothing line for the famous annual Heineken Regatta. HR Gear is only to be found at Shipwrecks!
Blue Mall has arrived and is changing the retail landscape of our small Caribbean island! With over 30 stores, an amazing architecture and a selection of famous European brands only available in this location, the dazzling and daring Blue Mall building has set a new standard for luxury shopping.
The original slogan of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta “Serious Fun” is still true today as it integrates the key-elements of the events so well. The Serious side is the racing that is done during the 4 days with the challenging sailing courses that have been designed by a team of dedicated sailing officials. The Fun side begins when the boats cross the finish lines and prepare themselves for the enormously popular on-shore (musical) entertainment. The entertainment moves with the sailors over various locations on the island, which is another aspect that makes ‘The Heineken Regatta’ so unique and appealing.
CAMERAS
Prices for any kind of electronic equipment and cameras are very reasonable. The latest gadgets are available in numerous shops lining Philipsburg’s Front- and Backstreet.
Your digital camera is running out of memory? You will find any format of flash memory in town. Dropped the I-phone and the screen cracked? Replace it here (and maybe consider a sturdier phone). You are on a Caribbean cruise and regret not having a video camera to record the sights? Get the latest equipment for any format and in any price range.
The stores in Philipsburg are staffed with well trained and very knowledgeable sales people who will give you valuable guidance through the huge selection of products available. Dedicated to the true photography enthusiast are three stores on Philipsburg’s Frontstreet, all operated by Chulani’s Photography. Chulani’s is focusing on top-quality brands such as Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Go-Pro.
The Caribbean Camera Center is located on the more quiet end of otherwise very busy Front Street in Philipsburg. For decades, this largest of the three Chulani’s Photography outlets has been the preferred source for the region’s professional photographers.
St. Maarten is a photographer’s dream with tempting photo motifs at every corner.
Taking snapshots at parties or personal get-togethers can be fun with a simple digital ‘shoot and click’ camera. But during special events like a Caribbean cruise or a vacation on St. Maarten, the occasion more than justifies better equipment! Only with a decent camera that is equipped with a quality lens and advanced electronics will you be able to capture the special visual magic the Caribbean is famous for.
