Expert: Susie Rano - 7/30/2009

Question
Hi,
We are renting a villa on St. John.  Where would you recommend we shop for groceries; meat, fish, basics such as bread, milk, butter?  We have a rental vehicle.  Not sure if it would be better to take the boat over to St. Thomas and shop there.

Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Marina-  The only grocery store in St.John is Starfish Market. Phone #340-779-4949, fax #340-779-4950.  Although groceries are considerably more expensive in St.John, I'm not sure it would be worth taking the ferry over to St.Thomas.  It would take you to Red Hook where the closest store is Marina Market which is about as expensive as St.John.  You would need to get a taxi or car rental and go to either Plaza Extra, Cost-U-Less, or Price Smart.  All three are within a 5 minute car drive from each other.  I believe it is $42-50 for the R/T for the car ferry if you wanted to bring your rental car from St.John.  Perhaps make your first day, a shopping day in St.Thomas.  For souvenirs and such, you might want to drive to the historical downtown area.  An informative website is www.vinow.com.

Let me know if I can be of further help to you.  Take care and enjoy your vacation in America's Paradise!

Respectfully,
Susie