For most people, the thought of shopping in the United States Virgin Islands conjures images of duty-free stores packed with die-hard consumers hunting for bargains and dodging sales tax. But look beyond the designer boutiques and souvenir stands and you'll find a number of artists honing their crafts – and making their mark – on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
SWEET MEMORIES
The exotic aroma of tropical fruit leads you, nose first, through the open door of Cheryl's Taste of Paradise, a foodstuffs shop at St. Thomas' Compass Point Marina. A peek inside reveals Cheryl Miller in her tiny kitchen, fusing North American cooking techniques with West Indian ingredients to whip up batches of her prize-winning Hot Mango Momma Jam and Caribbean Sunburn Hotter Sauce.
Family-owned Cruzan Rum makes a spirited souvenir from St. Croix. The line has expanded from its original Premium Light and Dark rums to such tasty blends as banana and mango.
For an extra dose of sugar, try a Virgin Islands Rum Cake in an assortment of flavors, including Calypso Coconut or Gourmet Coffee. The alcohol-soaked goodies are made at Frank's Bake Shop and sold at the Virgin Islands Rum Cake Centre, located in the Havensight Mall east of bustling Charlotte Amalie. Heed proprietress Brigitte Bornn's advice and stop in early, before the cruise-ship passengers clear out her stock.
Havensight Mall is home to another Cruzan-infused delight, Caribbean Rum Balls. Owner Martin Missen uses the original family recipe brought over from Germany in the 1970s, and factory workers still hand-roll and -package an average of 10,000 balls a day. Stop by and they might even invite you to pitch in.
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