| St. Thomas has long been known as one of the | | | | tradition of newlyweds symbolically jumping |
| best shopping destinations in the Caribbean. | | | | over a broom to start their life together. |
| With numerous malls and markets catering to | | | | |
| resort and cruise tourists, you can find | | | | Art collectors will also want to visit the |
| almost anything you want at a great price in | | | | gallery and silkscreen studio located at |
| the island's bustling capital - Charlotte | | | | Tillet Gardens. For nearly 50 years, Tillet |
| Amalie. However, not all travelers are aware | | | | Gardens has served as the home of St. Thomas' |
| of the wealth of incredible locally-produced | | | | vibrant art community. The gallery is full of |
| products available in St. Thomas. From folk | | | | paintings and prints by the island's most |
| arts and crafts to handmade food products and | | | | talented residents with work available for |
| spices, there are plenty of ways to shop for | | | | all budgets and interests. Housed in an old |
| the best products St. Thomas has to offer. | | | | Danish farm, Tillet Gardens is also a great |
| | | | place to spend an afternoon as the site |
| The best location to find Caribbean folk art | | | | features a great outdoor restaurant and |
| and local products is the Native Arts and | | | | occasional performances by local musicians. |
| Crafts Cooperative. Featuring the work of | | | | |
| nearly 100 different locals throughout the | | | | As you walk through the streets of the |
| year, the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative | | | | capital city, you will also see several |
| is the largest shopping center devoted to | | | | additional art galleries selling the work of |
| local artisans in the Virgin Islands. | | | | local painters and sculptors. Outside of |
| Conveniently located next to the tourist | | | | Tillet Gardens, the best selection of artwork |
| information office in central Charlotte | | | | created in the Virgin Islands can be found at |
| Amalie, the Cooperative allows locals to sell | | | | Mango Tango. Like Tillet Gardens and the |
| their artwork and handmade products directly | | | | Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative, the work |
| to the public from the former United States | | | | available at Mango Tango and other galleries |
| colonial courthouse. | | | | throughout Charlotte Amalie is reasonably |
| | | | priced, with unique pieces for all tastes and |
| One of the most popular booths within the | | | | budgets. Also, keep an eye out for artisans |
| Cooperative belongs to Gwendolyn Harley, the | | | | selling their work in the small, open-air |
| artist behind a very popular series of | | | | markets of the city. Many talented |
| hand-sewn dolls. Throughout the years, Harley | | | | individuals sell directly to the public each |
| has maintained an adoption log and seen her | | | | day and all love sharing their stories with |
| historically-minded dolls travel throughout | | | | visitors. |
| the world in the hands of tourists and | | | | |
| collectors. | | | | St. Thomas is also one of the best locations |
| | | | in the Caribbean to find exotic spices. Much |
| For those in search of unique food products, | | | | like the fabled Caribbean spice markets of |
| a stop by Cheryl Miller's booth will yield a | | | | the colonial period, today's spice markets |
| number of award-winning flavors. Besides the | | | | offer visitors the chance to taste and |
| popular jams and jellies handmade by Miller, | | | | purchase exotic flavors and gourmet products. |
| five of her sauces - known by the label | | | | The best assortment of Caribbean spices can |
| "Cheryl's Taste of Paradise" - have taken | | | | be found at Caribbean Marketplace, a |
| home trophies from the National Fiery Foods | | | | sprawling emporium that specializes in bulk |
| Show in Albuquerque, New Mexico. You can also | | | | spices and gourmet condiments. Spices, teas |
| find Miller's products within the store she | | | | and condiments can also be found at Down |
| maintains in conjunction with her kitchen at | | | | Island Traders - a popular store in Charlotte |
| the Compass Point Marina. | | | | Amalie that also carries locally-made jewelry |
| | | | and crafts. |
| One of the Native Arts and Crafts | | | | |
| Cooperative's strangest booths belongs to | | | | Like many other islands in the Caribbean, St. |
| Justin Todman, known locally as The Broom | | | | Thomas has plenty of talented individuals |
| Man. Utilizing traditional Caribbean methods, | | | | creating distinctive products by hand. |
| The Broom Man weaves date palm fronds in | | | | Wherever you travel in St. Thomas, you will |
| intricate patterns and attaches all lengths | | | | be able to find a piece of the island to take |
| of handles to create brooms for every | | | | home with you. Most importantly, in most |
| possible purpose. Todman's brooms are also | | | | cases, you won't be able to find these |
| very popular with couples getting married in | | | | special treasures anywhere else. |
| St. Thomas, supporting African and Caribbean | | | | |