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