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