Supermarkets on St. Croix
Food shopping in general can be a time-consuming proposition. But grocery shopping on St. Croix, with irregular stocking (thanks to shipping delays) and erratic pricing (thanks to nearly everything needing to be shipped in), can mean you find yourself making a multi-store trip to fill your fridge and pantry with essentials without (completely) breaking the bank. Luckily, the island has a surprising variety of stores for your grocery needs from east to west — and you’ll learn soon enough which stores carry your favorite groceries for the best prices.
A few tried-and-true tips before you go: Bring your own bags and a cooler to keep your perishables safer on a hot drive home. Always check expiration dates on perishables especially (but in general is wise), and watch the scanner to make sure prices ring in as you expect. And if a store happens to have your favorite shelf-stable or freezable thing in stock, you may want to stock up in case of restock shipping delays. Finally, St. Croix farmers’ markets are a great option for picking up local produce, eggs, and more!
Expressway
The eastern-most grocery store, Expressway on East End Road is on the smaller side (think: large convenience store) but carries a good variety of staple items, including shelf-stable, refrigerated, and frozen foods, plus a large beer, wine, and liquor selection. Its deli is great for both ready-made items and made-to-order sandwiches, but be aware that it has shorter staffed hours than the store is open — and most of the grab-and-go salads sell out early, well before lunchtime.
Seaside Market
Located just a bit west of Expressway on East End Road, Seaside is sometimes referred to as St. Croix’s “Whole Foods.” It indeed has a wider selection of organic and specialty items than other stores on the island — and its prices can reflect that. Not that you can’t get some good deals there: The deli is especially well-priced for huge sandwiches, which you can call ahead to order for faster pickup. The store also has an e-commerce website for online pickup orders (or price comparisons) of your entire grocery list.
Pueblo
St. Croix is home to two locations of the Puerto Rico grocery store, one in Golden Rock on Northside Road just west of downtown Christiansted, and the other on the west side on Centerline Road in La Reine. The stores release a weekly circular of discounted items that it posts to Facebook that might be worth a look — as is the in-store liquor selection.
G Max
This 24-hour gas station and supermarket on Northside Road in Golden Rock made quite a splash when it opened in 2019 by stocking a wide variety of novel foods you can’t find anywhere else on island. For anyone missing their fave stateside or even international snack or beverage, the first suggestion is often, “Look for it at GMax!”
Food Town
The western-most supermarket on Northside Road, Foodtown in La Grande Princesse is the last stop for groceries for anyone heading to the North Shore from Christiansted — or, at least, perishables like produce and dairy. Its highlights include a full-service deli and a bakery that offers fresh bread daily.
Cost U Less
St. Croix’s answer to Costco (but without the membership fee), Cost U Less on Centerline Road in Sion Farm carries fresh produce, cheeses, and a limited but often well priced selection of dairy products, in addition to the expected bulk goods. It also has an extensive meat department and in-store bakery, including cakes made to order. Its website allows for online ordering, too.
Plaza Extra East
Just one shopping center west of Cost U Less, Plaza Extra East is one of the largest grocery stores on island, with a wide variety of fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable foods including bulk items, plus a deli, bakery, and more. Plaza likely carries most of what you need for one-stop shopping. Its website also has online ordering for pickup at a scheduled time.
Q Market at Quality Foods
The wholesale food supplier, located in Castle Coakley, also has a consumer-facing grocery store. It carries especially excellent produce — after all, the turnover is way higher, thanks to restaurants’ ongoing needs. Some bulk foods are also available, as well as a good selection of foods for specialty diets such as vegan and gluten-free. Its hours are shorter than most stores: 8AM to 7PM weekdays, 8AM to 6PM on Saturdays, and 8AM to 4PM on Sundays.
The Market STX
Formerly known as Plaza West (and still called that by a lot of locals), The Market is a large, well-stocked supermarket located in Frederiksted on Centerline Road — so much so that East Enders have been known to make the pilgrimage out there, coolers in tow. Its website accepts online orders for pickup, too.
Stop & Shop Supermarket
The west-most supermarket before Frederiksted town, Stop & Shop on Centerline Road is beloved at lunchtime for its hot food bar and massive deli sandwiches. It also seems to carry brands you can’t find at other stores. Regulars can sign up for a loyalty program to earn points for grocery purchases, which accrue for cash discounts.
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