Where Can I Buy That? A Guide to Shopping on St. Croix
When you come from the world of Target and Walmart — a.k.a. stateside — you may wonder what shopping options for household needs exist on the island of St. Croix, with its remote location and small population of 40,000. We were home until very recently to two of the last Kmarts in the world (RIP), but most of our retailers are locally owned, which can leave new St. Croix homeowners scratching their heads as to where to find essentials from furniture to furnishings to home improvement supplies.
A lot of the stores carry far more variety of goods than you might expect from their names alone, so be prepared to explore while you comparison-shop. Pro tip: Just as in real estate, everything is negotiable, so don’t be afraid to haggle on your larger ticket items. (Yes, even at Home Depot, one of St. Croix’s last remaining chain stores.) Also, calling ahead to inquire about what at particular store might carry can save you some driving, but ultimately, it’s better to visit to check out a retailers’ selections.
Furniture
The trifecta of Ashley Furniture HomeStore (a local licensee of the national chain), Carlos Furniture, and Royal Furniture, all located in Peter’s Rest area, allows for easy comparison shopping. WM Furniture, next door to Metro Motors in Golden Rock, is more “warehouse” than “showroom” but offers great deals (with a little haggling) and free delivery. For office furniture, check out Office Max as well.
Large Appliances
All of the furniture stores above carry large appliances from refrigerators to washers, as does Home Depot. In addition, Quality Electric Supply in Peter’s Rest sells air conditioners and generators as well as ceiling fans and light fixtures.
Electronics & Small Appliances
Mike’s Electronics (next door to Cost U Less), Billy’s Electronics, and Noah’s Electronics have wide selections of TVs, audio equipment, cell phones and accessories, and even electric instruments. You can also find TVs and small appliances at Cost U Less and grocery stores Plaza East and The Market. Other spots for small electronics like cell phones and small appliances include Super Dollar, Best Home, Gallows Bay Hardware, and Home Depot.
Furnishings and Home Goods
For higher end decor and housewares, Sampson House in downtown Christiansted is worth a visit, as is Enso Indigo in Gallows Bay. Best Home’s three locations carry a wide selection of kitchen and bathroom gear, organizational supplies, and soft furnishings such as bed sheets and drapes, and you’ll also find housewares at furniture stores Royal and Carlos, as well as at Cost U Less, Billy’s Electronics, Super Dollar, Plaza East, The Market, and Gallows Bay Hardware.
For custom art framing and craft supplies, visit The Frame Up. DIYers can also find art supplies at Creative Space and fabric and notions at Divi Divi and Ebbe’s.
Home Improvement
For building supplies and hardware, Home Depot, Gallows Bay Hardware, Ka-Ma-Kris, and St. Croix Trading (for lumber) should be on your list. Quality Electric Supply, Boyce Plumbing and Electrical, Tropical Plumbing Supply, and LC Plumbing Supply are great resources for all their names imply. Bunkers of St. Croix, technically an auto supply store, also carries water pumps.
If you’re looking to replace kitchen or bath cabinets and counters, Thomas & Thomas Remodeling Services, Armrey Industries, Seaglass Kitchen and Bath, and Home Depot design desk offer full-service and DIY renovation options.
For replacement windows and hurricane protection, your choices include Castle Glassworks in Castle Coakley, Eddie’s Glass, Glass 2000, and Atlantic Industries/UniJal Manufacturing Co. (for louvred windows and doors). Bunkers of St. Croix does window screen replacement and repair.
For paint, take your pick of Home Depot, Gallow’s Bay Hardware, Sherwin-Williams, Colorama (for Benjamin Moore products), and Gildden PPG in Sion Farm.
Garden and Landscaping
You can find tools, seeds, and plants in the garden centers at Home Depot and Gallows Bay Hardware. For specialty expertise and native plants, visit Cruzan Gardens or the St. George’s Botanical Garden on Saturdays when it hosts nursery sales, or shop the plant vendors who set up at the Saturday morning farmers’ markets at the Agricultural Fairgrounds and Southgate.
Second Hand Goods, Thrift Stores, and Consignment
St. Croix Animal Welfare Center Flea Market and the Women’s Coalition’s Home Store sell donated furnishings for good causes. For antiques, Twila Wilson and Associates Consignment is a treasure trove. Finally, good ole Facebook Marketplace and the various St. Croix Buy/Sell Facebook groups are extremely active on our waste-not-want-not island, but you often have to act fast so someone else doesn’t snap up the item you get your eye on!
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