traveldk.com

Stores sit cheek-by-jowl along Main Street in old stone buildings that once served as warehouses for the sugar trade, providing a delightful ambience for shopping. Interesting bargains, especially for items such as perfume and jewelry, are possible, thanks to the territory’s duty-free status.

Sitting next to the cruise ship docks at Havensight, this busy alfresco mall caters to cruise ship passengers and shoppers who don’t want to brave the crowds filling Main Street, Charlotte Amalie. Many Main Street stores have branches here.

Shop with the locals at Kmart, a US department store chain, for bathing suits, shorts, t-shirts, beach sandals, sunscreen, and other incidentals at prices much lower than those at hotel gift shops. Its liquor store has a large selection at very reasonable duty-free prices.

Colorful umbrellas shade vendors at this outdoor market across from the Charlotte Amalie waterfront. There’s everything from crafts to designer handbags, but watch for knockoffs that carry fake designer labels.

This venerable store has its roots in the A.H. Riise Pharmacy, which opened in 1840. The only place in the island to sell Rolex watches, this one-stop store carries vast lines of quality goods, including china, crystal, and jewelry.

St. Thomas has a huge art scene, with galleries scattered around the island and on Main Street. Quality varies, but there are some excellent local artists. Most works have a tropical feel, but occasionally artists depart from the norm.

Instead of a t-shirt, take home gifts that reflect the Caribbean. Stores all over the islands carry inexpensive jewelry, ceramic pieces, artwork, packaged foods, and more, hand-made by local artisans.

St. Thomas’s duty-free position usually makes jewelry a bargain. Many stores carry pieces with a variety of gems and worth thousands of dollars, but you can also find less expensive articles. Some jewelry stores will design items to your specifications.

While merchants tout bargain prices on electronics and cameras, you might do better at your hometown discount store. However, you may find models and accessories not easily available. The knowledgeable sales people can help you pick the right equipment.

Spirits are sold in many different types of stores, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and department stores. While you can buy quality brands of the usual gin and scotch, try a Caribbean liqueur like Coco Lopez or a bottle of St. Croix’s Cruzan Rum for a take-home treat.