We are shocked and very sad about this. Very sad news.

I'm really saddened by this too. On every trip we always drove up to hang out for a bit.

Who owns Mountaintop and do you think they will rebuild?

How very sad

was it totally destroyed?

billd

This is terrible. In this economy I am so very sorry for the employees and the owners.

Here's the story with pictures:

http://www.stthomasblog.com/

We were there less than 3 weeks ago. It's hard to believe.

What a shock.

🙁

Part of my falling in love with the USVI process was from Mountaintop. I am truly saddened by the loss.

any word on what caused the fire?

billd

I haven't seen anything in the media yet.

makes one wonder!

notahippie, Ditto for me. I will always remember my first visit and the first time I sucked in that view. It was an enchanted moment for sure. Moments later we were on the Beach at Magens in that amazing turquoise water. .It was all over but the crying. Been back every year since. Very nice photo, by the way..

There should be a camera set up to capture the faces of people when they see that view for the first time!!! Wouldn't that be priceless. I know my face was in ahhh.

I will remember the brass knockers. And of course the old guy sitting there.

billd

The building that burned was fairly new - it was built after Hugo took away the original MT Top which had little, if any retail space under the roof but a lot of vendors in the parking lot on cruise ship days - so I guess it can get built again if they want to have more retail stores.

i HOPE IT IS REBUILT BUT UNDER THESE ECONOMIC TIME i DOUBT IT. I AM ASSUMING THAT IT WAS INSURED. WE WILL SEE.

BILLD

I thought it was rebuilt after Hurricane Marilyn? or was that is was rebuilt again?
Gosh, it truly is a sad thing. I hope it is rebuilt, but my intuition tells me it won't be. Keep your fingers crossed! (tu)

My hubby and I are very saddened to hear about this. We were there 2 years ago on our first anniversary trip and had a nice chat with the bartender while having our banana daquiris. We did some shopping afterwards and had a great time. I'm so sorry this happened.

Sherri - I certainly may have my hurricanes wrong - they were both so destructive I may have mixed it up - I do remember the old Mt. Top as having very little retail inside and this one that recently burned was filled with little shops - the view has always been stunning and the Banana Daquiris touted as "World Famous' and it was always on the must do list to stop there when taking visitors out for an island ride around.

It is hard to guess if the value of the real estate will justify commercial development again or if it will be another condo site - so many stores on island are suffering with this current economy that for sure until retail turns around it is a toss-up about which strategy will be taken. It isn't like condos are flying off the shelf either!
Being zoned commercial in such an unique location it would not surprise me if it is just put up For Sale once the area is cleared.