Hello Sunshine,

Pine peace market is a nice little store near you. Also starfish market in the marketplace and the marina market are all close by. You would be amazed at how much stuff thes little stores have.

great but how are the prices on store bought food verses/eating out? can you give some examples . thanks

starfish is tops, owned by locals and prices are MUCH cheaper than at marina market, ask but i believe thursday is the day they restock(only get groceries once a week) so by tues, wed pickins get mighty scarce, can't wait, i'll be returning in mid feb.

thanks for the info , do you know anything about the maho camp ?

oops--I reversed the two stores. Marina is owned by locals and the one in the marketplace is the more costly. sorry for the mixup

Thanks for clarifying that. I thought that you and I had been to different stores. Grocery shopping on StJ can take you to a few stores for all the things that you want at the best prices.

most of the locals on stj go to stt and load down their truck and come back on the car ferry.......that is the cheapest way
Otherwise, Marina is cheapest and anything you buy at starfish, you will pay dearly for.
Dolphin is horrible and pine peace market (owned by the same people) i have heard that some people think they stock the older stuff from dolphin that doesnt sell to pine peace market. Anyhow, there is a small market/deli right next to the westin which is the Simple Feast. They have great food and some nice products.

What is the name of the "old" Starfish Market now. Is Marina the one out by the Westin?

The old Starfish is now Dolphin. Marina Market is on the road towards the Westin but not the one closest to it, that is Simple Feast. Simple Feast is an excellent store but you will not find quite the assortment as in Marina, Dolphin or Starfish. I think that Simple Feast as the best meat and fish on the island as well as many gourmet items.

Hello Marie,
Did you say that the closest market to the Westin is Simple Feast?
Is it within walking distance?

Can't wait to get there.
Leaving tomorrow.
Thanks
Diane

STJ is very hilly. I don't think it is walkable. I always come in from the other way and can't recall the exact distance from the Westin but I do think there is a hill involved and don't think that there is a sidewalk. Maybe Chris Cody can be more helpful.
Have a great vacation. Sorry that I'll miss all of you at Iggies. Maybe we can do something this summer.

If they are staying near the Westin, there are two hills involved. St. John is best done by rental car! From the Westin, it's probably a10 minute walk.
Ronnie

So do I have this right?

"Marina Market" : Cheap, large variety
"Simple Feast" : Cheapest, small variety
"Pine Peace" : Average
"New Starfish" : Pricy, large variety

please feel free to email me anthing about the place, I am looking to go there (St. John) in about late April (2004). Looking for decent lower-priced place to stay, ways to get around, places to eat/grocery shop, etc,. Would rather get cheaper prices, and be where the locals are, then to over pay, and be part of a over-flooded tourist trap. [email protected] Care to make the mail subject something like "St. John Stay" or something?

Greg

Hello Greg,

You can get general idea of grocery prices on St. John on our Moving Site under Cost of Living - http://vimovingcenter.com/cost_of_living/

I think you have the descriptions pretty accurate. Simply Feast I wouldn't call the cheapest or small variety - its more of a speciality store/deli in my opinion. They have great deli foods and a nice selection of speciality items. Great Breakfast - yummy!

Ways to get around St. John - if you are coming with a spouse or family then you might rent a car. If you are by yourself - you still might rent a car or walk, hike, public bus, taxi, hitch - in combination.

A couple places to look at;

www.serendipstjohn.com

http://www.stjohninn.com/

For planning information there are some good St. John guide books at the top of this page - check those out!

--Islander

My fiance and I are arriving on St. John around 4:30 pm on a Sunday in June- I was wondering if anyone knew the hours for any of the grocery stores? Would any of them be open so we could pick up a few things? Or do you think it would be better to have villa provisions ordered before we even arrive?

Thanks,
Diane

No problem if you are arriving at 4:30. Most stores are open until 8:30-9:00.

I THINK THAT STARFISH WA S THE BEST OVERALL. I NOTICED A REFRIGERATED TRUCK AT STARFISH ON A SUNDAY NIGHT. SO I AM NOT SURE WHAT DAY IS THE BEST DAY TO SHOP.

Thanks so much! I'm starting to get so excited to go on this trip....3months and counting!

Are the prices really outrageous enough to bring the cooler with frozen meats from the states? I'll be down for 2 weeks and will probably not eat out more than 4-5 nights.