Mongoose Junction

If you are after shopping on St John, Mongoose Junction is the place to go. Considered to be the island's premier shopping and dining destination, Mongoose Junction is home to a number of stores selling local Caribbean products such as furniture and textiles. Check out Bamboula, which offers primitive art, clothing, beads, baskets and old-style Caribbean furniture, or Best of Both Worlds, which sells locally made artwork, including sculptures, glass, pottery and designer jewelry.
Other standouts include St. John Brewers, Island Fancy and Island Cork, each selling a variety of goods from apparel and toys to locally made beer and crafts. Island Cork is the spot for oenophiles looking to bring a few bottles of wine back to the hotel or cruise ship. 
When it comes to eating at Mongoose Junction, visitors may have trouble choosing where to stop. Beef aficionados will want to head to the Tap Room, the island’s microbrewery and bar, home to St John Brewers. Even non-beer drinkers can try some interesting concoctions here, such as homemade root beer and ginger beer. Virgin Fire is a great stop for local, but more contemporary, cuisine, as they source many products, including their Coral Bay honey and St Thomas peppers in their sauces, from the surrounding area.

Practical Info

Each store's hours vary, but most open at 9 or 10 a.m. at the latest and close typically around 8 or 9 p.m. Most stores are open year-round but closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.