News of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Brothers want to sell catamaran business

One of the island’s most successful charter boat businesses is for sale.  Lion in da Sun is listed on eBay with a price of $215,000.  The listing first appeared early in June, and was re-posted earlier this month.

"We have had a lot of interest in the business but mostly dreamers wanting to know more about the business and how it is run but not all that serious or qualified to run the boats," Co-owner Josh Slayton said in an e-mail.  However, he added, there are several interested buyers now and one may visit soon for a first-hand look.

Josh and Matthew, ideally, would like to help train new owners and then roll the proceeds of the sale into another business on island.  “We will not be leaving,” he wrote.  If they do not sell, he and Matthew will keep operating. “We have two very valuable boats and one of the best reputations on the island.” He added, the business is profitable.

Lion in da Sun handled 191 charters last year and, after adding a second boat, has made 203 trips this year.

Here's the eBay listing.

So you want to own a business on St. John

Living and making a living on St. John is a dream of many people.  But the ins and outs of the the government regulations and VI tax requirements can easily turn the dream into a nightmare.  So warns Jason Monigold, a computer consultant with a business in Cruz Bay.

“I decided I needed to figure out the tax system in the Virgin Islands and how our businesses can survive it. It took a little time – two years of talking to lawyers, bookkeepers, and government officials, but I have finally figured out what needs to happen,” Monigold has said.

He’s published two books to help would-be island entrepreneurs avoid problems.  “The Essential Handbook for Business in the U.S. Virgin Islands”($40)  and :”starting Business in the Virgin Islands” ($14.95) are available from his Web site, http://www.vitaxhelp.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1

Beach Bar owner is going behind bars

The owner of the Beach Bar has been sentenced to 20 months in jail for willfully filing false tax returns and structuring, a strategy to evade the government taking notice of large cash transactions.  Allan MacPhee pleaded guilty to 20 such federal charges last fall, and has now been sentenced by the VI District Court. He was also ordered to pay $676,000 in fines forfeiture and restitution.

The government said he "omitted income he earned from his sole proprietorship, The Beach Bar ... MacPhee kept two sets of books for The Beach Bar” thereby cheating on his federal and VI taxes. 

While MacPhee does his time, it’s possible he’ll be listening to some of his favorite CDs, which include tracks by Walter Hyatt and Willie Edwards.  Abut four years ago, an Allan MacPhee on St. John created a profile on Amazon.com and passed along some recommendations of those artists. 

Interestingly, in his review of the “King Tears” album, MacPhee writes ... “I saw Walter the night before the crash at my bar in Key West.”  Hmmmm .... Crash, Key West?  Do tell!

Now, no one can condone what MacPhee admitted he’s done.  Running a bar can be a big cash machine and temptation is tempting.  But don't overlook what MacPhee’s place has done for St. John and what his apparent love for music has done in providing a stage for many island musicians including the fantastic Steve Simon and the Jazz Islanders.

Bring an offer for Cruz Bay business

Bringin’ the Fun, the cute, 14-month old Internet cafe and espresso bar in Cruz Bay, is for sale.  Asking price is $75,000 for the shop which also does breakfasts, sells some gift items, and gets a commission when booking day sails and island tours. 

Here's our earlier story about the place: http://barnako.typepad.com/news_of_st_john_usvi/2007/05/closest_thing_t.html

She and her handyman/builder/carpenter partner, Rance, took esentially “dead space” above the American Paradise Real Estate office, painted, installed counters, tables and chairs, installed a waterfall and created a pleasant place to while away an hour sipping and surfing.

“The spot could continue with coffee and internet (if computers were added), possibly yoga, exercise, a juice bar, or could be office space, possibly for a villa rental company, retail shop, health and beauty spa, anything except a bar or restaurant,” Nydick added. (The landlord, the Banana Deck restaurant, says competition would be a no-no.)

“We’ll consider all offers!!,” she added.  “I love running my own business, but want some freedom to travel a little more and enjoy beautiful St. John.”

Blue about Island Blues

You knew something was up when Island Blues took out an ad in the Tradewinds and the Daily News which said the waterside bar in Coral Bay was for sale, and the owner wanted a quick deal.  They may have gotten one, but for now the place is closed.

DiverDrew posted on the Virgin Islands Online Forum, “When we drove past Island Blues on Tuesday night (5/20) there was a sign out front saying ‘Last Day - come say goodbye’ or something like that. We ate there late last week - so at least we got one last meal in.”  While Marcia added a post that there is a rumor the place has been bought by someone stateside and there are plans to reopen the place in a couple weeks.

VI Brewers tap into Boston market

St. John’s brewmeisters are headed to Bean Town to kick off Massachusetts distribution of their Virgin Island beers, Tropical Mango and Summer Ale. 

Kevin Chipman and Chirag “Cheech” Vyas are planning a launch party at the Cambridge Commons Thursday night at 6 p.m.  “We’re looking to pack the house and get everyone excited,” they said.

The Commons is a neighborhood bar which prides itself as often being the first spot in New England to introduce the latest and greatest microbrews.  The bar offers 30 beers on tap.

A kickoff party invitation has generated dozens of responses.  Virginia H said, “I’ll b e there with bunch of ale-thirsty lawyers.”  And Babylonia added, “Too many nights I have craved a cold VI Pale Ale.  This is going to be a fun celebration."

The beer guys' Web site is www.stjohnbrewers.com.

Strip Club on the way?

While Gary runs his Mixology Warehouse business out of a trailer at the Lumberyard, the island is talking about refurbishing going on at his old spot on the first floor, next door to the WAPA office.  They’re reportedly putting in a strip club.  “I am surprised that no one is up in arms about this... (yet),” said Blujahz on the VI Now forum.  “Who gave the license for something like that???,” added Connie.  “I don't understand why this is allowed on an island that does not tolerate simple nudity at the beach,” said Whatswiththat.

Promoguy said he thinks he sees another opportunity, if there is a strip club.  He suggests that because some patrons might be embarrassed to be seen, that somebody should open a business renting Halloween masks.

A number of locals commented that there have been strip bars on the island before and they have failed.

One person pointed out that the strip club is one thing, meanwhile at Wharfside company called Southland Gaming is renovating what used to be Larry’s landing,  The former bar and pool hall is being turned into a spot for video lottery and, presumably, other gaming activities.

Best of St. John

Here are the results of the the annual balloting for for the "Best" of the islands. 

The Virgin Islands Daily News invited businesses to nominate themselves for the January ballot distribution.  (A commenter on this post, however, said the Daily News requires payment of a fee to be included on the ballot.  However, Ruth, of St. John Spice replied to that comment saying, it's not true.  "No one pays to register. This has been the case for at least two or three years," she wrote.

The paper identified 154 different categories for competition.  They included island needs such as A/C Refrigeration, Custom Embroidery, and tourist-focused services like Breakfast, Wine List and Fresh Fruit.

This year, the Daily News published separate editions with island-specific results. All the better to generate more advertising when you do it island by island.  Instead of one "Best Of" edition, you have three.  The St. John issue has 36 pages, three of which are the results, and 32 of which are advertising from the happy winners showing off their award certificates.  Of course, it's still a good resource if you're planning a visit to the island.

Here are a few of this year's "Best" winners:

• Bar/no live entertainment: Skinny Legs
• Bar/with live entertainment: Beach Bar
• Wine selection: Pine Peace
• Chef: Chris, Asolare Walter Hinds, Stone Terrace (R.I.P.)
• Gourmet Dining: Stone Terrace (R.I.P)
• Chinese: China Shack (R.I.P.)
• Beach: Maho Bay
• Gift Shop: Caravan Gallery
• Day Sail: Wayward Sailor
• Real Estate Agent: B.J. Harris

Here's the St. John "Best Of" issue: http://bestofstj2008.vidaily.com/.

Toys r Us coming to St. John?

Not likely, you would think.

But for the past couple weeks on the Monster.,com employment Web site, there’s been a “Store Manager” listing for Toys r Us/Babies r Us with the location given as US-VI-St. John.  The ad says the successful candidate should have five years retail experience and will be “Responsible for creating a supportive culture where there is a partnership commitment among the team.”

The News of St. John reader who alerted the Inquiring Iguana to this item commented, “Hmmm, typo or has the recent villa boom called for this store on island? :)”

Here’s a link to the ad: http://jobview.monster.com/GetJob.aspx?JobID=70574047&JobTitle=Store+Manager&lid=51&lid=1381&brd=1&cy=us&vw=b&AVSDM=2008-04-07+16%3a40%3a00&pg=1&seq=6

Tradewinds offers electronic version

Each new issue of the St. John Tradewinds will now be online as a down loadable file. 

Last week’s issue was the first to be made available in the Adobe PDF format.  The  full contents of the weekly newspaper can be read on a computer screen or printed out. 

The Tradewinds PDF is free.  By contrast, the Virgin Islands Daily News sells digital versions of its issues for as much as a dollar each.

Last week, when the Tradewinds released its first PDF issue, an online announcement indicated that stories from the paper would no longer be available on the newspaper's Web site. That statement has been removed.

PDF available here:
http://www.stjohntradewindsnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2497&Itemid=56

UPDATE: Wednesday morning, at about 9:45 EDT, the PDF feature was not working.

Sun Times launches new Web site

St. John's colorful biweekly newspaper is taking its light and bright content to the Web at http://www.stjohnsuntimes.com.

"We intend to have lots of fun with it!," said Eloise Anderson, the owner and publisher of the St. John Sun Times.

Visitors will be able to create blogs and create forum subjects, upload their own photos, read other St. John news/blogs (like NewsofStJohn.com) and order Sun Times t-shirts (and whatever else we decide to create/sell)," she added.

Visitors to the site will find that it's definitely a work in progress.  Like most things on island, it;'s been slooooow progress.  Just as the dead trees version, the newspaper, offers free classified and personal ads, Anderson says the Web site will do the same - guaranteeing lots of local log-ons.  Other features sure to get attention will be a Calendar of Events and St. John-themed videos, some sourced from YouTube.com

It’s Satellite Sloop!

One of the island's hardiest and most creative entrepreneurs is at it again.  From far out on East End, the artist known as Sloop Jones has launched Dish 'n Dat to install Dish Network's TV-by-satellite service (http://www.dishnetwork.com) and HughesNet (http://go.gethughesnet.com) Sat-delivered Internet access.

(Photo courtesy of 'Don't Know Jack".)

Usually, the Sloop Jones corporate headquarters is jam packed with boxes of shirts and fabric and paints. But now, the pathway to Jones' custom-made clothing boutique is crammed with satellite dishes, transponders, cable, and high-tech receivers.

“I got  involved with this business 'cause i could not find anyone here to service my (own) equipment,” said Sloop (whose birth name is Terry McKoy). “The original vendor I was dealing with for HughesNet retired.”

“I like both services cause they are independent of land lines. So with my generator, I have TV and internet no matter what is happening with Innovative, WAPA, or the tower on Bordeaux Mtn. And after a hurricane, I can be back online as soon as the wind stops blowing. After Hurricane Marilyn we were without service for three weeks waiting for lines and poles to be replaced.”

"The reliability of our cable service is not the best," Jones said, in explaining his motivation to add the new business.  "And I've been getting Net access by satellite for more than five years, and it works. The dish is a good deal."  Jones said the equipment and installation cost is about $1,000 for each, Dish and HughesNet. Internet service starts at $59.99/mo., and Dish TV starts at $19.99/mo.

For details, e-mail sloopjones@sloopjones.com.  Phone: 340-779-4001.

Mixology Warehouse downsizes

The best intentions of Gary Moses have not turned out too successfully.  His second effort to 'give away' his Mixology Warehouse, a wholesale/retail liquor business, petered out, again. 

And now Gary's moved on down the road, or at least out of his first-floor retail space in the Lumberyard.  Mixology Warehouse is doing business out of a trailer in the Lumberyard, according to a leasing agent for the space.

Also available in the Lumberyard, is the second-floor location formerly occupied by Chilly Billy's.  That restaurant closed up in late January. Its 'for sale' listing is still online.

New listing: Cruz Bay deli

It's been about 3 1/2 years since Dan Sheffey opened the Grotto Deli at Mongoose Junction. 

It quickly became  a hit thanks to his personal attention, huge sandwiches, salads, nice wine selection, and Internet access.  The Virgin Islands Daily News readers' voted the Grotto "The Best Deli in the VIs."

It's time to move on. 

The 2,000-square foot business formally went on the market in the last week, listed by American Paradise Real Estate with an asking price of $475,000.  There was a report it was for sale as long ago as last October.

The business's description the America Paradise site: "Catering to tourist & residents alike, Deli Grotto offers baked goods, smoothies, cold beer, extensive breakfast & lunch menu w/sandwiches, salads, pastries & ice cream available to eat in the a/c, on the outside terrace or take out."

Subway restaurant for sale

St. John's franchise fast-food business is on the market, listed for sale for $225,000. 

The Multiple Listing Service describes it as a "Wonderful franchise restaurant in the heart of Cruz Bay. Already successful with room to expand." The building which looks like a trailer, is across the street from Woody's. 

The Subway company's Web site (www.subway.com) says there are is one of 28,678 Subway restaurants in 86 countries.  The "Store Locator" feature says there are four Subways on St. Croix, five on St. Thomas, and one on "St. Johns" (sic).

30 years for Mongoose

Mongoose Junction is about to celebrate its 30th tourist season.  In an article about the shopping area, "This Week", the VI tourist magazine you can get at the airport and on some flight, calls the project "a beautiful example of 18th century Danish building technique with a modern twist." 

The architect on the project, and still an island resident, was Glen Speer. Originally, the center offered venues to local artists and artisans. As tourism has increased, and real estate has appreciated, rents in the center have moved up and many of the original tenants have moved on, some to be replaced by branches of larger companies.

The first phase of Mongoose began in 1978.  The upscale Ocean Grill has replaced the original open air bar/restaurant.  It was the place for business people to have lunch, for real estate salespeople to swap stories around an oval bar, while tourists sat at tables and treated bananaquits to sugar water.  The second section, heavy on big retailers, was started in 1988.

You can read This Week's story about Mongoose by clicking here.  The St. John section is on pages 64-75.

New south road shopping center seeks tenants

Three new locations for retail businesses came on the market this week.  They're in the new strip being built across the road from the Westin, and where Dolphin Market plans to open a new location. 

The spaces available are 600, 800, and 900 square feet.  If you're itching to open a business on island, any real estate agent can help you with these spots.

Eliminate property taxes

Sounds good, doesn't it?  It's a suggestion from Steve Black, a longtime island resident and thoughtful member of the island community.  For example, Steve's been deeply involved in the effort to get a new school built on St. John.

Black suggests that homes rented to vacationers should be taxed as commercial properties.  A few years ago, I heard the Territory's Tax Assessor tell the St. John Rotary Club he liked that idea, too.

The result: even higher property taxes and, equally likely, higher rental rates.

He also thinks the territory's Economic Development Commission regulations, which extend huge income tax benefits to business owners, should "be designed better to provide a 'leg up,' not a lifelong 'handout.'

In his Guest Opinion for the Virgin Islands Daily News, Black didn't suggest that home renters are doing anything wrong.  What concerns him is that as real estate values have risen, primarily driven by villa buyers.  That means longtime residents' homes and assessments are also being pulled higher. 

It is wrong, Black said, "that our homes are burdened by the popularity of tourism and commercial profits instead of being partners in success."

Taxing villas as businesses could happen.  The Territory is in the midst of restructuring its real estate tax system.  The Governor has proposed there be four categories of properties, with different tax rates.  John deJongh's idea lumps all homes, rental or not, into the residential category. 

Anything can happen when legislators are in session.  One of them might even have read the Daily News.

Starfish Gourmet and Wines opens Monday

Finally.  The island's largest grocery store, Starfish, is taking down the brown wrapping paper from the windows of its store space across the hallway at the Marketplace. 

Starfish Gourmet and Wines will open with a ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. Monday and promises "shopping specials
all week in celebration." A news release on behalf of the store said, "With a wide selection of speciality che4se, frozen appetizers, flavorful sauces, gourmet snacks, and hard-to-find specialty foods and international goods, as well as an expanded selection of wines, liquor and mixes, (the store) is sure to inspire food lovers across the island."

St. John Post Office to lose staff

If we still owned the Mail Center at the Marketplace, we'd be shaking our heads in disbelief at news three St. John employees at the Post Office are being transferred to St. Thomas.

The St. John Administrator, Leona Smith, complained about the move to the St. John Source saying, "We're already faced with delays and the island is growing."

The only thing this can mean is longer lines at the Cruz Bay Post Office. and more lousy service. Supposedly, mail is to be delivered to mailboxes by 11 a.m., but Smith says it's now more likely at 3 p.m.

The three workers have been told to show up for work at 6 a.m. at the St. Thomas airport, according to the Source story - irrespective of the fact the St. John ferry doesn't make its first run until 6 a.m.

So, if you'll be spending a few weeks or a few months on St. John, getting your mail at the Post Office is going to be even more of a hassle. When magazines arrive months after their publication, and Priority Mail takes four days, fewer people working at the Post Office is only going to make things worse.

Jason Corley, the new owner of the Mail Center, and Nakira, the terrific store manager, are going to feel the effects, too. But you can avoid that additional stress by renting a mailbox at their Marketplace business and letting Jason and Nakira do the heavy lifting. This is not an advertisement, just a fact of life.

Read the St. John Source story.

Gourmet and wine store opening set

Starfish Market's expansion into an upscale food and wine specialty store is set to kick off early next month. (Picture at left is in the original Starfish store.)

A grand opening is being planned Nov. 5 for the new Starfish Gourmet and Wines store.  The venture is located on the first floor of the Marketplace shopping center, across the corridor from Starfish Market.  The shelves will be stock with wines, imported cheeses, coffees, meats, pizzas, pastas and other items.

By shifting wines and gourmet foods to a new retail space, the owners of Starfish give themselves the opportunity to expand offerings in the grocery store, too. More dairy products or produce may be considered.

Starfish Gourmet is likely to be a boon to in-villa catering services.  The availability of a wider variety of items will also give cooks a bigger palette for culinary efforts.  Several chefs at the island's restaurants have said they feel restricted in preparing menus because food distributors on St. Thomas aren't able to offer much variety.  If Starfish can establish its own sources and supply lines, St. John could become a much more tasty island.

Changes at the Marketplace

Summertime doings at the shopping center which is best known as the home of Starfish Market.

Home Accents is gone.  The former interior furnishings store is being replaced by a sales office for the Pond Bay Club at Chocolate Hole. A marketing flyer says, "Pond Bay Club is planned to be a private enclave of spacious villas and cottages with the amenities of a spa, swimming pools, restaurant, beach club and clubhouse."

Across the hallway, the Mail Center is under new ownership.  The Jason Corley family, of Coral Bay, bought it late last month.  Nakira remains the manager of the business offering rental mailboxes, package pickup and shipping, great service and personal attention, and - always - a smiley face

Downstairs, on the first floor, the Starfish Gourmet Food and Wine shop is still under construction.  But now you can come up to the glass front and peer in and see what, if anything, is going on inside.  Opening date?  Soon come :)

Life after publishing a Virgin Islands newspaper

Tom Paine is back on campus in Vermont this fall, a few months after he and his wife, Shirley Reid, sold the St. John Sun Times they owned for four years. 

Returning to a post teaching at Middlebury College, he told the campus newspaper his time on island reaffirmed his faith in the power of teaching, something he and Reid did as they also worked to fill their 40-page newspaper with positive articles from locals. 

By inviting one and all to contribute to the paper, Paine said, "What I was doing  was talking about how to use writing to make a difference. It got a little ridiculous.  They used to say that I walked around with a big sign painted on me (saying), 'Do you want to write about it?'"

He also noticed St. John changing while he was there.  "It's under assault by big money," he remembered. "It was no longer the artistic Mecca which Paine and his wife had once thrived in," the campus paper reported.

When Paine realized the rewards of being a businessman were not greater than the memories of his satisfaction in teaching, and his young daughter found snorkeling over coral reefs wasn't as much fun as being back in Vermont, they sold the paper and returned to college.

Read The Middlebury Campus newspaper article

St. John Ruth sells St. John Kids

There's a new toy seller in town at St. John Kids.

In an interview with On-StJohn.com, Claire Hunt said retail is not new to her. Her first job was at a W.T. Grant store in Staten Island. 

Hunt eventually south to Jost Van Dyke and then onto St. John.  "Working at Colombian Emeralds (downstairs from St. John Kids) ... a little bird mentioned that St. John Kids might be available for purchase."  Hunt said toys run in her family: her son is a toy designer and her daughter manages a day care center.

Vote for favorite Coral Bay restaurant

While Coral Bay is rapidly developing ... 'cause that's where the available land is ... it's still kind of laid back and relaxed.  Which explains why its choices for a meal are all over the map. From a fantastic budget breakfast at the Donkey Diner to a moonlit, waterside dinner at Miss Lucy's, the variety is broad.

Frankly, Coral Bay is often a state of mind.  Its restaurants range from tacky to white tablecloth.  Enjoying Coral Bay is easy to do.  Sometimes you're in a rock-and-roll state of mind, other times you're looking for smooth and relaxing. So, in choosing a Coral Bay restaurant or bar, vote for the one where you have the most fun and the best memories.

Canvas Factory closed

Another of tenant at Mongoose Junction has left the building. 

The Canvas Factory went out of business August 18th.  The small shop, offered hand-sewn cotton and canvas baseball caps, briefcases small luggage  pieces and gift items like change purses (or iPod cases?).  It's very sad to see them not only leave Mongoose but go out of business, period.

I'd heard the 27-year-old business was sold a few years ago, and stopped in to talk with the new owner.  She told me she was too busy to talk because she was getting ready to attend a writer's conference in the states.

Mixology Warehouse worth $1 million?

Gary Moses has posted responses to several comments about his essay contest to find someone to take over his island liquor store.

In his post, he disputed my statement that his business was worth $500,000. Even tho that's what's on his Web site. Now, he says it's worth $350,000 - which might give entrants even more pause when they realize he's set a minimum of 8,000 essays (which at $100/per entry fee would generate $800,000 in fees) to find a winner.  The maximum number of entries he'll take is 12,000.

I asked Gary about comments that he's really just hoping to hoping to generate a lot of cash and sell his business.  Not at all, says the veteran island entrepreneur and die-hard sailor. "The idea is to give someone else the chance to do something (with their life).  A lot of people are afraid to take a chance," he said.  "The business is not 'for sale.' This is an opportunity for someone who's stuck in a rut.  This can help them get out of it."

Gary's a sweet guy, and sometimes he's emotional.  He wants to start an eco-camp on another Caribbean island and help motivate youngsters to be responsible, stay in school and learn skills.

Here's Gary's comment:

Cheers: Win a liquor store.

Gary Moses is trying again to give away the Mixology Warehouse, his wholesale/retail liquor store located at the Lumberyard in Cruz Bay.  The business will go to the person who writes the best 100 to 200 word essay on why they are "ready to break out of a rut and start a new life in paradise," according to rules of the contest on its Web site. Moses plans to cap the entries at 8,000 which, with an entry fee of $100, would generate $800,000. He said the approximate value of the business is $500,000.

The winner gets the fully stocked store, serving more island restaurants and bars plus private parties, weddings and deliveries to villas.  Three months' rent will also paid, and Moses will stay for a week of on-the-job training for the new owner.

Liquor store essay contest delayed

"Our highly anticipated essay contest to win a turnkey business in paradise is back!," according to Mixology Warehouse's Web site at http://www.myparadisebusiness.com/.

Well, not exactly. It has not "soon come."

Gary Moses' second effort to give his business to whomever writes the "best" essay about why they want to own his St. John business has been months in the prepping.  Back in March, he told News of St. John he hoped to accept entries in June and declare a winner by fall.

Panini Beach: Countdown to closing

It's 10 years and out for Janet Kleiner and Joe Guarise.  They'll be closing their Cruz Bay beach-side trattoria at Wharfside on August 17th. Their moderately-priced restaurant's menu included inventive Bellinis to start, excellent pasta and hot Italian sausages (my favorite),  linguine and clams for an entree, and a Cioccolato Panino for Dolci.

They are not leaving happily.  They arrived in late 1997 from Chicago, full of energy and optimism.  But developments like Sirenusa, Grande Bay, multi-million dollar villas, rising rents, a demanding landlord and other changes have been troubling. "It's still beautiful, but I'd rather leave and remember it as it was," Kleiner explained.

She talked about her experience in a forthright, even controversial, interview.  To listen, click the "Play" button below.

You can also download or hear the conversation by clicking here.

How Katilady puts the 'Welcome' in baskets

Everybody's gotta eat, even if they are on vacation. 

That simple fact, and the fact that many of St. John's visitors have money or want to splurge, may be behind the fact that there are at least four catering businesses on island.  Each will provision your villa before you arrive, have a private chef prepare a great meal for you in the villa, or maybe even prepare a beach picnic for you.

Perhaps the oldest catering business is Katilady, owned by Katherine Steinborn.  She started 10 years ago, by herself in a 12-foot-by-12-foot efficiency apartment, putting together "Welcome Baskets" of snacks and drinks and delivering them to rental homes.  Now, Katilady has 18 full- and part-time employees.

Roundabout plans - worse before it gets better

Robert O'Connor, owner of the Texaco gas station in Cruz Bay, said there's going to be a "mess" while the VI government builds a roundabout to move traffic through the intersection where his Texaco station has been for decades.

At a public information meeting last Thursday, the St. John Source reported officials said a contractor for the job may be selected this fall.  The roadwork is expected to begin next February.  It will last two years. How about that, sports fans?

Now get this ... the reason for doing the job has changed. More than a year ago, Public Works said it wanted the roundabout to alleviate traffic problems which would be caused by the opening of the Enighed Commercial Port. Trucks using the barges would have a difficult time using the road past the Fire Department or Centerline or South Shore road.

Not so, now, says the government. Wystan Benjamin, the federal-aid program manager at Public Works, said traffic from the Port is not causing major problems.  It's just that the four/five way intersection is a bad one, he said. Surprising comment, eh?  Two years of pain to fix something they say isn't broke.

Here's something Public Works had better think of now, too.  The south shore road up Gifft Hill is a disaster.  Potholes galore need to be fixed.  If Gifft Hill is not repaired, folks at the Westin, Great Cruz Bay, Chocolate Hole, Rendezvous, Fish Bay and so on are in trouble if they find gridlock  getting into town by the south route.  Their only option is to go up Gifft Hill ... and that's treacherous, even on dry roads.  Hope Public Works has got some money for asphalt!

New food market for south shore road

Once upon a time there was a great gourmet deli and food store in Palm Plaza, a small shopping strip near the Westin Resort. 

The Simple Feast had great salads, sandwiches, cold beer, snacks, and even some produce.  Then the owner turned over the keys to a new operator, and it kind of went down hill.  Since then, if you needed some munchies or dinner makins', it was a drive into Cruz Bay. 

That's going to change, according to a blog post on the Islandia Real Estate Web site. Amy DuPont writes that Dolphin Market will open a second location in the new Greenleaf Commons building, a commercial development being built across the road from Palm Plaza, where Simple Feast is. 

"They will have a good selection of meats, fish, a deli and a coffee bar," she reported.  The owners of Dolphin hope to be open in time for high season, in December.  Dolphin's original location is across from O'Connor's Texaco and next to Boulon Center in Cruz Bay.,

Beer makers introduce their new brew

The boys at the Tap Room have been cooking something up, for months: Island Summer Ale.  It's on island now. 

"It is a light refreshing summer beer perfect for our Caribbean climate," said Chirag Vyas (aka Cheech) and Kevin Chipman, owners of two-year-old St. John Brewers.  "It's a recipe we've had in our files for a long time, and it just seemed right."

The beer is produced under contract by Shipyard Brewing in Portland, Maine and then shipped by container. "They brew to our recipe, and don't change a thing," Vyas added.  The first cases of "Island Summer Ale" were cleared through Customs in the past week. 

The brewers, who also own the Tap Room, worked about six weeks in their brewing room at Mongoose Junction to get the blend right.  "We went well after midnight some nights," Vyas added, "It gets pretty hot in there with all the burners going."

Distribution of the new brew is underway now and a "launch party" on a beach is planned.

In this week's St. John Podcast, Cheech and Kevin talking about developing their second beer in two years.

To listen on your computer, click the play button below.

You can also download or hear the file by clicking here.

Subscribe to News of St. John's weekly podcast at the Apple iTunes Store and search for "news of st. john," or copy "http://fbarnako.libsyn.com/rss" and paste it into the "Subscribe" field under the iTunes software’s "Advanced" tab.  You can also use that link to subscribe with other podcatching software.  If you’re having a problem, e-mail: frank@newsofstjohn.com.

Small business snafu

The owners of a shop on St. John have waited four years to be able to use their business's checking account. 

In a chronicle of the travail, the St. John Sun Times reports the (unnamed) bank's policies required multiple forms of identification, completion of forms and then more forms, and when the bank changed owners, the process seemed to start over. (It's probably FirstBank, which was sold by Chase.)  The objective of getting the wife's name on the checking account was also complicated by a branch in St. Thomas refusing to accept the bank's own paperwork, government employees who lost records and a misaddressed "Letter of Existence" that took six weeks to arrive. 

"The wife felt a fit coming on," the Sun Times' Phyllis Benton wrote.  Which, to me, makes the woman sound either line an angel or comatose.  What patience!

Now, the wife says she's gone to a "cash economy."  Please, no checks.  She said, “It's just that I don't get to the bank much anymore, and when I do, it's like that movie, Groundhog Day; the same things keep happening over and over again."

How to own an island liquor store

Gary Moses is trying a second time to give somebody else a second chance.

Later this month, he will launch an essay contest in which the prize is his five-year-old Mixology Warehouse. The entrance fee is $100, and each 100-word essay will be reviewed by a three judges.

"They'll get an operating business, fully stocked, money in the cash drawer, and four months' rent paid in advance," Moses explained.

"This is a good opportunity for somebody who wants to start fresh," Moses said. "Somebody who feels they can’t go any further in the job where they are now." His motivation is also that of a person who wants to do good, who feels that after 19 years on the island it's time to enjoy life while giving somebody else a chance. He suggests entrants be familiar with the films "Pay it Forward" and "Spitfire Grill" to appreciate what he's trying to achieve.

The Mixology Warehouse is in downtown Cruz Bay, near the Lumberyard shopping center. It does a retail business in beer, liquor and wine, wholesales to island restaurants and makes deliveries to villas for parties, weddings and other events.

If all goes well, the Warehouse could have a new owner by October. Moses will accept essays, only from mainland residents, for 90 days.  He hopes to attract 10,000 entrants. The minimum is 9,000. The judges will take 30 days to make their decision.

Moses ran a similar essay contest for the business last year, but it didn't draw enough interest. He blames himself for not marketing it well and says he'll do better this time. "This is Gary's retirement plan, too," he explained.

After 19 years on island, and having started three businesses (including Noah's Little Arks and the Banana Deck," Moses said it's time to go sailing. But he already has plans for another venture which he describes as an "eco camp" on another island. "On 10 acres, with nine little huts. We'll run it six months a year, and then Gary can go play for six months."

In this week's St. John Podcast, Moses explains how you can win a business on St. John.

To listen on your computer, click the play button below.

You can also download or hear the file by clicking here.

Subscribe to News of St. John's weekly podcast at the Apple iTunes Store and search for "news of st. john," or copy "http://fbarnako.libsyn.com/rss" and paste it into the "Subscribe" field under the iTunes software’s "Advanced" tab.  You can also use that link to subscribe with other podcatching software.  If you’re having a problem, e-mail: frank@newsofstjohn.com.

Interview with the new owner of the Sun Times

The owner of the St. John Sun Times smiles when she says she got her new job through Craigslist, the Internet's biggest classified ad site.  Eloise Ham and her fiance, Tyler Anderson, were ready to start new lives outside Los Angeles. The island has become their new home, after one visit.   She's at the newspaper, he's general manager at Catered To's villa rental business.

The first issue under Ham's editor-ship is due out today.  She relied on Bill Stelzer for the layout and art work. Bill's the guy who did the editing on the Friends of the Park's 50th Anniversary DVD.)

In this week's St. John Podcast, Ham says she wants to produce a newspaper which is tourist-friendly and will also make locals happy about living on the island. 

To listen on your computer, click the play button below.

You can also download or hear the file by clicking here.

Subscribe to News of St. John's weekly podcast at the Apple iTunes Music Store and search for "news of st. john," or copy "http://fbarnako.libsyn.com/rss" and paste it into the "Subscribe" field under the iTunes software’s "Advanced" tab.  You can also use that link to subscribe with other podcatching software.  If you’re having a problem, e-mail: frank@newsofstjohn.com.

St. John Sun Times sold

There's a new editor-in-chief and publisher in town. 

Eloise Ham, a journalist and new media producer, has taken the reins from Tom Paine and Shirley Reid at the island's "alternative" newspaper.  Her first issue is scheduled for next week, May 2.

"The opportunity came together very quickly," Ham said in an interview in her office, behind Morgan's Mango in Cruz Bay.  A newcomer to St. John who left her home in Los Angeles to seek new adventures  on island, with her fiancé, Ham laid out a number of plans in an e-mail to the Sun Times writers and advertisers. 

She plans to renovate the Sun Times web site, offer special editions of the paper featuring "Best Of" themes, and add basic island information to the paper such as ferry schedules and restaurant/bar reviews. Another change she plans, but which might be common in other places, is to have "initiate written contracts for advertising." (What an island, eh?)

In a farewell, Tom Paine wrote, "It is time to return to my fiction writing and finish a third book, and Shirley looks forward to getting back to her life as an individual artist. Amelia, our daughter, wants to climb trees and weave things."

Ham said, "I want to assure you that the Sun Times will continue in much the same way as you are used to: features and events that are St. John-centric. Tom and Shirley have created a paper that everyone loves and I’d be insane to tinker too much with the formula."

Kitchen for sale

Polli's Mexican restaurant at the Lumberyard is closed. They left a lot of stuff behind.  The landlord is offering to sell what looks like all the kitchen equipment.

The list includes items every home needs: a cheese melter and a keg cooler.  The Artists Association of St. John plans to move into the space soon.

Doing business on island is tough

Windward Painters, doing work at Blue Tang, has payroll to meet Friday.  Because it's Carnival time on St. Thomas - where some government workers have time off !!! ... some banks are closed, others are open. That makes preparing payroll a bit of a juggling and scheduling challenge.

FirstBank closed at Noon Wednesday to celebrate "Food Day."  Thursday is J'Ouvert, a wee-hours special parade and street party, but the bank is open all day.  The Water and Power Authority office is not. On Friday, for "Children's Parade", all bank branches are closed, WAPA too.  Windward also does business with another bank, which is open only three hours today, Thursday.

For sale: Baked in the Sun

The latest commercial property to be added to the Multiple Listing Service is Baked in the Sun, the award-winning bakery/sandwich shop on the third floor of the Marketplace.  Asking price is $450,000.  Town and Country Real Estate listed the business.  The bakery's owner has agreed to train a buyer for up to four months.

Meanwhile, in other real estate news, the Polli's restaurant space is becoming the new home of the Artists' Association of St. John.  The Lumberyard location will give the group plenty of room to exhibit members' works.

Working on St. John - no day at the beach

We hear it a lot.  People come to St. John to get away from cold weather, bad relationships, or because they love the island.  But living and working on island have their challenges.  Business people tell us they rarely are able to take time off.  Restaurant and retail employees often work two jobs or split shifts, leaving little time to relax.  So, when visitors joke with a bartender that it must be wonderful living in paradise, they should not be surprised if the response is bittersweet.

In the second part of a conversation with Paul Trujillo, the new executive chef at Paradiso, he talks about this kind of thing.  He's been on island four years.  While his own culinary skills have been praised, he has good words for some other cooks, too.  In this portion of our interview, he names his favorite places to eat.

To hear the second part of our conversation with Paul Trujillo, click the play button below.

You can also download or hear the file by clicking here.

Subscribe to News of St. John's weekly podcast at the Apple iTunes Music Store and search for "news of st. john," or copy the words feeds.feedburner.com.stjohn and paste them into the "Subscribe" field under the iTunes software’s "Advanced" tab.  You can also use that Feedburner link to subscribe in other podcatching software.  If you’re having a problem, e-mail: frank@newsofstjohn.com.

The islands' best on St. John

Dozens of St. John businesses took top honors in the annual Virgin Islands Daily News reader poll to pick the best the Virgin Islands has to offer.  More than 300,000 ballots were distributed by the newspaper. There were 365 categories, with winners on each island and a grand winner for the Territory. Three community organizations, including the Love City Pan Dragons of St. John, counted the votes over a number of weeks. 

Coral Bay's Rose Apollon Adams at Sweet Plantains won the blue ribbon as the "Top Chef" on the three islands.  Asolare won the grand prize for "Romantic Dining," the Balcony at Wharfside for "Ambiance," Chilly Billy’s for "Family Restaurant," and Cafe Roma for "Italian Food."

The Beach Bar was a blue ribbon winner in two categories, "Beach Bar" and "Bar," while Woody’s won for "Bartending Staff."  Baked in the Sun at the Marketplace won honors for being the best bakery and having the best veggie burgers, while the Deli Grotto was voted the best deli in the VI's.

The full list is at the Virgin Islands Daily News Web site.

St. John creatives garner some gold

Update:  Bill Stelzer e-mailed to say, "Bit of a clarification.  The only reason I was listed as the winner of Addy Gold and Addy Mosaic Awards for the National Park Video was because my name was the one on the entry form.  The credit should be equally shared among Bruce Schoonover, Steve Simonsen and myself, as well Carolyn Kormann (the former SunTimes reporter who co-wrote the script) Anyways it's kinda nice getting all the credit, (most years in the past when I've won it's always been through different ad agencies so no one knew my name) but in the case of the National Park Video, I'm feeling kinda guilty that the proper credit isn't being given to us all.

Who says there aren’t big ideas on the small island?

The Advertising Club of the Virgin Islands honored the island's Bill Stelzer, the St. John Sun Times and Kate N. Design Inc. for nine winning entries in the clubs annual competition.  The awards were announced Saturday night at an Ad Club gala on St. Thomas.

Stelzer won the Arts and Sciences gold award for his work on a DVD for the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Park.  St. John's world class photographer, Steve Simonsen, also worked on the project.  You can buy the DVD.

Kate Norfleet, of Kate N Design, won four awards, one gold and three silvers, for work on behalf of the Park and the Humane Society of St. Thomas. 

The Sun Times won two silver and two gold awards for several issues with themes including "Tree Spirits," "8 Tuff Miles," "Hurricane," and "Earth Day." The island's free newspaper, is well known for its colorful front pages and cover stories.

(If I've left out any other St. John winners, it's because I didn't recognize the company names.  E-=mail me and I'll make sure you're top flight efforts are also publicized.)