US Virgin Islands News

Mail Center price cut 25%

If you want to move to St. John, this is a money-making way to do it. The Mail Center is for sale.  New price: $185,000.

You'll be involved with the island, its residents and business people because you will be providing a critical service: packing, shipping, delivery, office supplies, copying and and mail box rentals.

Call Gretchen Labrenz at Cruz Bay Realty at (800) 569-2417 for details and financials, or e-mail me, [email protected] (I'm a co-owner).

Located in the Marketplace Shopping Center, and adjacent to easy parking, the Mail Center also retails gift items, office supplies and provides color copying & promotional services to businesses. Great business for an owner-operator.

New (used) ferries on the way

New ferry boats come soon is what the VI Government wants us to believe - as soon as St. John's ferry operators complete the paperwork.  (I believe the Virgin Islands government is still waiting for reports on how much money the ferries collected and spent last year.)

Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls told a Senate Finance Committee hearing his department has snagged $1.5 million in Federal Highway Administration (FHW) funds to allow Varlack Ventures and Transportation Services of St. John to purchase used ferry boats, the Virgin Islands Daily News reported.  Smalls said his agency will also go after any ferry money that may be available from the feds this year, too.

St. John Magazine plans debut

Here's more evidence how the island is moving upscale in its attraction for the wealthy vacationer. 

St. John is going to get a new magazine, but it's not for locals.  St. John Magazine will be published twice a year, according to its publisher, Malinda Nelson.  She is also Publisher of the St. John Tradewinds, a local newspaper. 

The magazine will be "designed to be a treasured keepsake," according to promotional material for the venture available online at www.stjohnmagazine.com. The media kit for advertisers said St. John Magazine will not be free, but will be sold on newsstands throughout the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.  Quantities of the magazine are also expected to be sold resorts and villa management companies on island.

How do you cure a hangover?

The Inquiring Iguana spends too much of his life on the Internet, surfing various forums where island visitors are eager to get the inside story on what's happening here and how to enjoy St. John.  Here's some of what he's been overhearing recently.

            For some reason, people think they might drink too much when they get to the Virgin Islands and St. John.  "Sometimes we humans fail to always live by the rules," wrote "Cypressgirl" on Virgin-Islands-On-Line.  "Any ideas for cures?"

            "Chrisn" said he's found a greasy cheeseburger helps a little.  “VaGirl” chimed in saying she puts a Coke, in a glass bottle, in the freezer until it's full of little ice chips.  Then she drinks it with three Hershey's Kisses. "It works I promise."

            "Ksea" is more pro-active.  "I always eat bread before I start to drink and automatically take four aspirin/Bufferin before I fall into, or over, the bed."

Inner Visions returns to Maine

St. John's internationally-known reggae band, Inner Visions, is again touring the States.  Its next stop is Great Salt Bay along the banks of the Damariscotta River in Maine. 

It's the fourth time the five St. Johnians have played there during the summer, where it's certainly cooler than the Caribbean. 

As many as 500 people turned out for the concert last year.  A promotional release for the concert says Caribbean-themed food and drink will be available along with fresh oysters from the River.  The concert is from 3 to 6 p.m.

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.

Architectural Digest "covers" St. John villa

A German couple's north shore villa is on the cover of this month's Architectural Digest magazine. 

Hawksview Estate, described on the property's Web site as a "villa that marries the best of old world charm and modern comfort" rents for $25,000 a week in high season, $18,000 off season. 

The five-bedroom property, located between Hawksnest and Trunk Bays, sits on five acres within the National Park.  It also has a media room and a gymnasium featuring Bowflex equipment, a Great Room with a 21-foot high ceiling, and an infinity pool offering views of St. Thomas and the BVI's.

If you owned this villa, would you rent it?  Comment here.

New property assessments in the mail, brouhaha brewing

If you own a villa or a condo property on St. John, watch the mail.  The result of a three-year territory-wide revaluation of property will soon be at a mailbox near you, according to the St. John Source.  The Lt. Gov.'s office reported new residential and commercial valuations are being mailed this week.

Sally Powers, the project manager for the revaluation, which was conducted by BearingPoint, said her firm was still analyzing the data for neighborhood trends. Overall, residential property values increased "significantly," she told the Virgin Islands Daily News. The statements are an estimate of each property's market value, Powers said.

The result may well be a delay in issuing tax bills for last year.  Why?  Read on.

Liquor, food, music will be sold at new ferry dock

An A.H. Riise liquor store will be a prominent tenant inside the new Red Hook ferry dock,  A three-year-lease for the store, in 60 square feet, was approved this week by the V.I. Port Authority.  Riise will pay $12/foot and 15% of its sales, the Virgin Islands Daily News reported.

Why the new Red Hook ferry dock is not open

The V.I. Port Authority has agreed to pay Island Roads Corporation an additional $529,000 to complete the new Red Hook ferry dock.  The Authority's director of engineer said, “the funds are necessary to close out the project,” the Virgin Islands Daily News reported.

The money will be used, the paper added, cover the purchase and installation of pad-mounted transformers. In English, that's so the place has electricity.