March 21, 2008 — Convenience shopping came to Cruz Bay earlier this month with the opening of 1st Stop, located in Raintree Court.
The store sits right in the front of the small Raintree Court shopping center. It's sandwiched between Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church and the Fish Trap Restaurant, with plenty of parking right out front.
"We have seven parking spaces," owner Karim Salem said.
The parking is a definite plus in a town where a parking space can be plenty hard to find. Cars park, do their shopping and depart, ensuring that there's almost always a space available.
The Cruz Bay store is an extension of his family's three 1st Stop convenience and gift stores on Main Street in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Salem said. This is the company's first foray into St. John, and a logical extension of the St. Thomas businesses, he said.
"They needed a nice convenience store, and I'm good at convenience stores," Salem said.
The location is ideal since it's close to the heart of Cruz Bay, he said. It's only a couple of blocks from the ferry dock and right around the corner from Wharfside Village.
The store carries a little bit of everything that residents and visitors could possibly need: beach toys, snorkel sets, shampoo, deodorant, baby powder, hats, bug spray, diapers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and even crayons line the shelves.
Shoppers can come to the store for groceries, produce, condiments, ice cream, canned goods, phone cards, liquor and cigars. They will also find DVD players, cell-phone chargers, headphones, cameras and film. All the goods have the prices clearly marked.
"You don't have to go to four places to do shopping," Salem said.
The store will expand April 1 to include a deli. With the deli will come breakfast and lunch. The menu will include sandwiches, pizza, burritos and more.
The store is currently open from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., but once the deli opens and breakfast is available 1st Stop will open at 6:30 a.m. to accommodate early breakfast eaters, Salem said.
Call 1st Stop at 777-7867.
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