The Pelican Post is now open, offering an array of business and communication services for St. John residents and visitors in a well-known spot only a block from the ferry dock in Cruz Bay.
Owners Crystal George and Krista Kremer opened the doors on Aug. 1, the day the tropical wave that became Hurricane Debby passed over the Virgin Islands.
They are now planning a more festive grand opening for the public on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. with a pop-up art show curated by Aubrey “A.C.” Burgess.
The Pelican Post is located in the pink and purple Moorehead Building that was the home of Connections for nearly 40 years until it closed last April.
George and Kremer have spent the last two months purchasing new equipment, setting up systems, hiring new employees, and remodeling the space for multiple uses.
The Pelican Post now offers phone, mail, and internet services; equipment for laminating,
scanning and faxing; concierge services, including bookings for boat trips, restaurants, and car rentals; business services, including bookkeeping, tax preparation, payroll processing, business license renewals, and LLC formation.
The scope of their work remains flexible. On Monday, someone called and asked them to pick up brownies from the North Shore Deli and mail them to the States to fulfill a particularly sweet family tradition.
Kremer and George have been friends for more than 15 years. Both women were raised on St. John and attended All Saints Cathedral School on St. Thomas, but with a five-year age difference between them, they missed out on being friends as youngsters.
They decided to become business partners three years ago in order to sell food and drinks at events, forming Sandy Cheeks LLC, which is now the parent company for Pelican Post.
Kremer had considered buying Connections when it was put up for sale in 2020, but the timing wasn’t right. Then, this past spring, when George learned that Connections was closing for good, the two of them decided to take their business partnership to the next level.
Launching a new business has been a challenge, especially as both women already have busy lives with robust careers and young families. Kremer has been a massage therapist on St. John for 16 years. George, who now serves as the financial administrator for the Cinnamon Bay Resort Campground, has worked in accounting and business management since earning her B.A. at UVI.
On Monday, Kremer and one other employee – Freda Abramson – were handling matters as customers came in, but two more employees are set to come on board soon.
And although, as of Monday, the bulletin board had only one notice – a listing for a roommate – Kremer and George are looking forward to filling the board and the newly remodeled space in the coming weeks.
They want to make the space available to rent after hours for meetings and events and host family-oriented activities, like story hour for children. They plan to put in tables and chairs and sell local products, particularly those made on St. John.
The paperwork is nearly done that will allow George and Kremer to process money transfers through Western Union, and they’re now providing notary services by request.
Residents who lost their mail service when Connections closed can get a personal mailbox at Pelican Post with an updated service that will notify them when they have a package.
Computer Express and Sing St. John still have their offices within the Pelican Post, and people in transit can still stash their luggage for a few hours while they shop, eat, or take a swim.
The Pelican Post is now open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Starting in September, they will be open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m..
For further information, call 340-693-4535. Email thepelicanpostvi@gmail.com or check their website, www.thepelicanpostvi.com.
