Antigua and Barbuda / Shopping

As a major cruise ship destination, Antigua offers a fair amount of shopping and in St John’s you can expect all the duty free perfumes, linen, watches and crystal that you could ever want to load up your suitcases with. In typical Caribbean style almost all the goods are imported. Among all the tat though, there are also more interesting things on sale. The island has a substantial community of local and expatriate artists and artisans and you will find some interesting, locally produced art and crafts.

Shopping is more limited in Barbuda, mainly revolving around locally-produced food and household items, but a number of shops stock a few tourist trinkets, T-shirts and local handicrafts.

If duty free is your thing, then as you disembark from your cruise ship in St John’s harbour you will walk straight into Heritage Quay, a brightly painted, purpose built shopping facility with rows of stores and a casino. A short walk away though, you come to Redcliffe Quay, which is an altogether more pleasant experience. Many of the buildings have been restored from stone and wood originals and so there is more authentic feel of the traditional West Indies as well as some good shops.

Redcliffe Quay - This Quay is one of the oldest parts of St John’s and has considerable form as a shopping area. It was a former slave-market and for tropical goods like sugar and rum. Today there is a nice mix of bars, restaurants and of course shops selling clothes, accessories, gifts, pottery and paintings.

Heritage Quay - Duty free bargains galore, fashion, watches, jewellery, perfume, cosmetics and all sorts of branded goods, at the waterfront in St John’s. Shops stay open when cruise ships are in port.

Shopping hours: most shops in St John’s open at 8.30am and close around 4pm or 5pm, Mon-Sat, with some closing at 1pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. Some shops take a lunch break for an hour between noon and 1pm, but most are open right through the day. Shops stay open later and they open on Sundays when cruise ships are in port.

Art & Craft

Cedars Pottery, Buckleys - Set up by Antiguan ceramicist Michael Hunt and his ceramicist wife, Imogen Margrie in 1996 producing interesting and innovative ceramics, plus stone sculptures. Works include domestic ware and architectural pieces. Studio visits by appointment only.

Fig Tree Studio, Fig Tree Drive - Originals and prints of Sallie Harker’s work who is known for her paintings of fish using watercolours and gold leaf. The artist has completed a number of paintings (some in oils) with reflective light on water and the effect of weather on the landscape as the main topics. More recently work has been done using shingle and driftwood. Also features the work of other artists and crafters. It is advisable to call in advance to check opening times.

Harmony Hall Art Gallery, Brown's Bay - An art gallery set around an old windmill in the remote South-east of the island. Original works of art from all over the Caribbean, plus other arts and crafts. They offer an excellent stop for lunch on an island tour, beach close by.

Jacaranda, Redcliffe Quay - Selection of duty free Caribbean designed products and gifts by well known artists such as Jill Walker, prints by Antiguan artist Gilly Gobinet, glass work, batik wear, handmade soaps and fragrances, cosmetics, local coffee, herbs and spices.

Made in Antigua, St John’s - Sells items made in Antigua, such as handmade natural soaps, scented candles, tea, pepper sauce, replicas of cannons and sugar mills, jams and jellies, handcrafted jewellery and art.

The Market, St John’s - There is a small craft market attached to the main market where you will find locally made handicrafts such as carvings and other artwork.

Pelican Studio, Fitches Creek - Beachfront studio featuring the works of popular Antiguan artist Gilly Gobinet, who is self taught and works in watercolour, acrylic, oil and pen.

Pigeon Point Pottery, Falmouth - Distinctive and very popular hand painted earthenware by Nancy Nicholson who digs her own clay locally and is known for her locally inspired marine designs and symbols, using her trademark deep blues and aquamarines. Produces domestic ware, tiles, lamp shades and bowls which can be used as hand basins. Viewing by appointment.

Real Local Art Gallery, Falmouth - Primitive style acrylic paintings of local scenes by Priscilla Looby.

Rhythm of Blue Art Gallery, English Harbour - Ocean-inspired art featuring the works of well known local potter Nancy Nicholson and scrimshaw by Michael Strzalkowski, plus a collection of works by other local and regional artists including Sallie Harker. Open 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday.

Things Local Gallery, Nelson’s Dockyard - Owned by eminent Antiguan artist and wood sculptor Carl Henry who uses local mahogany, eucalyptus, almond and Caribbean hardwoods to carve out bowls, Warri boards, masks, fish, turtles and sail boats. Commissions include Antigua and Barbuda coat of arms which hangs in Antigua's Parliament building, and a life size sculpture of the Holy Family which stands in the new Catholic Cathedral, using a single piece of wood.

The New Pottery, Dutchman’s Bay - Antigua’s oldest established pottery where Sarah Fuller creates hand painted wind chimes, domestic ware, lamp shades, bird feeders, fish (some large pieces) and tiles, some featuring a striking cobalt-blue glaze. Does commissions.

The Pottery Shop, Redcliffe Quay - Selected pieces of artwork by local potters such as Michael Hunt and Imogen Margrie of Cedars Pottery.

The Vendors’ Mall, St John’s - A craft market in downtown St John’s, next to Redcliffe Quay, selling t-shirts, beach-wear and local crafts.

Workshop for the Blind, St John’s - Founded in 1952 this is a non-profit making organisation, with weavers making a range of basketry and straw such as bread baskets, lampshades, mats, footstools, wastepaper baskets, magazine holders and straw hats.

Clothes & Accessories

The Galley Boutique, Nelson’s Dockyard - Sells designer fashions, swimwear, resort wear, plus handicrafts, gifts and accessories. Has been operating for over thirty years and is popular with regular visitors, yachts people and locals.

The Goldsmitty, Redcliffe Quay - Hand made jewellery by Dutchman Hans Smit, who has lived on the island for many years.

Noreen Phillips, Redcliffe Quay - Tropical designer wear by ex-model Noreen Phillips, a trained fashion designer who makes her own collections on the premises. Will make bespoke wear on request.

Sunseekers, Heritage Quay - Beachwear for the whole family, with the claim to have “the largest selection of swimwear in the Caribbean” including well known like Gottex, Jantzen, Speedo, Quicksilver and Billabong.

Other

A Thousand Flowers, Redcliffe Quay - Boutique set in 19th century building, selling resort and holiday wear in natural fabrics.

City Nursery, St John’s  - They sell tropical plants, palms, flowers and ferns for export.

Lord Jim’s Locker, Falmouth Harbour - The best bookshop around, plus nautical publications and foreign newspapers

The Map Shop, St John’s - They sell old and new prints, postcards, stationary, a selection of books by West Indian authors and poets, Caribbean reference books on culture, history, flora and fauna.

Museum Gift Shop, St John's - Local art and craft work by around fifty Antiguan artisans which includes pottery, original artwork and prints, shell work, dolls, paper machée, jewellery and wood carvings. Plus a selection of antique household items, antique map prints, a range of books, toiletries and handmade soaps, and culinary gifts such as local jams, jellies, chutneys, coffee, hot sauces and herbal teas. All profits go towards the upkeep of the museum.

Museum Restoration Gift Shop, Nelson’s Dockyard - Sells nautical themed items, maps, charts and posters.

Non-profit organisations and Government links:

Museum Gift Shop, The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, Long Street, St John’s, St John, t 462 1469 | museum@candw.ag | www.antiguamuseum.org

Workshop for the Blind, All Saints Road, St John’s, t 462 0663

Museum Restoration Gift Shop, Dockyard Museum, Nelson’s Dockyard, t 463 1060 | info@dockyardmuseum.org | http://dockyardmuseum.org

For food shopping and supermarkets see the separate section Food and Cooking