Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
The 12 small blocks that hug the waterfront in downtown Kingstown make up St. Vincent's main shopping district. Among the shops that sell goods to fulfill household needs are a few that sell local crafts, gifts, and souvenirs. Bargaining is neither expected nor appreciated. The cruise-ship complex, on the waterfront in Kingstown, has a collection of a dozen or so boutiques, shops, and restaurants that cater primarily to cruise-ship passengers but welcome all shoppers. The best souvenirs of St. Vincent are intricately woven straw items, such as handbags, hats, slippers, baskets, and grass mats that range in size from place mats to room-size floor mats. If you're inclined to bring home a floor mat, they aren't heavy and roll or fold rather neatly; wrapped tightly and packed in an extra (soft-sided) suitcase or tote, it can be checked as luggage for the flight home. Local artwork and carvings are available in galleries, from street vendors, and in shops at the cruise-ship complex. Hot sauce and other condiments, often produced in St. Vincent and sold in markets and gift shops, make tasty souvenirs to bring back home.
Whether you're putting together a picnic, stocking your kitchenette, provisioning a yacht, looking for recognized brands or locally made seasonings and sauces, or just want some snacks, head for C.K. Greaves Supermarket. Sunrise Supermarket, in Arnos Vale, is owned by the same company.
This huge, modern supermarket has a store in Kingstown and a branch in Arnos Vale; both are open daily. You can buy groceries, beverages, deli meats, salads, desserts, and more. The Kingstown store has an in-store pharmacy (open weekdays), ATM, and mobile top-up facility.
You'll enjoy visiting the Kingstown market, a three-story enclosed building that really bustles on Friday and Saturday mornings, when vendors bring their produce, meats, and fish to market.
This self-taught craftsman, artist, musician, and drum maker is best known for the original art that he creates from dried banana leaves, carefully selecting and snipping varicolored bits and arranging them on pieces of wood to depict intricate local scenes. Prices range from $35 for smaller items to several thousands of dollars for larger works sold in galleries. Browne has a kiosk in front of his house but sometimes sets up shop on Bay Street, near the Cobblestone Inn.
Locally made grass floor mats, place mats, and other straw articles, as well as batik cloth, handmade West Indian dolls, hand-painted calabashes, and framed artwork are all available at this store that's three blocks from the wharf. Cash only; no credit cards.
Among the few souvenir shops in St. Vincent, Voyager has a small selection of duty-free cameras, electronics, watches, china, and jewelry.
Sign up for Travel Tips & News
Thank you for your interest!
