Company Street Chronicles

Company Street Chronicles

 by Monique Clendinen Watson

On a trip home to St. Croix last week, I visited Company Street, Christiansted where the merchants were having a Holiday Block Party with music and Christmas goodies for one and all. Those of you traveling home for Festival will find a wonderful variety of stores from which to buy special presents for your friends and family in the states. Those of you who live home and haven’t been down to Company Street in a while because of recent construction projects, should park in the Government parking lot and walk up to Company Street to visit the local store owners who are diligently working to keep the St. Croix economy alive with a great selection of quality offerings.

In just one block, I was able to “find everything” just like the advertising promised. From leather goods in Ingrid Camacho’s Cueros to island chic clothing in Jo Zepp’s Island Tribe and Dianne Canegata-O’Reilly’s Shay’s to shoes from Jo-Ann Berry Edney’s The Shoe Bar there is something for everyone on your Christmas shopping list. If what you are looking for is an authentic taste of St. Croix culture, spend some time in Mariel de Chabert Percy’s Eden South. Company Street stalwarts Jan Mitchell of Mitchell Larsen studio has art glass, sculpture and photographics and Sonya’s of course has her beautiful jewelry.

For those of you looking for gifts for your furry friends, The Blue Mutt is the place for both you and your pet.

When you get tired from all that walking around, stop into the courtyard at Mahogany Inn on Company Streetwhere Colin Hodge can whet your whistle in Martini’s Lounge & Nightclub. Visitors to the island who want the in-town bed and breakfast experience should book a few nights at the Company Street Hotel. In the New Year, I will bring you interviews from these and other Company Street proprietors and people in the New Year.

My earliest memories of Christmas shopping inChristiansted, St. Croix go back to the 1960s before Sunny Isle Shopping Center was built.  I remember walking down from East Street where my grandmother lived to Company, King and Strand to purchase gifts for family and friends from the wide array of stores that lined those streets. Of course, we were not only shopping for gifts, but also for new furniture, curtains, bread spreads, and home decor to make the house beautiful for the holidays. Popular stores of the day that come to mind are Continental, Cavanaugh’s and Nini of Scandinavia. I also remember Compass Rose, Sun and Moon and The Toy Chest, where every child on the island were steering their parents to buy the latest toys from Mrs. Doris Encarnacion.

I remember walking from store to store with my mother and meeting friends, neighbors and schoolmates who were also shopping with their parents along the way. There was a lot of stopping to chat and extending “Seasons Greetings” or “Compliments of the Season” along the way. There was talk about getting ready for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and inviting friends over for sweetbread, guava berry and other seasonal delights.

I also remember the Christmas Season (usually Christmas Second Day) was the time to visit our “Nen” and “Peps” or “Great aunts” or “Cousins” that you wouldn’t see every day, so you would get dressed up in your best and go visit. It was a time when children sat politely while adults talked about the happenings of the day and catched up with what was happening with relatives near and far. We children listened intently while squirming in our seats and learned a lot about family history, who was related to who and why. No matter how big or small the home, you were always offered something good to eat and drink, sorrel or hibiscus punch, coconut or pineapple tart, served in the best China and silverware that the host had. During these visits, children of course, were asked about how they were doing in school and praised, admonished or encouraged accordingly. It was definitely a time of family and community unity.

Today, people travel longer distances to keep the Christmas spirit alive. Many of you greeted child

ren and grandchildren coming in from the states to spend the holidays on island. Some of you travelled to Maryland and Florida and Texas. Those who can’t travel will call, text or Facebook to keep those ties of family and friendship secure. Whether we know it or not, these are the most important things that we do. 

I would like to wish each and every one of you reading my blog a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy Crucian Christmas Festival to those who celebrate those traditions! As the world we live in is global and interactive, I would like to hear from you who know and love St. Croix who may have stories, pictures or memories to share about Company Street. Contact me at info@bluegaulinmedia.com.

 

Monique Clendinen Watson is a writer and public relations specialist who is from the U.S. Virgin Islands and who lives in Virginia. She owns a public relations firm, BlueGaulin Media Strategies, www.bluegaulinmedia.com  and is a U.S. Virgin Islands Ambassador