On our scenic drives on the East End of the island, we often stop by and visit Cramer’s Park. It is a popular local park and beach amongst locals and a wonderful place to spend time with family and friends. It is close by Point Udall a popular attraction on St. Croix that we often frequent. Cramer’s Park has been undergoing a complete renovation of the facilities as part of the Cramer’s Park Pavilions Hurricane Repair Project by the USVI Department of Sports Parks and Recreation.
When you visit, look for the beautiful Bas Reliefs at the park pavilion area. We always enjoy the artwork here. As part of the repair project, the wall behind the Bas Reliefs received some a new coat of green paint that better help accentuate these marine sculptures. Raised a few inches from the background, the sculptures have an interesting three-dimensional effect.
As you can see from the plaque, the Bas Reliefs is a part of a sculpture project by the The Coral Conservation Corps is an after school program composed of students learning about St. Croix’s coral reef ecosystems, marine stewardship and advocacy. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Buccaneer Hotel, artist Kate Miller, and the Manor School, this Bas Relief mural of was completed in 2012.
If you are visiting Cramer’s Park, stop by the pavilion area and enjoy the beautiful artwork at the park!
Jump Up Deli and Dem Tings is a classic deli and gift boutique with a Caribbean twist. Find classic deli sandwiches, traditional meats, cheeses, soups and salads at this unique bistro tucked away in the courtyard of Apothecary Hall on Company Street. Owners Ellen Ross and Todd Kirkpatrick both moved to St. Croix in 2017 before hurricanes Irma and Maria. Through a shared love of football and supporting one another during the catastrophic storms, they fell in love. The connection they witnessed and felt during the rebuilding of the island solidified their desire to become part of the downtown Christiansted community by providing a fun place for families and kids to eat, laugh, and shop.
Todd is an accomplished chef who dreamed of one day opening a New York style deli featuring sliced meats and cheeses, fresh salads, soups, and sides. Ellen brought her talent in sales and marketing that expanded during her time at Procter and Gamble offering all “Dem Tings” you didn’t know you needed. There is something for everyone at this unique St. Croix gift boutique, from tadpole tings for kids, mermaid tings for women, pirate tings for men, and furry friend tings for pets. “It’s a crazy little store, and we have fun with the selections we offer,” said Ellen. She boasted that they have the best selection of toys and treats for all kinds of pets, including dog and cat wines. “You can alter your attitude and your animal’s attitude at Dem Tings!”
Jump Up Deli and Dem Tings opened in December 2022, and they knew they found the perfect location in the former Café Christine location in Apothecary Hall. The deli menu items are named after notable island landmarks and locations, like the ever-popular hot sandwiches named The Christiansted and The Blue Mountain. They offer gluten-free and vegetarian options as well. This family friendly café makes waiting a pleasant pastime with fun games on the porch tables and a pirate chest with free toys for the kids. “We want to make sure kids can have fun along with the adults.” Customers visiting the deli also get to snap a picture of them jumping up in the space. The tradition started when a guest said their order made them jump up with joy; since then, every new customer gets their picture taken mid-jump when they jump for joy with their orders.
Each Art Thursday, they host “Arf Thursday” where St. Croix Animal Welfare Center sets up a petting area with their loveable pets to encourage adoption and donations to the organization. Beautiful artwork from their artists-in-residence, Pat Alfrey and Emelyn Morris-Sayre, are also on display for purchase and viewing during the event.
Jump Up Deli and Dem Tings is opened Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. The store opens at 10am; the grill opens at 11am. You can find them in downtown Christiansted at 6 Company Street in the historic Apothecary Hall courtyard across from LEVELS VI. Check out their menu and see more of “dem tings” they offer by visiting their website at www.jumpupdeli.com. For takeout orders, call 340.712.0002.
Question: “I’m interested in buying land to build a commercial property. Who would I contact?”
Chris’s Answer:
The same lending institutions for home loans could potentially lend to build a commercial property. The Lender’s Commercial Loan Department handles this type of lending. They will require much of the same information in our other Q&A. It’s always a good idea to call to speak with a Commercial Loan Officer.
Question: “Can I use my lender in the states to get a loan for a property on St. Croix?”
Christie’s Answer:
It’s very important to use a lender who is licensed in the US Virgin Islands and complies with our laws.
Some Buyers do use a Home Equity Line of Credit Loan (HELOC). They are borrowing against the available equity in their stateside home and that house is used as collateral for the line of credit.
We would be happy to send you a complete list of licensed local and national lenders so that you have options. This includes both banks and mortgage companies. Contact us here!
The 27th annual Mango Melee Tropical Fruit and Mango Festival was held in at the St. George Village Botanical Garden in St Croix on July 9, 2023. This popular family-friendly event offers kids activities, educational workshops, food competitions, tropical fruit demonstrations and tastings, and the ever-popular Mango Eating Contests. Visitors enjoy local food and drinks, arts and craft vendors, cultural dance performances, Moko Jumbies, music and more throughout the day. As the VI Consortium reported, Yasmine Tuitt, 14, defended her title and emerged as the winner of the Mango Eating Competition for the second consecutive year at the 27th annual Mango Melee. 9-year-old Anita Thomas won the Mango Eating Competition in the children category. Congratulations!
Many local vendors also had tables selling mango and tropical fruit delicacies and products. It is a great annual event that brings the community together!
The St. Croix Source has some great photos, check it out here.
