Shopping Island Style in the Turks and Caicos Islands
Where When How Turks & Caicos Islands May / June 2012
Shopping in Paradise
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a unique destination. The many visitors we welcome annually, perhaps you included, will marvel at the unspoiled beauty of these islands. They will delight in our pristine white sand and the remarkable clarity and hue of our famous turquoise water, within which one can experience some the very best diving the Caribbean has to offer.
Purchase a special keepsake or watch at JAIS Duty Free in Grace Bay
These same guests will rave about the world class dining opportunities presented by our islands’ chefs, and the many luxurious spas where it’s possible to melt away the residual cares of life in the real world. Many will also be thrilled with our award winning 18–hole golf course and the wide variety of water sports practised here.
There’s just one more thing we can finally brag about: Shopping!
Cool casual clothing and accessories at RUMEURS Boutique at Caicos Cafe Plaza
Providenciales’ busiest shopping area is, by far, Grace Bay. As new stores moved into the shopping plazas located along Grace Bay Road, many of our existing stores followed the trend and have gradually relocated as well. This has resulted in a centralised shopping ‘district’ on Providenciales. This is good news for tourists and residents alike; a casual afternoon stroll allows you to hit many of the fun and trendy, or classic and elegant stores on island.
Books, Gifts, Games and Toys at the UNICORN on Leeward Highway
The Saltmills can’t be missed on Grace Bay Road. Gleaming white and Caribbean blue, the plaza is home to the Grace Bay branch of First Caribbean Bank as well as several stores, restaurants and services. Directly across the street from The Saltmills you will find The Regent Village, our newest retail centre. Here you will see restaurants and services as well as many retail businesses. Take advantage of the pleasant shaded courtyard for a break from shopping or to plan your next purchases! A little further East along Grace Bay Road, across from The Seven Stars Resort, you will find Ports of Call, Providenciales’ original shopping destination in Grace Bay. Two levels of shops and restaurants will be happy to serve you, so take your time and visit each.
Dining and Shopping for Clothing, Gifts, Artwork, Ceramics and Souvenirs at THE SALTMILLS
Not to be overlooked are the boutiques and shops at our resorts. There are opportunities to find a good deal as well as something special and unique to wear. Clothing, jewellery and even mementos and gifts can all be found within steps of your front door!
A little farther afield, more shopping can be found in various locations along the Leeward Highway from the Graceway Plaza (home to IGA as well as many other shops) all the way to downtown, including the stores at Central Square, and our décor and home hardware store.
Locally Made Grass Baskets and Conch Shells are popular Souvenirs of the Turks and Caicos Islands
If you’re a last minute shopper, there are a couple of great little stores at the airport’s departure lounge. You can get everything from high–end jewellery to traditionally handcrafted treasures.
For many people shopping is more than a way to kill time; it’s an important part of the overall enjoyment of any holiday. Whether the items you choose are meant to commemorate a milestone trip with loved ones, a chance to show those left behind you were thinking of them, or an added touch of decadence to an already indulgent vacation, shopping in our archipelago has everything you could wish for, and more.
Walking, Running and Beach Shoes, Sports Clothing and Under Armour at ISLAND SPORTIQUE
A very healthy arts community, inspired by our Beautiful By Nature islands, provides local shops and galleries with limitless creative labours of love. It’s possible to find ceramics, sculpture, hand–made accessories such as jewellery and handbags, paintings, CDs of locally produced musical compositions, illustrations, photography and paintings.
Aside from the many beautiful hand–made adornments created by local artisans, you may want to take advantage of our duty–free shops to pick up a high–end piece of jewellery or a beautiful watch from our top–of–the–line jewellery store. You can also commission one–of–a–kind works from Jai, who designs exceptional pieces using precious stones and metals. Jai’s work is renowned and examples can be viewed at his flagship shop on Grace Bay Road in the Regent Village, or at Jai’s location in the departure lounge of Providenciales’ airport. An affiliated store is also located in The Regent Village; called Just Jai’s, the shop carries different product lines including designer names in both jewellery and sunglasses. If you happen to be visiting Grand Turk, you will be happy to note there is also a Jai’s store at the Cruise Ship Terminal!
Local Artists - Jewellery and Artwork Inspired by the Turks and Caicos Islands to be found at ART PROVO
Conch Shells are something of a rarity on other islands where the Queen Conch is an endangered species. Our own population of the marine gastropod mollusc is quite healthy so the Turks and Caicos Islands are one of the very few places in the world it is legal to procure one of these beautiful shells. Be sure to purchase the shell already polished from one of our retailers, and retain your receipt so you can prove it was bought in the Turks and Caicos Islands! Please don’t remove them from the beach within the Marine Park, it’s not allowed and besides, you never know who might be living there – or getting ready to move in! Island crafters have also managed to find interesting ways of transforming Conch shells into practical works of art. So far, we have seen serving dishes & spoons, coffee mugs, jewellery, trivets, nightlights, and even a chandelier!
Modern works of art aren’t the only evidence of the creative energy here, you will also find many traditionally made crafts. Baskets fashioned with skills handed down through many generations make special gifts or mementos that also support the heritage and culture of these islands. The men and women who make the baskets spend countless hours perfecting their weaving and many of the baskets are so well made they are watertight! Another very special keepsake from the Turks and Caicos Islands is a hand–carved model boat. A variety of styles are made, and boat carving is another art form handed down through the ages; each carver has a signature that, to a trained eye, allows his boats to be recognised as his work. These models can be raced in an annual regatta that brings island children and adults together to cheer on their favourite.
DIVE PROVO features Diving and Snorkelling Gear, T-Shirts, casual Clothing and Beach Wear along with Souvenirs
More unique products of the Turks and Caicos Islands include a range of salt goods! Resurrecting a long–dormant industry, a group of folks on Salt Cay are turning out culinary salts, as well as bath salts and scrubs. You might also enjoy some of their island made goat milk and glycerin bath soaps.
Island roasted coffee is one of our most popular exports! You can get it at island grocery stores and in several shops. It goes very nicely with a slice of Bambarra Rum Cake, also a popular, and tasty, souvenir. Spice rubs, hot sauces, teas, and scented products are all available; take home the tastes and aromas of The Turks and Caicos Islands!
A Centrally Located Shopping Village in Grace Bay PORTS OF CALL recently got a bright facelift
Like most of our visitors, you’ve probably discovered your favourite spot on the beach. If you’d like to remember that special patch of sand with more than photos, it’s possible to have a painting commissioned by one of our artists who will have it sent on to you on completion; after all, it would be difficult for someone who hasn’t been here to accurately capture our very unique shades of turquoise!
Anything you buy that is made here in the Turks and Caicos Islands can be taken home with you duty–free, be sure to hang onto your receipts! If you fall head over heels for something in one of our galleries and it looks as though it may be difficult to transport back home, don’t worry, there’s always a way to have it packed to carry, or shipped directly to your home, you need only ask!
Locally Handmade Pottery, Ceramics, Jewellery and Paintings at PARADISE ARTS
It’s not always easy to stay on top of fashion trends in the Caribbean, but in the Turks and Caicos Islands, we are fortunate to be home to a variety of shops catering to every style. It’s possible to express your inner self whether you’re a sporty hipster, yoga guru, elegant urbanite, glam diva, bohemian flower child, or an easy–going island girl! Our stores carry unique pieces as well as brand name and designer items sought after in the United States, Canada and Europe, often for prices that can’t be found anywhere else! The additional benefit of no sales tax is an extra incentive to update your wardrobe while taking a break from the beach!
If you’re looking for knickknacks and trinkets to take home you can find pretty much anything and everything with a Turks and Caicos theme. T–Shirts are popular items and many independent stores, resort boutiques, dive shops, restaurants, and bars carry their own unique designs. There are also the standard key chains, fridge magnets, pens, caps, flip–flops, shot glasses…the list goes on! If you have a collector in your life, you can definitely provide them with their particular brand of kitsch!
WISH Boutique is one of several shops at The REGENT PALMS RESORT
No matter who you’re buying for, or what your heart desires, we’re very confident that one of our many shops or artists will be able to provide something to help you capture the peaceful island vibe we’re so famous for. Take a little piece of paradise home, you won’t be sorry you did.
Care was taken to ensure correctness of information at press time. Information is subject to change without notice. Ad Vantage Ltd. accepts no responsibility for such alterations or for typographical errors or omissions. Entire contents of this page may not be reproduced in any manner without written permission of Ad Vantage Ltd. © May / June 2012 Where When How - Turks & Caicos Islands.
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