TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Day of arrival??

Okay I thought I had this down but things have changed. It obviously depends on where your staying but after leaving the airport we've usually stopped somewhere on Welfare Rd. at a small convenience store (wife stays in the car) and I run in and get beer, drinks, a little liquor maybe, some juices, a few snacks, etc. Next day we've almost always gone to the grocery store in Cole Bay where Mark's is.

But now? Are there still a few stores between the airport and Belair (where we're staying this year)? It sounds like the big store that interests me is Super U (with Carrefour closed). OR, should I use Shop N' Drop or Belair services to stock a few things prior to arrival. I'd be very interested in hearing the current trends and ideas from those of you who have been there in the past few months.

Market Garden is right on the way. Maybe a little more expensive than some places for some items but fair prices on booze. Over all it would be much cheaper than shop and drop. There are others along the way too.

We use Shop N Drop to pre-stock our condo. Personally we hate having to stop on the way from the airport and love having a few supplies on hand to start our vacation. We also like Market Garden; lots of American products where we can find some of our favorites.

Another here who always uses ShopnDrop but I use Peapod here at home because I HATE almost any type of shopping. Yes, even trips to my favorite jewelry store are not my favorite. Jeannie never disappoints in the quality of her service or her merchandise and it really is very nice to arrive st our destination and be able to go straight to the fridge for a cold one, be that a dish of ice cream or a cold drink.

But as I recall and if things haven’t changed, there is a tiny little store st Belair that used to pack an incredible amount of things into a tiny little space.

Happy travels.......

Not sure about the store at Belair, but Divi has a small store that also packs a lot into a very small space. While at Divi, we bought some liquor at a small store just before the last right (where Great Bay used to be) on the way to Divi. We shopped at Sunny Foods quite a bit--very close to Divi and Belair with a large selection of goods. It's on Illidge Road--basically leaving Belair, come towards Divi, make the left past the remnants of Great Bay and go straight at the traffic light that no longer exists. The store is about five minutes away on the right. If you continue on that same road to the traffic circle, exit to the right and that will take you to Cost Pro which we also thought was a very good substitute until Carrefour opens. I liked both Sunny Foods and Cost Pro better than Fairway Mark It which was over in the neighborhood by Chesterfields. When we were there in late July, Cost U Less was still struggling and selling only dry goods. I think I read somewhere that it was scheduled to be fully operational very soon.

Ditto crsxm SUNNY FOODS. In the past they always had lower prices than the market next to Mark's Place.

Thanks everyone. I actually like food shopping, especially on the island. And I also like looking at and trying non-American items so a trip to Super U will definitely be in the plan.

After the basics upon arrival we go to Super U. Love it there looking at all the never seen before items. But be careful about buying some to cook that requires you to read directions if you don't read French. HA! Meats always look great there but we don't cook much on vacation.

All the Chinese shops along that road are up and running as usual. If that's where you stopped, they will still be there!

Please let me know what you end up doing we are also staying at the Belair, and we were thinking the same thing!

Ellen

Belair used to have a little store for basics. Not sure if they still do. We used to go there upon arrival at Divi because Divi's store was more expensive/

I've always enjoyed stopping at small local places wherever I'm at so I'll probably stick with with my current 'first few hours on the island' plan that I've always used. After all, part of my intention is to spread what little wealth that I can bring with me to help island recovery.

If I may, slightly change the subject, how about sun screen? What's the best and where is it available?

On SXM this week. We had shopndrop deliver the heavy stuff and the essentials for the first day. We went to Sunny Foods on Sunday and we’re disappointed. The veggies were really hit or miss and we couldn’t even find chicken thighs in there meat section. Maybe we picked a bad day. We went to Fairway Mark It today and liked it much better. The Divi store is still expensive as should be expected for on property grocery.

It's my understanding that the store @ Belair is open for business.
We usually got sundries there but would go down to Divi for morning pastries.
We will be back to Belair this Dec/Jan. Missed last year for the 1st time in 30+ years.