TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Where to get Groceries in Grand Case?

We are arriving next week. Staying 2 weeks in a condo on Grand Case beach. We have not stayed in Grand Case before. We took a taxi last year and spent a day on this beach and loved it. We will be taking a taxi from the airport to the condo. Do you have any suggestions for buying groceries on the way to Grand Case? We stayed last year in Marigot and walked to the grocery store "Simply". Are there any grocery stores like that and French Bakeries in Grand Case? Last year we walked most mornings to the local French bakery in Marigot for baguettes and pasteries. Thanks....

On the way to GC, depending on which way you go, you will go by a couple of grocery stores. Probably the easiest way would be to take the Causeway from the airport and go to the Grand Marche in Cole Bay (Dutch side) or stop by the Simply Market in Hope Estates. I don't think there are any grocery stores in GC any more. There was a US Market in Grand Case and I think they closed. There is a bakery almost at the corner of Grand Case Boulevard, very roughly across the street and down a bit from where LeBounty used to be. Truthfully, I think you're going to have some problem with getting groceries there without a car.

Oh, no....do you mean the big market outside of Grand Case that is in the shopping center is closed? I don't remember the road....The last time we were there (2 yrs ago) they were doing great....

No, no! There used to be a grocery store IN Grand Case, roughly across from the Pirate restaurant. The Simply Market is technically in Hope Estate. That's what you are talking about, I'm sure. The OP is staying IN Grand Case and that would be a long walk with groceries and no car.

Its been a while since I've shopped there, but there used to be a very small local grocery on the north end of the GC strip, on the bay side of the street. Have they closed?

I forgot about that one, it may still be there, I don't know.

There is a new supermarket in the Howell Center in Marigot that opened in the spot that has been unoccupied for a few years now. You will drive right by it on your way to Grande Case.

Thanks for the clarification! So glad to know the market is still in business...we will be there in May!

Thanks for the replies. We are staying at the south end of the beach near Le Petite Hotel. Are there any type of stores located in Grand Case where we can get groceries?

Tim--I THINK that the answer is no, not in Grand Case per se. Simply in Hope Estate is not far at all in a car, but too far to walk with groceries.

Isn't Le Bounty on the main road (next to the boulangerie) walking distance from Le Petit Hotel?

Yes, as far as I know LeBounty is still there. I think of them much more for prepared foods than groceries but you could certainly get some things there.

If you are staying near Le Petite Hotel, there was (and may still be) a grocery store a couple of doors down from the pharmacy. Have the basic stuff (wine, milk, coffee, etc.) but no produce or meat that I recall. The grocery store is maybe 5 minutes from Le Petite Hotel. There is also another grocery store on the main drag a few doors down from Cottage. We always stay at Grand Case Beach Club and never rent a car but on our first full day, have a cab pick us up and take us to the Simple in Hope Estates. Make an afternoon of it -- go to lunch at Bacchus (wonderful!!!), check out their wines and gourmet foods, walk over to Simple and stock up on what is needed, and then have the cab pick you up. From Le Petite Hotel on the highway, it is a 10 minute ride at most.

OK, thanks for posting the info.

Carol, Le Bounty has been replaced by a bakery. I haven't stopped in there and I noticed the sign still said Le Bounty, but apparently it is a bakery now. The bakery that was in Orleans moved there months ago but I guess they like the sign. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

OK, we drove through but didn't stop.

Is bacchus a wine shop as well as restaurant?

yes, nice selection of wines !

Bacchus is a wine shop, rum shop, cigar room, gourmet prepared foods and the Caribbean distributer for Nespresso.
They started out as a specialty wine store in Marigot and have expanded after moving to Hope Estates.
They also have an outpost at the airport in the departure lounge.

Will our taxi be willing to stop for us at a grocery store on the way from the airport to Grand Case?

Yes, just tell them that when you get into the cab and confirm what the price will be, before you get in the cab.

It is so close to get to Simply from GCBC (2.5km).....I think if it were me I would check into my room and eat a lunch at sunset cafe and then figure out how to get to Simply and back by talking to GCBC staff and having them call in a taxi. The hotel shuttle taxi the GCBC introduced last year for the dinner crowd might even be able to get you there and back for low $.

If Simply is the one on the right going from Grand Case to Orient this is our favorite grocery store we have found on the island. First shopped there while staying at Orient a couple of years ago (think it had a different name then), and when staying at Nettle Bay this year we ended up back there after checking out a couple others. Of course my wife says I just like driving around the island and I have to admit this is true...

You can always take one of the local buses up to Hope Estate and shop at Simply. We do it all the time, costs $1 per person each way. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Simply is very good, though checkout is inadequate at times.

@Ghjr, you are correct the "Simply" market in Hope Estate was still U.S. Market in 2011. I think they changed the name in 2012. Great Supermarket... and the main reason my better half will never travel with just a carryon. The big suitcase is for the French grocery products and toiletries she loves to bring back home. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the suggestion. When we are in a different country we like to live like the locals. We will take a bus to Simply in Hope Estate on the first full day that we are there. We arrive tomorrow. Can't wait!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

We are starting our second week in Grand Case. In case anyone else wants to know I thought I would post accurate and correct information to my question. There are 2 small grocery stores in Grand Case with all the necessary grocery items. There is also the French bakery a couple of doors over with all the baked goods and breads that you will need.
We have gone each day to the bakery to get our baguettes and croissants and pasteries. We went by bus yesterday to Hope Estates to the Simply Grocery store. It is very large and has more that you would ever imagine for French goods such as cheeses, wine, meats.

Thanks for posting the update. When you say "all the necessary grocery items", do they have meat at the small grocery stores?

Yes they have meat. I forgot to mention that both grocery stores take 1 US $ for 1 Euro. That is a nice saving.

Aren't the two stores in-town more like party stores? I would think they would be very low volume in regards to freshness but you never know a lot of the people living in town probably grab items there out of convenience. Just like your ordinary north American party store.

As for the bakery you speak about......I will second that it is worth the walk. Not just for fresh bread and sweet pastries but their cheese and meat based pastries are also a good source protein

No one yet has mentioned Jeannie's grocery delivery service

Ok well let me chip in as no one else has yet... I do deliver and pre stock at grand case beach club the girls there no me well... you can go online at www.shopndropgrocerysxm.com and place the order...

Sorry I realize I made a mistake about your location even if you are not staying at GCBC I should still be able to assit you if you decide to use the service.

Glad the bus worked out. We get beer, wine etc. at Best Choice supermarket on the main road, great prices. Where are you staying in Grand Case?

We are staying at Pavillon Beach condos.