TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Grand Marche - Simpson Bay

I can't find it on a map but their website says they have a Simpson Bay location. From SBR, can someone give me quick directions? I think I need to torn right on Welfare Rd - what after that?

OR is the Market Garden just as good or better in terms of stock and prices?

Le Grand Marche has been closed for some time at Simpson Bay location. Market Garden prices are higher than Grand Marche in Cole Bay. We use Market Garden for a quick run in for a few items.

Their location in Simpson Bay is closed. They do have a location in Cupecoy. We like Market Garden and find they have fresher products.

Ok, that explains it! Would you choose Market Garden over the Maho Market or whatever it is called by the roundabout? I've never liked the Grand Marche at Cole Bay, unfortunately.

We really liked the service ans selection of Market Garden. Although our boat was across the street at Simpson Bay Marina. we were very happy with the liquor, deli, meats and seafood.

As other people have said, unfortunately, the GM in Simpson Bay is closed. We used to go there all the time for a quick bottle of wine, etc. I personally think Market Garden's prices and selection are not nearly as good as the GM's. There is a GM in P'burg, by the roundabout and Mark's and Cost U Less. The GM in Cole Bay (as well as the one in P'burg) now carry several french products, by the brand name Carrefour, and they are excellent bargains. In addition, my personal opinion of the best grocery store with the best prices, including GREAT prices on wine, is the Super U, in Marigot, where the Match used to be, if you are a long time visitors. Super U is on the french side, but they do 1 to 1 on the Euro for the dollar. There were several stories in the Daily Herald recently, stating that the Super U had by better prices than any other grocery store on island.

Thanks for the info. Maybe we will pick up the bare necessities the evening we arrive at Market Garden or Peli Deli and go by Howell Center on our way back from visiting folks in Grand Case on day 2. Very helpful, thanks!

Oh yes, definitely if you're going to the French side, DO stop by the Super U!!! And a little tip, if you're kind of dumb like us, those handy little baskets have WHEELS on the bottom, and a handle, so you can roll them! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Good to know! I'm sure we will load it up. Thanks, again.

I was just there tonight and they won't let you take the red little carts beyond the register...so I had to go outside and get a regular cart to put the beer into

Can't find their hours online.
Anyone know when they are open on Sundays?
TIA

9.am to 2.00pm on Sundays.

I read TTOL everyday. I guess I missed something. The Grand Marche in Cole Bay, across the causeway, is closed?? When did it close?? That store was so convenient for us as we stay at Simpson Bay beach. What is in that building now?

No, I don't think it's that store that's closed. It's the Gourmet Marche in Simpson Bay that's closed.

If you re- read the posts you will see it is the Gourmet Grande Marche in Simpson Bay at end of runway that closed... Cole bay is open and a good quick place to shop without venturing further towards Marigot

Thanks for the clarification. We seem to buzz over to the Grande Marche frequently. Counting the days until March 12 when we will have 3 fabulous weeks in our favorite vacation spot.

Over the causeway, it's not much further to the Super U (where the old Match was). Check it out. I think they have the best prices on island right now..

Distance wise its not far but travel time can be much more given the traffic situation and the returning route through Marigot to Simpson Bay area.

Possibly, but the trip is worth it, to me.

Is the Super U in the Howell Center, Carol?

Just don't get your ice cream or frozen food and expect to have them make the trek back still frozen going through that Marigot traffic unless you have a very good cooler. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Carol, Does the Super U have the usual combination of U.S. and French (products/labels), or does it lean more towards products from France?

Most products are from France.

And at good prices.

Super U is a nice store, but a knowledge of the French language is an added bonus. I was glad I can read French, as all the products have french names and instructions. Lots of people have bought things that they thought they knew, but it turned out to be something entirely different! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> They were quite surprised. This of course mainly happens with packaged products. Fruit, meat and wine are never a problem for most people. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Yes, it is in the Howell Center

As others have said, mostly french products, very few US labels. Knowing French is a help, yes. (...which we don't, except for a few words, but we made out ok..) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> We thought it was quite part of the fun, trying to figure out some of the words and pictures!

We went there several times in June and had no problem with traffic, but June is low season.

Yes, as jamie said. And they have more parking than Match used to.

I'm confused on the location

I thought Super U was the store near the french side bridge
but Howell center is on the way through Marigot

What is the store near the bridge?

J&B

Simply Market.

By the bridge, do you mean the new causeway? That store is the Cole Bay Grand Marche.

It all makes sense now
I thought the store near the bridge was a Simply, but with everyone talking about Marigot and Super U, I thought maybe I was mistaken - couldn't figure out why the Marigot Simply had better pricing than the Simply Grande Case store! Now I know.

Will stop and check it out this winter

Thanks
J&B

No, he's talking about the store by french side bridge in Sandy Ground, which used to be the US Market.. I think that is a Simply now, although we haven't stopped there in a while.

Staying in simpson bay so where is the best place to buy good meat. Is there a grand marche open near simpson.

The closest GM to Simpson Bay now is probably the one in Cole Bay. Go to the causeway toward the french side. Once you get to the other side of the causeway, make a right and it will be very close, on the right hand side. For other stores, there is the Market Garden, at the bottom of Billy Folly Road, but I personally don't care for their meat and I think their prices are high.

thanks, will go to cole bay

Depending on the day of the week we have found some decent cuts of meat (and fish) at Cost-U-Less...sounds weird but it is definitely hit and miss..

Great looking Snapper one day and then a few days later nada..

I don't know if they still do, but Cost-U-Less use to have their own butchers and they worked with whole sides of beef.

A couple weeks ago, the Cole Bay GM was undergoing a big remodel project mostly on the produce side of the store. It was looking nice!