Sure, on St. Croix we don’t spend the first part of spring moving our sweaters to the back of the closet or putting the snowblower in storage, but we certainly welcome the change of the season. The days get a little longer, the ocean a littler warmer. The farmer’s market is bursting with colorful produce and delicious smells. The busy-ness of high season starts to wind down.
Some of my personal favorite activities of Spring are St. Croix Food and Wine Experience (April 8-12) and Taste of St. Croix (April 14). Events range from a barbecue at the Frederksted pier to the elegant Cork & Fork dinners held at spectacular private homes to a showcase of the best of St. Croix’s hospitality talent. It truly is the tastiest week in the Caribbean!
In a recent issue of The Avis, headlines boasted “Major tax benefits for businesses in Christiansted revitalization plan” and “Open for business! New storefronts spring up in C’sted”.
Tax benefits include 90% exemption on income taxes, 100% exemption on gross receipts taxes, and 100% exemption on property taxes for up to eight years for businesses that fall under specific criteria. Learn more from the United States Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority.
A walk around cozy downtown Christiansted will lead you to your long-time favorites, as well as some new favorites, like Milk & Honey, Savor St. Croix, Toast Diner and Shupe’s on the Boardwalk. The much anticipated openings of the Caravelle Hotel and Casino and balter, a fine-dining restaurant, will be two great steps toward an even more vibrant downtown.
Out West, Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge is now closed for turtle nesting season. Two miles of continuous sandy beach, deep near shore water access and lack of fringing reef provide ideal conditions and nesting habitat for leatherback sea turtles. A turtle siting is always a special moment here!
New restaurants and activities are also popping up in Frederiksted, like Paradise on the Waterfront and East End Watersports’ new fly board. We’re thrilled for our clients, Kathy and Randy, who in December celebrated one year as owners of Caribbean Breeze Apartments and Vacation Homes in downtown Frederiksted, walking distance to beaches, dining and nightlife. Thanks to Clean Sweep Frederiksted, brightly colored murals make the streets of town come alive.
No matter where you are, we hope you enjoy the new colors, sites, sounds and tastes that Spring brings.
Warm regards,
The Fedeles Team
Twice voted Best Real Estate Broker on St. Croix. Coldwell Banker President's Circle three years in a row. 