Open since Dec. 15, 2022, Caledonia Wellness is located in the Upper Apothecary Courtyard in downtown Christiansted. Clientele can find their way to this specialty boutique from Luncheria Mexican Restaurant downstairs with entrance on Company Street or through the iron gates upstairs on Queen Cross Street.
Owner Arielle Rames has hand-picked and curated her boutique’s layout with items ranging from aromatherapy, essential oils, incense, and healthy drinks of green, black, and herbal teas to supplements, homeopathic products, and topical CBD products for muscle care and pain relief.
Caledonia Wellness offers local art by El’Roy Simmonds, Kevin Rames and other artists. (Kevin Rames is Rames’ father, self-taught in the art of carving and polishing semiprecious stones that become jewelry pieces.)
“My father is an intense and creative human. He has been working on the stones for close to two years. His goal was to help support me,” Rames said.
Candles and bath and body care products are plentiful on the shelves of this high-quality boutique, and jigsaw puzzles come in different shapes and sizes with images of sea creatures, mandalas and more.
Sexual wellness products are a special selection in the creative services at Caledonia Wellness. They are items that are often thought of as taboo, yet are perfect for taking care of the whole person, Rames said.
When Rames was in the Southeast United States., she worked as a barista at the Miami Starbucks, which proved to be very interesting for her. She was mostly on the cash register for her shift, interacting with the lines of people who were outside the door all day.
“There was a wide variety of types of people – from business professionals to ladies who wear outfits that match with those of their dogs. These folks were very distinct — very different groups of people. It was fascinating for me.”
“As a result, I became interested in psychology. I switched tracks. I was studying marine biology as an undergrad with a couple of psychology classes. Then, I did a master’s in psychology and a Ph.D. in psychology,” Rames said.
After graduation, Rames applied to the University of the Virgin Islands, at three different times, for a position as a psychology professor, but it never worked out, she shared.
Rames ended up working as a legal assistant on St. Croix. She also earned a license in massage therapy. When she returned home, Rames found challenges, after the destruction of Hurricane Maria, in getting a local business license as a massage therapist, she said.
“I want to be in the health and wellness space, so that’s where opening the store came from. With a suggestion from a friend, I opened Caledonia Wellness. It’s been working out well, and over time I can see it expanding.”
Rames offered a couple of paint nights and she could see that people were interested in doing more of them. “I feel that creative expression is a big part of wellness – an often ignored part of wellness. I plan to do another paint night at the end of January.”
She plans to provide more services and workshops and will make her space available for people in the community who may be interested in presenting their own workshops at Caledonia Wellness.
In terms of expansion, Rames would love to go further into the supplement space and into herbs, she said. “I would love to take a class in herbalism and learn how to treat people through that method.”
Rames offers personalized creative services and can advise her clients about the best products for their needs. Caledonia Wellness gives customers a unique shopping experience, she said.
“Caledonia Wellness is lovingly stocked with a variety of wonderful, thoughtful gifts. The atmosphere is relaxing and welcoming. Discover downtown Christiansted’s best kept secret — Caledonia Wellness.”
Caledonia Wellness is open Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Outside of those hours, Rames works as a legal assistant a few steps away and can be at the shop in a few minutes. There is a note on the door with her phone number.
For more information:
Follow Caledonia Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.
Please call 340-332-1900.
