Virgin Islanders have a chance to support local craftsmanship as the Made In USVI pop-up shop returns to Frederiksted Thursday.
Through Dec. 2, locally made items will be for sale at the Dorsch Center for the Arts across from The Fred Hotel, said Celina Morris, director of marketing for the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority.
Expect to find locally-made food, drink, clothing, jewelry, bags, hats, home goods, art, books, spa items, woodwork, candles, artwork, and more, Morris said.
There will also be live entertainment. On Thursday, Deri’andra Tucker will perform and on Friday, the Virgin Islands classic band Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights is scheduled to perform.
The EDA promotes the annual event as part of its efforts with American Express Neighborhood Champion for the Shop Small movement, the Enterprise Zone Commission, and the Virgin Islands Council for the Arts, said Nadine Marchena Kean, managing director of the Enterprise Zone Commission.
“Bringing the Made in the USVI pop-up shop to St. Croix each year is a special treat for us and demonstrates our support of local manufacturers,” Marchena Kean said. “There are a variety of items from our talented artisans across the territory in one location, making it easy to give your holiday shopping a unique USVI twist or to treat yourself to a piece of art or item of clothing that represents our rich culture.”
The experience also allows for greater community participation and socializing, as opposed to the isolation of online shopping, she said.
The holiday event started in 2018 on St. Thomas and expanded to St. John and St. Croix. This year’s St. Croix pop-up shop will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Dec. 2.
The St. Thomas Made in the USVI pop-up shop is set to open Dec. 14. A full-time Made in the USVI kiosk opened in Charlotte Amalie’s Vendor’s Plaza earlier this year.
