PreviousShopping in Grand Bahama
Luxury items in smart shops
Whether bargain-hunting, searching for that special souvenir or simply grabbing a gift, Grand Bahama’s smart shops are sure to please.
The island’s two main shopping hubs–Port Lucaya Marketplace and the Freeport International Bazaar– include renowned boutiques offering the latest in designer goods, including clothing, handbags, shoes and jewellery.
And there’s more good news: The Bahamas has no sales tax so the price on the sticker is the price you pay.
Uniquely Bahamian
At John Heath Jewellers in Port Lucaya Marketplace, visitors are queueing up for some of the store’s uniquely Bahamian rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces designed by proprietor John Heath. Heath also owns Grand Bahama Jewellery Factory.
For a special keepsake, browse John Heath’s collection of Caribbean jewels, especially the Sea Spray collection, which features a green spinel gemstone set in 14 kt yellow-and-white gold. Another highlight is the exquisite Mark Henry Alexandrite collection. Also selling well are Trollbeads–a line of charms for bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings.
At the Grand Bahama Jewellery factory, “the Sea Oro Gems are uniquely Bahamian. They are made in The Bahamas, designed in The Bahamas and sold exclusively by us,” he says.
Super variety
One of The Bahamas’ oldest and best known department stores, John Bull, has an outlet in Port Lucaya Marketplace carrying luxury items from designer watches and sunglasses to cameras and perfume.
“Shoppers can get everything they want under one roof. John Bull has it all at one location,” says John Bull store manager Paula Robinson.
“Finding your favourite designer is easy with many famous brands available in-store, including Cartier, Chanel, Gucci and Calvin Klein.” Robinson says handbags are one of the most popular items on offer in Grand Bahama, especially those from Elliot Lucca and Dooney & Bourke. “They sell well because they are fine-quality leather handbags at a good price,” says Robinson.
Jewellery is also big this winter, and the hottest-selling brand is David Yurman. “David Yurman is very popular, and they are always bringing out new items,” says Robinson.
If you are looking for a treasured keepsake or buying for someone special, Colombian Emeralds is happy to help. This upscale store, which has outlets in Port Lucaya Marketplace and the Grand Bahama International Airport, carries a large range of dazzling lines from quality designers.
When it comes to current trends in the market, bigger is better, says Vivien Johnson, area retail manager for Colombian Emeralds.
“People are going for the fashion jewellery look rather than the high-end look … the larger pieces, like chunky watches and bracelets, are selling best,” she says.
Johnson says her store has begun carrying a new line of Philip Stein watches, which are equipped with something called Natural Frequency Technology. “The watches have a magnetic pulse to match the wearer‘s body rhythms,” says Johnson.
Heavenly scents
Perfume is a popular item with visitors because there are bargains galore at Grand Bahama’s many outlets.
Fragrance of The Bahamas in Freeport’s International Bazaar is a good place to start. This store offers unique Bahamian scents such as Goombay, Pink Pearl, Bay Rum and Guanahani. The latter is particularly popular with men due to its rich, spiced and woodsy scent.
The floral musk of Island Promises is a light, refreshing scent for women, but if none of the available perfumes take your fancy, Fragrance of The Bahamas makes it possible to mix your own.
Customers can become perfumers for the day at the company’s factory, located in an old Bahamian mansion in the International Bazaar. Guests are taken on a free tour of the premises before being given the chance to create, bottle and name their own perfume.
For a great choice of classic and designer brands at affordable prices, check out Parfum de Paris either at the Bazaar or in Port Lucaya Marketplace. The store carries a number of well-known brands such as Versace, Givenchy and Ralph Lauren.
Perfumes operations manager at City Associated Enterprises, which owns Parfum de Paris, is Melvern Pinder. She says the store has recently purchased several new lines that are expected to sell well in the winter season.
Among the new offerings are CK Beauty, In Love by Tresor, Gucci’s Guilty, Givenchy’s Play and Play Intense and Womanity by Thierry Mugler. The top new picks for men are Davidoff’s Champion and Bang by Marc Jacobs.
“Once you know someone, it is easy to shop for fragrances,” says Pinder, and “you have a wide variety to choose from.“ Parfum de Paris also sells handbags, watches and Swarovski crystal jewellery.
Island souvenirs
Beach lovers, scuba divers and water enthusiasts will find plenty to choose from at Sun & Sea Outfitters, the store attached to Grand Bahama’s legendary dive operation Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO) in Port Lucaya.
UNEXSO introduces visitors to the island’s resident dolphin population, guides them around the stunning coral reefs and teaches them how to dive. The company carries the full range of Sun & Sea Outfitters goods, which includes resort wear, dive gear, swim accessories and authentically Bahamian souvenirs.
“We have recently got in touch with a lot of Bahamian vendors, and we now have a lot of gift lines that are 100 per cent made in The Bahamas,“ says UNEXSO general manager Linda Osborne.
These items include a beautiful line of sterling silver jewellery made in Cherokee Sound in Abaco, Abaco ceramics, Androsia bags and prints from local artist TIFF Creations.
For interesting keepsakes and Bahamian-themed crafts and clothing, stop at the Bahamian Gifts and Apparel shop in the Port Lucaya Marketplace. Here you’ll find stunning Androsia clothing, beautiful native jewellery, straw work and unique conch-shell dolls. Bahamian Gifts and Apparel also carries locally prepared pepper sauce and an intriguing selection of coffees and teas, along with delicious Tortuga Rum Cake.
Another good spot for souvenir hunters is Oasis, a local store carrying Bahamian trinkets and other items. Located at the Grand Bahama International Airport, Port Lucaya Marketplace and Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Club, Oasis is the place to go when you are searching for an inexpensive gift to remind you of the islands long after your holiday has ended.
There’s more to Grand Bahama than its beautiful water and sun-kissed beaches. If you feel the need to get away from the sun lounger and indulge in some retail therapy, there’s lots to explore and plenty of bargains to be found.
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Shopping in Grand Bahama
Luxury items in smart shops
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