While some businesses didn’t have a banner week, Christmas season turned out to be good for many tourism-related businesses. Some owners and staff reported that people are spending more than Christmas week last year.
"Not a lot more, but they’re not splitting as many dinners," Lime Inn owner Chris Meyer said of customers at her St. John restaurant.
At the Greenhouse Restaurant on St. John, manager Charles Mojhar said the number of lunches sold Tuesday was the highest for the entire year.
"It was with the big ship—Oasis of the Seas—in town," he said.
That said, Mojhar said that customers were spending about the same as last year.
At the Deep End Restaurant on St. Croix, owner Loretta Erickson said at 11:20 a.m. Thursday that the breakfast customers had spilled over into lunch.
"We’re doing awesome. It’s been crazy busy, and we’re filled right now," she said.
Shops did well, though, at least one St. Croix business wasn’t having a particularly good week.
"It’s worse than last year," Pam Hough, daughter of owner Sonya Hough, said of business at Sonya’s. She then hustled off the phone to wait on a customer.
At Caravan Gallery on St. John, owner Radha Speer said that unlike last year’s Christmas week, shoppers were actually buying.
Last Christmas week, she said one customer was very interested in her jewelry and other wares, but said he couldn’t buy because he wasn’t sure he could even afford the St. John vacation.
In addition to visitors, Speer said she also got lots of locals shopping because they wanted to get out of the house.
"There is nothing like a rainy day for retail. We had a huge day on Wednesday," Speer said, referring to the day’s inclement weather.
Fresh Produce on St. Thomas did better than last Christmas season, manager Angie Geiger said. "We’ve done our expectations, so we’re happy," she said.
Sonia Jacobs Dow, director at the St. Croix Landmarks Society’s Whim Plantation Museum, said the attraction got most of its visitors from people staying at hotels, as well as local residents bringing their holiday guests by for a visit.
"And local people are buying gifts in the store. Our support is growing with local residents," Dow said.
As she spoke, a group of five people pulled up for a visit. Dow said this was a bit of a surprise because it was raining. She said that rain usually keeps visitors away.
At Paul and Jill’s Equestrian Stables on St. Croix, rain was also falling down. "We have ponchos in the saddle bags, but most people say they find the rain cool and refreshing," owner Paul Wojciechowski said.
He said business was down a bit over last Christmas week.
Visitors to St. John’s V.I. National Park were complaining a bit about the big swells on the North Shore beaches, Visitors Center volunteer Paula Savel said.
"We’re trying to direct them to the South Shore, but it’s not that easy to get there if they don’t have transportation," Savel said.
While rain and rough seas kept people out of the water, there was an increase in visitors to historic Annaberg Plantation, Savel said.
Limnos Charters on St. Thomas was busier last Christmas, office manager Doreen Phipps said. She said last year people booked their charter boat trips in advance, but this year most waited until Christmas Eve to sign up.
It was quiet this week and slower than last year’s Christmas week at St. Thomas Skyride, bookkeeper Alice Kintz said. "People just aren’t buying," she said.
At the Charter Boat Center on St. Thomas owner Al Day said business was good as it always is Christmas week. He said the company has boats that can take up to 12 passengers rather than the six that smaller boats can legally carry. Therefore, his boats are popular with vacation villa rental guests who arrive with many friends and family.
"But I’ve had more people than normal asking how much, how much," he said.
Low Key Watersports owner Anne Marie Estes put business at the St. John dive shop up by about 10 percent over last year.
"They’re doing activities, but we’re flat on retail," she said of business at the dive shop’s store.
While visitors may not be spending as much at her store, she said the attitude of the Christmas week’s guests changed from last year.
"I’m seeing a little more gratitude and humility. I think people are really happy to be here," Estes said.