Since 1983, Gourmet Gallery Food Emporium has been delighting residents and visitors on St. Thomas with attractive selections of fresh fruits and vegetables, quality meats and cheeses, wine, liquor, beer, sought-after specialty items — and so much more.
Recently, after the completion of extensive renovations and repairs due to Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the locally celebrated enterprise reopened in Havensight Mall, Building 6.
Family-owned and operated, company president Zakaria “Zak” Suid detailed the history of the business. “I first came to the Virgin Islands in 1969,” he said. “One of my first endeavors was distributing fresh bread flown in from Puerto Rico.” Early each morning, Zak would deliver ‘hot out of the oven’ bread to local restaurant and retail stores. “In 1983, I opened my Yacht Haven store in the former Ramada Hotel where the current Yacht Haven Grande complex is located,” he said.
Unfortunately, the thriving enterprise was destroyed by Hurricane Marilyn in 1995. Undeterred, Zak relocated to Crown Bay Marina and in 1998, he established the store’s current location in Havensight Mall.
Said Zak, “Since we also serve as a provisioner for charters, we carry a selection of foods from around the world that no other local grocery store can match.”
Above: Welcome to the newly refurbished Gourmet Gallery Food Emporium in Havensight Mall, Building 6.
Top of the page: Count on Gourmet Gallery to offer an attractive array of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Above: Gourmet Gallery Food Emporium features a fully stocked deli department as well as an inviting salad bar.
Above: Gourmet Gallery features an extensive selection of wine in all price ranges — displayed in row after row of handsome dark wood showcases.
Below: When it comes to coffee, Gourmet Gallery carries a terrific selection of name brands as well as Caribbean Calypso coffee.
Behind the scenes, Zak is a master at keeping the store stocked with popular items as well as essentials. “My first business taught me the difficulties in transporting perishable food products to a small island located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean,” he said, adding. “I became acutely aware of the need to develop relationships with suppliers on the mainland who I could rely on to send me what I wanted in an ‘on time’ schedule.”
Gourmet Gallery offers a wide range of foods from West Indian to Asian Indian and from American hamburgers to Italian pasta toppings. “Not only do we carry everything you need to prepare your own meals; Gourmet Gallery is the grocery store that also has an unparalleled selection of delicatessen items ready to eat right now,” he said.
Gourmet Gallery is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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For additional information, follow on Facebook or call 340-774-4948.
Today, in addition to the deli department, the salad bar also is a big hit with patrons. By the way, Gourmet Gallery also carries an array of locally made items such as jams, seasonings and hot sauces.
It comes as no surprise that Gourmet Gallery is hugely popular with charter boat chefs and provisioners. Addressing the charter yacht community Zak said, “We have the largest selection of gourmet foods and wines in the Caribbean…we help you conceptualize what you need and provide it to you with a minimum of time invested on your part…and with no fuss.”
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