Call Janet (773) 724-0109 or
Brian (917) 678-5315
Call Brian (917) 678-5315
St John vacation rentals owners’ and guests’ favorite gardener. Meet the irrepressible Josephine Roller and hear her vision about composting post storm organic materials instead of throwing them in the dump. We’ve had so much organic wood-based waste to dispose of after the Hurricane IRMA and she is very outspoken about what should be done. She has met with USVI Governor Mapp about this concept but has not received a green light.
Josephine’s vision is both philanthropic and environmentally correct. The Ball Field by the Moravian Church in Coral Bay has been the staging area for stuff that needed to be disposed. An ongoing movement, Josephine said she is willing to compost it all and give it out to neighbors.
I met Josephine 20 years ago when I was beginning to landscape at Mooncottage. She knows everything when it comes to plants. I call her “Doctor” … as she has a PHD in Agriculture and once ran the Dept of Agriculture facility here in Coral Bay. And, she’s enigmatic and energetic the proprietor of the only Organic Farm on St John. I asked her why vines started to grow right after the hurricanes. She said, “Nature doesn’t like to be naked, so they filled in temporarily.” (BIG laugh from her after). Classic Josephine.
Also seen on this video is her son Hugo Jr. He works on the farm. Their daughter Mimi was on the USVI Olympic sailing team. Both Hugo Jr. and Mimi are the most physically beautiful young athletes and nicest people you’ll ever want to meet.
Josephine’s Greens are famous here on St John and St Thomas and are carried by most all of the grocery stores, but you can always stop by their working farm to pick up eatables like amazingly spicy arugula, micro mix, spinach, tomatoes when in season, herbs, papaya, etc. … and beautiful plants and orchids for the garden.
We villa owners know Josephine very well, with her BIG laugh and BIG smile. She and husband Hugo have managed the Coral Bay Garden Center as long as I’ve been here and that was 1998. Her store in the valley in Coral Bay was pretty badly beat up in Hurricane Irma … but they are gradually rebuilding and are doing a great job. Stop in and see her.
When you come down for vacation at Mooncottages St John Cottage Rentals or anywhere else on the island, take a ride out to Mumbo Jumbo in Coral Bay. It’s in the same complex as Skinny’s restaurant where the famous burgers are are served. Vanessa runs Mumbo Jumbo in Coral Bay with great beach wear, spices, souvenirs, flip flops and the best of vibes on the planet.
I’ve personally known Vanessa and Larry Clarke for over 15 years. They have two amazing kids and work darn every day. Larry you can’t miss with a shock of blond hair–in fact, they ALL have blonde hair. Larry also has a trucking business in Coral Bay as is a fireman that lives often right at the bottom of the hill where our villas are and where the firehouse currently. Good guy to know for a lot of important reasons if you own or manage a rental villa 🙂
Open almost anytime you should be awake, Mumbo Jumbo has something fun and reasonable to please the kids or family in between going to the beaches on our lovely St John. We’ll write up something about Skinny’s another time, the venerable hamburger joint often with music on random evenings. Always fun to mix the two events–eating and shopping!
Stop in & tell ‘em we sent ‘cya.
On your next stay at Mooncottages St John Villa Rentals, stop literally down the hill to pick up what you need at the Calabash Boom Market. The suave and kind Ali runs this very well stocked and clean family business with his wife Maria. Often they have local fish right out of the ocean from our local fisherman. But always a little of everything is available. Fresh sausage, steaks and chicken for the grill. Did I mention how well this Deli in Coral Bay was maintained and stocked? They are just the nicest people … and SO close to Mooncottages, just right down the hill.
This store is right on the way into Coral Bay and is a life-saver for locals as well as St John Vacation Rentals guests. Mustafa is the eloquent and articulate owner of Coral Bay’s venerable and extensively stocked grocery store since 2001 – Love City Market. When storms hit in September, he donated perishable goods to the community. When his generator power was finally back, they were providing sustainable goods to the community at all hours.
Now, that the clouds have cleared and our St John Villa Rentals are up and running and better than ever, guest and locals alike love … Love City Market. Open “early to very late” – 6:30AM – 9:30PM.
Mustafa is a very nice man but a very serious businessman and cares about his establishment. His son also works at the store “dawn to very late” with other employees tirelessly. Tremendous people. When you come to Coral Bay on your St John villa vacation, please stop at Love City Market and say Hi … and buy stuff. He’s been local resident on St John with family and friends since 1992 and is here to stay. When all else fails, these guys are usually open and always friendly with fresh produce, an extensive wine and liquor collection and anything else you might want.
On your next stay at Mooncottage or anywhere near Coral Bay, try shopping at the new deli in Coral Bay called Calabash Market. The suave and kind Ali runs this very well stocked and clean family business with his wife. Sometimes they have local fish, but always a little of everything is available. Fresh sausage, steaks and chicken for the grill. Did I mention how well this Deli in Coral Bay was maintained and stocked? They are just the nicest people … and SO close to Mooncottages, just right down the hill. 340-775-7172 They have an ATM there too!
The kind and helpful and suave Ali always there to help.
Calabash Market produce is always fresh
