What do the USVI's need?

No walmart 😉 there is a Kmart though.

I see lots of car mechanics & parts stores around (though I'm unsure of the quality of the mechanics, seems fine though) lots of grocery & convenient stores.

I'd say it's pretty well covered here; if you could figure out some sort of production business that would be helpful, but I cannot think of what really.

Advertising is very low / poor on the island from what I can tell, there's room for marketing improvement.

But I'm a newbie, so grain of salt etc...

A good Bakery is something I miss - on STT the instore one at Plaza Extra does a good job but a real bakery with all kinds of goods, donuts, sweets, pastries, breads, cakes etc.

In the words of the dearly departed Warren Zevon "Send lawyers, guns, and money".
On second thought we've got more than enough of the first two.

To strictly answer your title question, I think the USVI needs un-corrupt, un-selfish, honest, open to change, fiscally responsible, non-partisan, unbiased, impartial, top down government leadership. But that's probably out of your realm.

We have most everything from a commercial standpoint. and I can't think of any areas that are under represented. If looking to do something and be successful with your own business, you have to evaluate the competition and beat them on service - or possibly price, which is harder to do within our established infrastructure. If you do well by your customers your reputation will earn you business, do poorly and you might be able to eek out an existence for a while but will eventually not survive (unless of course you can find a monopoly niche).

Best advice is to move here, get a job, learn the ways of the island, and then find where you can perceive a gap. Of course make sure it's something you can be passionate about as all the money and prestige won't be worth much if you hate what you are doing.

Welcome.

We have a Walgreens that will be opening soon on STT.

i second islandhops

In my opinion anything that can convert waste into energy. We have too much garbage here. We need cheaper energy.

there is a Kmart though

*ahem*

We have TWO Kmarts.

Gotta take your pride where you can.

Apple store with genius bar.
Korean Spa.
Trader Joes.

If there is going to be a large department store on island, would prefer to.see a target over Kmart any day.

Better paved roads would be cool.

Jobs

Politicians with integrity?

I mean, while we're dreaming.

Trader Joes

Yeah, and I want a sparkle unicorn.

Never happen until they get the WAPA under control. I don't know how half the grocery stores on island stay open with the cost of refrigeration. That's why it costs eight bucks for a half gallon of milk.

There are many national chains that have specific demographic needs that will never be available in the USVI, IMO. With a diverse population of only 50,000 per island, there just not enough people who would shop at Trader Joes, for example. And their cost of shipping, if they could even ship, would be very high.

Exit Zero, have you tried Sweetie Pie's? They are next to Gas Works in Bovoni. Pretty good stuff there, not the best bakery I have ever been to, but worth trying.

I'd like to see more options for groceries and a mail service on the East End of STT, personally. Like those ladies at Red Hook Mail Center just fine, but they are S.L.O.W. and the price of a box there per month is pretty high for what you get. It would be nice to see updated computers and a printer for use at a reasonable price. And now that Marina Market is closed, unless you want to run all the way to Tutu, your only option is Food Center for groceries. At least the clerks at Marina Market would speak to you, not so at Food Center. After two years of shopping there, smiling, remembering my manners and offering proper greeting to everyone, complimenting blouses, hair dos and fingernail polish, I still don't exactly get a warm fuzzy feeling when I leave Food Center.

While we are dreaming of better roads, less garbage, and better customer service, let me throw in there a reliable transportation system! Whether it is a bus system with posted routes and schedules that are adhered to at reasonable rates or making those danged safaris safer and adding a couple of more loops to those (Mandahl, down to the Ritz, etc)

Amen to that VIsnorkeler.

Reliable public transportation is non existent for most places in STT and STJ.
Forget it if you live Northside or just keep dreaming.................................

hey, we have paved roads around the time of the triathlon

PHO!!!!! I miss good pho and Vietnamese food!

PHO!!!!! I miss good pho and Vietnamese food!

YES!

There was a Pho place everywhere you looked in Alaska where I came from, I'm pretty sure there was a family running a pho shop out of the back of my truck for a whie there (or maybe I just wen't for Pho too often...)

Pho and a Thai ice tea... HEAVEN!

I had to look up pho - looks like it is better than Ramen noodles - I'll have to get some.

We need: nurses, teachers, certain physician specialists (got plenty of orthopedic surgeons, but could use palliative care specialists, more neurologists, rheumatologist, another dermatologist), librarians (and for the library to open for them), social workers, clinical dieticians.

We need long term care facilities and workers, mental health facilities and workers, substance abuse programs, anti-gang programs, better early childhood programs, adult education programs (not university, but "life-long learning" stuff).

We need a land and water use plan.

We need fewer chickens.
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Well, I certainly got what I asked for! Thanks for all of the replies so far! Sounds like lots of options. Cannot wait to get my feet on the ground down there!

Oh - $8 for half a gallon of milk? Please tell me there is sarcasm in that statement...

Oh - $8 for half a gallon of milk? Please tell me there is sarcasm in that statement...

None whatsoever. Welcome to Paradox.

We need: nurses, teachers, certain physician specialists (got plenty of orthopedic surgeons, but could use palliative care specialists, more neurologists, rheumatologist, another dermatologist)

Psychiatrists. There are ZERO practicing private psychiatrists on STX.

(As an aside ... the oversupply of orthos is, IMHO, due to the excessive number of personal injury lawsuits filed in this jurisdiction. It's medical/legal work.)

We need fewer chickens.
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Affirmative. A Rooster Removal Service would be most welcome.