Community
Christmas shopping on CaymanBrac
Pioneer Bakery gives true meaning tothe term 'hot as a Christmas oven'.
Inside Kirk Freeport, Brac Store
by Tania Drebenstedt
Well, Sandra and I weresmart enough, NOT to take our husbands Christmas shopping.
When I told a business associate overseas,via e-mail, he is familiar with Cayman Brac, that I was preparingto do ALL my Christmas shopping on the Brac...the E-mail replythat came back had one question: WHERE do YOU shop on the BRAC??????
I told him, an itemised version will follow when I am DONE viae-mail.
No stressful way of shopping, but a relaxed awareness of greatgift ideas. Sandra, a friend of mine, and I met at Tibbetts Enterpriseat Cotton Tree Bay. There we found the juice glasses with decanterset and tablecloth with matching napkins that we were lookingfor.
Tibbetts Enterprise offered a splendid selection of kitchen applianceslike mixers and microwaves, that we had on our list, to purchaseas gifts for two of our newly-wed friends.
We spent two hours trying not to miss anything in their greatselection of everyday items and unique gifts. Sandra bought awooden bench with iron work and matching table to go on the porchof her new home (of course, they deliver).
At Billys, we bought punch-bowl sets, but we were not sure asyet if they would end up as presents or if we were going to keepthem for ourselves. Next door at Tip Top Boutique, a large selectionof great, classy, fashion designs awaited us. I chose a jerseypant suit ideal for travelling. Next door at Fosters Superette,I found a floral design fabric for new pillows, the pattern aperfect match for what I had envisioned.
But now, we needed to get back to shopping for presents. We knewthat at Kirk Freeport, at Stake Bay, we would gladly spend anotherFEW hours. We started working our way past all the gold, silver,Caymanite, black coral and precious stones jewellery, past SandyWallin Collectables, Waterford Crystals, Wedgewood and Royal Daltondishes.
We were trying to decide, who needed what type of gift, and whatwe may buy for ourselves. The perfume gift sets were treasuredeach year, so we chose once again, what we knew was a sure winnerwith friends and family. Two hours later, we were still not done,and promised to be back again before Christmas.
I needed to drive to Divi Tiara Beach Resort to visit the IslandBreeze Jewellery and Souvenir Shop. I had ordered two of theirprecious coins, and they were gift-wrapped and ready to be pickedup. While I am at the west end of the island I shall pick up somegift certificates at the new spa at Brac Reef Resort. I know Sandrawould like one as a Christmas present.
Now what to do first...I needed to go to the Creek, but I am nowat the other end of the island. I would not be allowed back intothe house if I do not show up with the freshly-baked bread andbuns from the Pioneer Bakery at the Creek. It is an absolute MUSTDO on anybody's list...can't miss the factory; it is right nextto the Police station...just up a short hill.
On the way there, we stopped at the Party Mart at Cotton TreeBay, to buy all the matching napkins and colourful plates needed,plus delicate table décor. The selection was superb; wewould have needed another two hours to see everything in theirexciting gift selection, so again we knew we had to be back thenext day.
Cayman Brac offers a few great stores in convenient locationsfor large and small appliances and also computers and computeraccessories, at Economy Electronics at the Brac's West End. Youwill find brand names and most of all, perfect follow-up services.
Well, I made it to the bakery at the Creek; I love the smell offreshly-baked bread, therefore, I always end up purchasing morethan I intended to. Sandra tagged along because we wanted to stopat Kwik Serve Superette next to the Bakery for cake and coffee.
What is really great, is that when we come home, our houses shalllook spic and span, and all the carpets shampooed. We took advantageof Scott's Janitorial and Maid Services offered through theirshop at White Bay Plaza.
There are many more great places to shop on Cayman Brac; the serviceis very personalised. As a customer, one feels really attendedto.
The stores are a place where one meets friends and chats as theshopping is done, after all, the Brac IS a small community; itis distinctive by design and revered around the world for thistype of uniqueness.
Even with development at its doors and happening now and in thenext few years, Cayman Brac will stay the delightful 'Gem of theCaymans' . it will become a place of the CHOSEN FEW; a 'limited-edition'by choice.
Now, we are off with our grocery shopping lists from the new KirkconnellSupermarket, over to Billy's and Market Place, and tucked awaysmall grocers, not because we could not shop all at one place.
No.. this is the Brac...we still ENJOY shopping...it may be busyat all of the supermarkets at this time on a Thursday evening,but we also appreciate being greeted by friends and neighbours.One feels fortunate with all the services now available on CaymanBrac, and more being offered in the very near future....
Yes, we shall finish all our Christmas shopping right here onthe Brac, finding great gift's at premium prices, and no hassle...ablend of a Christmas spirit past while enjoying the Brac of today.