st thomas cigar lounge newest
News

How St Thomas’ Newest Cigar Lounge Has Gone Virtual

By: Dana Niland - May 12, 2020 - 12:54 pm

St Thomas’ newest cigar lounge had just opened when the pandemic hit. 

But as small businesses are rebranding, restructuring, and in some cases permanently closing due to COVID-19, The Pelican Shop is taking to the internet to innovate.

After finding himself in a similar position to millions of small business owners, founder Akil Petersen says he began looking for new ways to remain open during the global pandemic by launching a video blog series over cigars, “Shop Talk.”

“Considering the times, I remain optimistic as a new business owner with employees because we were able to gain loyal customers in the short time we opened prior to the shutdown,” said Petersen, Founder of The Pelican Shop. “Cigars may not be a seen as essential, but the Brothers and Sisters of the Leaf who were flocking to the shop were a real community.”

According to Peterson, Shop Talk has become “a sanctuary” for those who miss the fun atmosphere bartenders and seating of The Pelican Shop, which is located in the AH Riise Mall on the Waterfront, in Charlotte Amalie. 

The good news? The Pelican Shop has already reopened, in compliance with the US Virgin Islands’ local ordinances and safety measures. 

— CJ

Popular Posts antigua long bay

25 Perfect Caribbean Beaches to Add to Your Summer Bucket List

There’s nothing like a Caribbean beach in summer. The crowds thin out, the winds relax, and the islands start breathing in a different way. The beaches you thought you knew feel new again— stretches of sand once packed with winter […]


Royal Caribbean’s New Cruise Ship Has a Rooftop Bar, a Waterpark and the Largest Pool at Sea

star of the seas

You step into a glass dome floating high above the ocean. To your right, divers plunge from platforms. Above, aerialists twist through light. Somewhere behind you, a DJ is spinning beside a suspended infinity pool. This isn’t a dream — […]


The 15 Best Hotels in Trinidad and Tobago, From Hidden Eco-Retreats to Luxury Towers

trinidad and tobago hotels where to stay

From Port of Spain to Tobago’s quiet coasts, these are the places to check in now No two Caribbean islands are quite like Trinidad and Tobago—and no two hotels here feel the same. This is a destination of contrast: Carnival […]


Related Posts jetblue beach caribbean island

Travelers Continue to Flock to the Caribbean Island of Bonaire

Tourism to Bonaire posted strong growth in June, according to new data provided to Caribbean Journal by Tourism Corporation Bonaire. The island welcomed 13,606 stayover visitors last month, a 12.2 percent increase over the same period in 2024, when 12,117 visitors arrived. Diving into […]


The CHTA IS Bringing CHIEF and Taste of the Caribbean to Barbados

best barbados resorts

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association has officially announced the return of two of the region’s most anticipated hospitality events: the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) and Taste of the Caribbean. Both events will take place from November 16–18, […]


This All-Inclusive Caribbean Vacation Is the Ultimate Solo Travel Experience

all-inclusive caribbean vacation solo

You arrive alone, but you’re not on your own. That’s the quiet magic of this four-night all-inclusive escape designed specifically for solo travelers — a curated experience at a breezy, beachfront Caribbean resort that knows what it means to travel […]