Coral Bay’s Jolly Dog Trading for sale

Two more businesses are for now sale while the owner of a third has cut its price.

The latest to go on the market is an icon of St. John, Jolly Dog Trading Co.   Owner Jeff Donnelly is asking $429,000 for the 12-year-old multi-store operation in Coral Bay. 

There are two retail outlets at Skinny Legs, and the main shop is located next to Shipwreck Landing. 

Donnelly calls it a “Once in a blue moon retail opportunity to own three profitable, well established businesses.”  He’s been thinking about offering the business for sale for several month and now, as high season winds down, he’s listed it with Town and Country Real estate’s Lori Walden.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the island, there are lots of businesses for sale, too.  The newest is the sports bar on the second floor of Wharfside Village  Captain’s Cabin was pretty controversial when it opened a few years ago because it has video lottery terminals and off-track horse race betting – not the kind of activity tourists would expect on a quiet island.  But there’s a listing for the place on Craigslist now, asking price $225,000.

And a floor below, the pizzeria and deli’s price has been cut 13% to $195,000.  “Newly renovated space with $40,000 worth of new equipment,” says the listing, http://caribbean.craigslist.org/bfs/1106846613.html.

By our count, there are almost two dozen St. John businesses for sale, from delis, gift shops and water sports to a gourmet restaurant.  It’s natural that owners would want to operate through the winter season and then throw a few feelers out to see if there’s interest.  Truth is, though, there’s not been much movement off the list of offerings for quite some time, only additions.