The brains behind the St. John Spice Cam are those of a couple of hard-working transplants from Boston.
Ruth Ernst and Ron Piccinin bought the St. John Spice business in 1999. Then, the shop was buried off a corridor at Wharfside Village. Then in 2005, they moved the shop downtown, in a second-floor retail space right at the end of the ferry dock. While such a space location can be death for retail, The Spice couple's offerings, and low prices, draw a steady line of people up the stairs.
The store is best known for its collection of spices and hot sauces, hundreds of them. The Cruz Bay Grill Rub, created by Ernst, is a top seller at $5 for 2.5 ounce or $27 a pound(!) The Grill Rub won a dry rub/seasoning honors in the 2009 competition staged by firey-foods.com.
The Spice Cam certainly has helped St. John Spice's business. To date, the Web site has had 1.3 million visitors. And it's not uncommon to see people using the Webcam to send messages by, for instance, writing their names in the sand and hen calling friends to check out the Web site.
St. John Spice
Great place for last minute gift buying when waiting for the ferry to the airport. Just don’t put them in you carry on bags, the airport security will take them for sure.
Ron & Ruth also offer great St. John gifts…pictures,cd’s, vidoes, shirts, trickets. The work hard and are always willing to help. Service which is sometimes difficult to get in St. John. Good Luck and continued success.
Ruth and Ron ROCK!!! The shop is great and has it all.
Love this little shop! Love trying out all the fabulous hot sauces and seasonings. We always take some great coffee/coconut jam back to friends!
GOOD MORNING: REALLY A GREAT STORE
LOVE THE SPICE CAM MY SON RAN IN THE 8 TUFF MILES RACE. WHEN HE GOT OFF THE FERRY HE GAVE US A BIG WAVE.
GREAT SHOTS OF DOCK,GALLOWS POINT AND ST THOMAS.