New Jeep Rental Business On Island

Concerned about whether or not you’ll be able to find a Jeep rental this high season? Well, we have some good news for you. A new business opened earlier this year which will help ease your worries.

Sunshine’s Jeep Rentals opened its doors in May after the Bureau of Motors Vehicles and the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs increased the number of rental vehicles allowed on the island. It was the first increase of its kind in nearly 20 years.

Angie Smith, owner of VIVA! Villas, was ecstatic as she had first inquired about the possibility of entering the Jeep rental market 10 years ago.

“We wanted to offer Jeep rentals because so many of our guests are unable to find vehicles on island, especially during busy times,” Angie said. “There’s just not enough cars for the demand.”

The reason is took so long for the rental quota to increase, according to Angie, was parking. There was simply not enough parking to accommodate an increase in rental vehicles; therefore the quota remained stagnant for years. As many of you know, finding an open space had often been problematic around Cruz Bay, especially during high season. But with the opening of the new lot at the car barge dock, there is now plenty to go around.

Sunshine’s Jeep Rentals has several two and four-door Jeep Wranglers available. They are located in town across from the Islandia Building. And just like many of the other rental companies, they offer in-town parking when available and will meet guests at the ferry dock upon arrival. Angie also said that roadside service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week during a guest’s rental period.

And for those of you looking to to visit the island next month, Sunshine’s Jeep Rental is running a September special. All available four-door Jeep Wranglers will be offered at a discount of $400 a week.

The point that Angie is the most proud of, however, is the fact that she is a woman operating in a typically male-operated business. She is hoping that will soon change as more women take the leap into fields unknown.

“Most of the business and the work we do is all women,” Angie said. “We definitely want to encourage more women to open up businesses on the island. This is typically a business that men run on the island. We want to encourage other women to try new things, to try new businesses that they wouldn’t really typically consider.”

You can find Sunshine Jeep Rentals on the web at www.SunshineJeepRentals.com. You can also “like” them on Facebook by clicking here.