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'Wonders of the Virgin Islands' to open today @ TPP

-Business is the brainchild of siblings Kareem Nelson-Hull & Ayana S. Hull
Replica of the Sunday Morning Well. Photo: Provided
Replica of the St Phillip's Anglican Church. Photo: Provided
Replica of the St Phillip's Anglican Church. Photo: Provided
Authentic replicas of ruins and ancient buildings in the territory. Photo: Provided
Authentic replicas of ruins and ancient buildings in the territory. Photo: Provided
Kareem-Nelson Hull and his sister Virgin Islands attorney at law and author Ayana S. Hull are the principals of the new business. Photo: Provided
Kareem-Nelson Hull and his sister Virgin Islands attorney at law and author Ayana S. Hull are the principals of the new business. Photo: Provided
A flyer for the launch of the new souvenir store Wonders of the Virgin Islands. Photo: Provided
A flyer for the launch of the new souvenir store Wonders of the Virgin Islands. Photo: Provided
Turtles! Photo: Provided
Turtles! Photo: Provided
Vigilate! Photo: Provided
Vigilate! Photo: Provided
Territorial man and woman. Photo: Provided
Territorial man and woman. Photo: Provided
A perched bird. Photo: Provided
A perched bird. Photo: Provided
A map of the territory. Photo: Provided
A map of the territory. Photo: Provided
Another replica of an ancient VI ruin. Photo: Provided
Another replica of an ancient VI ruin. Photo: Provided
WICKHAM’S CAY, Tortola, VI – Wonders of the Virgin Islands, an authentic Virgin Islands souvenir store, is set to be opened at 5:00 pm this afternoon, Novemver 13, 2015 at the Tortola Pier Park (TPP) and promises to be a cut above the rest.

Speaking to this news site, one of the persons behind the venture Kareem-Nelson Hull said the new store will bring an experience never before seen. Hull’s sister Virgin Islands attorney at law and author Ayana S. Hull is also a part of the new business.

“It is the first time that visitors and locals alike will be able to take a piece of history home. These are special replicas of Virgin Islands landmarks and it is the first time that they are going to be available on the mass market,” Kareem-Nelson Hull said.

He added that everything that they will have in the store was designed by the 'Wonders of the Virgin Islands'  theme.

“We didn’t get templates from anywhere…we didn’t copy any popular styles from tourism [shops]. We literally sat down and decided on the product we wanted for Virgin Islanders that would bring value to the tourist experience which is what the Tortola Pier Park encouraged people to do and I think that we have found a way to do so successfully."

The items being sold in the store will range in price from $4.00 to $25.00.

The opening of the store will feature local wines, mauby and other drinks and delicacies.

32 Responses to “'Wonders of the Virgin Islands' to open today @ TPP”

  • ccc (13/11/2015, 13:37) Like (3) Dislike (22) Reply
    Waste of time if its going say made in china
  • Tim (13/11/2015, 13:49) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    I applaud the effort, but it is wrong to say that “It is the first time that visitors and locals alike will be able to take a piece of history home. Please do your research before making such blanket statements.
  • Voter Too (13/11/2015, 13:57) Like (12) Dislike (7) Reply
    Fantastic, Wonderful. Amazing ,Awesome. I cant even find words to describe it. Congrats siblings and to others out there dont be afraid to venture out and do like wise it doesnt have to be in the same line of products but something worthwhile to make a decent living thus making yourselves proud. Think critically, put your ideas into action, do it by yourself or partner with a family member(s), or a close companion and do your thing or just show your worth. I am all ears to the development and expansion of our little BVI
    • dog (13/11/2015, 23:23) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
      interesting... development and expansion... but our "little BVI" is just that. Little. Be careful what you wish for.
      Once it's gone, it's gone.
      I don't want to discourage anyone and I applaud the efforts of the siblings. I wish them luck. But is this what tourists want?
  • MY OPINION (13/11/2015, 14:13) Like (9) Dislike (9) Reply
    This should've been in craft alive instead.
  • trrefdrfds (13/11/2015, 14:22) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply

    Is the first or only store ever opened in the history of the BVI?

  • Hmm (13/11/2015, 14:47) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Nice replicas. My question is were they made here in the BVI if not then it defeats the whole purpose. Tourists when they go to a country want to purchase items that were made there not in some sweat shop in China or Pakistan then we buy them and print on BVI. No! If that's the case here I won't even waste my $$ buying these things but rather visit the sites themselves & take my own pictures that way I get to experience them live & direct
    • @hmm (13/11/2015, 15:51) Like (4) Dislike (13) Reply
      Can anyone here make any of these items? The point is they are replicas of our history. No one else thought of this. Allu just sooo negative...strupssss
      • @hmm (14/11/2015, 05:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Yes other people have thought of this but many didn't have the money to make the business work. Not because these siblings have come up with this idea means that no one in the whole BVI wasn't thinking about it...NO...I believe it's a money issue...the Hulls were able to come up with the money that's all. This is true for other types of businesses as well.
    • Really (13/11/2015, 23:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      The tourists want made here but made in China prices!
      • Outsider (14/11/2015, 09:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Agreed; they don't really care where they are made. I wouldn't either.
    • shaw (13/11/2015, 23:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      If they created a programme or partnered with a tour guide, I can see these working. I think it is important that the visitors get to see these sites first hand. Nothing like the experience, the feel, the smell, the natural colors. Save those and you have saved BVI culture. Seeing a picture of Main Street before it gets pulled down, for example, is not as memorable as walking through and seeing it in person. Use these gifts to figure out a way to save the real thing. Otherwise they are useless.
  • gunit (13/11/2015, 15:23) Like (13) Dislike (9) Reply
    Cant please us niggas at all. Will find fault from here to the moon and back.

    All the best my people. All the best! Its a wonderful effort you are making and may you have success. See you at the opening later.
    • Yep (13/11/2015, 15:52) Like (10) Dislike (11) Reply
      If a white man had opened this business he would be lauded and we would say "This is what locals in crafts alive should be doing etc.etc.." We wish each other well until we start to do well. If you take on these idiots in the BVI you would get migraine and ulcers for days. A set of idiots content with being 9-5 robotic employees instead of stepping out and seeking opportunities or being glad when their fellow brother/sister does.
      • yeah (13/11/2015, 17:53) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        I feel you on the 9-5 robot thing. People need to start making attempts to venture into entrepreneurship for real. That's what will keep us afloat in these lil bit of hard times.
  • Yes (13/11/2015, 15:51) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
    Haters to your mark get set go..smdh!! crab....crab...crab...crab..oh that crab almost out the barrel. Crab crab crab crab...oh find something to knit pick that crab on..crab...crab. crab.
  • WE READY!! (13/11/2015, 16:04) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    It astonishes me how so many people can be so petty and so jealous to bash such an amazing venture by three of our very own locals. If this was something done by expatriates I suppose it would've been lauded and praised and then locals would've been chastised for not coming up with the idea first or sooner.

    Mr. Hull, Ms. Hull and Mrs. Skelton Malone, you have definitely created a vision that many do not have the capacity and foresight to even conceptualise. Do not mind the haters, people can only comment behind their computer screens. This is a WONDERful venture and I support you 110%. #winning #longhairdontcare #VIpride
  • yo does see things (13/11/2015, 16:32) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
    The NDP fool we the taxpayers and built a few shops our money. Now their supporters could open businesses and make profits off our backs.
  • CHILHOOD NIEGHBOURS (13/11/2015, 19:01) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    KEEP GOING HULLS! KEEP GOING HIGH! TOUCH THE CLOUDS WITH YOUR MINDS! YOU ARE SUPER!

    I LOOK FOR THE POSITIVES IN YOU SO I SEE THE POSITIVE!

    GOD BLESS!

  • Jealousies (13/11/2015, 19:14) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    I applaud the brother/sister team for your efforts. Keep striving for excellence. Don't mind the gainsayers, Sanballots and Tobias.
  • Funny (13/11/2015, 19:59) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    What i think all the negative nancys are trying to say is yes, while it is a great thing that we have some locals doing their own thing, it is unfortunate that it is driven financially once again. Does it matter what we try to do if the tool of evil is always the end goal? I mean yall that shallow minded? Yes we forgot how to make and do everything for ourselves so we do what we can for money to survive. Rather than blame the Hulls, we need to give them some education on the background of what they are doing and how they are aiding in the degradation of our country by allowing production to be done in another. The whole purpose of selling items such as these is so that we can advertise our culture and creativity through them. The buyer literally gets to take home something of value which could have been hand carved and not stuck together conveyor belt or machine. But you see....im sure the costly rent that must be paid to have a spot on the pier is what may have caused them to go this route.....There are a plethora of faulty clauses in that contract that mis-lead the reader. Also keep in mind the cruise ship is already lined with stores on the inside with activities that cost money and i doubt we are the first stop for many of them. So of course strategy must come in to place when pricing your items and trying to break even. This is why as a people we must come together to ensure we never sell ourselves out like this and make life easier for all of us. That money coulda stayed here....
  • Customer (13/11/2015, 22:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I would like to go there and buy a few gifts, but as far as I know security only let tourist and tour agents into Pier Park. Will this be changed now?
    • Not true (15/11/2015, 20:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      once a ship is in EVERYONE can visit the park this has always been the case
  • question (13/11/2015, 23:34) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    How many of the cruise ship visitors actually visit the coppermine? Why would they buy a replica of a ruin they have never seen? Would you buy a replica of a ruin in another country when you have not visited it? And if you had visited it, would you buy a replica?
    • @Question (14/11/2015, 22:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      First of all, many of the cruise ship passengers take the tour excursion to Virgin Gorda of which, a visit to the Copper Mine ruins is one of the major stops on the tour. Secondly, the Copper Mine is not in "another country", it is on Virgin Gorda which is 2nd most populated island in the BVI.

      Please conduct research before you comment. I suspect that you are not well traveled based on your comment. Replicas among other things are ideal souvenirs.
  • wize up (14/11/2015, 06:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    nice to see our young folk doing well: Mr Hull people will talk BUT as you know sky is the limit....
  • v (14/11/2015, 08:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are three types of people walking this planet, the dreamers, the talkers and the doers, among the three only the doers will accomplish, while the doers are accomplishing, there will be the dreamers and talkers which are 2/3 of us still dreaming and talking, so achievers!!!!!I hope this gives power you to rise above these 2 cents comments and reach for the stars, good luck
  • mel b (14/11/2015, 11:06) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    OMGGGGGG .... Why All this HATE ?? WHY WHY WHY WHY ???? This is VERY Appalling and Sad ... I truely wasnt Expecting this level of HATE !!! I'm Happy for Kareem. He has pushed thru and squeezed The Wonders of the BVI into wonderful Commemorative replica pieces !! ... So Instead of seeing it in a Magazine or Online, you will have the actual image to admire! This is GREAT for my Kid for when he have his School projects to do in the future, He will be familiar with the Main Attractions of his BVI home !!! I'm now patiently awaiting for the Bath's replica ... That should be a delight !!!! Cant Wait !!!
  • GroundDove (16/11/2015, 09:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The idea is great. About the dove, it is not a replica of a turtle dove or mountain dove. Ask them to present a real mountain dove. It looks different to what's presented. That's a pigeon pictured.
  • BRAD BOYNES (16/11/2015, 12:30) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good stuff


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