It's "Big Kmart": the anchor store at Tutu Park Mall; a landmark on the island of St. Thomas. Since there are only a couple of named streets, many directions are given in terms of proximity to Big Kmart, even official directions on hotel websites and travelocity. The mall itself is a bare-bones "hood mall" by virtue of Rainbow, Payless Shoes, Champs, Foot Locker, and local variations like "What's Hot," "He Say She Say," and beauty salons, etc. Not a bad thing, especially if you want sneakers or a hair cut.
Big Kmart is as close as you are going to get to a department store on the island; perhaps all of the USVI; the prices here are better than the smaller tourist Kmart at the Havensight Mall ("Little Kmart" - where the cruise ships dock). The taxi-jeep-bus stops here in its one-way circle around the island.
Plaza Extra is also at Tutu Park; probably the best grocery store in St. Thomas. You can get most things you could get at a grocery store in the USA, though you definitely feel like a "convenience fee" is built into most prices (i.e. $5 for a bag of $2 chips); cheese and dairy in particular, feel like an investment. They sell soft drinks (and many other items) by the case, but you will see locals taking single items out of cases, so it seems like it would be ok for others to do that as well. They even have beef bacon :) They have an extensive liquor selection as well (so does Kmart), so if you are going to splurge on a taxi ride, or brave the crazy, hilly traffic of St. Thomas in your rental, one trip here will cover all the bases.
Overall, I'm glad it's there, but you might be disappointed if you were expecting "a mall." Also, despite the humble appearance, it is a major hangout, so you will see lots of people outside, chillin at all times of the day. I enjoy the local flavor here. We were with locals and they stopped to talk to like 10 different groups of people they know - just in Plaza Extra. You don't get that strong community feeling at Havensight. read more