Shopping

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Dive Friends at Dive Inn Holds One Day Second-Hand Dive Equipment Sale

On Saturday, July 12, 2008 Dive Friends Bonaire will hold a second-hand dive equipment sale from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM at their Dive Friends @ Dive Inn location on the waterfront promenade.

Regulators will be available at $125.00 each, BCDs at $75.00 each, wetsuits at $25.00 each, and fins at $10.00 each.  Payment is only accepted for these items in cash, and Dive Friends regrets they cannot currently accept any USD $100.00 bills, because of recent counterfeiting attempts.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Friday, June 27, 2008

BonaireMart Opens at the District Shopping Mall

Starting this week, there’s a new option for visitors to purchase souvenirs and other items in a new, convenient location at the north end of “hotel row”, called BonaireMart.

Located just north of the traffic circle in Hato, the new store offers all sorts of souvenirs, beachwear (Roxy, QuickSilver, O’Neill, Rip Curl, Uzi), sandals (Oakley), sunglasses (Oakley and Maui Jim), t-shirts, and the largest selection of wines and liquors on the island.  Offering ample parking, friendly service, and a convenient location, visitors (especially those staying north of town) will find it very convenient to do their shopping at BonaireMart.  The new store is open Monday through Saturday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM non-stop.

Future plans for the not-too-distant-future call for wine and liquor tasting sessions to be held right at the store. (Source:  BonaireMart)

Friday, June 20, 2008

Jibe City to Hold First Fashion and Dance Show on Friday, June 27, 2008

Jibe City will hold its first Fashion and Dance Show on Friday, June 27, 2008 beginning at 5:30 PM at the Jibe City location at Lac Bay.

The show will highlight the season’s newest beach fashions, including designs from manufacturers Reef, Toes on the Nose, Dakine, O’Neill, Body Glove, Rip Curl, and others, and a surprise drink and snacks will be available.  Following the show, the Jibe City store will be open for late night shopping until 10:00 PM for those who wish to purchase any of the fashions highlighted in the show. (Source:  Jibe City)

Thursday, June 12, 2008

NetTech Launches Paradise Rebates to Help Defray Consumers’ Higher Travel Costs

NetTech, N.V. today announced the unveiling of a new Internet service, Paradise Rebates, geared to the Caribbean or Pacific traveler.  This new product, accessible at www.paradiserebates.com, provides coupons and rebates so that travelers planning a visit may recoup some of the additional baggage fees they must now pay to certain airlines.  Bonaire, in the Dutch Caribbean, is the first destination to participate by offering discounts, coupons, and rebates.

Paradise Rebates™ is the first such tool available for island travelers, who can either download and print coupons for use on Bonaire, or use their baggage receipts for rebates.  Coupons (which are available to all who meet the coupon use requirements, and are not tied to baggage fees) and rebates are good against the purchase of retail products or such services as dining, accommodations, activities, or vehicle rentals.

The following companies on Bonaire have offered coupons or rebates:  Dive Friends Bonaire, Patagonia Restaurant, Sun Rentals, Paradise Coffee, the Buenos Aires Café, Golden Reef Inn, Coco Palm Garden/Casa Oleander, the Mangrove Info Center, Bencho Car Rental, Caribbean Club Bonaire, and AB CarRental. Visit http://www.paradiserebates.com to view the details of each company’s offer.

Those interested in staying abreast may elect to sign up for free email alerts, which will be sent when a new listing has been added to the web site, by visiting http://www.paradiserebates.com/subscribe.html.

Any entity interested in having a listing for their company or destination, may contact NetTech, N.V. by e-mailing info@nettech.an to learn more about options and pricing.  (Source:  NetTech, N.V. Press Release)

Monday, June 02, 2008

Dive Friends Bonaire Launches Baggage Rebate Program

The recent skyrocketing oil prices have caused airlines which serve Bonaire to institute new fees, including, in certain cases, a $15.00 fee to check one bag of up to fifty pounds, and $25.00 to check a second bag of up to fifty pounds.  Dive Friends Bonaire believes that it should not cost divers more to check their belongings and dive gear on trips to Bonaire, and thus they have initiated and launched the Paradise Baggage Rebate Program. 

This new program, which is effective June 1st through December 15, 2008, allows a rebate to anyone who has had to pay fees to check their luggage on their trip to Bonaire.  The program will provide a rebate of up to $40.00 per person, when any Suunto dive computer is purchased at the retail store of Dive Friends Bonaire on Kaya Grandi in Kralendijk (Dive Friends Dive Retail Outlet), or at the Dive Friends Yellow Submarine, Dive Friends Port Bonaire, or Dive Friends Dive Inn locations.

To apply for the rebate, choose from any model dive computer from the Suunto line.  When presenting payment, also present and turn in the original receipts for the first and/or second bag, and the rebate amount (which will equal the fee charged by the airline up to a maximum of $40.00 per person), will be deducted from the total cost of the dive computer.  Receipts must be in the name of the person purchasing the dive computer, and the dates must be related to the Bonaire itinerary.  Other restrictions may apply.  For additional information, visit their web site by clicking here.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Dive Friends Bonaire Congratulates Mary Frans for Twenty Years of Loyal Service

On Thursday, May 8, 2008, Dive Friends Bonaire celebrated with their employee, Mary Frans, who reached the 20th anniversary of her employment at the retail stores of Dive-Friends Bonaire.

Mary began her work as a sales assistant back in May of 1988, when tourism to Bonaire was just beginning to grow.  The island was a bit quieter back then, and Kaya Grandi, where the stores are located, had a totally different look.

Through the years of Bonaire’s change and growth, Mary always provided a familiar, welcoming smile to many of the island’s visitors, who returned year after year.  She’s been a model employee—honest, hard-working, and loyal.

To celebrate her anniversary, the company held a small party at Plazita Limon Restaurant.  There, Mary received the congratulations of the owners and management of Dive Friends, Mr. Peter Muijselaar and his wife and Pascal De Meyer, the commissioner Jan Kloos and his wife, as well as her colleagues, Judith Abdul, Antonia Coffy, Liane Wanga, and Radinka Ustasia.

Dive Friends Bonaire offers two retail stores in the main street (Kaya Grandi) of Kralendijk: Dive Friends Divers Discount and Dive Friends Dive Shop.  The stores were upgraded in April, 2008, to give them a new look and to be able to offer gifts and souvenirs, as well as dive equipment, to stay-over visitors or those arriving via the island’s burgeoning cruise tourism.

Dive Friends Bonaire is one of Bonaire’s premier diving facilities offering full diving and snorkeling services while still providing personal attention.  In addition to its two retail stores, there are four diving facilities.  For additional information about all their services, visit their web site at www.dive-friends-bonaire.com.  Image caption:  Pascal De Meyer presents Mary Frans with a 20th anniversary gift.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

La Huerta is a New Outlet for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables on Bonaire

Just before the close of 2007, a new store opened its doors on Kaya Grandi in Kralendijk.  La Huerta is a new source for fresh fruits and vegetables, including more exotic tropical fruits.

Managed by owner/operators Luciano and Juan Pablo, La Huerta offers tourists and residents high quality fruit and vegetables.  They receive weekly deliveries of fresh produce, and additionally, every two weeks they receive a shipment from Colombia which may include such exotic fruits and vegetables as the star fruit, baby bok choy, pitaya (cactus fruit, or sometimes called the apple cactus), or guava.  The store has become very popular during the past two months, and in many cases, their stock goes out the door as quickly as it comes in, so it pays to call ahead for information as to what they currently have in stock.

Both Luciano and Juan Pablo are very service-oriented, and try to take as much time as possible with the customers, explaining the different fruits and vegetables and how they can be used.  La Huerta is located in a bright, vegetable green building, just north of Kralendijk, at Kaya Grandi #81.  Their phone number is 717-3141.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Note Update September 1, 2008: We regret to inform that La Huerta had to close its doors.  Unfortunately, the freight costs of importing high quality fruits and vegetables became too high with the increasing fuel costs.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Friday, May 18, 2007

Fundashon Bonaire Entertainment, SKAL, and TCB Announce Week Market on Bonaire

Beginning in the fall of 2006, Fundashon Bonaire Entertainment, with assistance from SKAL and The Tourist Corporation Bonaire, began conducting a marshe (street market) in Kralendijk when cruise ships were in port.  Now that the cruising season has been completed, the three organizations have agreed to continue the marshe for all of Bonaire’s visitors.

Beginning today, May 18th, the street fairs will be held each Friday in Wilhelmina Plein in Kralendijk from 10:00 AM through 7:00 PM.  Visitors can stroll through the stalls and purchase souvenirs, arts, and local crafts.  (Source:  Fundashon Bonaire Entertainment)

Note Update November 23, 2007: We’ve just learned that the Friday Weekly Markets at Wilhelmina Park have been cancelled until further notice, due to the visiting cruise ships.  If we learn more, we’ll be sure to let you know.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

The Island Supplier Opens Retail Outlet with Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

Long a best-kept secret among locals, TIS (The Island Supplier) historically operated as a wholesale food and beverage company, providing fresh and high-quality foods to Bonaire’s restaurants and the few individuals “in-the-know.” Last month, TIS opened a new retail outlet, serving Bonaire’s residents and visiting tourists, who now have full access to the fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and other foods available.

Now locals and visitors alike can browse the aisles filled with goodies, which come from the United States on containers every three weeks.  New to TIS’ service is the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables from Colombia, which are flown in each week and are available in the store by Friday afternoon.  Items such as oyster mushrooms, pableno peppers, and unusual tropical fruits can be available, depending upon the season.  It is recommended to get to the store on Friday afternoons or Saturday mornings for the best selection, as supplies can be sold out quickly.

TIS is located at Kaya Industria #28 in the building that used to house the rice mill.  They are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM and Saturday from 8:00 to 1:00 PM.  They can be contacted on phone 717-6446 or 717-6448, or via fax at 717-6447.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Monday, February 12, 2007

The Bonaire District Launches New Project for Retail Stores

For the past several months, those on Bonaire have been watching with interest while a new complex was built at the circle interchange on the northern “hotel row.” This past Friday, the new project was officially launched with a “highest point” party, a tradition when constructing any new building on Bonaire.

The Bonaire District is a new retail outlet consisting of 12 stores, which are now available for lease.  With each store being 25 square meters in size, they are ideal for such businesses as a coffee shop, clothing store, camera shop, bakery, dive facility, flower shop, or any other similar endeavor.  Current plans call for a project delivery date of June, 2007, although the first phase will be available for occupancy in March, 2007.

As is tradition on Bonaire, when the highest point (completion of the roof) has been reached, a party is given for those constructing the building and the owner’s friends and acquaintances.  Accordingly, this past Friday, many in the business and governmental communities of Bonaire met for a cocktail reception at the new site, and previewed the project plans while enjoying drinks, snacks, and music.  Images of Friday’s party can be viewed on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

To access additional information about the project or about leasing space, view a press release, or visit http://www.bonairedistrict.com.  Email:  info@bonairedistrict.com.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)