Hamilton Shopping Tips by grandmaR

Gosling Black Seal Shop: Black Seal Logo

We did not go into this shop - I just took the picture as we walked by.

The Insider's Guide says


Here is where you'll find men's and women's gift accessories imprinted with the distinctive Black Seal logo. After World War I, because of problems obtaining suitable bottles for its locally made black rum (blended from a recipe more than a century old), the Gosling family, in Bermuda since 1806, found it necessary to use champagne bottles. The unlabeled rum was identified by the black sealing wax used to cover the cork. Labeling did not come until 1949 when the logo of a seal balancing a rum barrel on its nose was used. So this is a store where you'll find a plethora of gifts -- ties, bags, hats, baseball caps and belts, mugs, pennants, boxer shorts and t-shirts -- all with that historic logo.

Address: 97 Front Street

Phone: (441) 298-7325

Theme: Gifts

Butterfield Place: Streetside Mall

I did not shop here, but on one side is Kirk's Jewelry design and on the right is a store called Rock On which the sign says is a Health Food store.

Rock On is not mentioned in the Insider's Guide, but it does say that other shops in this building are:

Michael Swan Gallery,.. named after the artist and owner, features his own airbrush art, flameworked glass art, hand-crafted pottery and a myriad interesting items.... Lada Dana Mega Hair salon sits next to TeleBermuda Customer Care Centre. It is at this junction where Butterfield Place and the Emporium meet.

Address: 67 Front St., Hamilton

Theme: Gifts

Voila or Louis Vitton: Butterfield Place

The signs on this shop say "Longchamps". I think this is another shop in the Butterfield mall area. We didn't shop here. The Insider's Guide says

Entered next to the Bank of Butterfield on Front Street, this set of shops features Voila, home of fine leather goods and accessories, including handcrafted Italian shoes for men. Just opposite is Louis Vuitton, displaying bags under the famous name

Address: 67 Front St., Hamilton

Theme: Women's Clothes

H.S. & J.E. Crisson Ltd.: Rolex Wearer?

Crisson's is a big jewelry store in Bermuda with 11 locations all over the islands.

We haven't shopped here because it is above our pocket. Charm bracelets are irritating to me, and I never wear anything but a Timex dive watch. But if you are interested in jewelry, this is one good place to purchase it.

What to buy: They sell bracelets, brooches, necklaces and earrings plus they have a quality watch selection, which features established names such as Rolex, Raymond Weil, Gucci, Seiko and Ebel at prices up to 30 percent below those in the United States. They also have special Bermudian jewelry designs, such as the keepsake collection of fabulous 14k and 18k-gold and sterling silver charms.

Directions: Hamilton Locations
16 Queen St.
• (441) 295-235171 Front St.
• (441) 295-2351 55 Front St.
• (441) 295-2351 20 Reid St.

Theme: Jewelry

Smith's, and Cooper's: Front Street

Front Street is the main shopping area. The ferry terminal, parade area, banks, liquor stores, department stores, restaurants and taverns and more are nearby. Unlike in other jurisdictions, branches of prominent American, British, Canadian or other stores are not allowed. Import duty rates imposed by the Bermuda Government average 30 per cent at wholesale, which mean retail costs are much higher.

What to buy: Note the distinctive colonial architecture which is why I took this picture.

Smith's has been taken over by Trimminghams, and Coopers is temporarily closed.

I did a lot of shopping in Triminghams - tartans, kilts, Irish sweaters and the like for gifts.

Address: Front Street

Theme: Department Store