We believe these stores provide the residents with a great many choices for their own comfort, not just support to tourists like us. This is the kind of growth that makes us happy. The beaches have suffered from the hurricanes, with St. Jean and Lorient being so narrow in some places that you cannot walk their lengths and keep your feet dry. The waves at Lorient were rough enough for surfing, a significant change since our last visit. Sunbathers at Grand Saline and Gouverneur had to be careful, too, about waves lapping high enough onto the beach to wet towels and clothes.
Shell Beach is now misnamed.
Almost all the shells have been scoured from the beach. Our concerns about restaurants suffering in quality were also assuaged. In the past, the clientele of St. Barth was more likely to be long term visitors with perhaps more money than most tourists to the Caribbean. Quality of food, presentation, and service were very high. We have adjusted our expectations to suit the present, though.