Island Tyres and Hardware: Nevis's Go-To for Tyres, Tools, and Everything In Between
A Charlestown-area workhorse of a shop where locals have sourced tyres, parts, and hardware since 1979.
Why Go
Most visitors to Nevis never think about hardware stores ΓÇö until a rental car picks up a nail on a rutted back road to Gingerland, or a villa rental needs an unexpected fix. Island Tyres and Hardware has quietly kept the island rolling for more than four decades, and it's the kind of no-frills, everyone-knows-it establishment that reveals how Nevis actually works behind the postcard.
The Experience
Set in Stoney Grove just outside Charlestown, Island Tyres and Hardware is exactly what the name promises: a working retail shop, not a tourist stop. Expect a busy counter, stacked tyres out front, aisles of AC Delco parts, batteries, plumbing bits, and construction supplies, and staff who've likely fitted tyres on half the vehicles on the island. It has grown from a small oil-and-battery operation in 1979 into one of the island's leading automotive and hardware suppliers, and that longevity shows in the easy, familiar rhythm of the place. For travellers, it's the kind of stop that becomes memorable only if something goes wrong with your hire car ΓÇö but if it does, this is where a Nevisian friend would send you.
What to Try
If you're driving the island, keep the number handy for tyre repairs and battery swaps ΓÇö punctures from coral-rock shoulders and stray screws are the most common rental-car mishap on Nevis. Beyond tyres, it's a solid stop for a torch, work gloves, sunblock-proof rope for luggage on a jeep, coolers, small tools, extension cords for long-stay villa guests, and basic marine and household hardware. Ask about AC Delco parts if you're travelling with a classic vehicle or motorbike; the range is deeper than the shopfront suggests.
Insider Tip
Call ahead on 869-469-1980 or 869-469-5626 before making the drive ΓÇö Nevis shop hours can shift around public holidays, cricket matches, and the mid-day lunch pause, and a quick call confirms both stock and whether the tyre bay is free. If you're staying long-term or renovating a villa, ask the counter staff for trade-style advice; they've supplied builders across the island for decades and will point you to the right gauge, fitting, or brand faster than any online search.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Stoney Grove, St. Pauls Parish, just outside Charlestown ΓÇö a short drive from the ferry terminal and Alexandra Hospital. Phone: 869-469-1980 / 869-469-5626. Email: islandtyres@hotmail.com. Cash and card generally accepted; bring ID for larger purchases. Parking is on-site and easy. Best visited mid-morning on weekdays; Saturdays are busy with local trade traffic, and Sundays most Nevis retail is closed.
Pair It With
- 869 Sports Bar & Grill Guide — A relaxed nearby spot to grab a bite and a cold drink while you wait for a tyre fix or after a hardware run.
- Bananas Restaurant Guide — A well-loved Nevis restaurant to turn a practical errand into a proper island lunch or dinner.
- Birthplace of Alexander Hamilton Guide — Just into Charlestown ΓÇö pair a quick stop at the museum with your errand to make the trip feel like sightseeing, not admin.
- Bath Hotel and Spring House Guide — Historic hot springs a short drive away ΓÇö a perfect reward if your visit to Island Tyres was prompted by a rough back-road adventure.