Fu Supermarket (Princess): Statia's Everyday Grocery Stop
The reliable neighborhood market where Statians actually shop
Why Go
On an island of roughly 3,000 people with only a handful of proper grocery stores, Fu Supermarket — known to everyone locally as Princess — is a genuine slice of daily Statian life. Chinese-owned, unpretentious, and stocked with a surprisingly eclectic mix of Dutch imports, American brands, Caribbean staples, and Asian pantry goods, it's the kind of place where you can gauge the rhythm of the whole island by what's on the shelves.
The Experience
Tucked off John Tearr Road in the Lodi neighborhood, a short drive up from Oranjestad's Lower Town, Princess is a compact, brightly-lit shop with narrow aisles crammed floor-to-ceiling. Expect the usual small-island supermarket soundtrack: freezers humming, a small TV somewhere behind the counter, and locals catching up in Dutch, English, and Papiamento. Produce is limited and dictated by the last container ship or St. Maarten flight, so the selection ebbs and flows week to week — arrive right after a shipment and it feels abundant; arrive on a Sunday afternoon and you'll be improvising dinner.
What to Try
Grab a few cold Amstel Brights or a Prestige for the cooler, pick up Dutch pantry finds like stroopwafels, hagelslag, or Calvé peanut sauce you won't easily source elsewhere on the island, and browse the Asian aisle for instant noodles, chili sauces, and jasmine rice that give Princess an edge over the other markets. Ice, sunscreen, insect repellent, drinking water by the gallon, and simple beach-picnic makings (bread, cheese, deli meats, fruit) are the practical wins for visitors.
Insider Tip
Ask the staff when the last container came in — shipment day (usually mid-week) is when fresh produce, dairy, and meat are at their best, and popular items sell out within 48 hours. If you're self-catering during your stay, plan your big shop around that day rather than a weekend, and always carry small US-dollar bills; cards are accepted but a cash transaction is faster and occasionally avoids a small surcharge.
The Practical Stuff
Location: John Tearr Road, Lodi (plus code F2JC+W6M), a 3–5 minute drive from central Oranjestad. Currency is US dollars. Most cards accepted, cash preferred for small purchases. Hours are generally morning through early evening daily with reduced Sunday hours — call ahead if you're making a special trip. Parking is informal roadside. Bring your own bag if you can; plastic bags are limited.
Pair It With
- A Quiet Getaway - One-Bedroom Apartment Guide — If you're staying in a self-catering rental nearby, Princess is your logical first stop to stock the fridge before settling in.
- Baby Beach Guide — Load up on cold drinks, snacks, sunscreen, and ice here before heading to the beach — there are no shops on the sand.
- Antillean Horde Car Rental Guide — Pick up your rental car first; Princess is easiest to reach with wheels, and you'll want the trunk space for a full grocery haul.
