J'étais là — Your 'I Was There' Shop in Anse des Cayes
A quiet-corner St Barth boutique built around the joy of proving you were, in fact, here.
Why Go
Tucked into Anse des Cayes on the island's calmer northern shore, J'étais là leans into its name — French for 'I was there' — with the kind of finds that turn a St Barth trip into a story you can put on a shelf, wear on a wrist, or slip into carry-on. It's the antidote to the polished Gustavia luxury circuit: low-key, personal, and rooted in the neighborhood.
The Experience
You'll turn off the coast road, past surfers heading down to the bay, and step into a small space where the pace matches the neighborhood — unhurried, sun-warmed, unpretentious. Expect a curated mix rather than a big-box haul: island-branded pieces, memento-worthy accessories, and the sort of items that reward slow browsing. Because the shop sits in a residential pocket rather than a shopping strip, you're often chatting with whoever is behind the counter about where you're staying, which beach you've hit, and what to do next — which is half the point.
What to Try
Look for the 'were-you-really-there?' pieces — anything that carries a St Barth or Anse des Cayes mark you won't find in the Gustavia flagships. Wearable souvenirs (tees, caps, totes) tend to be the honest keepsakes; small accessories and locally-branded goods make the easiest gifts to bring home. If something catches your eye, grab it — inventory in a small island shop turns over on its own schedule.
Insider Tip
Pair the stop with the beach, not the shopping trip. Anse des Cayes is a swim-and-surf cove that most day-trippers skip, so drop in on J'étais là before or after an hour at the water rather than driving out here just to browse. Cash and a working knowledge of 'bonjour' both help; the vibe here is neighborhood-French, not resort-English.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Anse des Cayes (W563+XCH), 97133 Saint-Barthélemy, on the north coast about 10 minutes by car from Gustavia and 5 minutes from the airport. Parking is roadside and informal — pull over where locals do. Hours aren't reliably posted online, so call ahead if you're making a special trip, and note that many St Barth boutiques close midday (roughly 12:30–3:00) and all day Sunday. Credit cards are usually accepted but small-shop card minimums are common; bring some euros as backup.
Pair It With
- Anse des Cayes beach — The cove is a two-minute walk away — a locals' swim and surf spot that makes the drive out here worthwhile on its own.
- Abyss Restaurant Guide — Closest sit-down option in the neighborhood; ideal for stretching a browse-and-beach morning into a proper lunch.
- 6e SENS Massage Wellness Beauty — Round out a slow Anse des Cayes afternoon with a treatment before heading back to Gustavia.
- 1493 Lodges St Barth (Colombier) — A short hop west; stay nearby if you want quiet-side St Barth mornings within easy reach of the shop.
