Dec. 17, 2007 — St. John Concierge Service, located in a tiny kiosk off the sidewalk and across from the post office in Cruz Bay, is a one-stop shop to sign up for most of the island's activities.
"It's a fun thing. I like meeting different people and helping visitors," owner Russ Kerr said.
Kerr, 50, doesn't mind if visitors with questions about St. John stop by for answers. He said if they want to book an excursion, that's fine, but if they don't, that's fine too.
"I'm an unofficial visitor's center. I'll spend as much time as they want," he said.
Kerr, who has no employees, is on duty from 9 a.m. to 6 or 6:30 p.m. seven days a week. And he said he keeps the phone on until 9 p.m. in case someone wants to book.
St. John Concierge Service books villa rentals, day sail and power boat trips, fishing excursions, dinghy as well as sail and power boat rentals. He also makes car and dinner reservations and organizes weddings.
He said he keeps the calendars for the sailors, who all sail only out of St. John.
Kerr said that non-denominational minister Phil Chalker recently officiated at a ceremony that involved sailing 130 guests to Jost Van Dyke on three big catamarans.
Kerr hails from Springfield, Mo. After spending decades in energy management, he sold his business and moved south. He landed first on St. Thomas, where he helped set up an English as a second language program at the University of the Virgin Islands.
He moved across Pillsbury Sound to St. John two years ago and bought an existing business at the same location.
Asked about the challenges that come with the business, he couldn't think of any other than the noise from the sewer system repair project in front of his kiosk.
"And the heat in my booth," he said.
Since customers aren't usually lined up outside the kiosk, Kerr said he does have plenty of less-busy periods during the day.
"I read a lot," he said, laughing as he went off to help a customer.
Reach St. John Concierge Service at 998-6975 or 800-808-6025; or check out his website.
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