The upmarket tourism industry in Anguilla has been given another boost with the opening of the Galleria, a new enterprise of World Art and Antiques, the latest investment by Nik and Christi Douglas. They already have antiquity establishments in the Old Factory Complex in the Valley and at Cap Juluca and have now expanded their business to meet the needs of the growing market.

The Galleria is located on the West End Road and is nestled among other high-class galleries in the area offering their services to the tourists. The opening ceremony on Saturday January 24 was attended by a large number of invited guests who expressed admiration for the vastness and quality of the business, the imagination and originality put in it by the owners and their taste for excellence. The items they have stockpiled and have on display are a demonstration of the tremendous experience and knowledge they have acquired in cross-culture and business in their travels throughout the world.
Governor Peter Johnstone told the gathering that the galleria was not just another business undertaking, but one that was planned within the concept of the island’s upscale image. He thought it was a well-needed investment as Anguilla continued to develop. He congratulated the Douglas couple for their foresight and wished them every success.
Similar comments were expressed by Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Victor Banks. He was pleased to see that the area was becoming a centre for art, noting that other surrounding establishments included Devonish Galley and Cheddie’s Carving Studio.
Christi Douglas, whose taste for exotic furniture is evident in the building, was delighted with the attendance of so many persons. She was grateful for the support received from the Anguilla Government, the contractor and his team, members of staff and neighbours Courtney and Carrolle Devonish for their kind cooperation and assistance.
In a statement to The Anguillian, Nik Douglas said that the concept of their business has always been to provide a service for the tourism industry. “The upmarket tourists who come here are well-travelled, educated and wealthy. They are looking for things they can buy that are of a high quality and on international level,” he remarked. “We think we can do this and the market and the people are here.
“We have everything starting from handicraft such as little things like candles, plate mats, hand-bags. Jewelry is of course a big ingredient as people on holiday like to have jewelry; then there are the antiques. Well-travelled people with money usually like to have previous things to collect; and then we have the furniture. A lot of people are building new houses here and there is the villa market. They always want something a little more interesting and of a better quality than what may be available so we decided we will import it. We have been working in that area for several years and I have been in villa development, fine furnishings and other customise things. The idea is basically to bring the quality of the major cities to Anguilla; mix it all up, make it interesting, cross-cultural, multi-dimensional, different textures and styles and let people choose what they like.”
When completed the top floor of the Galleria will provide space for more of the same range of items as well as a living area. “There is more tourism development here at West End so we figure we ought to be where the people are. Not every visitor can make it to the Valley and certainly the hotels are around here” he observed. He added that with all the galleries in the neghbourhood the area might eventually be called ‘Paradise Plaza’ or something like that.

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