about us
1961
Isabel Amengual, a single mother fled Cuba.
1966
After beginning her career in food-service in Baltimore Maryland, Ms. Amengual and her daughter Maria moved to St Thomas with her current employer to turn around a failing food service business.
1967
The company was purchased and renamed Merchants Market. What started out as a small retail market grew into a broadline foodservice distributor serving St Thomas and neighboring St John.
1974
Merchants Market expanded, opening a distribution facility on St. Croix.
1975
The Florida distribution center was opened.
1985
St. Maarten warehouse was established covering both the Dutch and French side.
1993
The Anguilla office was opened, establishing our foothold in the British West Indies. Each facility has gone through upgrades and renovations to establish Merchants Market as the leading and largest broadline distributor with over 83,000 s.f. of warehouse space in the USVI and Leeward Islands.
2013
The Merchants companies where bought by Clare Holdings in December. New ownership made a significant investment in the facilities, delivery equipment and information systems and made a commitment to operational best practices aimed at bringing more value to our customers and raising the level of customer service.
In addition to our own distribution centers, Merchants also has distribution partners on the islands of Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
The Florida 100,000+ s.f. facility located at the Port of Palm Beach serves as the procurement and consolidation facility supplying our island distributors who then serve all customers on each island from resorts and hotels to local and chain restaurants to the grocery stores, beach bars, “mom and pop” restaurants, hospitals, schools and other government agencies. Our unique location at the port allows us to have rail car access if needed.
If you are a potential customer located on another island where we do not have a distribution center, we can service all of your food-service needs as a direct ship customer. Contact the Sales Manager in our Florida office for more information.
In addition, Merchants also provides food storage and consolidating services to customers in Florida and the Caribbean through its third party logistics division, Port of Palm Beach Cold. Please see Additional Services below for additional information.
Additional Services
3rd Party Logistics
If 3PL services is required, our Port of Palm Beach Cold (PPBC) division can assist with fulfilling your needs. Contact our Florida office for more information.
USDA Inspecting Services
Our Florida facility can assist with inspections on all products, including produce, and all of the documentation needed to meet import/export requirements.
Cross Dock Capabilities
Our Florida facility located at the Port of Palm Beach allows for easy access for your product to be loaded directly to a Tropical Shipping container.
Storage Capabilities
Monthly storage contracts are available for product 0 degrees to 34 degrees. We offer Truckload In/
Pallet Out services to help service South Florida.
LCL and FCL
Less than Container Load (LCL) and Full Container Load (FCL) business can be booked and consolidated at our Florida facility.
Air Freight
Need to ship to someplace via air? Contact us for Air Freight services.
Rail Car Access
Our unique location at the Port of Palm Beach also allows for Rail Car Access and storage of product, if needed.
what our customers are saying
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Anguilla Great House Beach Resort
Merchants Market plays an important role as a main and consistent supplier to the islands. Merchants Market Anguilla helps customers to understand their product needs and uses. They provide informative food show events to expose chefs and purchasing managers to new items. Located in Anguilla.
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Sandy Island
Merchants Market Anguilla is more than a restaurant supplier - they provide personalized consultative expert advice with a wealth of information and service. Located in Anguilla.
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The Beach Bar St John
I am very pleased with the products Merchants Market provides. The customer service department or my representative are always there to help me with whatever needs I may have, or quick answers to my questions. Thank you again. Located in St. John.
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Roy’s Bayside Bar and Grill
Roy’s has been happy to be a customer of Merchants Market for over 25 years. Our relationship with them is invaluable and has been so much more than just business. We consider Merchants Market our friend and partner in offering the best quality product to our customers. Located in Anguilla.
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Ocean Grill On St John
Cheers to Merchants Market for being the purveyor with the most depth of product and most responsive customer service! We are so pleased to have options when ordering; we can phone in orders and receive friendly service, leave an order on the night line or enter our own orders on the easy to use on-line order guide. Our sales rep is fantastic and incredibly responsive. Things get done! Located in St. John.
Our Locations
Florida
St. Thomas
St. Croix
Anguilla
St. Maarten