By Arianne Harell
In Gustavia, at La Case St-Barthyou’ll find more than 350 varieties of rum and nearly as many gourmet food products. With her deep knowledge and unwavering passion for the her goods Victoria Payen-Pothier expertly guides spirit enthusiasts eager to explore the flavors of the Caribbean.
In a warm and inviting boutique inside L’Aroma building in Gustavia, wooden shelves stretch from floor to ceiling, lined with bottles of rum. It is impossible to look away, every corner of the shop hides new treasures. While rum takes center stage, the selection also includes chocolates, spices, jams, syrups, and even locally crafted goods. Despite the impressive number of items available, with over 350 types of rum and nearly as many gourmet food products, Victoria knows the story behind each one of them.
That is because she personally meets with every supplier before adding their products to her store. “It was extremely important for me to know and meet all my suppliers, even for gourmet foods,” insists the Guadeloupe native. She has become an expert on the distilleries of Martinique and Guadeloupe, having visited them extensively. Her commitment stems from a desire to offer short supply chain products sourced exclusively from the Caribbean, with rums primarily from the French islands.
“I Didn’t Think Twice, I Just Went for It”
That passion took root in 2018 when she moved to St. Barths. At the time, Victoria was still a practicing lawyer, arriving on the island with her future husband, a place where she had spent every childhood vacation. But soon, the self-described epicurean felt something was missing.
“I really struggled to find local products when I got here.” That realization came during the COVID period, as she started rethinking her career in law. “I realized that what truly excited me was retail.” A growing rum enthusiast, Victoria took the leap in 2020 and officially opened her boutique in March 2021.
Though she entered a highly competitive market on the island, she carved out a niche with her ultra-specialized focus on rum. “I didn’t overthink it, I just went for it,” she recalls. Breaking into the spirits industry, traditionally dominated by men, never felt like an obstacle. “It is a field where, as a woman, you always have to prove yourself,” says Victoria, who has often found herself at trade shows where 95 percent of attendees were men. But that never discouraged her. “No one can take away my knowledge of the craft, nor my passion for the product. And when people hear me talk about what I sell, they understand,” she says confidently.
Something for Every Budget
Her passion is undeniable. Victoria could spend hours talking about master distillers, different terroirs, sugarcane selection, and how flavors develop on the palate. Regular customers at her shop are the first to benefit from her expertise. “I love building relationships with customers,” she adds. “There is always something new to share.” With La Case Saint-Barths, Victoria aims to create a warm and friendly shop where personalized advice is a key value. “We are lucky to have a strong local customer base,” she says enthusiastically. With prices ranging from 5 euros to 10,000 euros, her products cater to every budget and every taste. In an industry that is constantly evolving, Victoria keeps a close eye on new trends, ensuring she always offers her customers the very best products, as long as they are Caribbean, of course.
