About A.H. Riise

The A.H. Riise Mall offers the Virgin Islands' most extensive assortment of quality duty free goods; at substantial savings compared to U.S. retail prices. There is no sales tax in the U.S. Virgin Islands, so you save even more on your purchases. Enjoy the world's highest duty-free allowances on your purchases from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Shop with confidence...

You can choose from the world's finest names in perfumes, cosmetics, skin care, jewelry, watches, spirits, tobacco, porcelain figurines, Caribbean gifts and more; all within one of the islands' most elegant and historic settings. Located in a series of beautifully restored 19th century Danish warehouses in downtown Charlotte Amalie, the A.H. Riise Mall is a destination for all visitors to St. Thomas. For your shopping convenience, A.H. Riise Mall offers two restaurants, Café Amici, an open-air Italian bistro and Calypso Café sandwich and coffee shop.                         

Our History

The A.H. Riise Company is a private, family owned business known for its distinguished products. It is also a company rich in family history and tradition.

In 1834, a young Danish pharmacist, Albert Heinrich Riise, engaged at the Royal Military Apothecary in Copenhagen, was approached by representatives of the Danish government and offered the opportunity to establish the first officially recognized pharmacy in the thriving port of St. Thomas.

In June, 1840, the Danish Government officially appointed Albert Heinrich Riise as the exclusive pharmacist for the island and granted him monopoly status to produce alcohol. This monopoly was given in exchange for Riise's obligation to give medicine to the poor without charge. A special relationship has existed between this company and the people of St. Thomas ever since.                                     

Riise began the manufacture of rum on the island of St. Thomas and he invented the first Distilled Bay Rum. From the earliest days, Riise imported fine wines and spirits, luxury goods and foods. 

During the 1870s and 1880s, A.H. Riise Apothecary continued to flourish under the direction of Albert Heinrich Riise's sons, Valdemar and Karl. At the turn of the century, the firm passed into the hands of the Poulsen family who still operate A.H. Riise Denmark in Copenhagen. 

In 1928, the business of A.H. Riise & Co. was purchased by the family of the present owners who had begun settling in the Virgin Islands in the 1890s. While there have been many changes at A.H. Riise over the past 182 years, the operation of A.H. Riise remains with the third and fourth generations of Paiewonskys and Cassinellis, who continue the tradition of quality, integrity and service.