Fun in the sun with Tijon lab

A new laboratory on the Caribbean island of St Martin will allow tourists to take in more than just the sights and sounds of the naturally beautiful landscape when it opens its doors in December.

Tijon, billed as St Martin’s only laboratory, parfumerie and boutique, will offer original scents inspired by the island’s beauty which are included in lotions, soaps and fragrances handmade on site for both sexes, as well as Caribe Baie sun care products and L’Esperance skin care products.

Tourists will be able to enrol in classes to learn how to make perfume with the chance to make their own scents.There will also be special events for groups.

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Meet the Proprietors

John (Chief Chemist/Parfumist) and Cyndi Berglund (Boutique Manager)

In the fragrance world, the ultimate connoisseurs are called “noses,” people with an uncanny ability to distinguish individual scents. These "noses" also understand the many wonderful ways fragrances affect our senses.

"I am truly fascinated by how nature interacts with our sense of smell," says Tijon founder and chemist John Berglund. In fact, it was Mr. Berglund's lifelong fascination with the chemistry behind fragrances that led him to create the Tijon line of products and to open St. Martin's first French-style parfumerie and design studio.

Yet, when it came to creating signature products for Tijon, Mr. Berglund sought guidance from experts the world over. He visited parfumeries in Grasse, France, for advice and inspiration. He consulted chemists and physicians when developing revolutionary skincare and sun care products. And he built Tijon’s laboratory in St. Martin, French West Indies, to tap into the abundance of natural ingredients easily available throughout the Caribbean.

“When people look at the goats grazing on the hillside above Tijon, I want them to think about our goat’s milk soap with blueberry-seed exfoliate,” Mr. Berglund says. “And when travelers use the goat’s milk soap at home, I want them to fondly recall St. Martin because Tijon’s products are natural extensions of the island’s beauty.”

Mr. Berglund has enjoyed a varied and successful career. He was a prosecuting attorney at age 24. Later, he transitioned to serving as a lobbyist before becoming a trade association executive in the United States. Now, as Tijon’s chief chemist, Mr. Berglund is fulfilling a long-held passion and living his dream of running a business in the Caribbean.

While John busies himself in the laboratory with essential oils, wife Cyndi uses her savoir-faire to run the boutique. She is a former retail manager, which explains the welcoming environment and creative displays found within Tijon. The shop also features a prominent display of handcrafted bijoux jewelry Mrs. Berglund designs and makes on the island.
Mrs. Berglund mastered the art of hospitality as an award-winning bed and breakfast operator in the United States. "Our goal is for Tijon to be much more than a place to shop," Mrs. Berglund says. "While here, guests are immersed in a one-of-a-kind indulgence, and they are given a unique opportunity to learn about and experience the wonderful world of fragrances."

Mr. and Mrs. Berglund invite guests to experience Tijon and to forever remember the fragrances of the French Caribbean.

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St. Martin's First Experiential Parfumerie and Boutique Opens

Create personal scents true to French parfum tradition at new tourist attraction

Grand Case, St. Martin, FWI (December 1, 2008) Tijon, St. Martin's only laboratory parfumerie and boutique, is now open in Grand Case. The new tourist destination and attraction features original fragrances evoking the island's natural beauty in a variety of parfums and toiletries hand made in the on-site laboratory.

Tourist activities include classes in the art of parfum making, allowing visitors the opportunity to create their own personal scents. The new attraction hosts other tourist activities, including special events for groups. For more information, please visit www.tijon.com.

“Bringing a world-class parfumerie and tourist activity to St. Martin has been in the works for the past 10 years,” said John Berglund, who along with wife, Cyndi, owns and operates the new tourist destination. “The fragrances had to be true to the French parfum tradition while capturing the essence of the island,” said Berglund, who acts as the parfumer and chemist.

The products manufactured in Tijon's laboratory use the finest ingredients available, creating luxurious lotions, soaps, fragrances and other items for women and men. The focus on natural ingredients will appeal to island visitors and residents alike.

"Tijon is a very unique attraction – it is for tourists who want an activity and want to experience something new, as well as, those who simply enjoy scents and shopping." Berglund added. "The island hospitality industry has been very supportive of this new attraction, and we are excited about opening our doors now that the tourist season has begun."

The boutique carries the exclusive Caribe Baie suncare product line and L'Esperance skincare products, which are made on-site. Apparel, bijoux jewelry and island gifts in all price ranges are available.

Tijon is located at the corner of L'Esperance and Grand Case Boulevard, across from Spiga Restaurant.

Editor's note: Berglund is available for interviews. Photos of the boutique, laboratory and products are available.

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Story Leads

This exciting and fascinating new business offers a wealth of story ideas that will fascinate islanders, as well as, readers from around the world.  Journalists are invited to learn more about…

• The ancient art of parfum making including how Tijon hand-crafts amazing scents on-site using traditional French methods and natural products.

• How island residents and visitors are creating their own personal fragrances in Tijon's parfum making classes.

• Beauty and skin care tips for island visitors.

• Parfumist/chemist John Berglund's 10-year quest to create St. Martin's first working parfumerie, and his lifelong fascination with the chemistry behind fragrances.

• The conversion of an island home into an architectural and design showcase that now welcomes visitors from around the world.

• The utilization of natural ingredients found on the island and throughout the Caribbean.

Mr. Berglund is very experienced at conducting interviews.  Professional photography is available.  Contact Cyndi@tijon.com for tours, interviews and photos.

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