Sold! Vanterpools Take Over Pussers
Businessman and Representative of the Fourth Electoral District Hon. Mark Vanterpool, along with the One Mart Supermarket Group, are the new owners of Pussers BVI.
According to a press release issued today, March 29, the acquisition took place last week.
“Although some of my investment advisors thought I was crazy to be buying a restaurant business in the middle of the CoVID-19 pandemic, I have immense confidence in the history and culinary traditions, often synonymous with the British Virgin Islands, that Pussers has developed over the past four decades,” Vanterpool commented.
He added: “We are looking forward to building on the legacy and foundation laid by Mr Charles Tobias and the Pussers Team by focussing even more on one of my greatest passions – service. Service is at the heart of every establishment in our group of companies. We are pleased to join with Tobias’ former management to ensure that the Pussers hard-working employees are fully compensated with the full benefits due to them.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Tobias said: “Pussers has faced major challenges over the past few years and was heavily dependent on a strong BVI visitor base.
Consequently, the company was severely impacted by the recession, then by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and more recently, the CoVID-19 pandemic. With virtually no visitor traffic, the past 12 months have been exceptionally challenging for our business, especially for our staff of over 100 employees as it has been for so many persons employed in the hospitality industry, not only in the BVI but around the world.”
He added, “We were exceptionally pleased that the Vanterpool Group not only purchased the company, which as part of the arrangement, covers all severance owed to our employees. Almost all our team members have been facing extremely difficult financial hardship over the past year. Their severance cheques, I’m sure, will be a welcomed relief.”
He said he was confident that the Vanterpool Group “will take the Pusser’s opportunity to a whole new level.”
Pussers - a conglomerate in the restaurant, merchandise, and apparel industries, was founded over forty years ago by Tobias, an entrepreneur and Vietnam War Pilot. It started as a four-stool bar in the heart of Road Town. Today, Pussers owns and operates, or licenses, restaurants, bars, and retail stores at several locations across the British Virgin Islands and in the United States.
“Although some of my investment advisors thought I was crazy to be buying a restaurant business in the middle of the CoVID-19 pandemic, I have immense confidence in the history and culinary traditions, often synonymous with the British Virgin Islands, that Pussers has developed over the past four decades,” Vanterpool commented.
He added: “We are looking forward to building on the legacy and foundation laid by Mr Charles Tobias and the Pussers Team by focussing even more on one of my greatest passions – service. Service is at the heart of every establishment in our group of companies. We are pleased to join with Tobias’ former management to ensure that the Pussers hard-working employees are fully compensated with the full benefits due to them.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Tobias said: “Pussers has faced major challenges over the past few years and was heavily dependent on a strong BVI visitor base.
Consequently, the company was severely impacted by the recession, then by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and more recently, the CoVID-19 pandemic. With virtually no visitor traffic, the past 12 months have been exceptionally challenging for our business, especially for our staff of over 100 employees as it has been for so many persons employed in the hospitality industry, not only in the BVI but around the world.”
He added, “We were exceptionally pleased that the Vanterpool Group not only purchased the company, which as part of the arrangement, covers all severance owed to our employees. Almost all our team members have been facing extremely difficult financial hardship over the past year. Their severance cheques, I’m sure, will be a welcomed relief.”
He said he was confident that the Vanterpool Group “will take the Pusser’s opportunity to a whole new level.”
Pussers - a conglomerate in the restaurant, merchandise, and apparel industries, was founded over forty years ago by Tobias, an entrepreneur and Vietnam War Pilot. It started as a four-stool bar in the heart of Road Town. Today, Pussers owns and operates, or licenses, restaurants, bars, and retail stores at several locations across the British Virgin Islands and in the United States.