Pusser’s sold to Hon Mark H. Vanterpool
Mr Tobias himself made the announcement during a simple handover ceremony streamed live on JTV Channel 55 today, March 29, 2021.
Pusser's British West Indies Limited is now owned by Pusser's (OM) Inc.
Present at the handover ceremony were the new owners of Pusser's, Honourable Vanterpool, his wife Mrs Judith E. Vanterpool and son Deon M. Vanterpool.
Vanterpools the ‘ideal family’
Mr Tobias hailed the Vanterpools as the ideal family for him to sell the business to as they have shared decades-old business and private relationships.
He described the timing of the sale as ideal but said he will continue to be in the background helping to steer the business in an advisory capacity.
Hon Vanterpool, who owns One Mart Supermarket, said while it was not his family’s intention to one day own the business when the opportunity presented itself recently they had no reservations.
He also stated that all the staff will be paid their due severance packages; however, the restaurants will continue to be open for business.
Meantime, Hon Vanterpool said that the territory can look forward to major expansion and upgrades to the business.
At the time of being sold, Pusser’s had in its employ over 100 persons.
Pusser’s must stay in VI!
When rumours were rife in 2015 about Pusser’s being sold, Mr Tobias had told Virgin Islands News Online it was not so; however, he was actively seeking investors into the business with a view to having it continue to serve the Virgin Islands.
He said he had even turned down about three offers in the last couple of years because he did not think the prospective investors were right for his purpose.
Mr Tobias had further stated that the Virgin Islands is his home and he did not wish to see Pusser’s leave the Virgin Islands.
“First of all I want to stay here. I have no place else I want to go. I don’t have houses anywhere else. I am happy here. So why do I want to leave to die somewhere else,” he said.” So I got to find somebody who shares my values, who feels like I feel about this place and about the brand… And that’s what it is all about. I would never sell the company to someone who would close the BVI [Outposts] down and get rid of our people. I had an offer and I turned it down cold,” he said,” Mr Tobias had said back in April 2015.
Popular tourist spot
Pusser’s is one of the places where tourists frequent while visiting the Virgin Islands and is well known internationally for the Royal Navy’s rum- Pusser’s Rum, the recipe of which Mr Tobias has the exclusive rights to.
According to pussers.com, in 1979, Charles Sydney Tobias formed Pusser's West Indies in the (British) Virgin Islands and undertook to resurrect the Pusser's Rum tradition with which he was familiar. "After much persuasion, the Admiralty Board of the Royal Navy gave him the blend for the rum and shortly afterwards, Pusser's Rum was being shipped commercially for the first time. In return, the Royal Navy Sailor's Fund, a naval charity, receives a substantial donation from the sale of each case. This contribution, aside from the Fund's original bequest, is the Fund's largest source of income," the website stated.
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29 Responses to “Pusser’s sold to Hon Mark H. Vanterpool”
Damn $%ing right!