The granddaughters of businessman Mark Vanterpool cut the ribbon to officially open the new OneMart supermarket on Virgin Gorda on April 1.
A new chapter in Virgin Gorda’s retail history began with the opening of the latest One Mart supermarket, as businessman Mark Vanterpool said the development represents both continuity and change for the community.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vanterpool framed the launch as more than a commercial expansion, noting the site’s long-standing role in the island’s social and economic life. “We’re here today not just because we are opening a supermarket, but because we are opening a new chapter for the people of Virgin Gorda,” he stated.
The new store replaces the former Rosy’s supermarket, a family-run business that served Virgin Gorda for decades. Vanterpool was insistent that the transition was not a replacement but a continuation of that legacy, even as he acknowledged the Walters family for their years of service.
Rosy’s began in the late 1960s as a small cook shop and evolved over three generations into a central hub for the community. Several speakers during the launch highlighted the business’s role in bringing residents together, beyond simply providing groceries.
Ninth District Representative Vincent Wheatley said the opening marked the realisation of a long-held vision for expansion into Virgin Gorda.
“Twenty-three years ago, I joined this wonderful company in Tortola called One Mart. And I heard of the vision then to expand to Virgin Gorda… I am so pleased indeed that that day has finally come to pass,” he stated.
Wheatley said the presence of the new supermarket would benefit the wider community and encouraged residents to support local businesses.
He also pointed to the company’s track record of community support, adding, “With any community they function in, they make sure they give back to that community. And I must applaud them for that.”
A plan in the making for decades
Meanwhile, Vanterpool said the One Mart expansion had been in planning for decades and was driven by demand from Virgin Gorda’s residents who had long travelled to Tortola for supplies. “The people of Virgin Gorda have always supported us from a distance… you waited for us to come to Virgin Gorda,” he said.
He added that the new outlet aims to improve convenience and accessibility. “We are closer to you, to your home and your businesses… to bring to you what you deserve,” he said.
Vanterpool told attendees the company intends to remain embedded in the community. “We are here to serve you, the people… we are part of your everyday life,” he said.
The ceremony concluded with an official ribbon-cutting and the opening of the store to customers, marking the arrival of a new retail option on the sister island.
Copyright 2026 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
