Plans to expand OneMart to East End, USVI, other countries
While boldly stating that the new OneMart Superstore will be a trendsetter in the East End/Long Look community, businessman Mark Vanterpool also revealed plans to expand the business in a number of neighbouring countries.
Vanterpool who is the Director and Chief Executive Officer of OneMart, made the comments during the groundbreaking ceremony at the store’s soon-to-be Fat Hog Bay location.
He said: “I pick up the phone some weeks ago and I called a friend of mine and I actually was on a 65-inch TV screen — what you call a smartboard — and I went on the smartboard and I bring up Google and I looked for some big stores in St Thomas and I looked for land around it, and I said I want that piece of land, 35 acres. They called me back and told me who it’s for and we started discussing negotiations.”
“One day you will go to shop at OneMart in St Thomas. You going down there for CostULess and all those other things. As soon as you reach down there I going be right there waiting for you. But we are planning, and we also maybe going to St Croix, who knows? We’re looking at St Martin, we looking at other places,” he added.
Modern design store to set trend in the community
In the meantime, Vanterpool said the new East End store which will be in excess of 30,000 square feet and possess the largest parking lot in the community, will pave the way for the future modern city of East End/Long Look and neighbouring communities.
He said that future businesses will follow the standard set by OneMart and build modern stores to further enhance the beauty of the community.
“This is not a superette. This is going to be the real deal in the Virgin Islands. It will be a store that reflects the OneMart concept where you can come and get all that you need in one store — OneMart. The first floor will be grocery and a cash and carry, the second floor will be appliances, household items and a true department store including basic clothing, electronics, cosmetics, perfumes, toys and all of your other needs,” Vanterpool explained.
He added: “Then you will be able to take the elevator to the top and the third floor where you will have a complete showroom of the OneMart quality and exquisite furniture and accessories that we are known for. There will be no need for our good customers from eastern side of the island to shop in Road Town. Prices, products and services here will be the same as our store at Port Purcell.”
Superstore will bring more businesses!
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier and Seventh District Representative Dr Natalio Wheatley said the store which is located within his district, will not only create new employment, but also create more business opportunities in the eastern parts of Tortola.
He said: “These types of investments you have persons who will be coming here to shop and attracting more persons into the community … and someone would say with all of these persons coming to shop here at OneMart, perhaps maybe I can invest in a business.”
“And some of those persons after they go shopping in OneMart they will come and they will shop with me (the business). So, this undoubtedly will raise the stakes in the Seventh District and it will attract more investment,” Dr Wheatley added.
OneMart has been providing services in the British Virgin Islands for approximately 34 years.
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Any plans on being on any of the sister Islands?
Is Vanterpool putting the stimulus money to good use? Most people received nothing and are starving and he is expanding his empire. It’s amazing how being in government gets you madly wealthy.
Love It.
Perhaps he should consider providing the quality of his current store…it’s a hot m**s.
All the best to him. Seems as if he yanked a whale.
Yeah it seems as if he yanked a whale for true.
Stores like this are a great convenience for customers, but in the long run they tend to drive out the small businesses. We’ve seen it for decades here in the USA when Wal-Mart opens up a store in a neighborhood or small town.
I agree…. while I am glad to hear that a supermarket is coming to East End / Long Look to provide more variety and competition to the RiteWay behemoth, his plans for a furniture store clashes with 5Girls right next door, even as his proposed department store will slam the door shut on Parham Town General supplies and a host of small start-ups. I applaud Mark for his vision but as a lifelong resident I also want to see more development by residents, for residents and supported by residents… not just another bar, daycare or hair salon.
OneMart is hardly WalMart, it’s locally owned. If they are doing well enough to expand they should have the right to.
How come he is not thinking about opening one in anguilla?
When you open in the USVI, I hope your prices compete with the other store’s prices there. Otherwise, say BELLY UP!
Lol. One Mart goes head to head with Wal Mart, Carrefour and Tesco. Right after I hand out to beating to Mike Tyson.
Ope one down West too.
What he needs to do is fix the problems in his main store before he expands. One mart is the only store if you buy something today and go back to get it the next day you can’t find it because they have moved it around.
That store will surely kill all small business in both East End and Long Look. How can Hon.Weathely and Hon Penn welcome such a store in a district they represent
Before you expand, try to fix the management first. Managed by one family from the management supervisors cashiers maintenance, etc… Try to have policy and procedure first most especially in financial aspect. Conflict of interest in all aspect.
“One day you will go to shop at OneMart in St Thomas. You going down there for CostULess and all those other things. As soon as you reach down there I going be right there waiting for you. But we are planning, and we also maybe going to St Croix, who knows? We’re looking at St Martin, we looking at other places,” he added.
He forgot to add Anguilla. But why would I leave a OneMart in Tola to go St. Thomas to shop to come back Tola? Unless we will get the second hand stuff here, as we always do? I would like to see him pull that one off though. If he does, he good..
The 4th District have no district representation but at least we have a superstore to look towards. Sigh.
Well Mark, I have to give you your PROPS. YOU ARE STEPPING UP TO WALMART STATUS. GOOD BUSINESS MAN. BUILD YOUR SUPERMARKET EMPIRE.
Bring super walmart to st. Thomas, bring back burger king, bring red lobster, taco bell, bring a small disney wall with rides allyear round, target, ross, ice cream shops, food trucks, !malls with 3 floors.
Bring super walmart to st. Thomas, bring back burger king, bring red lobster, taco bell, bring a small disney wall with rides allyear round, target, ross, ice cream shops, food trucks, !malls with 3 floors.
But I did heard he was coming to the 9th District, what’s up with that?
wonmark should include a kfc franchise in his shop. date would get me in.