Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Scrub Island group leases Marina Cay; Restaurant to be revived

Scrub Island group leases Marina Cay; Restaurant to be revived

When Charles C. Tobias, the former owner of Pussers British West Indies Limited, announced in 2019 that Pussers would no longer have a presence on Marina Cay after more than 25 years, many residents, as well as tourists, had expressed sadness.

Now comes news that Marina Cay is under a long-term lease to Scrub Island Development Group.

There are also reports that the restaurant will be revived.

The restaurant was damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and never rebuilt.

According to Joe C. Collier, President and Founder of Mainsail Lodging and Development, “A reclamation project is underway and the heavy debris and rubble from the previous storms have been removed.

“New activation plans are being developed and the island will be brought back to life in the next few months,” Mr Collier told Virgin Islands News Online.

Meanwhile, General Manager of Scrub Island Resort Mr Michael J. Schoonewagen also confirmed to our newsroom that Marina Cay is now under lease to Scrub Island Development Group and anticipates that a restaurant will be among the facilities available to guests.

“This is all new and we are still in discussions, but I‘m sure one of the moving parts will be reviving the restaurant,” Mr Schoonewagen stated.


According to Joe C. Collier, President and Founder of Mainsail Lodging and Development, a reclamation project is underway at Marina Cay and the heavy debris and rubble from the previous storms have been removed.

History

Marina Cay, an 8-acre island, was occupied in the late 1930’s by newlyweds Robb and Rodie White. Robb’s best-selling book of 1953, Our Virgin Island, chronicled their life on Marina Cay. It became a film starring Sidney Poitier and John Cassavetes, much of it filmed on the island.

For 20 years after American Robb White’s departure for WWII, the island lay uninhabited for some time until it was purchased by American entrepreneur and lawyer Eugene K. Tonkonogy and a small hotel opened on the island in 1960.

In the early 1990’s, Charles S. Tobias, on leasing the island, set about building a very small and intimate resort with a gift shop and Pusser’s Restaurant.

General Manager of Scrub Island Resort Mr Michael J. Schoonewagen also confirmed to our newsroom that Marina Cay is now under lease to Scrub Island Development Group and anticipates that a restaurant will be among the facilities available to guests.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×