A year ago, it took only a minute for the first customer to buy some bread at Island Pantry, the mini-supermarket on Serpentine Road in Pembroke.

Many minutes and many purchases later, the venue celebrated its first anniversary this week with food giveaways and promotions.

“We have a steady, loyal clientele so I want to say a big thank you to our customers for supporting us in our first year,” said Jason Berwick, co-CEO of owners Take Five Ltd, the operators of the Village Pantry and Devil’s Isle restaurants as well as the island’s Buzz outlets.

“Our bread and bakery items have become very popular. We have had good success with our coffee machines and have been able to support some small local businesses by selling their products.”

Local products at Island Pantry include Cedarberry Foods’ plant-based butter, granola by Oatbelievable, beers from On De Rock craft brewery, carrots from Pacheco Farms, lettuce and herbs from Food Forest, lettuce from Harvest House, and Green Triangle’s vegan dressings and cream cheese.

Maxanne Caines, Take Five’s marketing manager, said: “We are always looking for more local products to promote. All you have to do is drop off a sample to us and it goes from there.”

The 1,500-square-foot outlet stocks a diverse selection of wines – including biodynamic and organic wines from a US supplier – and craft beers, as well as liquor, meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, and a variety of jams, sauces, olive oils, vinegars, pasta, cereals, snacks, chocolates, a frozen food section, and more.

Ms Caines said the market had a particular focus on keto, vegan and vegetarian products.

Island Pantry makes and sells its own pasta, stocks the Devil’s Isle brand of locally roasted coffee and mills the flour for its selection of breads.

Many of the products from overseas are produced by smaller companies.

Mr Berwick said: “We have definitely brought in products to the island that are not available in other supermarkets.

“We bring them in through a consolidated wholesaler and can choose the brands we want to work with -- small batch, family owned, community, and eco-friendly focused companies.

“Small products from small companies can really stand out here as opposed to getting lost in a bigger supermarket.”

Mr Berwick said customers could make requests if they were aware of a product they would like to see sold at Island Pantry.

The market is managed by Vineeta Taneja Wells.

www.islandpantry.bm