It all began with a family...and their boat.
When the Hokins set sail for Bitter End on their vintage ketch Alianora in the 1960s, they had no idea that what awaited them ashore would become their family’s passion for generations.
In 1973, when Myron and Bernice Hokin acquired Bitter End, it was no more than a handful of bungalows and a ramshackle bar manned by a salty sea captain.
By the early 1970s,
the little-known outpost was already gaining a word-of-mouth reputation as the place to stay for laid-back, salty sailors and watersports enthusiasts from around the globe. This unspoiled corner of the British Virgin Islands, known as North Sound, quickly became the epicenter of their adventurous inclinations: sailing, fishing, diving, beachcombing and all manner of maritime exploration.
In the decades since,
Bitter End Yacht Club’s free spirit has continued to attract like-minded adventurers to its remote shores. It has become known as the best watersports training venue for pro athletes and amateurs alike, and the harbor is still a required stop on the itinerary of any sailor worth his or her salt. Guests come and go, but they take Bitter End with them along the way. What began as a family retreat has remained a family retreat – it’s just that today the Bitter End family spans many countries and continents the world over.
Like the Yacht Club, Bitter End Provisions began organically.
It started as a handful of goods, tried, tested and beloved by Bitter End’s crew. Those goods were shared with family members, friends and hotel guests. And those guests took them home to places far and wide. Then trickled in the requests…could we please send them another...
The legacy that has grown and evolved organically over fifty years was
forever changed on September 6, 2017,
when Irma, the most powerful hurricane to ever strike the eastern Caribbean, passed directly over Bitter End.
While our buildings, some of which dated back to the 1960s, were leveled, we are forever grateful that the Bitter End crew made it safely through the storm. Through this all, the strength and commitment of our community – the heart and soul of Bitter End – has grown stronger than ever.
While we knew that Bitter End the place was iconic, we learned firsthand that no storm of any category could extinguish our spirit, and that our need to stay connected as we rebuild the property felt more important than ever.
A big part of remaining connected for us is our commitment to supporting our community through philanthropic outreach. We recently launched The Bitter End Foundation, a 501(c)(3) aimed at supporting the continued success, unique needs, and wellbeing of seaside communities by providing in-kind, financial and educational support, protecting sea life, undersea and surrounding habitats, and encouraging conservation efforts.
So it is that Bitter End Provisions was born.
Without a place to set up shop at the moment, we’ve made a new home online. We’re stocked with the highest-quality goods to outfit your boat, your home, and your seafaring family. All of our wares are custom-made by us (and a selection of top-notch pals) to be enjoyed by anyone who carries the spirit of adventure, a love for the sea, and the warm welcome of the Caribbean in their veins. What makes the cut? It’s got to work hard, look good, and get the thumbs up from our crew. We hope you reach for our provisions whenever you’re doing something you’re passionate about whether ashore or at sea anywhere in the world.
