Poki Fry Grubz
Opened: June 1
Location: Marine Corps Drive in Tamuning, formerly Stinger’s
Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday
Owners: Bryan Duenas and Peter Perez
The owners of Poki Fry have opened Poki Fry Grubz, an eatery serving the brand’s same gourmet fries and poki in addition to charbroiled BBQ plates and pork belly. The owners operated Stinger’s Fried Chicken & Ribs in the 1,000-square-foot space for several months prior but closed it in a “spur of the moment decision” to serve Poki Fry’s popular fare in a different way, according to its owners.
Longchamp
Opened: July 30
Location: Lotte Duty Free at the A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam
Hours: 24 hours
Size: 289 square feet
French luxury brand Longchamp opened at the former Bally space in the airport duty-free shop. The store offers the latest collections of the brand’s handbags, including its iconic Le Pliage bag, small leather goods and accessories. The contemporary storefront is designed with understated elegance and with the Longchamp name imprinted on the entrance floor and also on a champagne-colored fascia.
Jerry Kitchen
Opened: June 3
Location: 541 Marine Corps Dr. Plaza Building 102 and 103, Tamuning
Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily
Seats: Around 100
Owner: Jerry Li
Number of employees: Around 15
Opened by the former owner of Old Town Chinese Restaurant, Jerry Kitchen in Tamuning serves Hong Kong-style dim sum, Chinese and American cuisine. The around 2,000-square-foot space seats around 100 and serves popular dim sum including pork soup dumplings, shu mai, fried dumplings, wontons and chicken feet. American fare includes New York-style steak, fried chicken and pork chops.
Run Guam
Opened: July 15
Location: Between Linda’s Café and Guam AutoSpot on Marine Corps Drive in Hagåtña
Co-owners: Derek Mandell, president; Desmond Mandell III, vice president; Sherwin Paet, vice president; and Davey Castro, operations manager
The pop-up shop operation Run Guam opened its first physical store in Hagåtña to support running events almost every weekend. The co-owners each have backgrounds in the running community and established Run Guam in February 2015, with the goal of becoming the industry leader in sportswear on Guam and opening a store. Run Guam carries team sportswear and plans on holding running clinics and meet-ups that will start at their store and run through the village.
Great Harvest Bread Co.
Opened: Aug. 10
Location: Chalan Kanoa on Beach Road, in front of Surf Club
Owner: Triple J Enterprises Inc.
Head baker: Donovan Castro
Manager: Norisa Camacho
Employees: 19
Great Harvest Bread Co. is the newest franchise acquired by Triple J Enterprises Inc. The Saipan location will be the farthest location of the Montana-based Great Harvest Bread Co. bakery franchise, which has more than 220 bakeries throughout 43 states. Great Harvest grinds wheat kernels daily, which are then baked into whole grain breads and other whole grain products within 48 hours. Honey Whole Wheat bread is the top-selling bread, followed by Dakota, Nine Grain and High-Five Fiber.
Kevin’s The Prime Rib & Seafood
Opens: October or November
Location: Aqua Resort Saipan
General manager: Nobuyuki “Kevin” Tsurui
Seating: 98 in main dining, 10 in private room
Number of employees: Four chefs and five servers
The Aqua Resort Saipan’s steakhouse will feature Black Mountain Angus Dry Aging Beef for its prime rib, served with the hotel’s famous Caesar salad and mashed potatoes with gravy. The Caesar salad and prime rib have been served at the hotel’s various restaurants since its opening 28 years ago. Wagon service will be available for the salad, meat menus and some desserts to include crepe suzette to be flambéd at the table. The restaurant aims to create a romantic atmosphere with a red color-themed interior.
Red Door Boutique
Opened: July 1
Location: Chalan Kanoa
Owner: Leilani Ellis
Number of employees: One
Leilani Ellis returned to Saipan after 12 years and opened her women’s clothing store, Red Door Boutique. Ellis will soon also feature original handmade accessories by her. The clothing is chosen by Ellis from various vendors, taking into account women’s specific needs and budgets.
