Tinian’s Coffee & Bread serves fresh bread every day

Coffee & Bread owner Edwin Sta. Theresa not only sells bread in his shop but also distributes them to other stores around Tinian. (Bea Cabrera)

When Edwin Sta. Theresa moved to Tinian seven years ago from Saipan to continue his work as x-ray specialist and ultrasound technician, he knew that he wanted to maximize every single minute of the day. Since work at the hospital starts at 9am, he thought of opening a business that can operate before that; thus, the birth of Coffee & Bread located in San Jose that serves customers breakfast only starting at 5am.

“Starting that early gives my customers assurance that they get fresh-from-the-oven bread everyday… Before I came here, I had a video production business on Saipan and when I moved to Tinian which is quieter than Saipan, I knew I had to keep myself busy so armed with extra money, I looked around to see what kind of business should I venture into this time?” he said.

“Going around, I found out that there is no bakery on island and I decided to step up to the plate and provide that. I didn’t know anything about bread but I self-studied and with the help of my current cook/baker we are getting by. The return of investment is just the right amount to pay the rent and salary that is why I need to do something else and expanding Coffee & Bread into a bakery and restaurant by adding dishes is part of my plans,” he added.

Coffee & Bread specialties include French bread, toasted bread, star bread, turtle bread, loaf bread, and pandesal. The bestsellers are ensyamada and donuts. “My customers are 60% Filipinos and 40% locals which is a good mix… aside from Filipino favorites, we are trying to adopt American bread too… People also like that I keep my shop clean especially during this time of the pandemic. I work in the hospital that is why I am very particular about cleanliness,” Sta. Theresa said.

Coffee & Bread is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 5am-9am, to accommodate customers after Sunday Mass. (Bea Cabrera)

“As soon as you work here on Tinian in any kind of job, people know you. The reason why I say this is that people come here and say they are happy for me. Their words make me strong and at the same time if they like what they buy and taste, word gets around and then more people are enticed to check my products in the shop,” Sta. Theresa added.

Aside from selling bread in his own bakery, Coffee & Bread also distributes to seven other groceries and stores on Tinian. “The list includes U Save, JJ Store, etc.… I am anticipating more customers so I hired two more people—a cook from Rota and a waitress/cashier from Saipan. This will help me with added items on the breakfast menu,” Sta. Theresa said.

“Despite of the many challenges—the covid-19 pandemic which lessened my customers like the construction workers at the casino because work stopped for them—I just find myself moving on and overcoming challenges. My priority is my family and because of them I work hard to make things work and make ends meet,” Sta. Theresa added.

Coffee & Bread is located in San Jose at the back of the Mobil gas station. They are open from Tuesday to Sunday, 5am to 9am. For more information, call (670) 788-8552 or look them up on Facebook: Coffee & Bread.