T Galleria reopens after 2 years

From left, Marian Aldan-Pierce, retired DFS Saipan president; Rachel Tan, DFS MidPac vice president of operations; Gov. Ralph DLG Torres; Richard Gustafson, managing director of DFS for Japan, MidPac, and Korea; and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios cut the ribbon to officially reopen T Galleria of DFS Saipan. (Leigh Gases)

The long-awaited reopening of T-Galleria by Duty Free Saipan Ltd. finally happened last Friday, April 8, two years since the luxury mall shuttered its doors in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic that devastated global tourism.

More than 100 local residents and tourists were seen waiting in line to get inside the mall before 12pm, and the line extended past the Hafa Adai Roasting Co. on the west side of the building as invited guests, dignitaries, and DFS staff held the pre-opening program in front of the entrance. 

Richard Gustafson, managing director of DFS for Japan, MidPac, and Korea, said he opening has been long awaited. “We’ve been just counting the days and minutes until we’d be able to reopen and welcome all of our staff, all of our community, all of our esteemed dignitaries back to DFS,” he said. “We’re so thrilled today to be able to contribute, change the course of the future, help this island as people get back to normalcy, and hopefully have some fun shopping along the way… Again, thank you to all of you… a very big welcome back and a very big Biba DFS!”

DFS is now open daily from 1pm to 7pm. 

To formalize the occasion, Gustafson was joined by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, and retired DFS Saipan president Marian Aldan-Pierce in cutting the ribbon. A cultural dance group from Pacific Islands Club Saipan also performed. The mall’s doors were finally opened to the public at 1pm and, as they entered, some shoppers were quite emotional, becoming teary eyed. 

When asked how they felt about DFS finally opening, a group of shoppers said, “We feel really happy. It’s more convenient to get access to luxury brands rather than buying them online.” 

Although only a third of the store is currently open, Gustafson said that they wanted to open as soon as we could… We were very excited to see the recovery in the travel forecasts and tourism coming into Saipan, and so it was time. …The next third of the store we’re planning for this summer, probably around June. Some of the higher-end luxury brands, their production is slower and our ability to move the inventory here also takes longer.” 

DFS also welcomed back about 30 employees. According to Gustafson, “two thirds of them are former employees, which are some of our best from before, many of them with 10, 15, and 20 years of experience. For some of them also, it was kind of a homecoming.”

Gustafson assured that the company is committed to Saipan. “We’re committed to the people of Saipan, to our former employees, many of whom have come back and joined us, and so we wanted to start contributing. We know that things won’t be perfect for some time, but someone’s got to take the first step. And so we want to lead the way and really, hopefully, provide a bit of a beacon of hope for everyone that Saipan is alive and well, and it’s coming back,” he said. 

Aldan-Pierce described the occasion as “a very exciting for the community and for DFS.”

“I love it. …I think it’s wonderful for the community and tourists are starting to come back. It’s a great place and people always want to come to DFS. I’m very happy and the staff are really happy,” she said.

To welcome customers back to DFS and thank them for their support, the first 50 visitors received a special treat. They also had the chance to participate in a raffle drawing to win great prizes. With every purchase of $200, shoppers received a raffle ticket to join raffles held on April 9, 11 and 13 at 4pm.

DFS is still taking all available precautionary measures to safeguard people in the store and is adhering to health and safety guidelines.