La Isla Moda opens amid economic crunch

By HAIDEE V. EUGENIO
haidee_eugenio@saipantribune.com
Reporter

La Moda Isla shopping center in Garapan has opened at a time when retail establishments are either cutting back on operations or closing their business altogether because of the economic crunch.

“There’s optimism in down times,” La Moda Isla co-owner Del Benson said in an interview with Saipan Tribune Saturday.

He said the strategic location of La Moda Isla—near DFS Galleria and ABC Store in the tourist district of Garapan—is a major factor in the decision to open the store.

Its soft opening was on Dec. 21. There’s no date set so far for its grand opening.

The 12,000-square-foot La Isla Moda is a standout among the existing shopping centers in the CNMI by combining shopping experience with cultural exploration.

Shoppers are treated to giant visual images of the CNMI’s and the region’s historic past, as well as the natural beauty of the islands, including underwater and above water photography of Del Benson, murals and paintings. A giant photo of the majestic Grotto dive on the wall, which extends to the floor of the shopping center, serves as backdrop for picture taking.

Souvenir items and other merchandise are either locally made or supplied by local entities.

“We like to showcase the island feel and this is something not available in other stores…We promote local culture and products,” said Benson. “We continue to look for local artists, local musicians and suppliers of locally made products.”

Although La Moda Isla caters to all tourist markets and local residents, its merchandise are priced lower than other tourist shops in the area.

Frank Cabrera, owner of Stress Free, a locally produced brand of shirts, said he was encouraged by “La Moda Isla’s willingness to promote original Saipan products.”

“Tourists will always look for local products from the place they visit and they will get a lot of those at La Moda Isla, like Stress Free. We want tourists to kind of have a feel of a stress-free environment. Hopefully the interest will also trickle down to local residents,” said Cabrera.

Due to the big shopping floor, “you don’t feel crowded” when shopping, Benson added.

Besides offering a culturally enriching shopping experience, La Moda Isla also has a snack corner where shoppers can order refreshing beverages. Shoppers can also surf the Internet through the shop’s free Wi-Fi service.

Uncertainties

Despite the optimism that opportunities abound in down times, co-owners of La Moda Isla said the federal takeover of local immigration has been the major cause of uncertainty among businesses in the CNMI

The shopping center opened with the upsurge of tourists from Japan, Korea, China and Russia but by June 1, the CNMI may no longer receive as many Russian and Chinese tourists unless these visitors secure U.S. visas, which is a costly and time-consuming process.

La Moda Isla co-owner Playford Ramsey said that federalization will further hurt the remaining businesses in the CNMI and will scare away new investors.

Cabrera and Benson echoed Ramsey’s concerns. “As a local vendor, it’s sad to see local businesses close. The feds are creating an unstable economy,” said Cabrera.