Bestseller to close Saipan outlet

The Bestseller branch in Chalan Kiya. (MARK RABAGO)

Saipan’s lone bookstore, Bestseller Saipan, will be permanently shuttering its doors next month after fulfilling every local bookworm’s needs since 1994.

“After 29 years of serving the community of Saipan, Micronesia Media Distributor, Inc. dba Bestseller Saipan will be closing its doors on Monday, April 17, 2023,” said Bestseller, Inc. vice president for Operations May Camacho in a March 17, 2023, letter posted on the door of the bookstore.

Camacho elaborated on Bestseller’s decision in an email response to Saipan Tribune questions. “We have weathered many ups and downs over the last 29 years serving the Saipan community but the last three years have been especially challenging and, unfortunately, we have decided that it is best for us to close.”

Until now until its imminent closure, Bestseller Saipan is having a close-out sale where most merchandise will be 30% off. Micronesia Media Distributor is planning to donate leftover inventory to as yet-to-be named organizations.

When asked if the move from Joeten Susupe to Chalan Kiya years ago had an effect in sales, Camacho said yes, but added that the COVID-19 pandemic was the bigger challenge.

“We did experience a different flow of customers after our move, which was expected because it was a different location and size. [But] like everyone else, COVID-19 was a big factor affecting our sales. Our landlords at the MAC Building have been very supportive and just recently installed a generator for the building. We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to do business with them,” she said, while adding that all types of businesses have also been affected by the advent of online sellers and Bestseller Saipan wasn’t spared.

Camacho did leave a sliver of hope that Bestseller Saipan may make a comeback.

“When things pick up we will revisit the idea of a retail location but for now we can continue serving our customers from our Guam locations,” she added.

As for Bestseller Saipan employees, Camacho said that, like the bookstore, they too will be moving on.

“We currently have two employees on Saipan. One is a full-time student with a different part-time job and the other employee will be moving off-island to be with family in the [United] States,” she said.

While a chapter of Bestseller literally is closing on Saipan, Camacho said the company’s two stores in neighboring Guam is at the beck and call of book and magazine readers from the CNMI.

“We look forward to serving you through our Guam stores. To place and pay for an order please call or email either location.”

She said the two remaining Bestseller stores in the U.S. territory are Bestseller Micronesia Mall at 1088 W. Marine Corps Drive, Dededo (telephone number  671-637-5001 email and bestmall@iake-associates.com) and Bestseller Guam Premier Outlets at 199 Chalan San Antonio Suite 119 Tamuning, Guam (telephone number 671-647-7234 and email bestgpo@jake-associates.com).

“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the people of Saipan for their patronage and support these past 29 years. It has been a privilege being a part of the Saipan community. We will miss seeing our customers and look forward to continuing to serve them through our Guam stores,” said Camacho.