Black Wood Furniture opens in Koblerville

Black Wood’s showroom. (Mark Rabago)

Far from the business district of Chalan Kanoa and tourist district of Garapan, a charming little furniture store in Koblerville has been making a name for itself for the contemporary furniture it’s been selling.

Black Wood Furniture has been in business since last February and has quietly become a favorite for new homebuyers and those wanting a fresh new look inside their apartments, especially following the destruction of Super Typhoon Yutu in last October.

Joanne Kim, Black Wood Furniture manager, said they opened a furniture shop on Saipan because of the dearth of such stores on island and after finding that the local community needed new furniture after Yutu destroyed so many homes.

“Since we moved to Saipan, we noticed that there aren’t much choices in furniture with modern designs. We decided to open Black Wood to give customers a choice,” she said.

Kim said their shop offers a wide range of dining furniture, bedroom furniture, sofas, dressers, book shelves, vanity shelves, and more.

Since opening shop, Black Wood Furniture has had customers from as far as Kagman and Marpi.

“We are having new customers daily and we also have a lot of return customers as well. Generally, we feel really welcomed,” said Kim.

When asked what sets Black Wood Furniture apart from other furniture stores on island, she said they retail unique items not readily available on Saipan.

“Most of our items are very limited, and we are constantly shipping different products so our customers can have their own unique interior style, instead of having the same household furniture with other customers. Furniture-wise we offer a wide range of items, sometimes too we can special order if the customer wants. As part of our business idea, we insist on keeping costs low and provide various home furniture with contemporary style,” she said.

While every customer has different needs, the furniture store’s bookshelves have been bestsellers so far.

“It’s really hard to say what furniture has been in the most in demand, but our bookshelves have been really popular lately,” she said.

Black Wood Furniture has also become famous on island for selling IKEA products, which Kim says they import directly from South Korea. She, however, is the first to say that they also have other furniture brands.

“We also sell furniture from other suppliers as well,” she said.

Currently, Black Wood Furniture is having a Fourth of July sale where it is 15-percent off on selected items. The promotion began yesterday and ends on Sunday, July 7.

Black Wood Furniture is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11am to 6m. It is closed on Wednesday and Sunday. It also offers layaway plans. For more information about Black Wood Furniture, call 234-6708 or email blackwood6708@gmail.com.

Black Wood Furniture manager Joanne Kim. (Mark Rabago)