Cha Café and Bakery holds grand opening today

Cha Café and Bakery is holding its grand opening today, Thursday, after the business moved a few doors down to a larger space at the Garapan corner building on Beach Road. The move and expansion takes place after two years of serving locals and tourists with a mouth-watering menu ranging from pearl shakes to frappes and now, pastries. With its rebranding, the Los Angeles-inspired hip, urban, boardwalk cafe will be serving a variety of pastries and freshly brewed coffee seven days a week from 7am to 10pm.

“We felt that due to our popularity with both locals and tourists, we had to expand,” business owner John Lee told Saipan Tribune. “Moving to a bigger space next door made sense. Now customers are able to sit and enjoy their drinks. Additionally, our spot at Garapan’s best location brings us more exposure to potential customers who’ve never tried Cha.”

Lee, a law and business student, explained that the business’ goal since its conception was to develop a brand that can out-compete world brands. To meet that standard, innovation was imperative. 

“We had…to hold a standard far above what the island is used to. We are most excited that we raised the bar and that other businesses realize that they, too, must do better in order to do survive and thrive here on Saipan.”

He considers the business to be original in many aspects and urges the community to try Cha’s comprehensive menu and be the judge. Some of its menu’s newest additions are blueberry cheesecake, banana walnut bread, and chocolate chip cookies. 

A business that would normally fit 10 people comfortably now has 50 seats and free WiFi that is sure to make the Cha experience a jubilant one.

In a previous interview, Lee said that making customers happy is his primary goal.

“We are focusing on making customers happy. The standards we have are comparable to the best cafés in New York,” he said. “When I was planning to open the business I knew that there were a lot of risks and benefits. In the end, the benefits outweighed the risks.”

For this young entrepreneur, it is passion over profit.

“I did not expect it to come this far,” he added.

Cha’s dedication to the island goes beyond the glass doors of the establishment. The business hires a number of island youth and even provides academic scholarships for its employees. With its rebranding, the cafe and bakery has 20 employees and plans to hire more young adults. 

Lee attributes Cha’s success to each of its customers. “We started in a hole-in-the-wall but came this far only through hard work and fortune,” he said. ”We hope to make Saipan proud and ask for their continued support.”