Island’s newest restaurant, Surf Club, officially opens

Officials and staff of Triple J Enterprises as well as their close friends and families gathered for the ribbon cutting on Sunday for the official opening of the island’s newest restaurant, Surf Club. Located at the former site of the Pacific Gardenia restobar, Surf Club, currently under the management of general manager Kono Ryohei, has been having soft openings for several weeks but the wait was finally over on Oct. 9, 2016.

The event consisted of several people of interest speaking, including of Triple J chairman and CEO Robert H. Jones, vice president of finance and business administration Mike Sablan, Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres, and father Ken Jones. Following their remarks was the ribbon cutting, with food and refreshments being made available to all guests soon after.

“We got the name of Surf Club from all the surfers out here. Over the years, we’ve lived next door and have watched them all the time. So what better way to recognize these surfers other than naming this place after them?” Robert H. Jones explained.

He said he wished to create a restaurant that not only invites tourists who are looking to have a good time, but also caters to local residents. “We are developing the menu, trying to attract all the local residents that are interested in having a nice evening by the beach. …You will find a menu that has chicken kelaguen, shrimp kelaguen, beef kelaguen, and all those things on it, all intended to satisfy locals as well as tourists.” Jones added.

Working with Triple J for about eight years now, Sablan said he has witnessed the extent of economic growth his company has created on Saipan. Citing the opening of Bubba Gump, Surf Club, Outback restaurant hotel and other small projects, he said, “This is just a reflection of the Jones family’s commitment to Saipan and the CNMI.”

“This is a local project, not a franchise project. A lot of us worked together to build this restaurant not just from the construction side but from the theme side as well. It is a result of our collective effort,” Sablan added.

Torres thanked the Jones family and offered his support for their new project. “For the staff and on behalf of the administration, I would like to personally say thank you to the Jones family for bringing the investment here. The type of investment you’re bringing in is actually a blessing for me and the people of the CNMI and brings more opportunity for the tourists.”

Iliana Pacheco, marketing manager at Triple J, said, “I am so excited for this restaurant ‘cause it [Surf Club] looks amazing and feels amazing. I mean, the windows retract so we can open them completely. We have private cabanas for private parties and events, and there’s also a beach shower, so you can go to the beach to surf, swim, or just hang out and can come right in for a drink or snack soon after washing up. So it’s really one of the only places on island where you can do all of this” when asked about her thoughts of Surf Club being built.

She described the ambiance of Surf Club as a “casual beach environment, but also nice enough to bring someone you want to impress without even having to dress up.”

Triple currently has over 300 employees on Saipan and approaching a thousand collectively. About 60 men were used to create the building under the supervision of Mario Valentino, superintendent of construction for Triple J. The restaurant is currently located on San Isidro Ave. (Michael T. Santos)