Pacific Source opens 2nd location in Garapan

Pacific Source opened its second location in Garapan next to the JP Center building and Sisters Nail Salon last June. (Mark Rabago)

Pacific Source seems to be thriving even during the pandemic as it opened a second location in the more central location of Garapan a couple of months ago.

Owner Jim Cabanes said the fish store opened its first location in Kagman across Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort in 2019. They started selling fish in their latest location in Garapan next to the JP Center building and Sisters Nail Salon in June.

“While our Kagman location caters to the eastern neighborhoods of Saipan, we chose our Garapan location to offer convenience to those who are on-the-go. After all, there is a saying that ‘all roads lead to Garapan!’” he said.

Pacific Source sells a variety of pelagic fish, reef fish, bottom fish, and invertebrates (octopus and squid). “Popularity varies depending on our customer’s preference. In addition to fish, we also sell organic lettuce grown from a local hydroponic farm,” said Cabanes, who added that they get most of their fish from local fishermen.

Owner Jim Cabanes holds up a parrot fish on the left and a mufute on the right. (Mark Rabago)

Just some of the fish available at their fish stand include lobster, tuna, parrot fish, hiyok, hangon, tataga, guili, mafute, and opakapaka.

While they still don’t offer the cleaning of fish, Pacific Source will soon offer the service, according to Cabanes. “We are in the works of providing this service soon! Keep an eye out!”

Like all businesses in the CNMI, Pacific Source has felt the negative effects of COVID-19, despite opening a new location. “COVID-19’s presence has definitely affected the entire islands’ economy and our business is not exempt from that. Our tourist clientele is not as significant as it used to be,” said Cabanes.

As far as safety precautions to stymie the spread of the coronavirus, Pacific Source said they follow the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. guidelines. “We take safety precautions seriously even prior to and during this pandemic. In addition to social distancing, sanitizing of hands, and wearing of face masks, there is regular sanitation of the fish stand, coolers, and equipment,” said Cabanes.

Pacific Source also sells organic lettuce grown from a local hydroponic farm. (Mark Rabago)

Pacific Source’s Garapan location is open from Monday to Saturday, 7am-7pm and on Sunday, 1pm-5pm. The Kagman location, meanwhile, is open from Mondays to Saturdays, 8am-5:30pm. For more information, call 789-3323.

Cabanes said he’s just happy that, even during this time of COVID-19, Pacific Source provides a valuable service to the community and, at the same time, gives them a way to make a living. “Thanks to our loyal customers who support both locations, our business is steadily thriving,” he said.