Triple J to open Super Fresh Market

Just weeks after acquiring majority ownership of the famous Tony Roma’s and Capricciosa restaurants in Garapan, Triple J Saipan Inc. will open a new store called Super Fresh Market on Friday.

Super Fresh Market is at the former location of Carmen Safeway in Chalan Kanoa.

Robert H. Jones, president and chief executive officer of Triple J Enterprises Inc., said the store will focus on a wide selection of the freshest produce and chilled products possible.

The store will carry everything from fresh vegetables and soft fruits to yogurts, deli items and chilled meats. Triple J, which has a long-term lease of the building, has tapped local farmers to supply fresh produce, while other products will be imported from the U.S.

“The idea is to have a great selection of perishables—bakery, produce, chilled meats, fresh vegetables, ice cream. We’re trying to do a better job because that job is not being done properly here so that’s what we’re trying to do,” Jones told Saipan Tribune.

Despite a downturn in the economy, which has forced many businesses to either reduce operations or shut down, Triple J Saipan has been making bold moves. Jones said Triple J put in a “substantial” investment in the store.

“Every challenge creates an opportunity. We found out that Carmen Safeway closed operations and we had discussions with them…We feel that in a slowdown like this, you can’t cut your way out of it, you have to grow out of it,” Jones said.

Triple J Saipan will host a VIP night for the new store on Thursday, from 6pm to 8pm. The event consists of ribbon cutting, wine tasting and food sampling reception.

On Friday, Super Fresh Market will officially open to the public starting at 7am.

Store employees have been undergoing training from Guam personnel—from supervisors to computer experts and accountants—to help set up the store.

Jones earlier said that while Saipan’s economy is at the bottom now, it will start getting better a year from now so long as the island doesn’t lose its tourists from China, Russia, Japan and Korea, among other things.

He calls on other businesses to grab the opportunities available to them.

Triple J Saipan Inc. is one of the companies under Triple J Enterprises Inc., which now has over 700 employees throughout the Pacific and has consistently ranked as one of the top companies in Micronesia. It has offices and businesses on Saipan; Guam; Palau; Majuro; Ebeye; Oakland, California; Shanghai, China; and Hakuba, Japan.