{"id":338295,"date":"2021-02-11T06:06:46","date_gmt":"2021-02-10T20:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=338295"},"modified":"2021-02-11T06:06:46","modified_gmt":"2021-02-10T20:06:46","slug":"123-store-rebuilding-a-family-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/123-store-rebuilding-a-family-business\/","title":{"rendered":"123 Store: Rebuilding a family business"},"content":{"rendered":"
123 Store is located inside Winner\u2019s Laundry in Chalan Kanoa near the U.S. Post Office. (Bea Cabrera)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If the name sounds familiar, it should because 123 Store was a popular name that started business on Saipan in the 1980s. It was known for a variety of businesses in Garapan\u2014a convenience store, a gift shop, and at one point a duty free shop. But the downturn of the economy in the 2009-2010 led to the chain\u2019s closure.<\/p>\n

Now, a young blood in the family, Sean Lee, has restarted the good reputation the 123 Store brand has built and enjoyed years ago by opening a convenience store along Chalan Kanoa Drive near the U.S. Postal Service. <\/p>\n

\u201cAfter over 10 years, I opened it again at the end of November in 2019 and focused on just a convenience store because that is what the locals need. I got a break when my boss, the owner of White Laundry, offered me an opportunity to open a small store inside the laundromat. The location is ideal, too, because people can buy items here before, during, or after laundry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Young entrepreneur Sean Lee went to retail business with the hope that he will be successful in continuing what his father started in the 1980s. (Bea Cabrera)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cReopening was a little tough because when we first started everything was normal then in March 2020 [the COVID-19] pandemic hit. We had to go through an adjustment period because we had to change operating days and hours and also a lot of people are struggling financially\u2026 That was difficult for everyone because it was either they were getting laid off or furloughed from work. I myself was working at another company but I stepped down so I can fully focus on my store,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

123 Store offers the usual items you see in a convenience store, but Lee goes the extra mile to give service to his customers. \u201cWe offer a variety of goods, mainly pretty much everything especially what the customers in the laundromat needs like soap, fabric softener, etc. We also have food items if they get hungry like soba and we have a microwave for different microwavable food available in the store,\u201d Lee said<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving a microwave in the store is a big advantage and ready for customers that need them.. We also have hot water\u2026We also listen to what the customers suggest that we carry in the store. We don\u2019t have a whole lot of frozen food but we have what people ask for like fish, sausages, etc. also local vegetables and fruits depending on the season,\u201d Lee added.<\/p>\n

Customers can find all the items they need at 123 Store. (Bea Cabrera)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lee said the store may be smaller than other groceries but customers are assured that they have everything they need at 123 Store. \u201cWe balance what kind of items we sell in the store. We continuously study our market and from there we consider what things do we have to give up and what items are we going to focus on\u2026 we\u2019re trying to put more items\u2026having a captured market\u2014the laundromat\u2014is a big opportunity for us and a laundromat having a convenience store inside is a necessity, so it works both ways,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Lee added that future plans include being able to accept food stamps. \u201cWe are in the process of getting our food stamp accreditation so we can help the community. It hurts to turn down customers who are unable to use the stamps in the store\u2026 we are hoping to get it by next month. Overall, I want customers to feel \u2018wow this kind of place exists!\u2019 and I think we are successful in that. A lot of people come inside and say it\u2019s clean, neat, and it may be compact but most of the things are there.\u201d<\/p>\n

123 Store Chalan Kanoa is open from Monday to Sunday, 6am-9pm. For more information, call (670) 235-1231 or visit them on Facebook and Instagram: \u201c123 Store.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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