PIC Saipan gives local artists new venue to showcase, sell their crafts

Pacific Islands Club Saipan is giving local artists and small businesses a much-needed venue to showcase and sell their products through a weekend pop-up market at the hotel's lobby in San Antonio.

The initiative, which kicked off last Saturday, Nov. 7, brings together seven local arts and crafts vendors, many of whom depend on online sales and occasional pop-up events to sustain their businesses.

PIC Saipan assistant general manager Dennis Tababa said the market is part of the hotel's efforts to support local entrepreneurs while giving tourists and residents an opportunity to appreciate locally made products.

“Just something for the island, you know, just something to do, and of course, to help out our island's best,” Tababa said.

“They need a place to go, they need a place to sell, CNMI, come on down here and help them out.”

The participating vendors are Bonitu Basula, Sinahi Marianas, Tahine's Creations, Taotao Isla, Jojo's Crafts, Jeanique Creations 670, and Crafty Bara. Coffee Bee and PIC's own coin bread are also featured.

Tababa said the market operates every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 2pm to 7pm, with no definite closing date.

“For now, there's still no ending date, but we hope to have these guys here for a long, long time,” he said.

Asked whether the market would continue beyond Christmas, Tababa replied, “Well, for sure, way past that.”

He said the market also gives tourists a chance to experience the island's culture without leaving the hotel.

“As they come through the lobby, they get to see the island's wonderful arts and crafts, and of course, have a chance to purchase as they want,” Tababa said.

He added that the initial response from tourists and residents has been encouraging, with hotel guests and visitors attending functions at PIC stopping by the stalls.

For participating artists, the initiative provides another outlet at a time when opportunities to sell their products through physical stores remain limited.

Jean Romolor of Jeanique Creations 670, which offers handmade flowers, jewelry, and locally produced skin care products, said pop-up markets are particularly important for artists who operate from home.

“We don't have a shop, but we're always home-based businesses,” Romolor said.

William Repeki Adrillano of Sinahi Marianas, a family-owned business producing jewelry and cultural accessories from local shells and stones, likewise welcomed PIC's initiative.

“So, we have, I guess you could say, a new home base, so to say, every weekend,” he said.

Adrillano said many of their customers are island residents living elsewhere who want something to remind them of home.

“Yeah, a piece of home that they can bring back with them,” he said.

David Vinyard, co-owner of Bonitu Basula Jewelry, said pop-up markets have become an important outlet for his business, which previously sold its products at DFS.

“It's keeping us alive doing things like this,” he said.

Bonitu Basula specializes in jewelry crafted from materials such as spondylus shells, giant clams, mother-of-pearl, blue coral, sea glass, and sea pottery.

Sisters Maiden and April Tumada of Taotao Isla, meanwhile, offer handmade jewelry featuring both traditional and contemporary designs. Some of their materials, including spondylus shells, come from Pagan in the Northern Islands.

The sisters said they try to keep their products affordable for local customers.

“We want it affordable,” one of the sisters said.

Aiden Camacho of Jojo's Crafts said their group sells affordable handmade items, including paint-your-own Christmas ornaments, lanyards, and other accessories.

“We go to school and pretty much, as of right now, we kind of just started, so just pop-ups for now,” Camacho said.

Tanya Salas of Tahine's Creations said the market also provides an opportunity for residents to discover their handmade flower crowns, ornaments, and jewelry.

“Just to showcase what we have, what we sell, and to have something for the community to come and see, and also promote PIC,” she said.

Aside from the weekend market, Tababa said PIC is offering a promotion of two rooms for $120, with guests advised to contact the hotel's front office for booking details and conditions.

The hotel is also offering Wednesday lunch at Magellan for $25 and Sunday brunch for $50, including complimentary access to the water park.

PIC has likewise introduced coin bread, a Korean-inspired snack available in mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, and chocolate flavors for $4.90 each.

Tababa said the snack resembles two pancakes with a filling in the middle and is shaped like a U.S. quarter, featuring George Washington on one side and a CNMI flag design on the other.

He encouraged residents and tourists to visit the weekend market and support the participating artists.

Other local artists interested in joining the initiative may contact Tababa at (670) 285-4906 or dennis.tababa@picsaipan.com.