The Trove’s Sinlaku-driven move pays off as thrift shop finds new home

What was already going to be a relocation for The Trove Saipan turned into a race against time after Super Typhoon Sinlaku damaged its former location and hastened the thrift shop’s move to the former Bank of Saipan building in Garapan.

Owner Carlene Atalig-Mitchell said the store’s lease at Joeten Hafa Adai Shopping Center had already expired, but the storm accelerated plans to transfer.

“Our lease was actually already up, but then Typhoon Sinlaku just kind of had us speed things up because we did incur some damages, and we were just very blessed that we were able to find this space here,” Atalig-Mitchell said.

The Trove officially opened its new location on May 15 after weeks of renovation work that took place amid widespread power outages following the typhoon.

“It was very tough because, with just everything happening with Typhoon Sinlaku, we did things in the dark with no power, and we just made it work,” she said.

Despite the challenges, the business opened its doors even without electricity and air conditioning. To thank loyal customers and help residents recovering from the storm, The Trove offered a 30% discount when it first opened. The store also launched promotions that rewarded customers who donated canned goods for community relief efforts.

Atalig-Mitchell said the response on the move from customers has exceeded expectations.

“The comments we're getting is that it looks more boutique-ish, cozy, so we're happy,” she said.

The move has also brought the business closer to the customers who support it most.

While the Joeten Hafadai location benefited from being near major hotels, Atalig-Mitchell said tourists were never the primary customer base. Instead, local residents accounted for most of the store’s traffic.

“The majority of our customers were local,” she said. “We're actually closer to a lot of residences, and people are actually walking here, so yeah, we're happy with this new location.”

The smaller footprint has also allowed the business to tighten operations and keep prices affordable despite increased shipping costs and the economic uncertainty following the typhoon.

The Trove continues to bring in curated secondhand and vintage merchandise from the U.S., including popular 1980s and 1990s fashion items, streetwear, and Y2K-era clothing that have become increasingly popular among younger shoppers.

Although shipping costs have risen, Atalig-Mitchell said the store remains committed to offering value to customers.

The owner also expressed gratitude to loyal patrons who encouraged the store to reopen quickly after the storm.

“We had tons of messages asking us, ‘When are you going to open? Please open,’” she said. “We did, without air conditioner, with basically solar lights, and we had such a good turnout.”

The Trove is open daily from 10am to 8pm. Customers can contact the store through its Facebook and Instagram pages or by calling (670) 284-0611.