Micronesia Mall Celebrating 25 Years 2 3 MICRONESIA MALL: CELEBRATING 25 YEARS Micronesia Mall Celebrating 25 Years 25 Celebrating Mall Micronesia
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August 2013 Micronesia Mall Celebrating 25 Years 2 3 MICRONESIA MALL: CELEBRATING 25 YEARS Micronesia Mall Celebrating 25Years hen the Micronesia “We learned that with increasing traffic, we Mall opened its needed to expand, and we did. Soon after, with doors on 8/8/88, it a larger capacity we were able to meet the was because of a demands for space by new stores and restau- commitment Lucio rants. National store names like Macy’s, as well August 2013 Tan made to as not-so-famous, but equally successful local provideW the people of Guam with the finest, companies wanted to an integral part of most complete shopping and entertainment Micronesia Mall. And from the reactions we’ve center in the region. However, before Dr. Tan received, the shoppers are happy with the began building the largest enclosed shopping additions. mall in the Western Pacific, he started But we’re not stopping there. While we’ve investing in Guam much earlier, in the 1970’s. added more shops under different categories, Dr. Tan first purchased Tommy’s Bakery and we recognize that there still remains a desire the original American Bakery located in Maite, among the public for more. In the upcoming then merged the two bakeries. His next months, residents and visitors will begin to business creation was Toppy Furniture in 1978, see more stores and restaurants opening up, and which is still operating today in concourse we’re even venturing out into a new location. three of Micronesia Mall. The 32 acre site of This new and exciting shopping center will the mall was subsequently purchased in 1980. carry on our company’s vision for greater Because Mr. Tan believed that Guam was on access to popular, moderately priced products, the verge of a population shift to Northern services and entertainment. Guam, he made the promise to develop a At the Micronesia Mall, we are thrilled to massive shopping center that would mark the have come so far, and my vision is to continue convergence of dining and entertainment to serve the people of Guam. I promise that with together with world class shopping. Between your trust and support, we will continue to meet 1988 and today, the mall has revolutionized your expectations in the years to come.” retailing on Guam. About Dr. Lucio Tan Dr. Tan’s accomplishments are numerous. On island, in the Philippines and in other parts of Asia, he is first and foremost recognized for his business acumen. In Guam, he owns a line of successful businesses, including Micronesia Mall, Tumon Bay Mall, Philippine Airlines GSA, American Bakery, Toppy Furniture, Guam Beachfront Residences, Grandview Development and Acetown, among others. This rightfully earns him the recognition as the largest Philippine investor in Guam. However, his works extend into a serious commitment to charitable, fraternal and civic organizations. In early 2003 Dr. Tan extended his education philanthropy by pledging $1 million dollars to the University Of Guam. That same year In June 2003, Lucio Tan was bestowed a Doctor Of Humane Letters degree in recognition of his assistance to the island of Guam. So profound are his works that November 4, 2002 was proclaimed Lucio C. Tan day by Governor Carl .T.C. Gutierrez. Additionally, Tan was bestowed the Ancient Order of the Chamorri, the highest honor given by a gover- nor to community members with exemplary contributions to Guam. He was also appointed Guam’s Honorary Ambas- sador-at-Large for his contributions to People Helping People during Typhoon Chata’an. August 2013 Micronesia Mall Celebrating 25 Years 4 5 August 2013 Micro Mall Celebrating 25 Years 6 MICRONESIA MALL: CELEBRATING 25 YEARS Phase 2: Grand Opening December 4, 1998. Micronesia Mall Celebrating 25Years August 2013 New additions: Ground breaking of Phase 2 expansion on June 25, 1997. wenty years ago on Monday morning, Au- gust 8, 1988, Dr. Lucio and Mrs. Carmen Tan, Governor Joseph Ada, ArchbishopT Anthony Apuron together with other dignitaries and special guests cut the ribbon at the entrance to Micronesia Mall, the largest shopping center in the Western Pacific. The ribbon cutting and blessing kicked off a week-long celebration that included giveaways, freeze modeling, live Today, Micronesia Mall remains the largest shopping radio remotes, performances by the Harlem Globetrotters mall in the region. Since its opening, however, the mall has GROWTH and full color laser light shows performed by the undergone important changes to accommodate Guam’s company that lit the Statue of Liberty during America’s growing population, expanding tourism industry and The growth in Guam’s tourism since 1988 and the bicentennial. It was a special day that forever changed subsequent increased demand for goods. resulting benefits to the economy have resulted in a shopping on Guam. consistent demand for prime retail space. To meet this demand Mr. Tan once again invested in Guam’s people BACK TO THE BEGINNING and future by more than doubling the size of Micronesia Mall in 1998 to over 750,000 square feet. The mall’s Previously there were no 100-store shopping malls, no on-going leasing objective is to meet the needs of retailers food courts or mall center courts for community events large and small from every country and today it is nearly and no covered parking for shoppers. It was because of 100 percent leased. the trust, confidence and close ties Tan has always had On opening day the mall had 66 stores, 11 eateries and with Guam’s people since the early 1970’s, that he made 13 kiosks. Some of the original stores and eateries that are a major commitment to Micronesia to create the best still achieving success after 25 years include Paul’s, Mand- shopping destination in the region. sar, Tabaquera Gifts, Primo Surf, Denny’s, Fun Fair, Su & The primary mission of Micronesia Mall then and Hawaii, Great American Cookie Company and Studio 211. today is to offer shoppers the greatest variety of the most Today the mall has grown to feature 23 eateries, 90 stores, popular, moderately priced name brand stores and restau- 4 entertainment venues and 14 coffee and snack shops. rants. In order to accomplish this mission, Tan built Guam’s largest, two-level enclosed shopping mall with a 10,000 square foot center court, Guam’s first 200-seat Fiesta Food Court and featuring convenient surface Grand opening: At the ribbon cutting ceremony and blessing on parking at every mall entrance. 8/8/88, white doves were released for good luck. I Continued on page 8 7 August 2013 Micronesia Mall Celebrating 25 Years 8 MICRONESIA MALL: CELEBRATING 25 YEARS I Continued from page 6 Expansion: Governor Ada and Dr. Tan discuss the Phase 2 Mall Expansion on UNPRECIDENTED MIMO: A true piece of art. June 25, 1997. SUCCESS THE MALL HAS IT ALL Most notably, famous design- ers, company-owned and fran- But the mall offers up more than chised stores have achieved great shopping boutiques and eater- unprecedented success in the ies—among its most popular crowd- mall. In fact, many have their pleasers are attractions that have been top grossing and most prof- around for as long as the mall has been itable brands in Micronesia open. Fun Fair, the mall’s expansive Mall, including Macy’s, Foot game arcade, is as popular today as it Locker, GameStop, Vitamin was when it first opened. And with the World and Pay-Less addition of Funtastic Park, featuring Supermarket to name a few. The largest store construction expansion rides like Road Rage and its very own roller Because 50 percent of all retail occurred in 2009 when Macy’s nearly dou- coaster, its no wonder why the mall is so Micronesia Mall Celebrating 25salesYears worldwide are impulse pur- bled in size. Today Macy’s is undergoing popular with families. chases, shopping synergy is cre- an expansion of their Children’s Depart- To this day, kids and first-time visitors ated when stores, restaurants and ment, which will add 5,433 more square stand fixated before a one of a kind sculpture entertainment are showcased feet.In addition to housing Macy’s, Ameri- that stands in center court. MIMO (short for together in a convenient, safe and ca’s largest most popular department store, “Micronesia Identified Moving Objects”) or comfortable shopping environ- Micronesia Mall also features the largest “Pelota Pagoda,” the name given to it by its ment. Micronesia Mall’s 131 750-seat food court and more stores and creator, world-renown artist George Rhoads, August 2013 stores, restaurants and entertain- restaurants (131) than any other center in of New York. ment have the critical mass neces- the region. Of those stores and restaurants The 26-foot audio kinetic sculpture sary for shopping synergy. When it is comprised of 4 anchor tenants; 23 suspends billiard balls and basketballs that you factor Micronesia Mall’s com- restaurants; 19 apparel stores; 30 specialty, collide with an arrangement of chimes, bined foot traffic from the tourist, souvenir and gift shops; 10 jewelry stores; xylophones, cymbals and bells, creating the resident and military markets with 4 cellular providers; 8 banks, travel and in- background trademark tune that greets annual sales that are higher than National stores like Macy’s and Foot surance companies; 9 beauty and nail visitors that make their way into the center are attainable in most mainland malls, then Locker, plus local tenants like Micronesia shops; 8 shoe and handbags stores; 2 toy court. But the MIMO’s instrumental song in it’s easy to see why demand for mall space Mall theatres and JP Superstore have all stores; and 14 coffee and snack shops.