Barrigada means business: Community growth in the heart of Guam

BY OYAOL NGIRAIRIKL
Journal Staff

Barrigada may be best known as a quiet, centrally located village, but it’s quickly becoming an active business corridor — fueled by new commercial investments, rising home values, and a growing sense of community pride. From neighborhood coffee shops and fitness centers to new schools and multimillion-dollar developments, Barrigada’s transformation is reshaping the way residents live, work and connect in the heart of Guam.

Future World Corp., JK Tiles and other businesses have built new offices along Route 16, just below Barrigada Heights and down the road from the Guam National Guard Readiness Facility, and the Tiyan area where Pacific Unlimited Inc. built a new warehouse. 

Barrigada also boasts business offices behind the Department of Revenue & Taxation building, including the Coca-Cola and Foremost Foods group headquarters and Pacific Grocers Guam. 

“We’re growing in terms of new businesses in the community,” said Barrigada Mayor June U. Blas who began her service as vice mayor in 2000. Today, she works with Vice Mayor Jessie P. Bautista, to bring the businesses and residents of the central village together to build a cohesive community.

“You could see it in our float,” she said of Barrigada’s entry in the 81st Guam Liberation Day Parade on July 21. Barrigada won first place for the second year in a row. She credited the staff, volunteers, the Municipal Planning Council and business partners who gave their time, talents and in-kind donations. 

Barrigada-based companies and companies owned by residents of the village had a hand in the float. JMC Equipment Rental donated a driver and the truck that pulled the float. Pacific Grocers Guam and Happy Mart provided giveaways.

Blas said, “We’re the only district that gave out candies, cookies, ice keke, chips, zories … and Mt. LamLam Sno & Ice Cream even provided ice keke for the Barrigada Crusaders football team to give out.”

She said corporate citizenship from local businesses has been tremendous in supporting the various programs offered at the Barrigada Community Center, including a cooking class for the blind led by Jackie Cabrera — a Barrigada resident who lived in the mainland for many years. She has returned home and is now using her culinary degree and expertise to teach others who are vision impaired how to navigate a kitchen and produce meals.

“She teaches the program here at the community center,” Blas said. “And we have people from all over who are coming to learn from her, and they get great support from their families, as well.”

She said the COVID-19 pandemic caused several businesses in the village to close their doors, including Marble Slab and Submarina on Route 16. That left the Natibu Dance Academy — which also offers Mixxed Fit classes — on the second floor of the building. Natibu was joined last year by Livestrong Nutrition & Fitness, and more recently by Infusion, which marked its 16th anniversary with the opening of its newest shop. Next door, construction is ongoing for the new Mochill Donuts.

Blas said she’s also excited by the recent addition to the community — Allegory Coffee & Stories. The coffee shop and restaurant is owned and run by Barrigada residents Fredalynn and Robin Hecita and their family. The Hecita family opened their doors earlier this year and serve a range of savory meals and sweet desserts, as well as coffee brewed fresh using techniques the family learned in the Philippines and Korea. (See mbjguam.com for more details.)

Robin and son Zachary Hecita said that in talking about the location, they wanted something close to home.

“Barrigada was almost a no-brainer,” Robin Hecita said. “It’s central, and we wanted to open a church with a coffee shop in it.”

Son Zachary added that the location was determined by the people they wanted to serve.

“The main commercial districts are in Tumon or Hagåtña or Tamuning, so you’d expect to see a themed coffee shop like ours there. But we wanted something that catered to the local community,” Zachary Hecita said. “Tumon stores cater primarily to tourists. Our place caters to the people of Guam with service provided by the people of Guam.”

He said his family appreciates the response of the Barrigada community.

“It’s been a great support from the community. We’ve been really blessed,” Zachary Hecita said, adding that people from the village often stop by and even drop off things they think the shop can use. “A friend dropped off a bag of calamansi just to help out.”

He said they’re working to strengthen their ties with the island community through a sister-school program and a scholarship program for artists.“Our big hope for Allegory is that it becomes a hub for creative arts.” 

The location is ideal for students from nearby schools in Barrigada and Mangilao — including the University of Guam and Guam Community College — to stop by for a quick meal, he said.
Many residents also are looking forward to the opening this November of American Grocery, construction for which started at the tail end of the pandemic. Construction was originally tagged at $3.8 million, according to Journal files. Situated along Route 8, the grocery store — which has long been an institution in Dededo with a second location in Yigo — will include a bakery complemented by Ediya Coffee’s second location, featured at the front of the grocery store. Blas said she’s been in conversation with Bryan Noket, the store’s general manager, and is excited about the job opportunities the new stores offer to residents.

She said that’s the value these stores offer to the communities they become part of. Because they’re closer to home, it’s easier for people living nearby to get to and from the business — not just for a carton of milk and some coffee, but also if they’re looking for a job.

The new American Grocery compound has a list of exciting vendors, including the return of Huang's Bakery & Cake Shop, Tommy’s Pizza, Momo Goods, a Filipino restaurant called Snackhouse, and two other businesses — a salon for men and a baby store.

“We’ll be sharing information on job opportunities soon,” Blas said.

In recent years, other issues have led to unexpected changes — like the closure of San Vicente Catholic School in 2022. Archdiocese of Agana officials said the school’s dropping enrollment was a key factor. Blas, an alumna of the school, said that while they understood the challenges that led to the closure, it was heartbreaking for the community. While Barrigada still has Carbullido Elementary and Untalan Middle schools, she is enthusiastic about the opening of two new schools.

In September 2024, the Business & Technology Charter School opened its doors to high school students. Joseph Mesa, executive director of the school’s endowment foundation, and Dylan Sablan, the school’s principal, are working with the Barrigada Mayor’s Office.

“We were campus-shopping … and were trying to find a good location at a good price. And at the time, San Vicente had just closed and we submitted our proposal, which was lower than what they were originally asking for,” Mesa said. But Barrigada residents, during the MPC meetings, said they would prefer a school in what is primarily a residential area.

“We also had town hall meetings to hear what residents had to say and to get their blessing,” Mesa said. School leadership locked down a two-year lease with the Archdiocese, and “things have been going great,” he said.

Mesa said the school is now looking at potentially purchasing the property. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and offers core subjects with classes that focus on careers of interest.

“For example, last year, many of our students were interested in construction and aviation, so our math and science classes had a focus on the type of math and science you would need to do those jobs,” Mesa said.

In late July, Mesa and Sablan were working with Blas on using the village’s new covered basketball court and improved outdoor court to host team sports — specifically basketball and volleyball, for now.

Chief Hurao Academy, which offers CHamoru immersion education, falls in line with efforts from many in Barrigada to maintain and perpetuate the CHamoru culture, Blas said. The village still has cultural programs and classes offered at the Barrigada Community Center — including cultural cooking classes and dance practices for the Pa'a Taotao Tano cultural dance group.

Hand in hand with the new businesses and schools opening in Barrigada is new accommodation. 

“The road past P.C. Lujan Elementary School has many new homes,” she said. “And they’re beautiful. … We also have a new development starting down the street from Untalan Middle School.” While the number of homes isn’t finalized, she said she’s seen plans for the area, which have generous yard space as well. She said that’s typical of homes in Barrigada — many of which are owned by families, though some are leased.

“I think that’s what makes Barrigada such an attractive place,” she said. “First, it’s all about location, location, location — whether it’s a business or a home. We’re in the center of everything.”

The attractiveness of the central location and quiet spaces is seen in the cost of some homes in the area, however. Anyone purchasing a home in Barrigada will be hard-pressed to find one for less than $500,000.

“Most of the homes are about $600,000 — like the ones in Kañada — or in Leyang, the homes there are about $700,000. Some are even closer to $900,000 or even $1 million,” she said. “Barrigada Heights is more than that; some homes there are in the millions.” And if you’re looking for a lot to build a house on, those start at around $100,000, she said.

“The homes here are really expensive, but I think it’s worth it if you’re wanting to invest in something for your family,” she said.

Blas said Hagåtña is right down Route 8, the University of Guam and Guam Community College are up the hill on Route 10, and you can take the back road through Mangilao or go down Route 16 and Macheche to get to Andersen Air Force Base. The Guam International Airport is accessible to Barrigada from both Route 8 through Tiyan (which is also part of Barrigada) or via the over-under pass that connects Route 16 to Route 10A.

And while the accessibility is great, Blas said what makes Barrigada a great place for homes and businesses is the community.

“The houses here have many of the original families, and even new homeowners are buying homes to raise their children in … It’s very common to have grandma’s house here, and because there’s a lot of land, the kids’ house is next door, and then next to them are the grandkids or siblings with nieces and nephews. It’s a great place for families and businesses to grow together.” mbj