Richard and Jenneth Quiambao had their first date in 2000 at Hava Java, back when it was located in the Agana Shopping Center.
It was a blind date, and Richard said he prepared by having enough money to go wherever Jenneth wanted to go.
(From left) Jenneth Quiambao and Richard Quiambao, owners of Hava Java 671. Photo by Skyler Obispo
“I had $150 in my pocket, and when I picked her up, I asked her what she wanted to do, where she wanted to go. All she wanted was coffee,” he said.
Now 25 years later, Richard and Jenneth are the new owners of the coffee shop, taking ownership in August.
After 30 years of doing business on Guam, the coffee shop’s former owner, Carol Ragan, decided to retire. She opened the store in 1995, and the original plan for the coffee shop was to shut down all operations after she retired, but since she was friends with the couple, Richard offered to take over operations to keep the legacy going.
“There’s a loyal following,” he said, especially for Ragan’s sandwiches and the coffee she brews.
There were about five other offerers that wanted to take on ownership, but none fit the right “vibe” Richard said, after their meeting with Ragan.
Jenneth also operates her own nail and beauty salon, Nails by Jenneth, and before taking over Hava Java, Richard worked at the Guam International Airport Authority, Guam Community College, and the Port Authority of Guam — where he retired from, but he said he was raised in business.
His family owns and operates Paulino’s Store in Talo’fo’fo. His mother, who was the owner, taught Richard about business and responsibility while growing up in the store.
“She taught me that business is not just business or for making money,” he said. Being dependable and treating customers well was important, especially at a time when the village relied on mom and pop stores to be open, he said.
The couple translate those lessons into how they run the shop today, while making an emphasis on keeping the consistency that Ragan established in the last three decades. The most notable change is the name, adding 671 to the end as a reference to Psalms 67:1 which talks about the blessings of God, Jenneth said.
“There’s a reason why the same people come over and over again,” she said. “They’re looking for the taste of the sandwiches, and they’re looking for the taste of the coffee … there has to be something that she’s doing right.”
Faith and developing the next generation is a guiding tenet in the lives of Richard and Jenneth, who also run a non-profit called Leadershape Advantage.
Hava Java, now Hava Java 671, in Hagåtña. Photo by Skyler Obispo
The couple said they hire college and high school students to give them the opportunity to develop a culture of mentorship amongst the staff.
“We’re not just here to make a profit, but we’re also here to guide them and to not discourage them,” Jenneth said.
Going forward, the pair hope to be more efficient as well as bringing in more local flavors and products.
In other news, Salt + Light Home established its flagship store at the old Genghis Khan Furniture building in Tamuning.
Shine Walker, chief creative officer and principal designer at Salt + Light Home, said in a video on the business’s social media, the move was a logical step forward as the business continues to grow.
“When you have limited space, you can’t really properly display the furniture pieces so that they shine individually and within each vignette,” added CEO and principal designer Lissa Talavera also on social media.
The company said that the move is in honor of Anna Wang Kao, who opened the Genghis Khan Furniture store more than 50 years ago.
A soft opening for the new flagships store will be held on Nov. 8. mbj
Behind a quiet window at the Guam Department of Land Management in the ITC building in Tamuning, the Guam Land Use Commission’s Office of Planning is a hive of activity.
According to information shared with the Journal, the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command is planning several projects to support submarine operations on Guam.
On Oct. 30, Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero filed a petition with the Supreme Court of Guam requesting for declaratory judgement that the Attorney General Douglas B. Moylan does not have authority to approve contracts for autonomous agencies such as the Guam Power Authority and the Guam Waterworks Authority.
