GameBox and DukDukShave Ice offers place for residents to chill in Guam
BY SKYLER OBISPO
Journal Staff
The latest ventures on Guam early in 2026 feature a revival of Guam’s arcade scene and a new stop for those making the journey down south.
Siblings Rhys Yu and Richelle Yu Canto are longtime gamers, shaped by childhood memories of arcades such as GameWorks and years spent playing in arcades overseas.
That experience, they told the Journal, helped shape their approach to opening GameBox at Micronesia Mall.
GameBox at the Micronesia Mall draws players on weekdays and weekends. Photo by Skyler Obispo
Yu and Canto, co-owners of the arcade, said the idea for GameBox had been discussed casually for years but became more urgent following the closure of Guam’s remaining arcades. The brother and sister said they saw a gap in the island’s entertainment offerings and wanted to create a premium, well-maintained arcade accessible to a broad audience.
What sets GameBox apart from earlier arcades, they said, is its curated game selection. The arcade features more than 40 games from well-known brands, chosen to deliver a high-quality player experience.
“We thought, when building the arcade, ‘What machines would we want to play?’ not just what machines were available,” Canto said.
The lineup includes modern titles such as Crossy Road, Minecraft and Halo, alongside classic arcade staples including basketball and air hockey.
In addition to popularity, the siblings said all machines were purchased new and selected for durability.
“We picked — at least from our perspective — the best quality machines we could so that they would last,” Canto said. “We understand the machines are going to be played heavily and will experience wear and tear, and we hope we planned correctly for that.”
Maintenance was one of the siblings’ primary concerns during the build-out. Canto said repairs can be both time-consuming and costly, particularly because replacement parts often must be shipped to Guam, a process that can take two to six months. In some cases,
she said, replacing a machine can be more cost-effective than repairing it.
To help preserve the equipment, GameBox enforces a strict no food or drink policy and has weight limits on certain games. Canto said the rules have been well received by customers.
GameBox operates using reloadable game cards, allowing customers to load funds digitally rather than using tokens or paper tickets, Yu said.
Looking ahead, the pair hope to add additional titles such as Pac-Man and Mortal Kombat. For now, they said the focus is on fine-tuning operations and resolving technical issues, with any expansion dependent on feasibility and demand.
Yu and Canto said they view GameBox as more than a business, describing it as a community gathering space designed to recreate the arcade experiences they enjoyed growing up for their own children and for the broader community.
CantoCanto is also owner of PlayWorx on the same floor of Micronesia Mall.
Just off Route 4 across C&J Hamburgers and Hotdogs in Merizo sits an Airstream RV which houses one of Guam’s latest dessert shops: Dukduk Shave Ice.
The shop is owned by longtime entrepreneur, musician, and photographer Donovan Brooks who opened the shop in April 2025, following a trip to Hawaii a few years ago and wanting something to do.
“I spent some time with a gentleman who had a shave ice business, a small little place; kind of far flung, not in the middle of town. You have to drive to get there,” he said.
Brooks said he spent about an hour with the man who showed him the ins and outs of his operation, describing it as a majority production space than shop space.
Much of the DNA of the shop in Hawaii is in Dukduk Shaved Ice, alongside his experience growing up between Guam and Hawaii.
Dukduk Shave Ice’s remote location is part of its appeal. Brooks said visitors who make the 40- to 50-minute drive to Merizo should feel rewarded for the trip, and that is where his business — along with others such as C&J’s — helps enhance the experience.
Moreover, he said Dukduk Shave Ice also fits the vibe of southern Guam, a place that has stayed relatively similar to how it was in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1990s — Brooks’s youth.
“As I’ve been doing this, early on I realized that there needed to be a place here,” he said, referring to how other islands have rest stops, restaurants, and other businesses for people on a long drive. “I like to think that this place fits and people have told me, ‘Wow, you’re just like the North Shore.’”
Brooks’s shaved ice is made using blocks of ice instead of ice cubes which are about the size of a milk carton. He said it gives it a velvety texture that melts in your mouth.
The ice shaver he sourced from Japan is a Swan SI-100E which is one of the leading ice shavers available on the market, he said.
The shop offers 17 flavors of shaved ice and several flavors of ice cream, of which the pineapple and mango flavors are made in house. The popular shaved ice flavors, according to Brooks, are cotton candy and
blue raspberry.
Brooks runs the daily operations but enlists the help of his family when the shop sets up at events. The reception has been well met according to Brooks and reviews on Google, so he sees several customers during the week and even more on the weekends.
He told the Journal he enjoys the relaxed atmosphere, which gives him an opportunity to have a nice conversation with his customers.
Donovan Brooks is the owner of DukDuk Shave Ice in Merizo. Photo by Skyler Obispo
“I don’t mind chatting with people. I think that’s probably one of the reasons that I did this because I enjoy people,” he said. “We are just happy to be here; we just want to be a chill place to hang out.”
In related news, Bella Wings Aviation LLC, a Guam-based drone aviation and logistics company, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Taiwan-based electronic manufacturer, Champ-Ray Industrial Co., Ltd.
The MOU establishes a non-binding framework for the manufacturing and assembly of lights, motors, and other related components for drones and unmanned aerial systems on Guam.
Charlie Hermosa, CEO and co-founder of Bella Wings, said in a statement the MOU reflects a shared interest from both parties to advance drone technology through manufacturing and highlighted that Guam sits in a unique position to do so.
“Guam offers a unique combination of U.S. market access, strategic location, and growing technical workforce, making it an ideal place to evaluate resilient and compliant drone supply-chain solutions,” he said.
The MOU allows both parties to assess the technical feasibility, regulatory compliance, workforce requirements, and market opportunities before entering any future binding agreements, Bella Wings said.
Max’s Restaurant closed its doors at the Micronesia Mall after four years of operation on Jan. 31.
“Thank you for your support over the years. It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of our Micronesia Mall location,” the restaurant wrote on social media. “We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our loyal customers and community for making Max’s a part of your special moments.” mbj
Government leaders, regulators and industry stakeholders gathered at the Cannabis Industry Regulations Annual Summit on Jan. 29 to discuss the state of Guam’s cannabis industry and the obstacles preventing
full implementation.
A chance discussion between Casey Castro, chef and owner of Capital Food Group with a fellow chef and owner and chef led to an addition to Castro’s group and an additional jump in assets that he wasn’t expecting.
Washington, D.C. — James C. Moylan, Guam’s delegate to Congress, updated media Feb. 6 on his recent meetings in Washington focused on air connectivity and Indo-Pacific security.
