Pay-Less Supermarkets celebrates reopening of refreshed Sinajana store
BY SKYLER OBISPO
Journal Staff
Pay-Less Supermarkets hosted a grand reopening of its newly renovated Sinajana store on Dec. 6.
The Sinajana store is the oldest operating Pay-Less location, first opening in 1967.
Pay-Less Supermarkets hosted a reopening ceremony of its Sinajana store on Dec. 6. Photo by Skyler Obispo
“Here in Sinajana, we are rooted in the community,” said Pay-Less President and CEO Katherine R. Calvo.
The original Sinajana Pay-Less — then J&G Pay-Less — actually opened behind the St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. Calvo said urban renewal and development caused the company to sell the original site and move to its current location in 1978.
The renovated store “blends modern convenience with island warmth, featuring bright, open spaces, natural textures, and design elements that honor Sinajana’s cultural roots,” according to Pay-Less.
The updated location features a 25% larger produce section and a 30% expansion of the meat and seafood department. The largest increase is in the freezer, chill, and dairy section, which grew by about 75%, while maintaining a familiar layout for customers.
Sinajana Mayor Robert RDC Hofmann reflected on the village’s ties to Guam’s agricultural history.
“Neighborhood grocery stores, like Sinajana Pay-Less, go beyond selling goods,” he said. “This store supports local farmers and producers, which creates a ripple effect that lifts our neighbors and strengthens our island.”
Michael Benito, executive vice president and general manager at Pay-Less, said the refresh took about three and a half months — one of the fastest renovations the company has completed. mbj
With Super Typhoon Bavi now packing maximum sustained winds of 160 mph and forecast to strengthen further as it moves toward the Marianas, emergency officials are urging businesses and residents to treat this weekend as their critical window to prepare for potentially damaging winds.
Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are now in Condition of Readiness 3 as Typhoon Bavi approaches, with both governors urging residents and businesses to use the remaining hours of fair weather to prepare.
Task Force Talon relinquished command to the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (3-43 ADA), ushering in a new battalion to take over Guam’s air missile defense systems.
Emergency management agencies across the region are urging residents and businesses to execute disaster preparedness plans as Tropical Storm 09W is forecast to rapidly intensify and potentially strike Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as a Category four super typhoon.
