Sandy Weaver pops open a bottle of champaign during the soft opening of Monika’s Treasures.
Monika’s Treasures will feature “smaller items” that owner Monika Nugent hand-picked from Bali, Indonesia.
MONIKA’S Treasures held its “soft” opening at its new location adjacent to Joeten Garapan on Friday, Nov. 17, celebrating the occasion with champaign and treats for visitors.
Sandy Weaver, daughter of owner Monika Nugent, said the new location will still feature the kinds of furniture and trinkets that her mother has been known to import to Saipan, although in smaller quantities than what was offered at Monika’s Furniture.
Weaver said fans of Monika’s Furniture can continue to expect items that fit Nugent’s aesthetic. Nugent is still going to personally hand-select items in Bali for resale on Saipan.
“Every time we go to Indonesia, they have new items there [or] new things that they come up with,” Weaver said. “We try to get a little bit of everything.”
She said her mother is going to open a different furniture store sometime in the future.
In the meantime, Weaver said Monika’s Treasures will offer smaller items for residents and tourists such as souvenirs and home décor — including baskets, benches, blankets and more — from Bali.
Weaver said the shop, which has been open for under a month, sees foot traffic daily.
“Every day we get a few tourists that walk by on foot,” she said. “For the locals I think everyone pulls into Joeten here, parks, and then on their way out they have the choice to come here.”
On Friday, handicrafts, wood carvings, wooden turtles, and wooden hooks were among the items doing well in sales.
At the soft opening of Monika’s Treasures, hand crafted wooden turtles sold well.
Bed, benches and other items are available at Monika’s Treasures.
