LOCATED in the heart of Paseo de Marianas in Garapan, Mainland Mango is a new shop that strives to bring high-end affordable footwear to Saipan at an affordable price.
“During my first visit to Saipan, it was apparent that the island did not have a source of quality, high-end, affordable shoes equal to those that you can find on the U.S. mainland,” Mainland Mango owner and Garapan resident Sharon Naegle told Variety.
“The choices that were available were low quality and overpriced knockoffs or seconds. You’ve to shop online and try to find shoes you liked at an affordable price that could be shipped, then wait for them to arrive hoping that they would fit and be comfortable,” she added.
She said she wanted to be able to walk into a beautiful store, feel welcomed, experience the best customer service, and be offered a wide selection of stylish, affordable, designer shoes.
“I wanted to try them on, feel their quality and comfort, know that they fit, and be excited about my new purchase. I wanted to create a store that would ensure that the locals had a shoe store like this one. Thus, Mainland Mango was born,” Naegle said.
Naegle was born in California, and studied International Business and Political Science at Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she and her husband raised their five children.
“I am a business woman at heart, and have an entrepreneurial spirit that cannot be contained. I started my first business at 10 years old and have had a job ever since. Over the last 20 years, I have founded multiple successful businesses. No matter the business, my goal is always the same: bring good people together, serve each other, love what you do, take risks, and find a way to give back something to the world that has blessed me with so much,” Naegle said.
She first visited the CNMI last year with her Chamorro “sister.” She said she fell in love with the people and the spirit of Saipan who were still recovering from the devastation of recent typhoons and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“It was broken and lonely, trying to heal, almost defeated, but not ready to give up. I could feel the radiating pain of the island, and I identified personally with it. God gives us all struggles in different forms. It wasn’t too long before my visit that I found myself in the middle of my own personal storm, hurting, devastated, and feeling broken, alone. I was not ready to give up. I fought like hell. I knew that my life and my family was worth fighting for. In the end, this journey strengthened me and refined me into a better person, grateful for the experience, and ready to pay it forward. I knew instantly that I would try to pay it forward here on Saipan,” Naegle said.
“I began to look for something that the people of Saipan needed, that I could provide, that would make a difference in their lives, even if it was on a small scale. I wanted to be part of the fight to heal the island and make her even stronger. I wanted to bring hope, strength, and a spirit of empowerment, and recovery to Saipan, to show the locals, especially the women, that they are powerful, talented, and can do hard things. I was embraced by love and acceptance from a community that I now call my second family. Instantly I knew that I would be back and now I am a proud resident of Garapan.”
She added, “I always feel great when I get a new purse or pair of shoes — it brightens my day and boosts my spirits. By opening Mainland Mango others are going to feel the same way. We sell designer shoes for the whole family, and designer accessories: purses, wallets, hats, belts, and jewelry. We aim to do all this at an affordable price while providing excellent service and quality all wrapped into one.”
Naegle said the community “is very excited we are here and I keep hearing how they have been waiting for a good shoe store to come to the island. We aim to please. Our demographic is the local residents, especially the women who deserve a place to shop for themselves as well as the whole family. We have diverse fashions…allowing our clients to find something that is perfect for each of them.”
Mainland Mango, she added, accomplishes many things by just opening its doors.
The shop aims to provide jobs and training, the opportunity to learn and grow into management, and to earn a higher wage.
Naegle said the revenue generated will provide a source of income for Saipan to grow and heal the economy through the taxes that are generated.
“Mainland Mango is here to stay in Saipan. We strive to be the trusted name and primary source for shoes on the island. As our demand grows and locals shop in the store, we plan to double the floor space and triple the inventory, offering an even greater selection for everyone. ‘Love Local Shop Local!’ Mainland Mango wants Saipan to know that we are the store for the community, and are delighted to offer a local discount. We look forward to serving Saipan and seeing you all in our store very soon,” she said.
Mainland Mango is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, and from 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
As the business grows, it plans to open six days a week with extended store hours.
It will be open for its “BIG Labor Day Weekend Sale” from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. this Monday, Sept. 5.
MV photos
