The vendors are also hoping that more tourists will come and visit the islands to join the three-day festivities.
With immigration now federalized, some vendors are said the event may draw fewer visitors but they are still “hoping for the best.”
Susan Dela Cruz of the Tinian-based Susan’s Creations said she always displays her products at the festival each year such as Tinian hot pepper and pepper products, handmade jewelries and accessories, sea glass products, apparel and other souvenir items.
“The economy is hard, but together will all the other vendors, I hope that things will be better and we will make more sales to the community this year,” Dela Cruz said.
Newcomers Ebisuya Inc. and Kinpachi have registered to “test the waters” but they are optimistic food sales will do good.
“It will be our first time to join and we are glad to have the chance to sell our products such as Japanese food items and drinks to the community,” Ebisuya management said.
Kinpachi Restaurant manager Sonia Siwa said this is their first time to join the food vendors at the Flame Tree Arts Festival.
“We are still planning the menu to sell in our booth at the festival, but we are looking at Japanese food that will be saleable to the tourists and locals at affordable prices,” Siwa said.
Canton Restaurant owner Carol Wong said inviting a lot of visitors from other countries can help the vendors generate more sales during the event.
She said they will also be introducing new items in the menu for the community to try and enjoy.
Over 65 establishments have already registered to sell food, arts and crafts at the Flame Tree Arts Festival in Susupe on April 23-25.
