THE Garapan Street Market returned to Paseo De Marianas on Thursday, Aug. 29, with four food vendors and three cultural exhibitors.
Gloriana Teuira, the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture director, said she hopes the increased foot traffic on Thursdays will be beneficial to the Garapan tourist district.
“It’s back where it all started,” she said. “For seven to eight years, after the storm, after Covid, we didn’t have a street market. I think it’s a good collaboration between [the Marianas Visitors Authority] and [DCCA] to bring it back to the heart of Garapan and hopefully some of the businesses will come back. Bring traffic over here and we can bring traffic back to where it’s needed the most.”
Teuira said opening night had a “half-block party” atmosphere, but she expects the street market to totally occupy Paseo De Marianas in the future for a “full block party” experience.
She said a total of 22 vendor applications were submitted to her office, and that the applicants intend to pay fees and follow regulations.
“So by next Thursday I think it’s going to be a full house,” she said, adding that the Garapan Street Market could stretch from the Coral Tree Avenue intersection all the way to Beach Road.
Teuira also encouraged artists to participate by displaying their work to the public.
“It would be nice if we have community members or tourists sitting down with the artists to learn about what they’re doing,” Teuira said.
Two traditional weavers, John Hosono and Germaine Deleon Guerrero, were present on Thursday evening to display their weaving skills.
“I’m interested in participating [because] it’s going to teach the community, especially our young generation,” Deleon Guerrero said.
Anna Alcantara, who owns Chowtime restaurant, said she was there to gain more customers.
“I’m excited,” she said. “We want to try to get additional traffic. Of course, the business, the economy is down. We hope we’ll have additional income by introducing our food to the [street market customers].”
Aside from food vendors and art displays, the street market also featured cultural performances.
Chagi Norf staff set up their canopy at the Garapan Street Market on Thursday, Aug. 29.
Chef Samson Tan of Chagi Norf mans his grill and frying station
Chef Samson Tan of Chagi Norf mans his grill and frying station.
Anna Alcantara, who owns Chowtime restaurant, aims to gain new customers at the street market.
Chowtime staff pose for a photo with some of the food they are selling.
The Garapan Street Market featured cultural performances when it returned to Paseo De Marianas on Aug. 29, 2024. On May 1, 2025, the street market will reopen at the Garapan Fishing Base.
Traditional dancers perform at the street market.
The weekly Garapan Street Market is back at the heart of the tourist district.
Germaine Deleon Guerrero exhibits her woven creations.
John Hosono displays his weaving skills.
Kingfisher Noni displays some of its products at the street market.
The weekly street market aims to increase foot traffic in the Garapan tourist district.
